Types of Courses in Stage 6

These courses are developed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). For each course there is a syllabus which contains:

• the course objectives, structure, content and outcomes

• specific course requirements

• assessment requirements

• sample examination papers and marking guidelines

• the performance scale

All students entered for the HSC studying these courses follow these syllabuses. These courses are examined externally at the end of the HSC course and can count towards the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Copies of these syllabuses are available on-line on the NESA website. These are a good source of information for students thinking about subject choices. Board Developed courses are divided into Category A and Category B.

Category A Courses:

• May be included in the calculation of a student's Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

• Compulsory HSC examination for most courses

Category B Courses:

• No more than 2 unites of Category B courses can be included in the calculation of a student's ATAR

• Optional HSC examination for some courses

• Includes VET Curriculum Framework courses and have compulsory work placement

• May be included in the calculation of a student's Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

• Includes some Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses

HSC examination except for:

• • Optional examination in English Studies and Mathematics Standard 1 and VET Framework Courses

  • All Life Skills courses

There are two main types of Board Endorsed Courses – Content Endorsed Courses and School Designed Courses.

• Content Endorsed Courses (CECs) have syllabuses endorsed by NESA to cater for areas of special interest not covered in the Board Developed Courses.

• Some HSC EVET (External Vocational Education and Training) courses are Content Endorsed Courses.

Some Board Endorsed Courses are one-year courses (e.g. Photography, Video and Digital Imaging; Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies and Exploring Early Childhood).

There is no external examination for any Content Endorsed Course or School Designed Course, but all Board Endorsed Courses count towards the Higher School Certificate and appear on a student’s Record of Achievement. Board Endorsed Courses do not count in the calculation of the ATAR.

In summary:

• No HSC examination - school-based assessment only

• Not included in the calculation of a student's Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

• Includes some Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses

(Board Developed or Board Endorsed courses)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses provide students an opportunity to study an industry based course that has a clear link to post-school destinations and future careers. Under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), all Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are recognised nationally, with students obtaining a qualification upon completion. All VET courses have been developed in conjunction with industry, are taught to industry standards and have clear links to post school destinations. Depending on the course, students may exit with a Statement of Attainment, Certificate II or Certificate III.

VET courses may be undertaken at school (RTO: 90490 – Trustees of Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Parramatta) VET can be divided into:

• Board Developed Curriculum Framework Courses, which can contribute 2 units towards the ATAR, providing the student, sits the optional HSC examination

• Board Endorsed VET Courses do not contribute towards the ATAR and therefore do not have a HSC examination.

Board Developed VET Courses (ATAR) offered at Marian Catholic College are:

• Construction

• Hospitality

• Entertainment

• Business Services

All VET courses are Category B subjects (only 2 units of Category B subjects can be counted towards the ATAR).

VET Course Structure

VET courses are competency based and will be assessed through integrated competency tasks using presentations, observation, portfolio, questions and other assessment methods. To be assessed as competent a student must demonstrate to a qualified assessor that they have the knowledge and skills to effectively carry out the various tasks to the standard required in the appropriate industry. Students are progressively assessed as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’. When a student achieves a unit of competency it is signed off by the assessor. VET courses have both a practical and theoretical component to ensure the skills and knowledge required for the qualification is met according to industry standard. All students undertaking VET courses, including students with special education needs, are subject to the same assessment requirements. Adjustments can be made but are limited, as the industry standard must be met.

HSC Examination

The HSC examination in Board developed courses is optional. Students who would like 2 units of a VET course to contribute to the ATAR must sit the HSC examination. This decision is usually formalised after the trial examination by completing a withdrawal form and submitting it to the VET Teacher or Leader of Learning VET. This has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive their qualification or a HSC. Only ONE Curriculum Framework course or 2 Units can contribute to the calculation of the ATAR.

External VET Courses (EVET)

External VET (EVET) courses are VET course delivered by either TAFE or a Private training organisation such as NSW Health or Whitehouse Institute of Design. EVET courses can be Board Developed or Board Endorsed courses.

The list of EVET courses available can be obtained from Mrs Grinham (Leader of Learning Vocational Education) from the Year 10 Google classroom when available.

Further information about VET and EVET courses is available on the VET page.