Curriculum and Learning

Year 11 Examinations

Just a reminder that the Year 11 Preliminary Examination Block will commence on Monday 2 September and will conclude on Friday 13 September. The examinations are all timed written examinations.

It is the College’s expectation that all senior students conduct themselves in an exemplary and serious manner during the Examination Block. Year 11 students are reminded to consult the document Assessment/Examination Block Rules for Senior Students on the Year 11 CANVAS page as any breach of the rules may incur a zero mark being awarded for the associated examination.

The Examination Block timetable was issued to Year 11 students on Friday 16 August and students are reminded to become familiar with and abide by the Assessment/ Examination Block Rules for Senior Students available on the Year 11 CANVAS page.

Parents/carers and students of Year 11 are reminded, that in the event of absenteeism due to illness or misadventure during the Examination Block, a telephone call to the Year Coordinator, Ms Fisicaro, must be made on the morning of the examination. Where possible, the missed examination or a substitute will be arranged within the Examination Block period. Immediately, on the student’s return to school, a completed illness/misadventure form, with the related medical certificate or other official supporting evidence attached, must be personally given to Ms Fisicaro and the relevant Head of Faculty.

If illness or misadventure prevents a student from attending an examination or affects their performance in an examination, it is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit an illness/misadventure application, not a parent/carer or relative, unless the student is physically unable to do so.

The following points have been reiterated many times to the students regarding instances for which illness/misadventure applications are valid:

occurred immediately before or during an examination
was unexpected
was beyond the student’s control and prevented them from attending or diminished their performance in the examination.

The College will not consider illness or misadventure applications for:

difficulty preparing or lost preparation time
alleged deficiencies in teaching
misreading the Examination Block timetable
misreading examination instructions
attempting the wrong examination or part there of
long-term illness (e.g., glandular fever, asthma, or epilepsy), unless the student has suffered a flare-up of the condition during the examination
conditions for which the student has been granted disability provisions, unless they have further unexpected difficulties
conditions for which a student should have applied for disability provisions
other commitments such as participation in work, sporting event, holiday, or attendance at tests conducted by other organisations.

Illness/misadventure applications must include advice or evidence from a relevant independent expert, not a parent/carer or relative, on the same day, either immediately before or after each examination for the student. The medical certificate must be written by a practising medical doctor who is not a parent/carer or relative. A certificate from a dentist to cover an appointment will not be accepted unless sudden urgent or emergency treatment was required.

The student must provide documentation that is current, specific to the date and time of the examination, and submitted with the illness/misadventure form. A medical certificate that merely states “illness” or “medical condition” and/or “unfit for work/study” is unacceptable and the College will not consider an illness/misadventure application without sufficient evidence supporting a genuine reason.

Michael Cutrupi

Director of Curriculum

Italy Study Tour 2025 – Express Your Interest

We are thrilled to offer an incredible opportunity for our current Years 9, 10, and 11 students studying Italian to join us on an unforgettable Italy Study Tour from 4 April to 25 April 2025. This 22-day adventure will immerse students in the rich culture, history, and language of Italy, allowing them to experience first-hand the places they have studied in their Italian classes.

Our journey will take us to destinations such as Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Pompeii. We will celebrate Easter on the stunning Amalfi Coast, visiting locations such as Amalfi, Sorrento, and Capri. A highlight of the tour is a homestay experience in Rome. This family environment will provide a deep cultural immersion and the perfect environment for students to practice their Italian language skills beyond the classroom.

The total cost of the tour will be approximately $9,800 - $10,100 which includes all breakfasts and dinners, international airfares, transfers, accommodation, entrance fees and tours, local city taxes, and comprehensive travel insurance. The final cost may vary depending on the number of participants, exchange rates, and availability at the time of booking.

If you wish to express your interest in the Italy Study Tour, please complete the attached Formby Friday 6 September. We will also be holding an information evening on Thursday 12 September at 6:30 PM in the Robson Auditorium. A representative from the tour company will be present and will provide details about the itinerary and answer any questions you may have.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at stephanie.darcangeli@spc.nsw.edu.au.

Stephanie D’Arcangeli

Head of Languages

“Write a Book in a Day” - Inspiring Creativity and Supporting Kids' Cancer Research

In the spirit of Book Week, a Year 7 and a Year 9 team took on the challenge of the "Write a Book in a Day" event. This competition requires teams to write and illustrate a complete novel in just nine hours, with all proceeds going toward funding essential research for childhood cancers. The event not only tested the students' storytelling abilities but also provided them with an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.

On the day of the event, both teams were given a set of parameters, including specific characters, settings, and issues, which served as the foundation for their stories. Additionally, the stories had to be set in an Australian context.

Our Year 7 team, the “Beekeepers,” was a spirited group overflowing with enthusiasm. They were tasked with creating a story that included a helicopter pilot, a window washer, and a beach umbrella. Their tale was set in a mine and revolved around a mysterious gift. They cleverly wove in the required words—swept, dazzling, faded, wrinkled, and quirky— which resulted in their book titled The Enigmatic Games. Each student contributed unique and quirky ideas. Throughout the day, their friendly demeanour and inclusive nature shone brightly ensuring that every boy felt welcomed and valued.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 team, “Snazzy Studios” took on the challenge with equal vigour. Their parameters involved a rap artist, a robot builder, and a bull, with the story set on the Great Barrier Reef and centred around a failed harvest. The team skilfully incorporated the same set of random words, producing a fascinating story titled The Great Barrier Beef. Despite being a smaller team, they worked seamlessly together, each bringing their own strengths to the table. Their coordination was impressive with each member taking on specific roles, whether it was organising the structure of the book, contributing to the engaging illustrations, or enhancing the story with enthusiasm and creative ideas. Their ability to blend these diverse talents resulted in a well-rounded and imaginative book that reflected their individual contributions as well as their collective effort.

Both teams targeted their stories at children aged 10-16 who are patients in children's hospitals, crafting engaging narratives that not only entertained but also offered a creative escape. These young authors poured their hearts into their work, knowing that their efforts would bring joy to young readers and contribute to a cause close to their hearts.

Here are some thoughts from our participants about the day:

“Write a Book in a Day” was an amazing and enjoyable challenge that allowed me to push out of my creative boundaries. We had to balance teamwork with integrating all or most ideas. The experience of writing, drawing, editing and publishing as a group was rewarding and very valuable. I hope our books make an impact on the children in hospitals. William Zeng (Year 7)

Felicia Ho and Heidi Viney

Learning Enrichment Team

2024 Major Works Exhibition

The TAS and Visual Arts Faculties extend the following invitation to the 2024 Major Works Exhibition next week.

Matthew Herro

Year 12 Coordinator