Years 7 to 10 Semester 1 Reports

By the end of this week the Semester 1 Reports for Years 7 to 10 will be posted online via the TASS Parent Lounge.

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

Co-curricular 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 Monday 31 January up to and including Friday 3 June 2022.
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 Consistently, 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 designated formal tasks, however, selected informal assessment activities may have supplemented evidence from the formal tasks to verify or shift a grade cut-off when on the cusp of a grade.

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. It is important to note that for this reporting period, the Course Mark and Course Average have not been linear mapped for parity across all subjects and hence the marks used to determine the grade cut-offs may vary between courses. For example, a Course Mark of 83 may correspond to an A in Overall Achievement in one course but may correspond to a B in another course. Similarly for the other grades.
achievement in one or more Learning Areas or descriptors expressed by one of the following indicators: Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Elementary or Limited. Each indicator indicates the level of performance complementary to the Common Grade Scale.
achievement in a number of Learning Practices, such as application, conduct and commitment to study indicated as either Consistently, 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 and carers to constructively assess their sons’ academic progress and make the necessary adjustments for Semester 2, with the view of making realistic and progressive improvements over time.

Reminder: Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher Interviews

As per last week’s issue of the Especean, the Years 7 and 9 Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on the afternoon and evening of Monday 20 June, commencing at 2:05 PM. Similarly, interviews for Years 8 and 10 will be held on Tuesday 21 June, also commencing at 2:05 PM. All interviews will be conducted in the College Gymnasium. Note that parking around the College may be more difficult than usual given the old College Tennis Courts are currently a construction zone.

All students from Years 7 to 12 will be dismissed at 1:25 PM on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 June. All sports training and other Co-curricular commitments on these afternoons are cancelled.

Parents/carers are reminded that they may book interview time slots themselves via the TASS Parent Lounge using the interview tab. The College will not be allocating interview times. Parents/carers need to ensure interviews are booked by no later than 11:59 PM, Sunday 19 June for Years 7 and 9 Parent/Teacher Interviews and no later than 11:59 PM on Monday 20 June for the Years 8 and 10 interviews.

Interviews run for five minutes only. There is a two-minute break between each interview to allow the interviews to run smoothly. Please note that parents/carers cannot double book a teacher for a longer interview. Should more time be required, parents/carers may arrange with the teacher another mutually suitable time.

There is an expectation that parents/carers will book interviews with all of their sons’ teachers, if possible. There is also an expectation that students are present for the interviews.

For parents/carers encountering difficulties logging on to the TASS Parent Lounge, please contact the College’s IT Department via College Reception on 02 9763 1000.

If for any reason a parent/carer needs to cancel or change a booked interview time after the closing times stated above, then please contact the relevant teacher via email.

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

Please note that for parents and carers of Year 10, the interviews will not be an appropriate forum to discuss prospective subject selections for Year 11 in 2023 with individual class teachers. There will be a very thorough and extensive process in the coming weeks, conducted by senior College staff, to specifically address upcoming subject selection for Year 11.

Michael Cutrupi

Director of Curriculum

Field Trip to Long Reef

The Year 7 Geography cohort recently travelled to Collaroy for a field trip to Long Reef on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Here they investigated coastal landscapes, addressing key outcomes from the ‘Landscapes and Landforms’ topic of the curriculum. The instructors from Auseco were impressed by the knowledge and responses from the boys throughout the day, despite the wind and cold. As the instructor guided students along the coastline, students observed erosional and depositional processes while conducting field work, including wind speed and direction.

Thank you to the Geography team and the team at Auseco.

Constance Apostolou

HSIE B Teacher

Parents and Friends

Years 10 and 11 Supporters' Day Barbeque, 30 July