St Andrews
An Improvement Culture

The Assessment Framework has been a significant influence for staff professional learning in Parramatta Diocese over the last years. Learning Goals or Learning Intentions articulate what the learning is. In every lesson, teachers ensure students know what they are learning. 

The Learning Intention ensures students understand what they are learning. When a student is asked ‘What are you learning about?’, they should be able to articulate the Learning Intention rather than reciting the task they are involved in. In conjunction with the Learning Intention, the Success Criteria ensures that students understand how they will know they are successful in achieving the Learning Intention. Each student will be able to use the Success Criteria as a measure of their learning. Therefore when a student is asked ‘How do you know you are learning?’, they should be able to articulate the Success Criteria, as well as be able to demonstrate where they are in their learning against the Success Criteria and how successful they are. 

Staff engage in Peer Marking in staff groups to determine descriptive feedback, to ensure students have individual feedback in order to progress their learning. The student should be able to apply the descriptive feedback in future learning/tasks in order to demonstrate improvement. After all, why give feedback if it does not assist in improving learning? A focus on marks or grades only does not help a student to improve. Feedback = ability to improve!

Further to teacher descriptive feedback, it is imperative that peer and self assessment provides students with the opportunity to determine the extent of their learning and next steps. In particular a student involved in peer assessment, has a two fold learning experience. Whilst determining how their peers can improve, they are also reflecting on their own learning. Thus the student can use this experience to improve their work.  

Peer, self assessment and teacher feedback, supports the learner to set goals in order to improve. Goals can be important not only in the classroom, but in home learning plans. Ultimately every St Andrews learner’s goal is to grow in knowledge and skills holistically to be the best they can be. 

My favourite mantra has always been “As Much As You Can Do, So Much Dare To Do!” 

HSC Minimum Standards Year 11

Students who have not satisfied one or more tests in the HSC Minimum Standards, will have the opportunity to do so in Week 3 Term 3. Students will receive a personal email, inviting them to come to the Learning Centre on Wednesday Week 3. 

HSC Minimum Standards Year 10 

Year 10 HSC Minimum Standards will continue in the Learning Centre until the end of Term. Students will be advised of the next opportunities to complete the test(s) in Term 3. 

Year 9 Electives Subject Selection Evening

27th July 5pm - 6:30pm, Junior Campus

This is a compulsory evening for students to ensure they get the best advice from elective subjects in order to determine their elective subjects for 2022. Most electives have a requirement of a two year commitment to study. Therefore it is imperative that students choose the electives they will enjoy and feel they have an ability in. 

Year 11 Subject Selection Interviews

The Year 11 Subject Selections will close at the end of term. It is imperative that students have made their choices so the subject lines can be determined. 

Remember                HSC SUCCESS = the Right Subjects 

Ms May and I are looking at subject choices to ensure every student has the right subject choices based on their achievement to date and advice given to each student. 

Where students are not meeting subject outcomes and standards, they should be working hard towards demonstrating that they can undertake the study they wish to undertake. 

 Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations

The HSC Trial Examinations commence on the 26th of July. Students have had the timetable for some time now. Every student should have a study timetable and their Home Learning should be consistently productive.

The school holidays should also see every student applying themself to regular study and practising HSC past papers and submitting to their teacher for feedback. This is the time to ensure that every effort is made to demonstrate utmost knowledge and skill. 

Whilst the Trial HSC Examination supports is focused on students determining their final HSC ranks. The post Trial HSC study period is about EVERY STUDENT SUPPORTING EVERY OTHER STUDENT IN THEIR CLASS TO IMPROVE SO EVERY STUDENT IN THE CLASS IMPROVES, ENSURING THAT ALL MARKS ARE IMPROVED IN THE COHORT. 

Year 11 Preliminary Examinations

The Year 11 Preliminary Examinations timetable was shared with students two weeks ago. Therefore, every student should have devised a home study plan, which extends into the holidays. 

Whilst talking to may students about the subject(s) they may wish to drop at the conclusion of Year 11, it is imperative that every student works hard across all of their subjects before they make their final decisions. 

Remember - you may have to include a subject you thought you could drop for Year 12. 

HSC Major Projects and Performances

Various HSC Subjects with Major Works will be required to be submitted/performed in the first half of Term 3. Students in these subjects should be regularly working on the projects as part of their home study plan. Students should be working hard on their project(s) throughout the holidays. 

Remember- you must demonstrate to every examiner that you have applied yourself throughout Year 12. 

HSC Illness/Misadventure Process

The college processes for Illness/Misadventure have been communicated to students repeatedly via subject sites and communication. Parents have also been shared into sites/assessment booklets and encouraged to read and understand requirements and procedures.

Students will be held accountable for NESA and college procedures as every student should be assured their is equity and fairness in all assessment procedures. 

CHALLENGE TO ALL STUDENTS

Do you ask yourself the following questions:

         Where am I going? 

         How am I doing?

         Where to next?

If not take charge of your learning because your future in our world requires you to be the best you can be!