03 Apr 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
As outlined yesterday in my update assessment and reporting is an area that we are working on to better support our students and families in the current climate. We have provided some information that may be useful.
All schools use assessment as an opportunity for students to celebrate their strengths relating to the curriculum that they have engaged with through lessons and experiences across all subject areas. These assessments also provide a platform for staff to make professional judgements regarding the performance of a student against faculty specific performance descriptors. The HSC differs slightly from 7-11 assessment, as the performance is aligned to a numerical value that is directly used in calculating a student’s school based assessment, which equates to 50% of their final HSC mark.
The implications of Erina High School moving to delivering content online has resulted in significant adjustments around assessment and reporting for our students and families. For all of our students who are genuinely striving to achieve the best results, pending assessments are causing stress and concern. With this in mind, Erina High School is making a number of adjustments to the various assessment schedules across Y7-12. NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority) delegate the responsibility to manage school based assessment to schools and in response to COVID-19 have provided Principals the authority to make adjustments to previously published assessment schedules.
Semester 1 Reports
The semester 1 reporting structure combines assessment results, along with various other measures to give parents feedback on the growth and progress across all subject areas. With not only adjustments to the assessment schedules and our entire mode of delivery, the traditional reporting template will not provide parents and students with accurate feedback on their learning. It is crucial for students and parents to receive accurate and relevant feedback in order to set the direction for future areas of focus, irrelevant of the mode of delivery.
In consultation with faculties, we will be modifying the template used for an Interim Report to reflect the skills, experiences, applications and academic engagement of students while accessing their learning online. This will replace the normal semester 1 report. Where possible, faculties will be looking at specific curriculum outcomes that could also be reported on, based on the content delivered online.
YEAR 7-9
· All scheduled Term 2 assessment tasks have been withdrawn from the assessment schedules for all subject areas. Teachers will still be developing the skills that were exercised in the assessment task however it will be through the ongoing engagement in on line lessons.
· Faculties will be developing a Formative Assessment Framework to use within the faculty, to assess engagement in online learning, submission of work, maintaining classwork etc.
· In the initial stages of the change to delivery, Y7-10 students should prioritise developing strong routines in engaging with the online learning rather than concerns relating to assessment deadlines.
YEAR 10 - ROSA
· All scheduled Term 2 assessment tasks have been withdrawn from the assessment schedules for all subject areas. Teachers will still be developing the skills that were exercised in the assessment task however it will be through ongoing engagement in lessons.
· Faculties will be developing a Formative Assessment Framework to use within the faculty, to assess engagement in online learning, submission of work, maintaining classwork etc.
· In the initial stages of the change to delivery, Y7-10 students should prioritise developing strong routines in engaging with the online learning rather than concerns relating to assessment deadlines.
· A new assessment schedule will be created and posted on the website and portal.
YEAR 11 - ROSA
· Most subject areas have completed or finalising the first assessment task across all subject areas. The decision has been made to withdraw one of the three assessment tasks published in the schedules. In most cases this will be the Term 2 tasks. The only exception to this will be Biology and Physics, which has a depth study that will remain, as this is an essential skill that is duplicated in the HSC. For these two subjects, the Yearly Examination will be taken out of the assessment schedule but the expectation is that students will participate in the Yearly Examination for these subjects.
· Weightings for the remaining tasks will need to be adjusted.
· Senior teachers will reinforce and post the amended assessment schedule in the online classroom.
· The amended assessment schedule will be created and posted on the website and portal.
· Distance Education students and students accessing other external providers will need to maintain advice from the relevant providers relating to any changes.
· In line with the HSC monitoring processes, faculties will be developing a Formative Assessment Framework to use within the faculty, to assess engagement in online learning, submission of work, maintaining classwork and defining indicators of students demonstrating sustained diligence.
· There is a greater expectation on senior students to develop strong daily routines in engaging with their online learning and a regular pattern of study and revision of coursework.
· Y11 students need to access their teachers for direction, clarification and support in their learning.
YEAR 12 - HSC
· Most subject areas have completed or finalising the two assessment task across all subject areas. The decision has been made to withdraw one of the four assessment tasks published in the schedules. In most cases this will be the Term 2 2020 tasks. However, due to the specific course skills and outcomes that are essential in preparing our students for the HSC, the faculty will make the decision on which task will be withdrawn.
· Weightings for the remaining tasks will need to be adjusted.
· Senior teachers will reinforce and post the amended assessment schedule in the online classroom.
· The amended assessment schedule will be created and posted on the website and portal.
· Distance Education students and students accessing other external providers will need to maintain advice from the relevant providers relating to any changes.
· In line with the HSC monitoring processes, faculties will be developing a Formative Assessment Framework to use within the faculty, to assess engagement in online learning, submission of work, maintaining classwork and defining indicators of students demonstrating sustained diligence.
· Students that are demonstrating no engagement in their learning will be referred to a Senior Review Panel. The Senior Review Panel will formally outline the educational concerns and offer various strategies for support. The student will give a timeframe to address the concerns as it will impact of the student’s eligibility for a HSC and enrolment if there is insufficient change in the students’ application.
· There is a greater expectation on senior students to develop strong daily routines in engaging with the online learning and a regular pattern of study and revision of coursework.
· Y12 students need to access their teachers, Year Advisor or Deputy for direction, clarification and support in their learning.
Karen Nicol
Principal
April 1 2020