Deputy Principal Report

N Determinations, Warning Letters, and the Importance of Task Completion

As students move through high school, completing all required assessments and tasks in each subject is essential. These tasks may include classwork, assignments, projects, and examinations. Teachers use assessment results to assess student progress, inform teaching practice and ensure all the requirements set by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) are met.

If a student fails to complete the necessary work for a course, the school may issue an N Determination. The "N" stands for "non-completion." This means the student has not met the minimum requirements for that subject. If this occurs in Years 10, 11, or 12, it can affect their eligibility for the RoSA (Record of School Achievement) or the HSC (Higher School Certificate).

Before an N Determination is issued, we are required to send an official warning letter. These letters inform parents, carers and students about the missed tasks and/or coursework, and give the student a clear opportunity to catch up and meet the requirements. The goal is to give every student a fair chance to stay on track. 

These warning letters are serious, as they let you know that the minimum course requirements are not being met. If you receive more than one letter from a subject, it means the student is at risk of not completing that course. 

As part of our monitoring procedures, we are speaking with students who have been sent warning letters or whose lack of attendance means they are not completing coursework. Students are being asked to speak with their classroom teacher about what they need to do, and seek help from their teacher or through our Homework Centre. If students are not improving and remain at risk, we will be calling parents and carers to discuss how best to support the student. 

It is very important that students complete all set tasks on time, and it is important that students attend school every day to complete their work. Parents and carers can support their children by encouraging good study habits, helping them stay organised, and contacting the school if there are any difficulties. Open communication between families and the school is key to student success.