Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.
Teachers observe students' work in class and look closely at tasks throughout the year. They also formally assess a student's achievement based on the outcomes described in the syllabus of the subject.
As a parent or carer, you’ll receive a written report twice a year. It gives you a clear picture of your child’s achievements – what they know and can do.
In Years 7 to 10, we use the common grade scale in reporting. In Year 11, we use the Preliminary grade scale.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are assessed on achievement of competencies.
Assessments
We provide detailed information to students about what we expect from them throughout the year and how their work will be assessed. Students have a number of formal assessments throughout their schooling.
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy tests for students in Years 7 and 9. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) holds the tests in May each year. Results and student reports are released in August.
- Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) – online diagnostic science assessments for students in Year 8. Some schools also choose to sit the tests in Year 10.
- The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) is awarded to eligible students who leave school before completing their Higher School Certificate. The RoSA records a student’s grades between the end of Year 10 and when they leave school.
- The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is an internationally recognised qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW.
- Some students may apply for placement in a selective high school. For more information, visit selective high schools and opportunity classes.
Assessment Tasks
Students who complete all aspects of the assessment task and submit it on or before the due date are eligible for the full mark allocated for the task. Students who fail to submit an assessment task by the due date or to attend an assessment task at school will be given zero if they have no valid reason.
Assessment tasks must be handed to the teacher concerned by 3.00 pm unless the teacher has specified a different time. Failure to do so will result in a mark of zero being awarded and a N-Award warning letter being issued.
Illness, Accident and Misadventure
Students who are unable to attend an Assessment Task or to submit an assessment task by the due date but who have a valid reason (e.g. sickness) may be given an opportunity to do the task or an equivalent task at a later date.
In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to give an estimate mark. These students will need to follow the Illness, Accident or Misadventure Procedures.
If the application is granted these students will be eligible for the full mark allocated to the task. For sickness a doctor’s certificate is required.