Year 8

All Year 9 in 2017 and Year 10 in 2017 have been working through the transition program for their electives. A booklet outlining the curriculum structure and proposed elective courses for students entering Year 9 and 10 2017 has been issued to students. They have attended an Information Night and they have entered their choices. Notification of their final selections will be received soon. ny student with any concerns regards the process or their choices must see the appropriate Year Adviser for assistance.

Year 8 – Mr Morris

Year 9 – Ms Muscat

Minimum Literacy and Numeracy Standards

For parents and caregivers who were unable to attend the Information Night we introduced the Minimum Literacy and Numeracy Standards. This is an important change effective for Year 9 2017. It is now more important than ever for all levels of our school community to work together to raise the literacy and numeracy standards for our Year 9 cohort in 2017. From 2017 the NAPLAN tests take on a new significance for all students, as to be awarded the HSC credential, students must attain the minimum standards. If the students do not attain a Band 8 in Year 9 NAPLAN they will be given further opportunities to reach the Minimum Standards. Year 9 NAPLAN result below a Band 8 will act as an early warning system to identify students at risk of not meeting the standard. These students will then have time with their teachers, parents and schools to work to improve their performance, before taking the online literacy and numeracy test.

MINIMUM STANDARD

REFORM 1: Establish a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy for the award of the HSC

Students will be given a number of opportunities from Year 9 to Year 12 to demonstrate they meet the standard. Students at risk of not meeting the standard will be identified by Year 9 NAPLAN and directed into English and mathematics courses which have units specifically designed to focus on essential literacy and numeracy.
Students who have not reached the numeracy standard by the end of Year 10 will be required to take a prescribed mathematics course or topics in Preliminary and HSC and specific English units until they demonstrate they have met the standard.
Students who fall short of the standard by the end of Year 12 will receive the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and have five years after leaving school to pass an online BOSTES literacy and numeracy test to receive an HSC.
This reform will allow schools to work with parents to identify as early as possible students at risk of not meeting the minimum standard at the end of Year 9. It will identify students who require intervention and support to reach an appropriate standard to help them succeed in life after secondary school.

What is the minimum standard?

The standard is set at the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) Level 3, a nationally agreed standard of functional literacy and numeracy.

Students can meet the BOSTES standard by achieving:

a Band 8 in each of their Year 9 NAPLAN reading, writing and numeracy tests; or
a pass in the online literacy and numeracy tests in Years 10, 11 or 12.

Exemptions will be made for some students, such as those with disabilities undertaking Life Skills courses, and students from non-English speaking backgrounds who have been learning English for less than one year.

More information about the ACSF can be found at:

www.education.gov.au/australian-core-skills-framework

Sample questions illustrating the minimum standard are available at:

Stronger HSC Standards Literacy and Numeracy demonstration test.

Year 10

Senior School is fast approaching our Year 10 students, in preparation for their Stage 6 study pattern they participated in the Year 10 into 11 Interview process. The students’ had to create a resume of information to support their academic and social interests and career aspirations. The students found the experience really worthwhile, especially having individualised time with teachers to discuss their educational and personal goals.

Year 12

Our Year 12 students are sitting their Trial HSC examinations at the moment and we wish them luck for the exams and remind everyone of a few upcoming events to farewell the Year 12 cohort of 2016:

Target 20 nominees will begin their program after the exams.
Last day of school will be Wednesday 21 September 2016 which will involve a BBQ breakfast and activities for the cohort
Graduation will be Thursday 22 September 2016

We look forward to working with Year 12 in their final weeks of school.

Uniform

A reminder about our wonderful reputation in the community and the need to wear our uniform with pride.

UNIFORM POLICY

Uniforms are available from Lowes, Gosford

JUNIOR BOYS:

White shirt – button up cotton or polo style with school crest
Black shorts or black trousers
Navy blue fleece jacket or jumper with school crest

HOODED JUMPERS ARE NOT PERMITTED

White ankle socks
Black leather enclosed school shoes (no canvas)

SENIOR BOYS:
Lemon shirt – button up cotton style with school crest
Black shorts or black trousers
Henry Kendall tie (optional)
Green jumper or jacket with school crest or optional senior jersey/jacket

HOODED JUMPERS ARE NOT PERMITTED

White ankle socks
Black leather enclosed school shoes (no canvas)

JUNIOR GIRLS:

White blouse – button up cotton with school crest
Henry Kendall tartan skirt
Black tailored slacks/black tailored shorts – no jeans, detail, splits, studs, flares, pinstripes, belts, leggings or tracksuit pants
Black stockings
Navy blue fleece jacket or jumper with school crest

HOODED JUMPERS ARE NOT PERMITTED

White ankle socks
Black leather enclosed school shoes (no canvas)

SENIOR GIRLS:

Lemon blouse – button up cotton style with school crest
Henry Kendall tartan skirt
Black tailored slacks/black tailored shorts – no detail, splits, studs, flares, pinstripes, belts, leggings or tracksuit pants
Black stockings
Henry Kendall tie (optional)
Green jumper or green jacket with school crest or optional senior jersey/jacket

HOODED JUMPERS ARE NOT PERMITTED

White ankle socks
Black leather enclosed school shoes (no canvas)

Mrs Natalie Wearne - Deputy Principal

S

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SENIOR

End of Term 2

Issue 8 · 12 Aug 2016

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