Especean

Curriculum

Years 7 to 10 Semester 2 Reports

By the end of this week, the Final Report (issued Semester 2) on students of Years 7 to 10 will be available online to parents via the Sentral Parent Portal.

 

The reports have been adjusted to accommodate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schooling during the year, such as remote learning and changes to assessment. In particular, overall course achievement has been determined by teacher professional judgement in applying the Common Grade Scale to an on balance global evaluation of the marks and/or grades attained in the gamut of formative, informal and formal assessments in the course.

 

It is worth noting a few key features of the report include:

  • Co-curricular Involvement to date, if applicable
  • Attendance at key College events such as Founder’s Day, Reflection days, Camp and others as applicable to particular Year groups.
  • Participation in the Shining Our Light Service program and if attained, the associated extra service award.
  • Attendance Record from Thursday 30 January up to and including Friday 20 November.
  • The Homeroom Teacher’s Pastoral Profile which describes the student’s general school and homeroom practices associated with grooming and uniform, co-operation, manner, punctuality, responsibility and initiative. These Profile elements are described as Always, Usually, Occasionally or Rarely.
  • A course report A, B, C, D or E Overall Achievement grade referenced to the Common Grade Scale as defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) which represents the Class Teacher’s professional judgement in applying the course performance descriptors and the Common Grade Scale to submitted assessment tasks.

The Common Grade Scale criteria are as follows:

A

The student demonstrates extensive knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies highly developed skills and processes in a wide variety of contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates creative and critical thinking skills using perceptive analysis and evaluation. The student effectively communicates complex ideas and information.

B

The student demonstrates thorough knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies well-developed skills and processes in a variety of contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates creative and critical thinking skills using analysis and evaluation. The student clearly communicates complex ideas and information.

C

The student demonstrates sound knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies skills and processes in a range of familiar contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates skills in selecting and integrating information and communicates relevant ideas in an appropriate manner.

D

The student demonstrates a basic knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies skills and processes in some familiar contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates skills in selecting and using information and communicates ideas in a descriptive manner.

E

The student demonstrates an elementary knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies some skills and processes with guidance. In addition, the student demonstrates elementary skills in recounting information and communicating ideas.

  • a Grade Distribution in terms of the number of students awarded each A to E grade in a course
  • For the Year 9 report only, a percentage Examination Block Mark and Examination Block Average in English, Mathematics, Science and other courses where an examination was held.
  • achievement in one or more Learning Areas or outcomes expressed by one of the following descriptors: Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Elementary or Limited. Each descriptor indicates level of performance complementary to the Common Grade Scale.
  • achievement in a number of Learning Practices, such as application, conduct, commitment to study and remote learning indicated as either Always, Usually, Occasionally or Rarely.

It is important to note that the Overall Achievement grades and the Grade Distribution provide two kinds of information about the academic progress of students. The Overall Achievement grade gives an indication of academic performance relative to the achievement of course outcomes referenced to the Common Grade Scale. The Grade Distribution gives an indication of that performance compared with other students in the Year undertaking the course.

 

It is also important to note that the Examination Block Mark  and the Overall Achievement grade on the Year 9 Report are not necessarily aligned given the examination was just one of many assessment tasks carried out over the year, whereas overall achievement considers a wider range of course outcomes than was measured by the final examination. For example, a Year 9 student may have attained a high mark in the examination but overall, achieved a grade B in that subject, or conversely, the student may have attained an average mark in the examination but overall achieved an A.

 

The issuing of the reports is an important time for parents to constructively assess their sons’ academic progress and make the necessary adjustments for 2021, with the view of making realistic and progressive improvements over time.

 

Michael Cutrupi 

Director of Curriculum