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NSC Senior School Handbook
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Non Satisfactory Completion of VCE Units

Satisfactory Completion of a VCE Unit

To achieve a satisfactory result (S) for a VCE unit, students must show that they have met all outcomes outlined in the relevant VCAA Study Design. Teachers make this determination by considering the student’s overall performance on the assessment tasks set for the unit. When a student’s work demonstrates the required understanding and skills, and the work can be authenticated as their own, the student will be awarded an ‘S’ result.

 

The decision to award an ‘S’ relates only to whether the outcomes have been met. A student’s SAC/SAT scores do not determine whether they receive an ‘S’ (Satisfactory) for their outcomes as this is a separate measure of their level of achievement.

 

Students may be identified as ‘At Risk’ of receiving an ‘N’ result if they do not meet key expectations, including:

  • Maintaining an acceptable level of attendance in line with school and VCAA requirements (90%)
  • Completing classwork and homework consistently
  • Producing work that demonstrates the required knowledge and skills
  • Submitting tasks by the published deadlines, including SACs and SATs
  • Meeting authentication expectations
  • Demonstrating sufficient understanding of the outcome through their assessed work

 

Students and families are notified via Compass when a student is identified as ‘At Risk.’ This may appear as a Letter of Concern, in the termly GPA report, or within the Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) on the end‑of‑semester report.

Unsatisfactory Completion of a VCE Unit

Students may receive an ‘N’ result (Not Satisfactory) for a unit if they do not satisfactorily achieve an outcome. Reasons for this may include:

  • The work does not meet the specified outcomes of the relevant VCE Unit of Study.
  • Required coursework or a SAC/SAT was not attempted or submitted by the due date/time without exceptional circumstances, such as a medical certificate.
  • The student missed a school deadline for an assessment task, even where an extension was granted.
  • The work cannot be authenticated.
  • There was a substantial breach of VCAA rules, including school attendance rules, preventing the student from satisfactorily meeting an outcome. The ‘N’ result applies to students who only partially complete work or whose attendance breaches school rules.

 

Students who need to redeem more than one SAC per subject per Unit must work with their Classroom Teacher and members of the Senior School Team to develop a plan or intervention strategies to improve their outcomes. An opportunity to redeem is required if a student scores less than 40% on the original SAC. Students must be given a minimum of two opportunities to redeem their work and demonstrate the required outcomes before an ‘N’ result can be awarded.

 

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements. Receiving an ‘N’ for a unit can have serious consequences, as it may prevent a student from successfully completing their VCE. Students who are at risk of an ‘N’ result should speak with their Head of Year Level as soon as possible to discuss their options and get support.

Process for Students ‘At Risk’ of an 'N' Result

If a classroom teacher believes a student is at risk of not successfully completing an Outcome for their VCE Units, they must immediately complete a 'Letter of Concern’ on Compass. This will notify parents/carers that their child is at risk of receiving an 'N' for an Outcome and therefore, a Unit. This letter of concern will also alert the Coordinator and Head of Year Level.

 

The teacher must also ensure that any incomplete work, or work not submitted, is recorded on Compass to maintain a record of the student’s progress. The Year Level Coordinator and Head of Year Level should be informed of any ongoing concerns via email. 

 

Before an ‘N’ result can be issued on the end‑of‑semester report or reported to VCAA, the student must first be identified as ‘At Risk’ in the termly GPA report. If concerns arise after the GPA period such as ongoing difficulty in meeting outcomes later in the semester, the school will still intervene, but an ‘N’ cannot be issued unless the student has been formally identified as ‘At Risk’. In these cases, the student will be supported through additional monitoring and communication to help them work toward achieving the ‘S’ result. Teachers may consult with the KLA Leader to support moderation and ensure consistent decision‑making. Heads of Year Level will then follow up on all ‘N’ results with families.

 

Students must continue attending classes for Units 1 and 2 while an appeal or review is underway [see below]. Students who receive an ‘N’ result for a Unit 3 or 4 subject will not continue in that class and will be assigned study periods.

 

The Senior School Team keeps a record of all ‘N’ results. Students with multiple ‘N’ results may be referred to the Careers and Pathways Coordinator to explore alternative options.

 

In some cases, and only where appropriate, a panel consisting of the Learning Area Leader or Head of Year Level and another teacher of the subject may review available evidence to determine whether an ‘S’ result can be awarded. This process is discretionary and does not apply where students have not attempted the required work.

Appealing an Unsatisfactory Result

Students may lodge an appeal where they believe the result was awarded in error or without full consideration of relevant circumstances. An appeal may be submitted when a student believes the ‘N’ result was issued due to one of the following:

  • Failure to meet a deadline including situations where an extension was approved
  • A determination that attendance requirements were not met
  • A judgement that the required proportion of coursework was not completed
  • A finding that the work could not be authenticated

 

Appeal process:

  1. The student must submit a written appeal to the Senior School Team within five school days of receiving the ‘N’ result.
  2. The Senior School Principal will convene an appeals panel (Senior School Principal, the relevant Head of a Year Level, and a subject teacher not involved in the original decision).
  3. The panel will review all documentation and may interview the student.
  4. The student will receive at least 24 hours’ notice of the interview and may bring a support person.
  5. The outcome is provided in writing within 5 school days.
  6. Once an appeal is lodged, any relevant work must be submitted to the Senior School Team rather than the classroom teacher.

 

Grounds for Appeal (Aligned with VCAA Guidelines)

 

Students may appeal on the basis of:

  • Illness: A medical certificate stating the student was unable to complete or attempt the task. Certificates must be submitted on the day the student returns to school.
  • Major illness or bereavement in the family: Documentation from a doctor or hospital confirming the circumstances and relevant dates.
  • Extenuating circumstances: Significant events that disrupted the student’s ability to meet assessment requirements. A supporting statement from the Wellbeing Team or an external professional must be provided.

 

All documentation must be submitted within five school days of receiving the ‘N’ result notification.

J Results

A 'J' result is applied when a student effectively stops engaging in a VCE unit but hasn’t formally withdrawn through the required VASS exit process. If the school hasn’t received a signed withdrawal form, the system records the student with a 'J.'

 

This outcome is used when a student:

  • is no longer participating in classes, and
  • has not completed or submitted the required assessment tasks.

 

Although the 'J' result is stored in the VCAA records, it does not appear on the student’s official Statement of Results. However, the information is still passed on to VTAC, where a 'J' is treated the same way as an N result for tertiary selection purposes.