Especean

Curriculum

Year 7 to Year 10 - Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 Reports for Years 7 to 10 will be posted online via the Sentral Parent Portal by Friday 11 June.

 

The reports reflect the paradigm shift in assessment, particularly for Years 7 to 9, from marks and ranks to grades and feedback as determined by teacher professional judgement in applying the course performance descriptors and the Common Grade Scale.

 

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

  • Cocurricular Involvement to date, if applicable.
  • Attendance at key College events such as the Opening Mass and High Achievers Assembly, the Swimming Carnival, the Athletics Carnival and others as applicable to relevant Year groups.
  • Attendance Record from Friday 29 January up to and including Friday 28 May.
  • 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 tasks, both formal and informal, as well as observations made during lessons, such as classwork, class discussions, formative assessment, etc.

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 Examination Block Mark and Examination Block Average in English, Mathematics, Science, and other courses where an examination was held.
  • 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 several Learning Practices, such as application, conduct and commitment to study 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.

 

The issuing of the reports is an important time for parents/carers to constructively assess their son's academic progress and make the necessary adjustments for Semester 2, with the view of making realistic and progressive improvements over time.

Reminder: Year 7 to Year 10                   Parent/Teacher Interviews

As per the previous two issues of the Especean, the Year 7 and Year 9 Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday 15 June, commencing at 

2:05 p.m. Similarly, interviews for Years 8 and 10 will be held on Thursday 17 June, also commencing at 2:05 p.m.  All interviews will be conducted in the College Gymnasium and parking will be available on the College Tennis Courts.

 

All students from Years 7 to 12 will be dismissed at 1:25 p.m. on Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 June. All sports training and other cocurricular commitments on these afternoons are cancelled.

 

Parents/carers were sent an email on Friday 28 May with interview booking instructions and online bookings were opened on this day. All booking instructions were included in this email. Parents/carers should check their inbox, including junk mail. Please note that booking interviews online may not work on all mobile phones and hence, a computer may be required to book interviews. If parents/carers have not received their login webcode via email or have any problems logging in, please contact the Administration Coordinator, 

Mrs Rebecca Colak, on 8705 9209.

 

Online bookings for interviews will close tomorrow at 12 noon on Thursday 10 June. Parents/carers are to book interview time slots themselves. The College will not be allocating interview times.

 

It is a College expectation that every student is represented by at least one parent or other primary caregiver for the interviews. It is also a College expectation that parents/carers book interviews with all their son’s subject teachers and that their son is present for the interviews.

 

The interviews are an opportunity for parents/carers to meet their son’s teachers and to discuss aspects of the Semester 1 Report with respect to their son’s progress and adjustment to study routines, including strategies and recommendations for improvement in Semester 2.

 

Please note that for parents/carers of Year 10, the interviews will not be an appropriate forum to discuss prospective subject selections for Year 11 in 2022 with individual class teachers. There will be a very thorough and extensive process, conducted by senior College staff, to specifically address upcoming subject selection for Year 11.

 

Michael Cutrupi 

Director of Curriculum