Especean

Curriculum

Years 7 to 10 Final Reports

By the end of this week, the Final Report (issued Semester 2) on students of Years 7 to 10 will be available online to parents/carers via the Parent Portal.

 

The reports have been adjusted to accommodate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schooling during the year, such as remote learning and changes to assessment. In particular, overall course achievement has been determined by teacher professional judgement in applying the Common Grade Scale to an on balance global evaluation of the marks and/or grades attained in the gamut of formal and informal and assessments in the course.

 

It is worth noting a few key features of the report include:

  • Co-curricular Involvement to date, if applicable.
  • Participation in the Shining Our Light Service program and if attained, the associated Extra Service Award.
  • Attendance Record from Monday 31 May up to and including Friday 19 November.
  • Attendance at Founder’s Day, a key College event during the above attendance period.
  • The Homeroom Teacher’s Pastoral Profile which describes the student’s general school and Homeroom practices associated with grooming and uniform, co-operation, manner, punctuality, responsibility, and initiative. These Profile elements are described as Always, Usually, Occasionally or Rarely.
  • A course report A, B, C, D or E Overall Achievement grade referenced to the Common Grade Scale as defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) which represents the Class Teacher’s professional judgement in applying the course performance descriptors and the Common Grade Scale to submitted assessment tasks.

The Common Grade Scale criteria are as follows:

A

The student demonstrates extensive knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies highly developed skills and processes in a wide variety of contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates creative and critical thinking skills using perceptive analysis and evaluation. The student effectively communicates complex ideas and information.

 

B

The student demonstrates thorough knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies well-developed skills and processes in a variety of contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates creative and critical thinking skills using analysis and evaluation. The student clearly communicates complex ideas and information.

 

C

The student demonstrates sound knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies skills and processes in a range of familiar contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates skills in selecting and integrating information and communicates relevant ideas in an appropriate manner.

 

D

The student demonstrates a basic knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies skills and processes in some familiar contexts. In addition, the student demonstrates skills in selecting and using information and communicates ideas in a descriptive manner.

 

E

The student demonstrates an elementary knowledge of content and understanding of course concepts and applies some skills and processes with guidance. In addition, the student demonstrates elementary skills in recounting information and communicating ideas.

 

  • a Grade Distribution in terms of the number of students awarded each A to E grade in a course
  • For the Year 10 report only, a percentage Course Mark and Course Average in most courses.
  • achievement in one or more Learning Areas or outcomes expressed by one of the following descriptors: Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Elementary or Limited. Each descriptor indicates level of performance complementary to the Common Grade Scale.
  • achievement in a number of Learning Practices, such as application, conduct, commitment to study and remote learning indicated as either Always, Usually, Occasionally or Rarely.

It is important to note that the Overall Achievement grades and the Grade Distribution provide two kinds of information about the academic progress of students. The Overall Achievement grade gives an indication of academic performance relative to the achievement of course outcomes referenced to the Common Grade Scale. The Grade Distribution gives an indication of that performance compared with other students in the Year undertaking the course.

 

It is also important to note that the Course Mark and the Overall Achievement grade on the Year 10 Report are closely aligned.

 

A number of students across Years 7 to 10 will receive adjusted reports on the basis of significant disability and/or deficiencies in accessing learning, thereby requiring learning support.

 

The issuing of the reports is an important time for parents and carers to constructively assess their sons’ academic progress and make the necessary adjustments for 2022, with the view of making realistic and progressive improvements over time.

 

In order to access their son's reports, parents/carers are required to log on to the College’s Parent Portal, select their son’s name and then select Published Reports. Parents/carers may view and/or print the report. Only parent/carer accounts can access student reports. Parents/carers who have forgotten their passwords can click ‘forgotten your username or password’ link on the Parent Portal login page.

 

It is strongly advised that parents/carers download and save all their sons’ reports in a secure electronic home file as well as, maintain printed hard copies of the reports in a secure place at home.

Years 7 to 11 Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews

Just a reminder as per the Especean issue of 10 November 2021, the Years 7 to 11 Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on the morning and evening of Monday 6 December, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

 

It is important to note that the interviews are optional.

 

All interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, either via a link emailed to the parent/carer by the relevant teacher or by the teacher calling using the relevant student’s Teams account. Adhering to time, i.e., seven minutes per interview, is necessary for the interviews to run smoothly. There is no expectation that parents/carers book interviews for all their son's teachers. There is also no expectation that students are present for interviews.

 

This Thursday, 25 November, all parents/carers will be sent an email with instructions on how to book interview times online via Edval Interviews. Parents/carers should check their emails and junk mail for communication regarding interview bookings. Please contact Mrs Colak via rebecca.colak@spc.nsw.edu.au if you have not received this email.

 

Parents/carers may book interview timeslots themselves. The College will not be allocating interview times. Parents/carers need to ensure interviews are booked by no later than 12:00 noon, Thursday 2 December.

 

The interviews are an opportunity for parents and carers to discuss their son's Yearly Report with respect to progress and adjustment to study routines, and recommendations for improvement next year. In particular, the interviews will not be an appropriate forum for parents/carers to discuss next year’s classes and teacher allocations with individual class teachers.

 

The Years 7 to 10 Yearly Reports will be posted online via the Sentral Parent Portal by Friday 26 November. 

 

Michael Cutrupi 

Director of Curriculum