Especean

Curriculum

Application For Change to Program of Study  

Students are reminded that no change to an Elective Course (Year 9) or Preliminary Subject (Year 11) will occur until an Application for Change to Program of Study (Orange Form) has been submitted. This has been a long-standing policy of the College and is concrete.  

 

Orange Forms will be published Monday, 20 February and available from the Acting Director of Curriculum. The College provides students with a thorough selection process and many opportunities for review prior to making final subject selections. The publishing of the Orange Form is yet another stage and allows for equity and transparency. The timeframe provides students with enough periods to participate and engage in a course they were once excited and motivated to undertake. Unfortunately, places within courses/ classes are finite, and it is only when all applications are reviewed that the full availability is revealed.   

Years 7 to 12 Assessment Information for 2023

Over the next few school days, the Years 7 to 11 Assessment Handbooks, and the Year 12 Assessment Task Calendar for 2023 will be available on the relevant CANVAS Year pages. Year 12 received their handbook at the start of Term 4 last year. 

 

Each Assessment Handbook covers the assessment program, in all courses, for the academic year. Included in each Assessment Handbook is the College’s Assessment Policy, Assessment Schedules, and Assessment Task Calendar. Also, on CANVAS are the Examination Rules for Years 9 to 12.

 

The handbooks serve as official notification for all assessment tasks for the whole year. Additional specific course and/or assessment task requirements (Pre-task Information) may be issued by individual teachers and Faculty Leaders as deemed appropriate to the nature of the task.

 

It is a responsibility of all students to familiarise themselves with this information in order to plan and organise an effective study regime that will assist them in achieving their academic potential. Pages 54 and 55 of the College Diary require students to set themselves Term 1 SMART Goals. Aligning one of these goals to assessments is recommended.  The College has put together a thorough assessment program that will provide opportunities to excel in a variety of assessment types.

 

Despite the College’s best intention, it is possible as with any large assessment program, that changes may occur. Any change, if it does occur, is expected to be minor and ample forward notice will be given to the relevant students.

 

It is important to note that the College’s Assessment Policies and Procedures are drawn up in accordance with those of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and have the clear intention of being considerate and just to all students and their teachers.

 

Essentially, these policies and procedures ensure a level playing field and ensure justice to the great majority of students who consistently do the right thing by:

  • applying themselves with diligence to all set tasks
  • thoroughly familiarising themselves with the academic expectations of the College
  • submitting their own work by the specified due date
  • providing advanced notice, where possible, of absence for an assessment task
  • providing appropriate medical documentation to the relevant Faculty Leader, immediately on return to school, when absent for an assessment task or when work is not submitted on the due date
  • discussing the result of a task, with the relevant teacher, at the time the task is returned.

Simply avoiding or actively failing to comply with the above procedures will result in a penalty or a zero mark being given.

 

Students who are absent on the day an assessment task is due or to be completed, can expect to submit or complete the task on the day of their return to school.

 

I urge parents/carers to read, with their sons all the relevant assessment information issued by the College. It is through its assessment policies and procedures, along with good teaching and pastoral practices, that the College can set and maintain its high academic standards. The College’s consistently excellent results in all external tests and examinations, such as NAPLAN and the Higher School Certificate, are testimony to this fact.

 

Nicholas Phillipson

Acting Director of Curriculum 

Year 12 Italian Continuers – Writing Practice and Emails to Teachers

There was no time to ease into 2023 for our Year 12 Italian Continuers students. With a writing assessment scheduled for Monday of Week 2, students quickly focused on preparing for their task. As part of a unit on school life and future plans, students have been reflecting on their motivations for studying particular subjects, their aspirations for their post-school lives, and rapports with their teachers. The boys were asked to write an email to one of their favourite teachers, explaining why they enjoy their approach, and what they have learnt from their lessons, while also thanking them for their dedication. While the emails were written in Italian to help students practice their writing skills, an English translation was included so that the receiving teacher could understand the message. Through the activity, not only were students encouraged to develop their language skills, but also express their appreciation for the hard work and passion of their teachers. 

 

Maria Capobianco

Languages Faculty Leader

Caro Prof Youssef,

 

Ti ringrazio di essere un bravo insegnante e devo ammettere che l'anno scorso, non avrei potuto raggiungere il mio successo senza te. 

 

Credo che cerchi di essere coinvolgente. È molto utile quando non c'è pressione e la tua mentalità mi aiuterà sempre. 

 

Vorrei dire che sono una persona logica e il fatto che puoi dimostrarmi come fare qualcosa è la ragione per cui sei molto bravo. 

 

 

Matthew Younan

Dear Mr Youssef,

 

I thank you for being a great teacher and I have to admit that last year, I wouldn't have been able to achieve my success without you. 

 

I believe that you try to be engaging. It's very useful when there is no pressure and your mentality always helps me. 

 

I would like to say that I am a logical person, and the fact that you can always demonstrate how to do something is the reason for which you are so great. 

 

 

Matthew Younan

Getting the most out of your Mathematics textbook, a guide for parents/carers of boys in Years 7-10

Did you know that you can access revision materials in the online Cambridge Mathematics textbooks?

 

The Mathematics Faculty will be running an information session for parents/carers of boys in Year 7 to 10 on getting the most out of the Cambridge online textbook on Monday 13 February, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Robson Auditorium.

 

The Cambridge online book is an excellent resource for revision. The Hot Maths feature allows students to access material from Years 3 to 10 that can be used for revision or extension. The online textbook also features walkthroughs (guided examples), quizzes (automatically marked questions), and scorches (drill and practice), as well as additional printable resources.

 

Hannah Smith

Mathematics Teacher