From the Year 12 Deputy

Welcome back to all Year 12 2024 students, parents and carers. What an exciting three terms we have ahead. The realisation that there are only three terms left of your high school education will no doubt bring mixed feelings, reactions and emotions. I look forward to working productively with you all to ensure you leave your formal education ready and prepared to achieve all that you hope and dream of for yourself and your future. Mostly, I am committed to making sure you have a wonderful final year.

Reach out for help as needed

The final year of school can sometimes bring challenges - academic, social, mental health, relationships and general uncertainties or anxieties.

These are all normal and our school staff are very ready, resourced and experienced in providing support and strategies. We are here to work with you so please reach out at anytime.

The people to see - depending on the nature of your concern - include your class teacher, Connect teacher, Year Advisor, Head Teacher Wellbeing, School Councillor, Student Wellbeing Officer and of course, myself as your Deputy Principal.

We are all here to provide support and guidance at any time. The earlier we are made aware - the better.

Phones and mobile devices/accessories such as headphones and ear buds

The NSW Government and NSW Department of Education Phone Policy has been formally in place in all NSW schools since Term 4 2023.

The policy across the State and at Wyndham College remains 'off and out of sight on school grounds'. This includes during class and break times.

Exemptions can be approved through application to myself. Sometimes, students may need access to their phone. In this case, students should see me on arrival at school for permission and arrangements to be made for these one-off or occasional times.

The Wyndham College Class of 2024 are congratulated on how well they adopted this policy and followed the procedures to support this Government mandated Policy.

Importance of school-based assessments

The HSC mark is a 50:50 combination of a student’s examination mark and school-based assessment mark for each course. More information can be accessed at NESA - understanding HSC results.

School-based assessment allows students to have access to some, or all, teacher provided supports and assistance to maximise their understanding and results in a task. These include:

in-class/online support and guidance for the known questions/tasks
scaffolds, templates and/or samples
teacher feedback
peer collaboration and feedback.

It is VITAL students use these supports to maximise their marks in school-based assessment. Achieving an HSC result to be proud of by solely relying on performance in a 3-hour exam, across at least 5 courses, where all questions are unknown with no support is available, makes no sense and creates a lot of unnecessary stress.

N-Award warning letters

N-Award warning letters are designed as a warning, and a prompt to students who receive them, that they need to resolve the warning letter by completing and submitting the task, in the time-frame outlines in the letter. They are also an indication that changes and adjustments to how a student approaches their studies are required.

The task submitted must:

demonstrate outcomes assessed in the task
demonstrate course and syllabus specific skills and knowledge
ensure the work is their own work and words
that it is a serious attempt.

N-Award warning letters, in fact, all communication from the school, is first and foremost designed to alert students, parents & carers that there is a concern with the student’s application, understanding, progress and/or achievement.

The importance of high and regular attendance

Enrolled students are required to attend school regularly to meet Higher School Certificate course requirements.

It is expected that students will have an attendance rate NOT BELOW 85%.

Below this level, it may be determined that students are unsatisfactorily participating in their learning. This may lead to N-Award warning letters being issued, consideration of suspension/expulsion and not achieving the HSC qualification.

In weeks 5 and 10 of each term an attendance reporting, including attendance in each course, will be distributed to families. This is additional to Academic Reports.

Unsatisfactorily attendance may lead to not being able to attend the Formal.

Uniform and Behaviour expectations

The 2024 Behaviour Code for Students - NSW public schools outlines behaviours that are valued and expected of our students. This includes students wearing the school uniform, attendance in all classes every day and demonstrating respect, safety and engagement consistently.

Please note our uniform includes the wearing of black leather shoes.

All students must be full school uniform at the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony.

Key information about the Wyndham College uniform and where to purchase it can be accessed here.

If financial assistance is required to purchase the Wyndham College uniform, contact me or the College Office on 9208 7100.

Importance of joining the Year 12 Google Classroom - L2tifyh

The code to joining the classroom is shown above. It is vital that ALL Year 12 2024 students are in this Google classroom. It will contain information, advice and action required regarding:

the HSC, NESA, TAFE and UAC (Universities Admissions Centre)
school information and events
applications for University - including early entry
career and post-school pathway information
the Year 12 2024 Formal

This code can also be found on my office door.

Vital importance of registering your own NESA - students online account

Your NESA - students online account allows you to:

check you are enrolled in the correct courses and will be sitting the correct HSC exams
see your personal HSC exam timetable
see your results including HSC results once they are released
change your PIN for accessing results and other personal details such as address and email for communication with NESA and NESA generated documents including your HSC certificate.

Activate your NESA student online account here.

If you do not know your NESA number, you can locate it on your Wyndham College student ID card, or see Kellie. You will also need to create your own PIN for this account.

Your results and all information related to your HSC and ROSA are yours - not the schools.

You use your NESA number to identify your work in HSC exams. You are not permitted to write your name on any HSC exam.

This information and steps to activation can be found on my office door.

How will you position yourself to be where you want to be this time next year??

Positive relationships and interactions with your teachers
Positive relationships and interactions with your peers
Consistent, high attendance at school and in all classes
Handing in all assessments on time and with conscientious application
Taking advantage of early entry and school recommended schemes for University
Accessing Uni/TAFE and other providers info sessions held at school/ the Hub during lunchtimes etc
Following behaviour rules, policy, and expectations
Accessing additional support provided at school, such as after school or study session tutoring
Get involved!

Wyndham College is committed and dedicated to supporting all students in achieving their highest possible HSC outcome and in optimizing their time at Wyndham College – this is the core reason students have decided to continue into Year 12.

If at any time, a student feels the HSC may no longer be a goal for them and their needs or motivations, we have excellent Careers support at school to assist in exploring and accessing more meaningful and engaging post-school options, that may be more appropriate or desired.

The HSC is rigorous, demanding and at times challenging.

We expect students to rise to and meet the challenges of it, to appreciate their achievement, accepting the support and guidance Wyndham has available as and when needed.

Best wishes for your year ahead,

Kellie Boyd - Year 12 Deputy

DATES TO REMEMBER

Term 1 , 2024

February 2024

March 2024

April 2024

Friends of Wyndham College (e-P&C)