Types of Courses

Board Developed Courses are developed by NESA and all students in the state study the same course content and complete the same HSC examination. These courses may contribute to the calculation of a student’s ATAR . Life Skills Courses do not have an examination and are not included in the calculation of an ATAR.

Board Endorsed Courses

Board Endorsed Courses have syllabuses endorsed by NESA to cater for a wide candidature in areas of specific need not served by Board Developed Courses. There is no examination for Board Endorsed Courses but they do count towards the Higher School Certificate and appear on the Record of Achievement. Results in Board Endorsed Courses are not eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the ATAR.

Acceleration

Students may undertake Preliminary and/or HSC courses in advance of their usual cohort.

Where a student has demonstrated a talent in a particular course and has completed all Stage 5 requirements for that course, the student may begin studying Stage 6 in an appropriate course.

Similarly, where a student demonstrates an authentic interest in, and aptitude for, a Stage 6 course for which there is no corresponding Stage 5 course, the student may begin studying the Stage 6 course when all requirements in that particular KLA have been completed.

Accelerating students may count towards their Higher School Certificate results obtained in advance of their cohort.

Early Commencement

Early commencement of a Stage 6 VET course means that a student in Stage 5 undertakes a Stage 6 VET course while continuing to complete the mandatory curriculum requirements for Stage 5 and any school system curriculum requirements. These students will commence the accumulation of HSC units of credit while concurrently completing the requirements for Stage 5. Students in Years 9 and 10 undertaking a Stage 6 VET course will be required to meet all Stage 6 VET course requirements listed in the syllabus or endorsed course description as well as meeting mandatory work placement requirements. Students will be eligible to sit the optional HSC examination in a VET Board Developed course in the second year of the course.

Vocational Education and Training Courses (VET)

All Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses provide students with the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognised Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification, whilst completing the HSC. This provides the student with a dual accreditation.

VET courses are designed by industry and NESA to develop the skills and knowledge required to work in a particular industry.

VET courses are either Board Developed Curriculum Framework Courses or Board Endorsed VET Courses.

Board Developed VET courses 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. Most VET courses will contribute 2 units towards the Preliminary and/or HSC year, depending on the course. All VET courses are category B subjects (only 2 units of category B subjects can be counted towards the ATAR).

Learning and assessment is very practical and project based to achieve course competencies. Assessment of competence occurs through observations, questions and structured activities.

VET courses may be undertaken at school through Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta RTO.

(RTO: 90490 Trustees of Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Parramatta)

Mandatory Work Placement

VET Board Developed Framework courses have a NESA mandatory 70 hours work placement requirement.

Students will work with a host employer from their course/field of industry (unpaid). Students are responsible for travel costs and will be required to work hours that reflect the industry. Placement may occur in the local area, Parramatta and Sydney CBD depending on availability. This should be taken into consideration before choosing a VET course.

Work placement will be scheduled on the school calendar and organised in consultation with the VET teacher.

Failure to complete the NESA mandatory work placement hours will result in the student being 'N' determined in the course, which could jeopardise the student being awarded the HSC.

HSC Examination

The HSC examination for VET 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.

Only ONE VET Board Developed course or 2 Units can contribute to the calculation of the ATAR.

Life Skills