INFORMATION FOR SENIOR STUDENTS

This booklet aims to provide Year 10 students intending to continue their schooling with some guidance as to the requirements for the award of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and to the subjects that are expected to be offered at Xavier Catholic College next year.  The viability of running a course will be determined by the Principal in consultation with Staff, Students and Parents.

Students and parents should give careful consideration to requirements for the award of the Higher School Certificate and the choice of subjects.  It should be noted that the study of some level of English is the only compulsory subject for the award of a HSC... At Xavier Catholic College, Studies of Religion I or II (i.e. 1 unit or 2 units) or Catholic Faith in Action.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE:

The NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority) requires students to fulfil certain requirements before a Higher School Certificate is awarded.

These requirements concern:

1. Types of Courses:

1. BOARD DEVELOPED COURSES:

Courses designed by the NESA, i.e. Studies of Religion, English, Geography, Biology, VET Curriculum Framework courses (e.g. Hospitality and Construction) etc.

2. BOARD-ENDORSED COURSES:

Some Board-Endorsed Courses are called Content-Endorsed Courses i.e. the NESA approves these courses for use in any schools which want to use them, e.g. Exploring Early Childhood, Ceramics, Sport, Lifestyle & Recreation, Photography and Work Studies and VET Fitness

2. Unit Values:

•  All courses carry a unit weighting;

• A unit of study comprises 60 hours indicative time in each of the Year 11 and HSC Courses.  Indicative time    is the average time expected for a student to achieve the objectives and outcomes of the course.  The indicative time for a course is therefore directly related to that course's objectives and outcomes;

•  Most Board Developed Courses are 2 unit;

•  Most Board Endorsed Courses are 1 unit;

➢   Some subjects have Extension Courses in the HSC Course (Year 12),  e.g. English, English

       Extension 2 , Mathematics Extension 2, History, Music, Science.

➢   The only subjects which have Extension Courses in both Year 11 (Year 11) and 

      HSC (Year 12) are English and Mathematics.

3. Subject and Unit Requirements for the Award of the HSC:

Year 11 Courses :

A minimum of twelve (12) units must be studied.  Six (6) of these units must be from Board Developed Courses.

HSC Courses (Year 12):

A minimum of ten (10) units must be studied.  These units may be made up of both Board Developed Courses and Board Endorsed Courses.  For the award of the Higher School Certificate a minimum of six (6) Board Developed Units must be presented, but for matriculation purposes, more Board Developed units are necessary (refer below to "MATRICULATION").

The Pattern of Study Requirements Applying to Both Year 11 and HSC Courses is:

•   At least six (6) units of Board Developed Courses;

•   At least two (2) units of a Board Developed Course in English;

•  At least three (3) courses of two (2) units value (or greater);

•  And at least four (4) subjects;

•  A maximum of six (6) units of courses in Science can contribute to HSC eligibility; students may choose to study seven (7) units of Science in Year 12

STUDY AT SENIOR LEVEL:

Year 11 Courses are much more demanding than Year 10 and require steady and consistent work.  In HSC Courses the demands are even greater.

Your HSC Record of Achievement will report both an Examination Mark and an Assessment Mark.  Your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will be calculated on the basis of BOTH of these marks.  It is hoped that you will receive the best possible mark in both cases but this cannot be achieved without study, and you need to begin at the commencement of the Year 11 Courses (Year 11) if you are at all serious.

From 2012 students leaving school prior to receiving the HSC will be eligible for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Fully implemented the RoSA will:

• be a record of the full range of student achievements right up to the day they do their HSC or leave school

• provide an electronic record of achievements that students can use at any time

• use assessment by teachers in schools, moderated by the NESA NSW to ensure reliability and fairness of grades

• provide the capacity to record vocational courses and students’ vocational experiences as well as citizenship and leadership achievements such as First Aid courses, community language courses and Duke of Edinburgh awards

• offer on-line literacy and numeracy tests, with particular emphasis on work readiness, that students will be able to undertake twice a year from next year.

The RoSA will be available electronically and as a verifiable hard copy on demand with the most up-to-date information on a student’s achievements, across all subjects and a range of extra-curricular activities.

The formal RoSA credential would be awarded to eligible students who choose to leave school prior to receiving their HSC, while still allowing students to view and download a transcript of their achievements when applying for jobs or further education or training.

Some Study Hints:

• Planning is essential - draw up a timetable and follow it.  Most students would need to spend at least 20 hours per week on homework and study, e.g. 3 hours per night during the week and 5-7 hours at the weekend;

• Review your priorities in life.  If school and study are not very close to the top, maybe you should be elsewhere;

• Mark the dates for exams and assignments in your study diary;

• Do ALL set work whether it is for assessment or not.  All work during these years is preparation for the HSC Examinations;

• Do some work on each subject each day;

• Make a firm decision to apply yourself to school and study from the very beginning;

• Don't waste time trying to beat the system or to fool your teachers - use your time and energy on worthwhile projects;

• Be as realistic as possible about your own potential and the marks you can reasonably expect;

• Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance - that's what the teachers are there for!

ASSESSMENT:

The assessment component of the HSC is to be conducted in relation to the HSC Courses (Year 12) only.  Prior to the commencement of these courses you will be given all relevant information and parents will be invited to an Information Night.  A copy of the School Assessment Policy is on the school website and you may consult it at any time.

MATRICULATION:

Matriculation is the level of study required at the HSC to gain acceptance to tertiary study at a University.  Each Tertiary Institution has its own matriculation requirements which often vary from year to year.

It is difficult to make a generalised statement concerning matriculation requirements, though it is generally agreed that students need to have 10 Board Developed Units at Year 12.  It also must be realised that Tertiary Institutions vary on acceptability of the subjects that make up those 10 units.

NOTE:  The ATAR is Subject to the Following Restrictions:

• At least ten (10) units from Board Developed Courses including at least two (2) of English;

• The Board Developed Courses must include at least three (3) courses of two (2) units (or greater), and at least four (4) subjects;

• Students can complete as many VET subjects as they wish as long as they sit the HSC in that subject (Eg Construction, Hospitality, Entertainment etc) Please note VET Fitness is a NON ATAR 2 unit subject

Some Points to Consider in Selecting Courses:

• The only subjects which are compulsory are English and Studies of Religion or Studies in Catholic Thought

• Students are free to choose from the other subjects which are offered at this school;

• When selecting courses, students and parents should be realistic in their choices and clear about the reasons for those choices;

• Students should choose only those courses which they are capable of managing at senior level;

• Selection should be based on interest and relevance to the individual student;

• Students should be aware of both matriculation requirements for various universities and the prerequisites for various courses offered at Tertiary Institutions.  This information can be obtained from your Careers Adviser;

• Students should consider the demands of choosing a number of subjects with a major practical component;

• In some cases the demands of timetabling will limit the availability of subjects;

• In 2021 the Lismore Diocese offered Economics, Engineering Studies, Japanese Beginners and Software Design & Development through online delivery.  See next section.  In 2021 online delivery of courses will continue and may be expanded to include additional courses.  The details for 2021 will not be confirmed until later in the year.

• HSC/TAFE Credit Transfer.

Catholic Schools Office Distance Education 

Subjects offered to Year 11 students in 2022:

▪   Economics

▪   Engineering Studies

▪   Information Processes & Technology

▪   Software Design & Development

▪   Japanese Beginners

▪   Ancient History

▪   Aboriginal Studies

All subjects are Category A, 2 unit Board developed courses, for inclusion in the ATAR calculation.  Students undertake a Year 11 (Year 11) and HSC (Year 12) course.  More information on the subject content is available at your school in the Course Selection Handbook or on the NESA website.  Subjects will run only if there are sufficient numbers choosing to enrol.

Assessment and reporting of student progress.

Assessment of students enrolled in the courses takes place through a variety of tasks that students submit.  All formal assessment will be conducted at the student’s home school in a traditional manner under the supervision of the mentor.  The internet may be used for informal assessment but is not used for formal assessment tasks.  Students will receive a report on their progress each semester from the Diocese of Lismore Online Education Centre.

Course requirements

There are no prerequisites to studying online subjects.  Students will require access to a computer with an internet connection, which will be provided while the student is on the school site.  It is recommended that a student has access to a reliable computer and the internet at home.  Text books and other study materials will be provided as per existing school arrangements.  Students will be required to participate in a number of workshop days where the teacher and fellow students meet at a central location.

Course cost

Access to Online Education Centre courses will be offered to students in the Lismore Diocese at a cost of $400 per subject per year.  For students outside the Lismore Diocese please make direct contact with your school for information on the cost.  All courses have a non refundable $50 administration fee.

Important questions to consider

• Do I have any existing computer related skills?

• Am I able to work well on my own with limited supervision?

• Can I converse well, in writing, using the internet?

• Will I be able to attend after school classes each week?

• Am I motivated, self disciplined and have good time management skills?

• Can I dedicate at least 6 hours per week to the study of an online subject?

How do I enrol?

Enrolment in an online subject is completed as part of the Year 10 into Year 11 subject selection process at each school from July to September.  A written application form is available from your home school or the Online Education Centre.  This application requires your Principal’s approval.  Finalisation of enrolments and notification of places occurs in late November.

Frequently asked questions

Why these subjects?   Online courses have developed from a need expressed in schools to provide greater student choice.  These subjects were rated highly by principals to be included.

How many units do I have to study?   Your school will have a policy on the minimum number of units you should study.  Online courses can be included in that number.

What do I do at school in place of the online class?   You have two options.  You can elect to study more units by taking up another two unit subject or you will do private study at your school.

When will online classes run?   Online classes will run after school up to two days a week.  Classes will be approximately one hour duration and attendance is compulsory.

Will I have contact with the online teacher if I need help?   Your online teacher will be contactable by email at any time and will be available on evenings via the telephone or internet.  They will also have access to a fax machine.  A quick response to your enquiry is assured.  A number of days are organized each year where the teacher and the students travel to meet at a central location.

What is the mentor’s role?   You will be provided with a mentor, a teacher whose role is to indirectly supervise your learning, help you with organizational issues and to provide you with support while at school.

Do I need a computer at home if I enrol in an online course?   It is recommended that students have access to a reliable computer with internet access at home to study an online course.

How much time is required?   You will need to allow a minimum of 6 hours per week to adequately complete set tasks, homework and study in an online course.

Benefits for students

Through participation in an Online Education Centre course, students have the opportunity to:

• develop knowledge, skills and attitudes which are relevant to and recognized within a wide range of employment, training and further education settings

• participate in a course of study that may not have otherwise been available

• develop their understanding of specific course content

• become self-directed, active participants in the learning process

• increase the amount of control they have over the learning experience

• study in a secure, structured environment

• gain an appreciation of the value of flexible modes of delivery in terms of meeting individual student needs

• base future study choices upon realistic experiences with online distance education

• gain credit in the HSC and TAFE credit transfer in related courses.