From the Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning
HSC Minimum Standards
Year 10 will sit for the HSC Minimum Standards Tests in Numeracy, Writing and Reading, early Term 3. The test schedule will be shared shortly.
Students are encouraged to do the practice tests provided by NESA to understand the structure of the tests and be set up to pass the tests during their first sitting.
Year 9 students can also access the HSC Minimum Standards Practice tests, so they are well prepared for their testing in Term 1 2021.
Trial HSC Examination Timetable
The Trial HSC Examination Timetable has been shared with students. Each student should have a study timetable set up at home and ensure they are consistently studying.
Study should involve practising past HSC papers and submitting them to the subject teacher for feedback. Practising writing is important particularly as students predominantly type instead of handwriting.
The Trial HSC Examinations is the final internal assessment for students. Therefore this important assessment period, completes student grades and ranks for 2020.
Preliminary Examinations
Students in Year 11 have received their Preliminary Examination Timetable. Whilst the Examinations are at the conclusion of Term 3, it is important that Year 11 students remain focused and committed to their study. The Preliminary Examinations will have an increased weighting for some subjects due to the cancellation of some assessment tasks due to the CoronaVirus. Therefore it is important that students are well prepared and organised to attempt the examinations to the best of their ability.
HSC Band Predictions
Students in Year 12 were recently asked to predict the bands they expect to achieve for the HSC Examinations. This data provides teachers with good conversation points with their students. In particular teachers are keen for students to increase their HSC Band achievement. In some cases students may think they will achieve much higher than their current grades are reflecting. In these cases teachers can converse with students about their current expected band status and what they need to do in order to rise to the bands they are seeking.
Study Skills - Don’t Study Harder, Study Smarter
Exams require knowledge, skills, practice and a positive attitude. Students in Year 11 and 12 have been provided with their study timetables, so they should be studying now. It is important that study timetables have clear goals and students maintain and organise their study.
It is important to approach study with a positive mindset, and focus on achieving your best results.
Making a study timetable requires students to organise and manage their time. In particular similar to a students school timetable, a study timetable should have a similar setting out. Students also need to remember to allow time for assessment tasks and homework within their study timetable. Students are also encouraged to think about the subjects they are allocating to their study timetable. Leave less dense study to times when you are more tired and dense subjects when you are more alert.
Students should read the Examination Assessment Notification carefully and seek clarity from teachers. Students should understand the weighting for the examinations and the examination type such as essay and multiple choice, as well as how many marks are allocated to each section.
Ask your teacher for past examination papers to practice, so you learn to write enough in the allocated time and ensure you are familiar with the examination type.
Cramming information does not work. Instead consistency in study and visiting material many times, ensures students are able to remember content.
Michelle Deschamps
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning