VCE Units 1 & 2

Assessment 

Students attempting any Unit 1 or 2 subject will be assessed in two formats.

• OUTCOMES - Satisfactory completion of all units is based upon mastery of the prescribed Outcomes for each study. These outcomes are judged via assessment tasks (SACs), coursework and redemption tasks as ‘S’ if the student has demonstrated an understanding or ‘N’ if the student has not demonstrated an understanding.

• GRADED ASSESSMENTS - Performance on each task will be indicated by a letter grade from A+ to F. Students who are absent from a SAC without a medical certificate will not receive a grade, and will receive a 'UG (ungraded) SAC result. Students will be advised by classroom teachers of due dates well in advance.

Changing subjects: 

It may be possible for students in Year 11 to change subjects at the end of Semester One. This can only occur with the approval of the parents, student manager, the Leading Teacher of Pathways and the Assistant Principal. Students seeking a change to their program must complete a ‘Request for Change of Subjects’ form which is available from the Pathways Office. 

Homework: 

Students in Year 11 can expect regular homework in all of the units they are attempting. The study designs published each year by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority emphasise that part of the workload for each study needs to be undertaken at home. As a result, teachers will usually provide students with approximately 20 minutes of homework per night which equates to 1 - 2 hours per evening. This may vary at certain stages throughout the year as assessment deadlines and examinations approach. 

Home study: 

Home study is different to homework. Home study will need to be undertaken throughout the year in order for students to revise class work. It is vital that they develop a routine of regular home study in order to maximise performance in tests and exams. Home study should be treated as a separate entity to homework. Students should devote at least one hour to home study each night

Exam policy: 

As exams form an integral part of assessment in Units 3 & 4, it is essential that students are adept at preparing and sitting exams. Consequently, the College has a policy where students from Year 10 onwards, sit exams at the end of each semester. All Unit 1 and 2 teachers will conduct formal examinations in each study area. 

Notice of SAC: 

Students in Units 1 and 2 will be informed by the teacher. This date will be available on the SAC calendar and Compass Learning Task a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled date.

SAC calendar: 

There is a SAC calendar on the Homestead Senior Secondary website. It is the responsibility of students to check their SAC schedule to plan for their studies. 

SAC assessment feedback: 

The teacher will provide feedback on the tasks submitted on Compass. The student will be given an assessment grade for each SAC (or SAT) submitted. Students must achieve a minimum level of achievement 50% to gain a S (Satisfactory) for a SAC without the need for demonstration of further evidence through coursework and/or a redemption task.

Letter grades are given for the quality of work on a range of assessment tasks, assessed against specific criteria. 

A+   95 – 100%

A     90 – 94%

B+   85 – 89%

B     80 – 784% 

C+   75 – 79%

C     70 – 74%

D+   65 – 69% 

D     60 – 64% 

E+   55 – 59% 

E     50 – 54% 

F+ 40 - 49%

F < 40%

UG means "ungraded" - awarded when a student is absent from a SAC without a medical certificate or without being exempt for a school approved reason.

NA means “Not Assessed” because the student was excluded from the assessment or was absent from the original SAC, did have a medical certificate but never completed the task.

SACs and absence: 

When a student misses a SAC in Units 1 and 2 they will have a Compass chronicle recorded which will send an email to the student and parent informing them of the absence.  A medical certificate will need to be submitted to reception in person or via the school email within 7 school days. 

Completion of missed SAC 

The student will be allocated to the next available SAC reschedule session to undertake the tasks which will occur on Tuesday or Thursday afterschool from 3:20pm - 4:20pm. This will be visible on the students' Compass timetable.

Should the student be absent for a rescheduled SAC session, a medical certificate is required for this absence. Students will have two opportunities to complete the SAC in a rescheduled SAC session, if the SAC remains outstanding by this point, a meeting will be arranged by the relevant Student Manager and the student may receive an N for the Outcome and therefore the Unit.

Evidence of Medical Absence 

Reception staff will collect medical certificates. Admin support will email the classroom teacher notifying if a medical certificate has been provided. 

• Where a medical certificate is provided within 7 school days - the student can receive a letter grade for the SAC which is reflected on the Compass Assessment Task. 

• Where a medical certificate is not received within 7 days - the student cannot receive a letter grade for the task and will receive a UG (Ungraded). They may however still receive a satisfactory result through other tasks 

• Where a medical certificate is provided within 7 school days however the student fails to complete / submit the task – the student will be given an NA (Not Assessed).