From the Director of Studies

Stage 5 Electives Update

Our Year 8 students have begun the process of picking their electives for next year. 

In Homeroom classes, they have been watching video clips produced by each KLA Coordinator about their elective choices and completing a workbook. 

We would normally have a Stage 5 Elective Information Evening in Week 7 of the term. 

However, given the current circumstances with COVID-19, the College has decided to release a Stage 5 Information Video instead.

Stage 5 Elective Information Video

In the Stage 5 Elective Information Video, Mr MacMaster, Mrs Ursino (Stage 4 Academic Care Leader) and Mr Bombardiere (Director of Studies) will present information about why Stage 5 is important, how to make good choices and the elective selection process. There will also be a short preview of each of the electives on offer for next year.

The Stage 5 Elective Information Video can be accessed via the Stage 5 Electives Digital Space (follow link) and will be available from 7.00pm on Wednesday 2 September. This is required viewing for all Year 8 students and their parents and we would encourage you to watch it with your Year 8 son.

Stage 5 Elective Selection forms will then be given to students on Thursday during Homeroom and students will have 2 weeks to submit.

Here are the electives on offer at the College for Year 9 2021:

Stage 6 Course Selection Update

Stage 6 Course Selection is all about ensuring the right students choose the right courses. Making sure that students choose courses that suit their abilities is an essential component of their success and happiness in Year 11 and Year 12.

To this end, students in Year 10 are provided with a range of opportunities to discern the best course choices for them.  Year 10 students have already completed Information Workshops and interviews to help them make the best choices. They have studied the Stage 6 Course Selection Digital Space and watched KLA Coordinators provide advice about each of the courses. 

At the end of Week 4, students successfully submitted their Stage 6 Course Selection Forms. 

The next stage will involve course confirmation. This will involve families finding out which course will run next year and course lines. Students will then confirm the courses they have chosen.

The process should be concluded by the end of this term.

CURRICULUM OFFERINGS STAGE 4 – 6 

The courses offered in Year 7 – 12 form a coherent progression and move from mandatory subjects in Stage 4 to some choices in Stage 5 and finally to predominately student choices in Stage 6. 

The table below illustrates how your son progresses through different Key Learning Areas through their choices at school:

Year 11 Final Examinations

In Weeks 9 – 10, Year 11 students will complete their Final Examinations. Over the next few weeks, students will be finishing units of work and preparing for these examinations during their classes. They will also be spending time during their Academic Care sessions developing their study skills.

Students will be completing the following exams:

During the Final Preliminary Examinations:

• all classes will be suspended, and students only need to attend school on the day of exams
• all students are to attend school on Friday 25 September
• morning exams will start at 8.45am and afternoon exams will start at 12.40pm. 
• students wear full school winter uniform to all exams
• arrive at least 20 minutes before exams

Absence from an exam

If students are absent from an exam, they are to:

• contact the school on the morning of the examination to leave a message for the Academic Coordinator 
• complete a Student Assessment Appeal Form. The form must be returned to the Student Office by the first morning of the student’s return to school. Independent (medical) evidence is necessary.

Notice for HSC Students

NESA has issued the following advice on behalf of the NSW Government:

HSC Students to Have COVID-19 Test Results Faster

• Students taking the 2020 HSC exams will now have their COVID-19 test result fast tracked through pathology. They simply need to advise the nurse or doctor doing the test they are HSC students.
   
• Results will be fast-tracked to reduce disruption to their studies and exams. NSW Health wants to reduce potential anxiety around getting tested and ensure students self-isolate at home until results are known. This will help protect the whole community.
   

It is important that all HSC students:

• Stay 1.5m apart where possible
• Wear a mask if physical distancing isn’t possible
• Get tested ASAP if they have even the mildest of symptoms
• Tell the clinician doing the test they are an HSC student and to mark the referral ‘Urgent - HSC student’
• Stay home and self-isolate until results are known
• Receive a negative test result before returning to school; showing the school a screenshot of an SMS result is sufficient
• Call the contact number provided by the clinic if results are not received within 36 hours

As social young adults, senior students may be at greater risk of COVID-19 than the younger children at school. They’re also more likely to be out and about in situations which could put them at risk of COVID-19 if they don’t stay vigilant.  Find the nearest testing clinic at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics. 

Study Skills 

… from Dr. Prue Psalter

STICKY NOTES AROUND THE HOUSE FOR EXAMS

Studying for a Test?

Place post-it notes around the house.

Keep the notes for each subject in a certain spot so in the exam you can think, Maths formulas – on the toilet door!