Assessment Policy & Procedures

Rationale

 The School's policy aims to provide a fair system for all students.

It is designed to:

• assist students who would otherwise be disadvantaged by illness or misadventure

• ensure that students cannot gain special consideration where this is not warranted

• ensure that all appeals are dealt with fairly and consistently

• promote and protect the best interests of all students.

Assessment Task Committee

The Assessment Task Committee as determined by the Principal comprises the Deputy Principal Senior School and members of the school executive team. This committee is responsible for considering illness and misadventure appeals and dealing with any issues related to assessment tasks. The collation of subject assessment programs and assessment task timetables is determined by all members of the Oxley High School Executive Team.

The Principal is the final arbiter in all assessment matters.

It should be noted, that while students with genuine health problems will be given due consideration, the decision of the School Assessment Task Committee is final. The upholding of an appeal must not be assumed.

Student Responsibilities

The HSC Assessment program provides students with 50% of their final mark. A comprehensive assessment program with details of compulsory tasks and examinations is provided for each student near the beginning of the HSC course. Some tasks will be performed at school (I/C=In-class), others will be submitted as hand in tasks (H/I=Hand-in). 

 IMPORTANT

Students are required to:

• sit for tasks at the time specified on the assessment notification and stay for entire duration of task unless special circumstances arise as determined by the Deputy Principal Senior School.

• hand in tasks to the class teacher before 8.55 am as specified on the assessment notification

• submit their tasks to the Subject Head Teacher if the class teacher is absent (Tasks should not be submitted to casual teachers or another teacher in the staffroom)

• follow the correct procedures if a due date is missed or an extension or special consideration is requested.

Submission of hand-in tasks

Students are required to:

• submit tasks to the class teacher by 8.55am on the date specified on the assessment notification

• submit the task to the Subject Head Teacher if the class teacher is absent. Tasks should not be submitted to casual replacement teachers or another teacher in the staffroom

• contact the Subject Head Teacher if the task cannot be submitted in person to make alternative arrangements.

Alternative tasks or procedures

Students should be aware that when they miss a task they will be given an estimate for their work (not potential).

If an appeal is upheld by the Assessment Task Committee for a missed task, the Subject Head Teacher may:

• authorise an alternative task to be completed in a timely manner

• grant an extension of time (in the case of a hand-in task)

• determine an alternative procedure (in consultation with the Deputy Principal Senior School).

Missing a re-negotiated date for a task or extension of time

A re-negotiated date is a firm undertaking to complete the missed task or submit the hand-in task at that time. Students who do not comply must submit a new Assessment Appeal Form, which will be considered on its merits.

Problems with computers

• It is every student’s responsibility to ensure that work prepared on a computer is regularly backed up and saved, either as a hard copy or in an alternate location, (such as an external or flash drive) so work is not lost.

• If your computer or printer malfunctions and you cannot print a final version of your work, you are required to submit the flash drive or working drafts printed during the preparation of the task.

• Arrange to email the task to Oxley High School clearly stating which Subject Head Teacher it is to be forwarded to.

• The printing of assessment tasks should not be left to the last minute. Computer problems WILL NOT be accepted as grounds for an appeal or an extension of time.

Assessment tasks and excursions

Where there is a conflict between an assessment and an excursion, the student must notify the Subject Head Teacher as soon as possible and submit an Assessment Appeal Form prior to the excursion.

Tasks or due dates missed without acceptable reason

If a student misses or does not submit work by the due date, or if an appeal is not upheld by the Subject Head Teacher, they will be awarded zero.

Parents and caregivers will be informed of any non-attempt.

NB: If a student is present in class during an oral task or written examination and does not attempt the assessment, a ZERO mark will be awarded.

Non-completion of 50% of assessment in a subject

If a student does not complete 50% or more of the total assessment mark for a subject the Principal cannot certify that the course outcomes have been satisfactorily met.

In most circumstances this will mean that the student will not be eligible for the award of a Higher School Certificate, as a minimum of 10 units must be satisfactorily presented, two of these units being English. 

An ‘N’ determination in English will result in ineligibility for the award of the Higher School Certificate.

Parents and caregivers will be advised if a student’s HSC Certificate is in jeopardy. Students have the right to appeal.

Trial HSC Examinations

The Trial HSC examinations are part of the HSC assessment task program and exactly the same rules and regulations apply as for the other HSC Assessment Tasks. 

In most cases, appeals will not be considered for students who do not follow process. Any advantage attained by having extra time to study and prepare for the exam will be considered malpractice, a zero mark will be awarded and disciplinary action may occur.

Late arrival at a task

Students must arrive punctually for tasks. Additional time will not be given or alternative arrangements made if a student is late. In exceptional circumstances, an Assessment Appeal Form must be lodged before any consideration can be given. Usually, difficulty with transport is not an acceptable reason for arriving late to a task.

Appeals concerning the ADMINISTRATION of an assessment task

If you have any concerns about the administration of a task you should lodge an Assessment Appeal Form with the Subject Head Teacher.  Advice on this matter can be sought from the Deputy Principal Senior School.

Any such appeal should be lodged immediately the problem is identified.

As a general rule, appeals will not be accepted after results have been returned. Any variance to this would only be under exceptional circumstances.

NB: You cannot formally appeal against the marks you receive for a task. If you have any concerns in this regard, you should direct them to the Deputy Principal Senior School.

NB: Any issues that arise not addressed in this booklet will be resolved by the Deputy Principal Senior School.