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Contents
SATISFYING LEARNING OUTCOMES ............................................................................................... 3
ATTENDANCE ........................................................................................................................................ 3
SPECIAL PROVISION ............................................................................................................................ 4
Special arrangements for Examinations ............................................................................................ 4
Derived examination score ................................................................................................................. 4
Application for special provision ....................................................................................................... 5
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................ 3
COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................. 3
GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GAT) ............................................................................................ 3
INDICATIVE GRADES ........................................................................................................................... 3
AUTHENTICATION OF WORK ............................................................................................................ 5
BREACH OF RULES ............................................................................................................................... 5
ELECTRONIC DEVICES ........................................................................................................................ 5
BYOD ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
.Borrowing a Netbook ......................................................................................................................... 6
MOBILE PHONES ................................................................................................................................. 6
Media Players e.g. iPods ...................................................................................................................... 6
WHAT IS A SAC GRADE? ..................................................................................................................... 7
WHAT IS A STUDY SCORE? ................................................................................................................ 7
WHAT IS THE ATAR? ............................................................................................................................ 7
HOW IS THE ATAR CALCULATED? ............................................................................................... 7
IMPLICATIONS OF SCALING .......................................................................................................... 7
HOW IS VCAL ACCREDITED? ............................................................................................................. 7
APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF CHANGE OF UNIT ...................................................... 9
APPLICATION FOR ALTERNATIVE SAC ARRANGEMENT ........................................................ 10
APPLICATION FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM UNIT 3 AND 4 GRADED ASSESSMENT .............. 11
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL REFERENCE ................................................................................... 12
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SATISFYING LEARNING OUTCOMES
To pass any VCE unit it is necessary to demonstrate achievement of the set of outcomes for the unit as specified by the study design. The decision about satisfactory completion of outcomes is based upon the teacher’s assessment of the students overall performance on the tasks designed for the unit. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the requirements and assessment for each unit. If you have any doubts, check with your subject teacher or seek the advice of the Year Level Coordinator. It is important to recognise that Extensions of Time are rarely given during Units 3 and 4 and then under exceptional circumstances. Formal application must be made through the Year Level Coordinator. – see Special Provision
ASSESSMENT
COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT GRADES
Schools are responsible for the initial assessment of Coursework. Teachers may provide numerical marks or grade descriptors on individual Coursework tasks as part of the feedback to students. However, any Coursework assessments given are ‘conditional’. A students total score for SAC may change following statistical moderation. If you fail an assessment task, you may be given the chance to resubmit the task, submit additional work or undertake an alternative task to enable you to meet the unit outcomes and be awarded an ‘S’ for the unit. . However, your graded assessment score cannot be altered.
GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GAT)
All students enrolled in one or more Units 3 / 4 sequences must sit the GAT. Wednesday 14th June 2017. The three components assessed are:
1. Written communication 2. Mathematics, science and technology 3. Humanities, the arts, social sciences.
Although GAT results do not count directly towards VCE results, they play an important role in checking that School-assessed Tasks, School-assessed Coursework and examinations have been accurately assessed, and in the calculation of Derived Examination Scores if required (see Special Provision).
INDICATIVE GRADES
VCAA requires teachers to provide indicative grades. These are predictions of a student’s actual level of achievement on an examination, and are generally determined by student’s performance on school based assessment as well as demonstrated knowledge and ability. These grades are used to identify examinations that require reassessment as well as in the calculation of Derived Examination Scores if required (see Special Provision).
ATTENDANCE POLICY REQUIREMENTS
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Students are required to attend at least 90% of all classes. This requirement does not include approved absences. However, a minimum attendance requirement is necessary to meet authentication rules. Students who are absent from school without a medical certificate for prolonged periods of time are in danger of failing unit/s . It is essential that students meet the attendance policy requirement as outline by the VCAA. The VCE involves frequent deadlines for work. Outcome Tasks and some School Assessed Coursework specify that particular tasks are to be done at school so tha the students work can be authenictaged and students skills can be assessed by the study teacher. Students absent from SAC’s must notify the school and provide a medial certifacte. For absemces to be ‘approved’ they must be supported buuy relevant documentation – medical cerrificate, other professionsal documentation.
Non-essential appointments (such as haircuts and driving lessons) should be made out of school time. If, however, a student is absent for confirmed, legitimate reasons during assessment, the subject teacher may set an alternative task of equal scope and difficulty, or reschedule the assessment task.
Students may leave the school grounds at lunchtime after signing out at the general office. They must ensure they return promptly for their session 5 class, or private study session. At any other times, students must provide a note from parents requesting permission.
Note: students receiving any form of government assistance need to be aware that any unauthorized absences must be forwarded to Centrelink and payments may be affected
SPECIAL PROVISION
Special provision provides for students whose ability to demonstrate achievement is affected by illness, accidents or personal circumstances. A medical certificate is required. Students who are eligible for Special Provision are still required to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Completion of Outcomes. If eligible, the school may assist by:
Rescheduling assessment tasks Setting alternative or substitute tasks Allowing more time to complete a task Allowing the use of different arrangements to complete an assessment
If none of these provisions is effective, the school may award a score determined by the teacher, based on other completed work.
Special arrangements for Examinations
The school may apply to the VCAA for special arrangements for students who because of illness or disability are unable to complete their examinations in the same way or under the same conditions as other students. Any application must be accompanied by recent supportive medical or specialist documentation. Other supporting evidence is required for students applying for special arrangements such as extra reading / writing time / use of technology due to a learning disability.
Derived examination score
If a student becomes ill or experiences an accident or personal trauma in the 2 weeks leading up to the examinations or during the examination period, they may apply to have the examination result determined by the VCAA, using the students other scores and indicative grades
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Application is made to the Principal through the VCE Coordinators and if eligible a recommendation is made to the VCAA.
This must be substantiated with evidence from an independent professional If approved, the VCAA will derive a final result for the examination using moderated
school assessments, GAT scores, other examinations if applicable and the Indicative Grades provided by the school and use this to calculate the Study Score.
Application for special provision
It is the student’s responsibility to see the VCE Coordinator as soon as possible if they consider they are eligible for Special Provision.
AUTHENTICATION OF WORK
Authentication is the process by which we ensure that work is in fact that of the student. VCAA has a strict set of Procedures and Rules contained in the VCE/VCAL Administrative Handbook. A summary is given below. Students must ensure that all unacknowledged work submitted for Learming outcome, School
assessed coursework or assessment tasks is genuinely their own work. All work that involves other sources must be acknowledged as such. This includes texts, Internet
sites, source material and the names and status of people who have provided assistance (and the type of assistance provided).
Students must not accept undue assistance from others in the preparation and submission of work. Students must ensure that the teacher sees the development of work over a period of time. The
work will only be assessed if the teacher can attest that all unacknowledged work is the student’s own.
Students may be asked to demonstrate understanding of the task at the time of submission or assessment.
Students must not submit the same piece of work for assessment in more that one study. Students who knowingly assist other students in a breach of rules may be penalised If a piece of work cannot be authenticated, then the matter must be dealt with as a breach of rules
as outlined below.
BREACH OF RULES
Students must be able to provide evidence that the work submitted is their own and/or was completed in accordance with the VCAA’s requirements. If the school is satisfied on the basis of evidence and following an interview with the student, that there has been a substantial breach of rules, the Principal has the power to
Reprimand the student and impose disciplinary measures or Give the student the opportunity to resubmit work or Refuse to accept that part of the work which infringes the rules or Refuse to accept the work in which case an ‘N’ will be awarded
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
BYOD
To support their learning and make effective use of time both in and out of class, students are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop and connect it to the school network. This option allows
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students to access information through student shared folders and save work onto their home folder as a back up.
If students use a computer to produce work for a learning outcome, coursework or assessed task, then it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that there is an alternative system available in case the computer or printer malfunctions or becomes unavailable. Hard copies of the work in progress should be produced regularly to meet drafting or authentication requirements. Each time changes are made the work should be saved onto a backup disk. A USB disk may be used by VCE students for the storage of coursework and assessment tasks. It is vital that students do not store any coursework or assessment task material on the hard disk of the school computers. This is in breach of VCAA rules as it allows other students to access this material. A password protected folder is provided on the network for this purpose (see the Learning Technologies Manager).
Borrowing a Netbook
Some Netbooks are available for loan through the General Office for students who need temporary access to a computer. (Provided you have been responsible in the past) NetBooks must be borrowed with a bag and be carried in the bag to and from the General Office. Netbooks MUST be returned at the end of the lesson / end of the day. They are not to be stored in lockers or taken home.
MOBILE PHONES
Students may bring personal mobile phones to school, however as a general rule, they
should not be brought into the classroom. If students using a mobile phone inappropriately it
will be confiscated and kept in the main office.
Apps on Smart phones may be used to support learning if approved by the class teacher.
Media Players e.g. iPods
These are permitted at school during recesses, lunch and private study. Media players are not to be used in class unless approved by the class teacher Private Study Sesstion Students have timetabled study sessions each week and must ensure that they organise their study to ensure that they use these studies productively . Students undertake these sessions in the library, where an attendance roll is marked. Students are expected to attend form assembly even if they have private study sessions during periods 1 and 2.
FORM ASSEMBLY
Form assembly is held at the beginning of each day. Stduents are expected to attend form assebley,
even if they have privage study sessions 1 and 2. Key information is communicated at this time
and it iessential that students attend so they aare fully informed.
UNIFORM
You have the privilege of a distinctive VCE / VCAL top as part of the school unirom. If you are
unable to wear full schoolunifrom, you must bring a note to the General Office for approval.
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YEAR 12 DRIVERS
If you are privileged enough to have a car and a license, your car needs to remain out of school
grounds. It is school and Department of Education and Training policy that you are not to transport
other students during school hours or on school excrusions.
THE MYSTERY OF VCE STUDY SCORES AND TERTIARY ENTRANCE RANKS
WHAT IS A SAC GRADE?
A SAC grade is the mark awarded by the school for internally assessed tasks. Grades are awarded from A+
(highest) to E (lowest passing score) with 'N' indicating a failure to satisfy the learning outcomes and 'UG'
indicates that the work does not warrant a grade and needs to be resubmitted to gain an `S' grade.
WHAT IS A STUDY SCORE?
A study score shows how well you have perfoed in a study compared to everyone else in Victoria who took
that study. They are caclcualted by the VCAA and used by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Cwtnre
(VTAC) to calculate the ATAR. The maximum study score is 50.A study score of 30 is an average
performance and 45 or above is an exceptional performance.
WHAT IS THE ATAR?
The ATAR( Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is the mainway fjor assessing and comparing the resultgs of
year 12 studetns for entry into Univerity , in all states except Queensland. It is a number etween 0 and 99.95
which reports your postion relative to all other studenter. A rank of 75.00 for example, means an overall result
equal to or better than 75% of the candidates in the population
HOW IS THE ATAR CALCULATED?
The ATAR will take into account:
your study score in English (after scaling)
your next best three study scores (after scaling)
• ten percent of your next two best study scores (after scaling).
Your score for English plus your next best three study scores arecalled your `primary four'. The next two
best study scores are generated from your fifth and sixth equivalent studies.
IMPLICATIONS OF SCALING
Students and parents need to be conscious of the effects of scaling. Study scores in a subject are relative to the
general ability of the total group taking that subject. The study scores are scaled according to the ability of the
total group taking a subject compared with the ability of students taking other subjects. Some students choose
`easier' subjects to obtain higher study scores. Our experience has been that this usually works against them.
VTAC lists the effects of scaling on individual subjects and you should read this information contained in
the booklet `Tertiary Selection and the ATAR'. Information is available on the VTAC website.
http://www.vtac.edu.au/
HOW IS VCAL ACCREDITED?
VCAL is assessed at 3 levels Senior, Intermediate and Foundation. At each level students have outcomes to
complete at the prescribed levels. To attain a VCAL Certificate of any level, students must complete with
competency all 10 units. These units are:
VCAL Literacy –Reading and Writing
VCAL Literacy- Oracy
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VCAL Personal Development Skills
VCAL Work Related Skills Unit 1 & 2
VCAL Numeracy
VCE – 2 units (either 1&2 or 3&4)
VET Certificate (2 units)
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APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF CHANGE OF UNIT
ONCE COMPLETED A COPY OF THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM MUST BE RETURNED
TO THE YLC Students will receive a copy if requested.
Student Name Form Date of request
Unit you wish to change from
Unit you wish to change to
Please give full reasons for your request
YLC Notes :
Signatures
Student
Date
Parent
Date
Year Level Coordinator
Date
Approved YES / NO
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APPLICATION FOR ALTERNATIVE SAC ARRANGEMENT
Granting of alternative SAC arrangements eg/ extension of time, completion at a different time, provision of
an alternative task is not automatic.
A valid reason is required, and supporting documentation should be provided where applicable.
THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM MUST BE GIVEN TO THE YLC
Student Name Date of request
Unit Teacher
Description of Assessment task.
Reason for alternative arrangements (Please make reference to supporting documentation if applicable)
Signatures
Student
Date
Parent
Date
Subject Teacher
Date
YLC / teacher comments
Year Level Coordinator Date
Approved YES / NO
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APPLICATION FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM UNIT 3 AND 4 GRADED
ASSESSMENT
School – assessed Coursework and School – assessed Tasks assess the students; level of achievement on the assessment
tasks designated in the study design.
The initial assessment is the responsibility of the school and these scores are statistically moderated with the scores
achieved on the external exams, the performance on the GAT.
The results count towards a student’s Study Score in each VCE study and the calculation of the student’s ATAR. The
ATAR is used primarily by Universities and Colleges as part of their selection process.
Students can successfully complete their VCE through achieving satisfactory completion of all the learning outcomes in
the subjects studied – they do not need study scores. For students who do not wish to undertake further studies after the
completion of VCE, a study score / ATAR is not essential.
Some students may elect not to have their work given a graded assessment. Some advantages and disadvantages of this
are
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Students may be given more time to
complete tasks
Students may get assistance from teachers
in the completion of coursework which is
required to meet learning outcomes
Students will not be under as much
pressure to achieve high grades
Students can still pass their VCE
Tertiary student could be undertaken later
in life as a mature age student
Students do not get an ATAR, limiting
options of tertiary study
Students perceive this as a soft option and
do not put the necessary work into their
studies
Students may lose focus due to absence of
motivation that comes with competitive
assessment
Students will not have graded assessment
to show prospective employers
Students wishing to consider this option are advised to discuss this with their parents, teachers, VCE Coordinator and
parents. The decision to withdraw from graded assessment is final.
Agreement:
I ____________________would like to withdraw from graded assessment, in
_______________. I have read the above and discussed it with my parent/guardian, subject teacher and VCE
coordinator and am aware that I will not receive a study score or ATAR contribution for this
subject.
Student signature Date
Parent / guardian signature Date
Class teacher signature Date
Comments
Coordinator / SSL signed
Comments
Interview with student held:
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Contact with parent:
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL REFERENCE
This form is available also on the Student Public Folders on the school intranet (Details for References). Although the
final form for submission in August / September may be updated, you are advised to spend time throughout the year
developing a comprehensive record of your involvement in school and community activities
Timboon P-12 School 2016 Year 12 Reference information
Name
Address
Date of Birth
Subjects completed in VCE / VET/VCAL
Subjects completed in Year 11 Results Subjects in Year 12
Awards and Achievements : Including Merits, Scholarships, Citizenship Awards,
Competitions, Achievement Awards.
Awards/Achievements Years Year Levels
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Record of interest and responsibilities
Year
and
Level
Extra curricula
involvements
Inter school sport Positions of
responsibility
Employment Other areas
Year 12
2016
Year 11
2015
Year 10
2014
Year 9
2013
Year 8
2012
Year 7
2011