Subjects with Major Projects

Dance

All practical Dance exams are externally marked by NESA representatives (other Dance teachers from across NSW). These practical Dance exams include: Core Performance (20% of your HSC mark) and Core Composition (20% of your HSC mark). All students will present both of these mandatory Core areas. The Major Study (40% of the HSC mark) is marked externally if a practical option is chosen. That is, if students choose Performance, Composition or Film as their Major Study options. ​

Design and Technology

In Design and Technology, the Major Design Project is externally assessed and contributes 60% of the final examination HSC mark, with 40% of the final exam mark coming from a 1.5hr written exam. The Major Project includes an 80 page Folio that details the proposal to find an innovative solution to a genuine problem, project management, evidence of creativity, design development, construction of prototypes, models and experimentation before an extensive evaluation of the project is provided. ​ Students are required to manage the whole process of their Major Project from start to finish. Students can start working on their project from Term 4 (Year 11). It is marked externally by NESA representatives.

Drama

In Drama, students have to produce an Individual Project (IP) where they choose one of the following: Monologue, Poster and Promotion, Lighting Design, Set Design, Costume Design, Script writing, Theatre Criticism, Applied Research task, Director's Folio or Video Drama. This is worth 30% of their HSC mark. Depending on the chosen project, students may have to purchase their own supplies to help them complete their IP. Students can start working on their IP during Term 4 of Year 11. 

Students will also develop a group devised performance (GP) from a list of topics that is worth 30% of their HSC mark. Students can work on their GP from Term 2 of Year 12. Both the IP and GP require a logbook to document the processes of each and are marked by external NESA representatives who either attend the school on a designated day during Term 3 to watch the performances or work at a marking centre where projects are sent. 

The remaining 40% of the student's HSC mark is for their HSC Written Examination which is based on two topics: Contemporary Australian Theatre, and Studies in Drama and Theatre, that consist of two plays each.

Industrial Technology Multimedia

In Industrial Technology Multimedia, students have to produce a Major Project. The Major Project is externally marked by NESA representatives. The Major Project consists of making a multimedia related product using a program(s) of their choosing and documenting this process through a folio. The Practical project is worth 40% and the folio is worth 20% of the HSC mark. The remaining 40% is based on the HSC examination.

Students are required to manage the whole process of their Major Project from start to finish. Students can start making their project from Term 4 (Year 11). Students receive free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite through the DET Portal and it can be renewed every 12 months.

Industrial Technology Timber

In Industrial Technology Timber, students have to produce a Major Project. The Major Project is externally marked by NESA representatives. The Major Project consists of making a furniture related product out of timber and documenting this process through a portfolio. The Practical project is worth 40% and the portfolio is worth 20% of the HSC mark. The remaining 40% is based on the HSC exam.

Students are required to manage the whole process of their Major Project from start to finish. This includes sourcing their own timber to produce their project. It is essential students source their timber as soon as possible, as they are on a strict time line to complete their projects. Students can start making their project from Term 4 (Year 11). Timber should be purchased no later than week 5 of Term 4.

Music 1

In Music 1, students have to prepare for a practical examination. This is externally marked by NESA representatives. The following components are included in the practical exam:

1. Core Performance (20 marks)

2. Electives - You may choose any combination of three electives to the value of (60 marks) A student could choose 3 X performance for electives, or a combination that includes composition and/or musicology.  

   1. 1. Performance (20 marks) Candidates will perform one piece on an instrument or voice. Maximum performance time will be 5 minutes.

      2. Composition (20 marks) Candidates will compose and submit one original composition. Maximum composition length will be 4 minutes.

      3. Musicology (20 marks) Candidates will prepare and present one viva voce. Length of viva voce will be 10 minutes.

Science Extension

Students must propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis, and undertake an investigation to develop evidence-based responses in the form of a Scientific Research Report, which a Scientific Research Portfolio supports. The Scientific Research Report is written in the format of a scientific paper. Students have access to their Scientific Research Report in their HSC exam, to support their answers to questions in their exam.

Society and Culture

In Year 12 Society and Culture, students complete a major research project called the Personal Interest Project (PIP). The PIP is an opportunity for students to investigate any topic of their own choice which has relevance to human behaviour. In this project, the students focus on first-hand, primary research to explore their ideas and back this up with secondary research. The PIP gives the students 40% of their HSC mark, the other %60 coming from a two-hour exam. They will have three terms to complete the 4,000 to 5,500 word task. It is marked externally by NESA representatives.

Textiles

Textiles and Design includes a Major Textiles Project or MTP which makes up 50% of your HSC mark and which is marked externally. Students must complete this project along with a folio which documents how the MTP was created. Students are required to manage the whole process of their Major Project from start to finish. You need to be organised and self-disciplined to stay on track with the completion of your Major Textiles Project over a number of months. Students can start working on their project from Term 4 (Year 11). It is marked externally by NESA representatives.

Visual Arts

In Visual Arts, students have to produce a Major Project (Body of Work). This is externally marked by NESA representatives. The Body of Work consists of developing and making an artwork or series of works in a material choice to the student. It should demonstrate the understanding of art making as a practice and represent the student's ideas and interests through the interpretation of subject matter and use of expressive forms. The Practical project is worth 50%. The remaining 50% is based on the HSC exam.