Graduation and Prizegiving

Graduation is an opportunity to recognise the satisfactory completion of five years of secondary school education for many of our students. This is a significant milestone in a student’s life and the Graduation Diploma is highly sought after, especially overseas.

The Graduation Ceremony, to be held at the Town Hall will also encompass the traditional senior prize giving for Year 13 students.

To have value, the Graduation Diploma needs to be earned and not simply given to every student who enters Senior Division. As a school, we believe that there are four key things that contribute to a student having a full and rewarding final year at secondary school and these have become the criteria for eligibility to graduate and are listed below.

The criteria for Graduation will be:

• • ATTENDANCE - Being at school, being in class, being in form time, being in assembly and being in study when required. Attendance in class and at each of the above is recorded in the computer each period.

A minimum of 90% attendance including justified absence across the year must be achieved to graduate. The minimum requirement of 85% present in class time must also be met. (Ongoing and documented medical issues or school / regional representation in sporting or cultural activities may be taken into account)

• • A POSITIVE WORK ETHIC - Working conscientiously, regularly doing their best and completing homework and assignments in a timely manner is required.

This data is collected from subject teachers and summarised in the Effort section of the mid and end of year reports.

• • GOOD CITIZENSHIP & CONDUCT - A high standard of conduct, as befitting a Year 13 student, being a good role model, respecting other people and their property, following the rules and being considerate of others (part of our school motto) are all personal traits that we expect to see in Graduates from Burnside High School. Serious or repeated breaches of these would preclude a student from graduating.

  • ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, SERVICE or LEADERSHIP - Participating in extracurricular activities and providing leadership or service in the form class, the Division or the wider school is an expectation on all Senior Division Students.

This includes things like being a guide on open night, doing form class duties, coaching a team, tutoring a junior student, being in a choir, being a prefect.

High academic achievement is not a requirement to graduate however it does determine the level of Graduation Diploma awarded.

Three levels of Graduation Diploma will be awarded:

GRADUATION DIPLOMA, for those meeting the requirements above.

GRADUATION DIPLOMA WITH MERIT, for those comfortably exceeding the above requirements and gaining Excellence in one or two of their subjects.

GRADUATION DIPLOMA WITH DISTINCTION, for those excelling in the above requirements and receiving Excellence in three or more subjects or placed First in one or more of their subjects.