Study Of An Appropriate Pattern Of Study

To qualify for the Higher School Certificate students must satisfactorily complete an HSC pattern of study comprising at least 12 units, following on from the Preliminary pattern of study. Both patterns must include:

•  at least six units from NESA Developed courses;

•  at least two units of a NESA Developed course in English;

•  at least three courses of two units value or greater (either NESA Developed or NESA Endorsed courses);

•  at least four subjects

To satisfy pattern of study requirements for the Higher School Certificate, a student may count a maximum of six Preliminary units and six HSC units from courses in Science.

Complete Courses Satisfactorily

A student will be considered to have satisfactorily completed a course if, in the Principal’s view, there is sufficient evidence the student has:

• followed the course developed or endorsed by the NESA

• applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school

• achieved some or all of the course outcomes

It should be noted that, as a result of absence from a course, the Principal may determine that course completion criteria may not be met.

Students whose attendance is called into question will be required to prove to the Principal’s satisfaction, following a review of their performance, that they are meeting the course completion criteria.

1. General

Assessment tasks indicate achievement over a wide range of syllabus outcomes. Students will receive the following advice about assessment in each course before assessment begins.

• the practical and written tasks, such as tests, assignments and projects, on which their assessments are to be based.

• the weighting to be allocated to each task.

• an indication as to when the task will be held.

2. Notification Of Tasks

In addition to the schedule of assessment tasks, the school will provide adequate notice of the precise timing of assessment tasks. Generally, at least two weeks notice of the details of a task will be given and any change to the task that may occur.

NB If a student is absent from school or a lesson it is the student’s responsibility to check if any information relating to Assessment Tasks has been communicated.

3. Completion Of Tasks

NESA hopes that, through the process of continuing assessment, it will be able to reward sustained effort on the part of senior students and sample a wider (and, therefore, more accurate) range of student attainments. A sound performance in assessment tasks over the Preliminary course also helps to prepare students for the actual HSC which will modify their school assessment. It should be realised that the assessment program places a responsibility upon students to complete the assessment tasks.

At Riverstone HS the following policies towards missed tasks have been determined.

• Students who complete all aspects of the assessment task and submit it on or before the due date are eligible for the full mark allocated for the task.

• Students who attend an assessment task which is to be completed at school are eligible for the full mark allocated for the task.

• Students who fail to submit an assessment task by the due date must be given zero if they have not completed, submitted and had approval of an Illness/Misadventure form.

• Students who fail to attend on the specified date an assessment task which is to be completed at school must be given zero if they have not completed, submitted and had approval of an Illness/Misadventure form.

• Students who fail to submit an assessment task by the due date, but who have a valid reason (such as sickness or approved leave validated by appropriate documentation) are eligible for the full mark allocated to the task if they have completed the task. A medical certificate may not be accepted as excusing late submission of tasks where the task was issued well in advance of the illness and the medical certificate shows that the student was not incapacitated for a large part of that time. You should submit whatever progress work has been completed at that time e.g. drafts, plans, rough work etc. This will be assessed by the teacher and may be awarded marks.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT THE TASK ON THE DAY YOU RETURN TO SCHOOL.

• Students who fail to attend an assessment task which is to be completed at school, but who have a valid reason (e.g. sickness) must be given an opportunity to do the task or an equivalent task at a later date. In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to give a mark based on the student’s other assessment tasks. These students are eligible for the full mark allocated to the task.

• Students who submit an incomplete task on or before the due date are to be allocated a mark. This mark is to be based on the proportion of the task completed. The task does not automatically receive a zero mark. As an example, if the task had six equally weighted components and a student attempted only three of these, that student would be eligible for up to 50% of the mark allocated to the task.

• If a student believes factors beyond their control, e.g. sickness or family misfortune, have affected their ability to do their best on a task they may apply for an extension by seeing the appropriate Head Teacher at least 24 hours before the due date.

NO EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED TO APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON THE DAY A TASK IS DUE.

• If a student submits a task which is deemed to be a non-serious attempt by the teacher, then a zero mark will be awarded.

• During examination sessions, any portable electronic devices, including iPods, are not permitted and only NESA approved equipment, such as calculators, may be used.

• Hard copies (not computer files) of written task responses are to be submitted unless the task stipulates otherwise. It is the student’s responsibility to have work printed in time for submission.

• Printing of major works can be organised through the school provided it is submitted one week before the due date.

• Computer / printer failure cannot be used as a reason to submit work late.

• Where a student is going to be absent, the student or parent/guardian should contact the Head Teacher or class teacher if possible, before the task takes place. If unexpectedly absent on the day of the task, the student should phone the school and inform the Deputy Principal, or the Head Teacher of the subject. Work Placement is not a valid reason to submit work late.

• All students on Work Placement must make arrangements to submit the work by the due date.

4. Appeals And Reviews

Where students are dissatisfied with any aspect of the assessment procedure, they should in the first instance approach the Head Teacher of the subject concerned. If the problem cannot be resolved at the faculty level, it may be referred to the Assessment Review Committee (Principal, a Deputy Principal and a member of the Executive Team), who will convene to consider the particular case.

Queries about the marks awarded for a task CAN ONLY be considered if made when the task is handed back to the class.

5. Malpractice

Students who cheat in any way, including plagiarism, make a non-serious attempt, or truant for an assessment task will score zero for the task. In addition, the task will be recorded as a non-attempt in terms of the requirement that students complete tasks which must total more than 50% of available marks. Note: Cheating occurs when a student attempts to gain an unfair advantage.

The Principal will make all such judgement in consultation with the Review Committee. 

Plagiarism is the submitting of work that is not wholly your own, e.g. submitting slabs of text from the internet or a textbook.

Please be aware that if a student submits work generated by artificial intelligence (Chat GPT and similar) as their own work, this is considered malpractice and may result in a mark of zero being awarded for the task in question. To appeal this decision, the onus is on the student to prove that they have composed/created the assessment task. The student will be required to present this evidence to a panel of staff consisting of the Classroom Teacher and the faculty Head Teacher.

6. Non-Serious Attempt

Students studying a Preliminary course must make a genuine attempt to complete course requirements. It is a matter for the teacher’s professional judgment to determine whether a student has made a genuine attempt to complete these requirements. Students who do not make a genuine attempt must be given zero and will be required to complete a substitute task.

In the case of competency-based courses, where a student has not successfully completed any units of competency, it is a matter for the teacher’s professional judgment to determine whether the attempts made by the student to complete the course are genuine.

Where students are studying a Preliminary course that includes a requisite examination, students must sit for and make a genuine attempt at the examination. If it is determined that a student has not made a genuine attempt to complete course requirements, the Principal must indicate on the appropriate documentation that the course has not been satisfactorily completed.

7. “N” Determinations

NESA has delegated to principals the authority to determine if students seeking the award of the Higher School Certificate at their school have satisfactorily completed each NESA Developed and / or NESA Endorsed Course in which they are enrolled in accordance with the requirements issued by the Board.

Principals therefore will determine if there is sufficient evidence that each student has applied diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school. Principals may determine an appropriate attendance pattern(s) that will allow each student to achieve the outcomes of each course being studied. Principals may determine that, as a result of absence, the course completion criteria may not be met. Clearly, absences will be regarded seriously by principals who will give students early warning of the consequences of such absences. Warning letters will relate the student’s absence to the non-completion of course requirements.

8. Warnings

If at any time it appears that a student is at risk of being given an “N” (No completion of course requirements) determination in any course, including VET courses, the Principal will warn the student as soon as possible and advise the parent or guardian (if the student is under 18 years of age) in writing. This warning will be given in time for the problem to be corrected and will provide advice about the possible consequences of an “N” determination in a course on Higher School Certificate eligibility.

Students who have not complied with the requirements for satisfactory completion of a course at the time of finalising assessments cannot be regarded as having satisfactorily completed the course.

9. Record of School Achievement – ROSA

Students leaving school prior to the conclusion of the HSC are eligible to apply for a Record of School Achievement. Applications for the ROSA credential are made directly to NESA.

In school assessments are often carried out under examination conditions. Riverstone HS uses examination procedures modelled on those used for NESA external examinations.

Students need to be aware of the Assessment and Examination Procedures and Code of Conduct. They ensure the smooth running of tasks and an environment in which all students are able to respond to the best of their ability without disruption from others.

1. Procedures and Code of Conduct

You will need to:

• Wear school uniform. 

• Organise your transport to be on time.

• Arrive at the room/venue at least 15 minutes before the starting time. You need to allow enough time to find your allocated seat.

• If you arrive late, entry will be at the supervisors’ discretion.

• Sit at your allocated desk. Do not swap name place cards.

• Bring all necessary equipment in a CLEAR ZIP LOCK BAG or CLEAR PENCIL CASE. A black or blue pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, highlighter and ruler marked in mms and cms are allowed in ALL examination or assessment rooms.

• Have your own NESA approved calculator when required. Make sure it is fully charged.

• Bring a clear bottle of water if you need it; you cannot leave to refill it.

•  Leave mobile devices (including “smart” watches – Apple Watch etc.) turned off and in your bag OUTSIDE THE ROOM. A designated secure space is provided.

• Remove your watch and place it in clear view on the desk in front of you.

In the room:

• When instructed, thoroughly check your question paper – ensure that no pages are missing and all pages have printed clearly.

• Supervisors have the right to inspect any equipment you bring into the examination room.

• Reading time is for reading only. NO writing or highlighting may be undertaken during reading time.

• Read instructions carefully, noting requirements for the use of answer booklets.

• Supervisors are NOT permitted to interpret questions.

• Write your name, as instructed by the supervisor, on every page of your answer booklet.

• Write in black or blue pen, preferably black.

• You are to remain in your seat in an appropriate position for the duration of time

• Stop writing immediately when you are instructed to do so.

• Arrange completed answers according to supervisor’s instructions.

• Do not remove examination papers from the examination room.

• Only leave the examination room when the supervisor says it is OK to do so. Leave immediately as directed.

• If you are ill or a problem exists during the examination notify the supervisor immediately, by quietly raising your hand.

If you are ill or have a major problem on the morning of the examination:

Notify your Year Deputy or the front office (9627 1484) as soon as possible, and make an Illness/misadventure application as soon as you return to school.

Note: Illness/misadventure appeals require a Medical Certificate.

Students are not permitted to:

•  Borrow equipment.

•  Take mobile phones or programmable watches or other electronic devices into the room.

•  Speak or communicate to anyone other than a supervisor during the running of the task. You must behave in a manner does not disturb or disrupt others.

• Smoke, eat or come to examinations under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

• Try to cheat or participate in any form of malpractice.

• Cheating or malpractice may result in zero marks being awarded and an ‘N’ determination issued.

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If you are ill or have a major problem on the morning of the examination:

Notify your Year Deputy or the front office (9627 1484) as soon as possible, and make an Illness/misadventure application as soon as you return to school.

Note: Illness/misadventure appeals require a Medical Certificate.