YEAR 12 NEWS

SCHOOL -BASED ASSESMENTS, ATAR TRAJECTORY AND THE HSC TRIAL EXAMS

With just over a term before the Higher School Certificate written examinations, we are getting to the business end of the year. Year 12 are reminded that they need to meet the Year 12 Assessment requirements for each of their subjects to be able to qualify for the HSC. This means completing the Year 12 School Based Assessments for each of their subjects, as per the Wyndham College 2024 HSC Assessment Policy found in the 2024 HSC Assessment Booklet, as well as completing all HSC examinations.

At the time of writing, most school-based Assessment Task 3 for courses will have been completed. This means that student have only the HSC Trial exams to complete as part of their school-based assessment. It also means it is the last school-based assessment opportunity to maximize marks towards their final HSC result. School-based assessment contributes to 50% of the final HSC mark. Students are encouraged to access the support available at school from their teachers, who are all HSC specialists, to assist them in their preparation. 

Many students have seen me to gain their ATAR Trajectory. This is based on Year 12 Assessment Task 1 and 2. After meeting with students, it is clear that there is an extremely clear and strong link between regular attendance, consistent application in class and at home and their results. With the HSC Trial exams in weeks 2 and 3 of term 3, it is not too late to see a substantial uplift in final achievement.

The HSC Trial exam timetable, including rules and procedures, have been emailed to Year 12 students and parents, posted in the Year 12 Google Classroom and our social media sites. Students are advised to use the holidays to focus on maximising their achievement by developing a study timetable and accessing study tips and revision resources that have been posted in the Year 12 Google Classroom and provided by class teachers. 

Students can also attend our ACE tutoring sessions in the library Tuesdays 3-4pm and Fridays 12.50 -1:50 pm.

For some subjects, the HSC examinations will just include the written examinations in October/November. For other subjects, it will also include HSC Performance or Projects. These HSC Performance or Projects all have submission dates in Term 3. The dates have been communicated in the HSC Trial exam timetable and are also available on the NESA website. Teacher will advise the exact date (and time) that the projects are to be submitted by and when performances need to be completed. Teachers will be providing support or opportunity to work on HSC Performance and Projects throughout the upcoming school holidays and after school. I encourage all students who need to complete their HSC Projects and Performances to participate in the workshops/opportunities provided by their teachers. I would also like to thank the staff who are giving up their after school and holiday time to support our Year 12 students to prepare for their HSC.

FOLLOWING ARE THE PROTOCOLS THAT YEAR 12 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH -

The Wyndham College Year 12 Assessment Policy 2024 applies during the HSC Trial examination period. Students must meet requirements specified in the assessment policy about attendance during assessment tasks.

What you must do if you are unwell on the morning of the exam

Only under extreme circumstances of illness or misadventure should you miss an exam. You or your parent/guardian MUST contact the school BOTH by phone at 92087100 and email the Head Teacher (list below). They need to know on the day of the examination that you will not be attending the morning of the exam and why. 

An illness /misadventure application must be completed for every missed exam

• If sick you are required to get a Medical Certificate for the day(s) you are absent. This must state the type of illness in detail (unfit for school will not be accepted). 
•  You need to keep your teachers informed and notify them when you will return to school.
•  Make-up exams should where possible be resat during the exam period. 
•  The Subject Head Teacher will reschedule your exam.

Please note the extract from the Wyndham College HSC Assessment Handbook below:

iv. Students who fail to attend on the specified date an assessment task (including examinations) which is to be completed at school must be given zero if they have no valid reason. 

v. … but who have a valid reason (such as sickness or approved leave validated by appropriate documentation) are eligible for the full mark allocated to the task if they have completed the task. A medical certificate is an essential component of a successful Medical Misadventure Application. You need to complete a form available on the school website.

N-WARNING LETTERS

Please do not ignore Warning letters sent home by teachers for missed course work or assessment tasks. Complete the required work identified on the letter and submit to teachers as soon as possible so that the N letter can be marked as 'resolved'. Not doing so will place a student's ability to be determined to have satisfactorily met course requirements, and therefore achieve the HSC qualification, at risk. 

ATTENDANCE

Recently the term 2 attendance check-in reports were sent to parents. I have been following up with students who's attendance represents 1 or more of the below:

• declined since term 1 2024 in 1 course
• declined since term 1 2024 in more than 1 course
• remained low since term 1 2024

It is recognised that the attendance of some students has been impacted by work placement, school excursions/representation and illness. We do not expect students to be at school when they are unwell.

Families are encouraged to travel and take holidays ideally during school holidays. Extended travel leave requires approval from the school principal, with travel documentation provided. 

Please note, consistently high or improved attendance is a requirement for attendance at extra-curricula events which may include the Year 12 Formal. 

Every minute and every day counts.