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Introduction:
This document provides information about the award of the School Certificate. Please read it carefully as it sets out your responsibilities.
You will receive a School Certificate folio of results comprising four parts:
 | The official School Certificate document |
| Record of Achievement Part A |
| Record of Achievement Part B |
| A report for each of the tests in English literacy, Mathematics Science and Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship. |
This is a cumulative record of all courses completed in Years 9 and 10 along with grades awarded by the school and the hours you have studied each subject. You also receive a statement on the Record of Achievement regarding satisfactory completion of the mandatory requirements such as Creative Arts, Language other than English etc, which you completed in Years 7 & 8.
Bethel Christian School will award Grades (A-E) to each of you in all 100 or 200 hour courses you completed in Years 9 and 10 using course descriptors developed by the Board of Studies. Each subject you study has a special Course Performance Descriptor. Your teacher will make you aware of individual subject descriptors.
These descriptors are descriptions of typical student achievement. The descriptors are grouped into five different levels, ranging from excellent to elementary.
Your teachers will match your assessment performance in each subject (see section, ‘What assessment do I have to complete?’ below) to the descriptor that best fits your overall level of achievement and that Grade will be submitted to the Board of Studies. The use of these descriptors in assigning your grades in each subject helps to keep comparability of grades offered by different schools.
Grade A: Excellent Achievement. Excessive knowledge and understanding of the course content and a high level of competence.
Grade B: High level of achievement. Thorough knowledge, understanding and competence.
Grade C: Substantial achievement. Sound knowledge and competence.
Grade D: Satisfactory achievement: Acceptable knowledge and understanding and basic level of competence in the processes and skills of the course.
Grade E: Elementary achievement. Elementary knowledge and understanding and limited competence in the processes and skills of the course.
A copy of the General Course Performance Descriptors from the Board of Studies is included in Appendix 1.
| This shows the results achieved by the student in the School Certificate tests in English literacy, Mathematics, Science and Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship. |
| The mark awarded (out of a possible 100) |
| The band achieved (from 1 to 6). Band 1 is the lowest and Band 6 the highest. |
In addition, students receive a report for each test that provides more detail of their performance. A vertical scale from 0 to 100 is divided into 6 bands where:
| Band 1 corresponds to the marks from 0 to 49 |
| Band 2 corresponds to the marks from 50 to 59 |
| Band 3 corresponds to the marks from 60 to 69 |
| Band 4 corresponds to the marks from 70 to 79 |
| Band 5 corresponds to the marks from 80 to 89 |
| Band 6 corresponds to the marks from 90 to 100 |
Each band is accompanied by a paragraph that describes the knowledge and skills typically demonstrated by a student whose results fall within that band.
Your test mark is represented on this vertical scale. A graph drawn along the scale shows the distribution of marks awarded to all students who have sat the test. This indicates your position within the total number of candidates who sat the test.
You will be considered to have satisfactorily completed a course if, in the principal’s view, there is sufficient evidence that you have:
| followed the course developed by the Board of Studies, and, |
| applied yourself with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school, and, |
| achieved some or all of the course outcomes. |
To satisfactorily achieve completion of a subject (course) you have to complete all schoolwork and assessments to the best of your ability (see below) and attend school regularly. As a guide, if your attendance falls below 85% of the school’s programmed lessons for a subject, the principal may determine that as a result of the absence the above course criteria has not been met. This means that you would receive an unsatisfactory ‘N’ Grade for that subject.
What are my responsibilities regarding completion of School Certificate Assessment tasks?
As part of the completion of the School Certificate your teacher will give you a number of assessment tasks. If assessment tasks are not completed satisfactorily you are liable to receive an unsatisfactory grade for that subject. Your obligations are
You must complete the examination on the date and at the time advertised. If you are not able to complete the examination because of sickness you must provide a doctor’s certificate. If there is another reason why you did not complete the examination on the advertised time you must furnish the school with appropriate written details. The school will then decide if you are able to sit the examination at a later time or suffer any other penalties.
Outcomes & Standards
What are Outcomes?
Outcomes are what you are expected to know as a result of studying a particular subject. For example, ‘To know the meaning of the term ‘recycling’ is an outcome for Year 8 Geography. A Grade A to E in a semester report shows how well the outcomes for the course have been achieved (see above for the meaning of the grades).
What does ‘Standards Based’ Mean?
The results you gain in an exam or assessment task are now based on set standards. When your teacher gives you an assessment task they will give you an indication of what standards you need to meet to gain an acceptable grade.
What Assessments do I have to complete?
The left hand column describes the assessment required by the Board of Studies in each Stage 5 subject presently studied at Bethel. The right hand column shows the assessment program developed by Bethel Christian School.
Note: The specific dates on which assessments tasks are due within the weeks listed above are located on the notice board. There may, however, be some slight changes from these set dates if unforseen circumstances arise.
|
Board of Studies Areas for Assessment |
Assessment Program at Bethel Christian School |
|
Note: |
1. Tasks not marked are Yr 10 only 2. Tasks marked with • are for Yrs 9 and 10. The weighting, when applicable, is given for Yr 9 then Yr 10. 3. Tasks marked with ° are for Yr 9 only. |
|
Commerce: |
1. Term 1, Week 8: Assignment (15%) 2. • Term 3, Week 6: Test (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–15%) 3. Half Yearly Examination (20%) 4. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–40%) |
|
Computing Studies: (IST) |
1. Term 2, Week 4: Practical Assignment 1 (10%) 2. • Term 3, Week 5: Class Test (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–10%) 3. • Term 3, Week 6: Practical Assignment 2 (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–20%) 4. • Term 3, Week 8: Practical Assignment 3 (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–20%) 5. Half Yearly Examination (20%) |
|
Drama: |
1. Term 1, Week 7: Assignment (10%) 2. • Term 3, Week 8: Written Task (5%; Yr 10–10%) 3. Half Yearly examination: Theory (5%); Practical “MAD Night” (20%) 4. • Yearly Examination: Theory (20%); Practical “MAD Night” (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) |
|
English: |
1. Term 2, Week 1: Assignment 1 (5%) 2. • Term 3, Week 2: Assignment 2 (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–20%) 3. • Term 3, Week 7: Assessment 3 (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–10%) 4. Half Yearly examination (15%) 5. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–30%) |
|
Geography: |
1. Term 1, Week 9: Assignment (10%) 2. Term 3, Week 3: Assignment (15%) 3. • Term 3, Week 9: Fieldwork Assignment (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) 4. Half Yearly Examination (15%) 5. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) |
|
History: |
1. Term 2, Week 3: Assessment (10%) 2. • Term 3, Week 1: Assessment (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) 3. Term 3, Week 9: Assessment (15%) 4. Half Yearly examination (15%) 5. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) |
|
Industrial Technology – Timber (ITT): |
1. Term 2, Week 4: Project – Practical (20%) 2. • Term 3, Week 8: Major Project – Practical (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–40%) 3. Half Yearly examination – Theory (10%) 4. • Yearly examination – Theory (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–15%) |
|
Mathematics |
1. Term 2, Week 2: Assignment (10%) 2. • Term 3, Week 5: Assignment (Yr 9–15%; Yr 10–20%) 3. Half Yearly examination (15%) 4. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–15%; Yr 10–25%) |
|
Music: |
1. Term 3, Week 2: Listening (12.5%) 2. Term 3, Week 4: Composition (16.7%) 3. ° Term 3, Week 7: Musicology Assign (8.3%) 4. Half Yearly examination: Composition and Listening/Theory (12.5%); Practical “MAD Night” (8.3%) 5. • Yearly examination: Sight Singing (4.2%); Listening/Theory (4.2%); Composition (Yr 9–4.2%; Yr 10–4.2%); Practical “MAD Night” (Yr 9–8.3%; Yr 10–16.7%) |
|
Science: |
1. Term 3, Week 6: Major Assignment – Theory (20%) & Practical (20%) 2. • Term 3, Week 7: Practical Test (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–20%) 3. Half Yearly examination (10%) 4. • Yearly examination (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–10%) |
|
Technical Drawing: Tasks will follow an identical schedule to Industrial Tech Timber |
1. Term 2, Week 4: Drawings – Practical (30%) 2. Term 3, Week 8: Major Project – Practical (40%) 3. Half Yearly examination – Theory (10%) 4. Yearly examination – Theory (20%) |
|
Visual Arts: |
1. Term 1, Week 9: Visual Arts Diary (VAD) (10%) and Major Work (10%) 2. Term 2, Week 7: Biography (5%) 3. • Term 3, Week 8: Visual Arts Diary (VAD) (Yr 9–10%; Yr 10–10%) and Major Work (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–15%) 4. • Term 4, Week 2: Essay & Critique (5%; Yr 10–10%) 5. Half Yearly Examination (5%) 6. • Yearly Examination (Yr 9–5%; Yr 10–10%) |
You may be given an estimated mark in place of your School Certificate Test in English literacy, Mathematics, Science and Australian Geography, History and Civics if you were prevented from attending the examination or you consider that the performance in a test was adversely affected by illness or misadventure occurring immediately before or during the test. Examples of possible illness and misadventure might be illness just prior to coming to school on the morning of the examination, a slight car accident on the way to the examination or a very late train delay (Note when travelling to the examination by train make sure that you give yourself plenty of time). . An Illness and Misadventure appeal would not be upheld for an absence at a sporting event or for a family holiday. There are certain forms, which have to be completed. The principal generally decides if the illness or misadventure appeal is to be upheld. Should the principal not allow your appeal you may elect to have the principal’s determination reviewed by the Board of Studies.
What are Special Provisions?
| You can elect to have some special help during the School Certificate tests in English literacy, Mathematics Science and Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship. |
This help might come in the form of extra time, permission to eat small amounts of food during the examination, have large print examination papers etc. If you believe you require special help you should talk to the principal as early as possible at the end of Year 9 or the beginning of Year 10. You will have to provide evidence to the Board of Studies to show that you need the special help.
By the time you have reached Year 10 you should have developed sound homework and study habits. At Bethel Christian School students in Years 9 & 10 should be completing 30 minutes per subject per night homework or the equivalent over a full week. This means that when you have five subjects per day (the 6th lesson might be sport or chapel) you should complete two and a half hours study and homework that evening.
Homework should be completed in a quiet room using a comfortable chair with adequate lighting.
Board of Studies Year 10 General Performance Descriptors
|
Grade |
General Performance Descriptors |
|
A |
A grade indicating excellent achievement in the course. The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the course content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a high level of competence in the processes and skills of and can apply these skills to new situations.
|
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B |
A grade indicating a high level of achievement in the course. The student has a thorough knowledge of and understanding of the course content and competence in the processes and skills of the course. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most new situations.
|
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C |
A grade indicating substantial achievement in the course. The student has demonstrated attainment of the main knowledge and skills objectives of the subject and has achieved a sound level of competence in the processes and skills of the course.
|
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D |
A grade indicating satisfactory achievement in the course. The student has demonstrated an acceptable level of knowledge and understanding of the course content and has achieved a basic level of competence in the processes and skills of the course.
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E |
A grade indicating elementary achievement in the course. The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding of the course content and has achieved limited competence in some of the processes and skills of the course.
|
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N |
Where an A to E grade appears opposite a course, the student has satisfactorily completed the course by meeting the following requirements in: a) attendance – meeting the required number of hours; b) participation in the required learning experiences and assessment tasks; c) effort and achievement; d) reaching at least some of the course goals.
Where “N” appears in place of an A to E grade it indicates that the student has failed to meet one or more of the above requirements.
|
A Note About Study Habits
By
the time you have reached Year 10 you should have developed sound homework and
study habits. At Bethel Christian School students in Years 9 & 10 should be
completing 30 minutes per subject per night homework or the equivalent over a
full week. This means that when you have five subjects per day (the 6th
lesson might be sport or chapel) you should complete two and a half hours study
and homework that evening.
Homework
should be completed in a quiet room using a comfortable chair with adequate
lighting.
My Personal Assessment Diary
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Subject |
Term
& Week Due |
Date
from Notice Board |
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File:
C:\N Pollard\Administration\School Policies\Year 10
assessment\student handbook 2004 ver 2.doc
 |
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