Formal Assessments
Annually the students engage in a range of formal assessments that inform our understanding of their progress aligned to national and state benchmarks. The number of formal assessments vary depending on the Year Group the students are in.
- All My Own Work Year 10 is a compulsory assessment students must complete to be eligible to enrol in the Year 11 Preliminary Courses. Students will complete a range of modules to met this compulsory assessment. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-all-my-own-work
- Best Start Year 7 is a literacy and numeracy assessment package for schools to use in the first five weeks of Year 7. It is designed to: provide teachers with consistent and up-to-date information about new students' skills and abilities in literacy and numeracy, identify students at risk of falling behind, help inform targeted teaching and intervention strategies. https://education.nsw.gov.au/literacy-and-numeracy-strategy/secondary-school-initiatives/best-start-year-7
- Higher School Certificate (HSC) is an internationally recognised qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW.
- Minimum Standards Years 10-12 involves three compulsory tests in Reading, Numeracy and Writing. Students needs to successfully complete these assessments to Level 3 or above on the ACARA standards to meet the NESA HSC requirements. Year 10-12 students will have multiple attempts to meet this standard before the conclusion of the HSC. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard
- 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.
- Progress Achievement Testing (PAT) – Annually the students in Year 7, 8 and 9 complete three formalised tests to determine their progressive achievement in the areas of reading, numeracy and general reasoning abilities. This data is collected in Term 4 and can be used to inform interventions and supports for students with additional learning needs. https://www.acer.org/au/pat/tests
- 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.
- 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.
- Some students may apply for placement in a selective high school. For more information, visit selective high schools and opportunity classes
Reporting
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. In Year 12, we use the HSC Course Performance Descriptors for each subject.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are assessed on achievement of competencies aligned to the VET Quality Framework, which is based on the Australian Skills Quality Authority. https://www.asqa.gov.au/about/asqa/key-legislation/vet-quality-framework