THE HSC AND SUBJECT

SELECTIONS

Information for Year 10 students and parents

Parent Information EveningAgenda

Welcome Margaret Hutchinson / Rod Rowe

The structure of Stage 6 Sharon Westman HSC and Links Program Rod Rowe VET courses Cheryl Harland School-Based Traineeships Sharon Westman / Dave

Hamilton HSC options at TaFE Tony Dickenson Subject selection process / dates / classes/ lines and web choices

Rod Rowe

Purpose / aim of tonight To provide you with the necessary information to assist

your students /children attain their goals in Year 11/12 and beyond.

To begin the journey that the HSC will entail. To provide you with some insights/information that will

help you ask the right questions to promote discussion. To provide you with information about how the subject

selection process and lines work. To present some important dates and resources for further

investigation.

Stage 6Year 11 = Preliminary

Year 12 = HSC

Year 11 + Year 12 = Stage 6

Stage 6 TeamDeputy Principal – Stage 6 (Ms Westman)

Year Advisors (Mr Moss – Year 11 and Mr Fowler –

Year 12)

Head Teacher Administration (Mr Rowe)

Transition Advisor (Mrs Hamilton)

Careers Advisor (Mr Dickenson)

Staff – Head Teachers and classroom teachers

What’s on offer in Stage 6?Teacher mentorsSenior Study (and study skills program)Flexible Timetable (Year 12 only)TaFETraineeshipsNo sport on Wednesday afternoonsAll My Own Work and CrossroadsFuture Moves Parent Support ProgramStudent MillenniumDriving … Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

Subject Selections You should use the following strategies when making your choice of subjects:

 

1. Select subjects which are necessary (i.e.: pre-requisite, assumed knowledge, recommended) for your chosen career / tertiary course, provided:

a) you are reasonably sure about what you wish to do;

b) you have the ability to obtain a satisfactory result in this subject.

2. Select subjects in which you are interested. If you are interested in a given subject there is some probability that you will be interested in a career / tertiary course related to this subject, even if you don’t know it yet. Students should not select courses based on their friends' choices.

3. Select subjects in which you are proficient. There is no point doing a subject in which you lack the necessary pre-requisite ability. If you can't cope at school you are unlikely to be able to cope with a similar course at a tertiary level. It may be wise for you to re-think your career goals.

4. If possible, always try to select subjects which will keep your options open, particularly if you are unsure about your future career/course direction. Draw up your plan for your pattern of studies for both the Preliminary and HSC years to ensure that you'll be eligible for a HSC.  When making decisions about subjects it is best to think of a 'bundle' of courses that you can then select from.

The process1. Students are provided with information and

teacher / parent assistance

2. Parent information evenings and Faculty night

3. Individual interviews with Careers Team

4. Options class – practice different choices

5. Make selections online – web choices

6. Student lines generated

7. Negotiations with students about subjects and patterns of study

8. Finalised patterns of study for Year 11 – 2015 by end of Term 3

What you can do to help your students in their senior years?1. Read with them the subject selection

booklets provided and discuss their future options

2. Look at different options-if unsure keep your options open

3. Assist with web choice selections / meeting dates

4. On-going discussion - your children / teachers / Career Advisor…

5. Take advantage of faculty night presentations and parent interviews

6. Keep your students organised and stick to the dates involved in the process

7. ENSURE STUDENTS PUT SUBJECTS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE FOR WHAT THEY

WOULD LIKE TO STUDY IN YEAR 11

8. Keep dialogue open between your student and the school

NSW HSCThe highest educational award gained in NSW schools

The HSC:• an internationally recognised credential

• standards-based - students receive HSC marks that indicate the standard they have achieved

Board Developed Courses (BDC) and Board Endorsed Courses (BEC)

BDCs BECsHSC exam no HSC exam counts towards HSC school-based assessment

usedmay count towards the ATAR*

counts towards HSC

includes some VET** courses

cannot contribute to the ATAR

includes Life Skills courses includes some VET courses

* Australian Tertiary Admission Rank** Vocational Education and Training

Course structureAll courses have a unit value

Most courses are 2 Units

2 Units = 4 hours of instruction per week= 120 hours per year

= 100 marks

1 Unit = 60 hours per year= 50 marks

All 2 Unit courses have equal status

RequirementsPreliminary Course

• minimum of 12 Units including 2 Units of English (mandatory)

• students must satisfactorily complete the Preliminary course before commencing the corresponding HSC course

HSC Course • minimum of 10 Units including 2 Units of English (mandatory)

Both the Preliminary and HSC Courses must include:

At least 6 Units of Board Developed Courses, including at least 2 Units of English

At least 3 courses of 2 Units value or greater

At least 4 subjects (including English)

At most, 6 Units of courses in Science can count towards HSC eligibility

EnglishEnglish Advanced

• Preliminary Extension 1• HSC Extension 1• HSC Extension 2

English StandardEnglish Studies (Content Endorsed Course – no

HSC exam – non ATAR)Fundamentals of English

MathematicsMathematics

• Preliminary Mathematics - Extension 1• HSC Mathematics - Extension 1• HSC Mathematics - Extension 2

Mathematics General• Preliminary Mathematics General • HSC Mathematics General 2 (Board Developed Course –

HSC exam)• HSC Mathematics General 1 (Content Endorsed Course

– no HSC exam – non ATAR)

LanguagesDifferent courses:

• Beginners• Continuers (not offered in 2015)

Eligibility criteria apply to all courses

Extension coursesPreliminary HSC

English 1 English 1 and 2Mathematics 1 Mathematics 1 and 2

HistoryMusic

Some LanguagesSome Vocational Education & Training (VET) courses

Life SkillsDesigned for a small percentage of

students with special education needs

Curriculum options are determined through collaborative curriculum planning process

Board Developed status

Count towards HSC

Cannot contribute to ATAR

VET

VET courses - a workplace credential while at school Qualifications are recognised Australia-wide

(AQF – Australian Qualifications Framework)

Vocation Context

Requirements from the Training Package

Competency-based assessment

HSC ContextRequirements from the

Board of Studies

Optional HSC Examination (for 240-hour courses)

Assessment requirements

Industry Curriculum Frameworks

VET Industry Curriculum Frameworks Board Developed Courses

• Automotive • Human Services

• Business Services • Information and Digital Technology

• Construction • Metal and Engineering

• Electro-technology • Primary Industries

• Entertainment Industry • Retail Services

• Financial Services • Tourism and Events

• Hospitality

Students must complete 35 hours of mandatory work placement per 120 hours of

course work.

Satisfactory completionStudents must:

• follow the course developed or endorsed by the Board

• apply themselves with diligence and sustained effort

• achieve some or all of the course outcomes

• complete work placement for VET Board Developed Courses

• make a genuine attempt at assessment tasks that total more than 50% of the available school assessment marks for HSC courses only

Reporting – HSC

The Record of Achievement

All years listed, with the most recent year first

All HSC courses listed with Assessment Mark, Examination Mark, HSC Mark and Performance Band

All Preliminary courses listed

How is the HSC determined?

Internal assessment50%

External HSC exam50%

HSC mark 100%

School based assessmentWhy is it important?

• Contributes 50% of HSC mark (and ATAR if student is eligible)

• Is a course completion requirement

• Is used to calculate an HSC mark in the case of a successful Illness/Misadventure appeal

HSC examinationsContribute 50% of HSC mark

VET exams are optional

Some courses have practical examinations and/or submitted works or projects in addition to the written HSC examination

Written examinations are held in October-November each year

VET Credentials

VET Assessment

Assessment is competency based

Assessment of relevant tasks counts towards AQF VET qualification component

What is the difference between

the HSC and the ATAR?

HSC ATAR• is for all students • is for students wishing

to gain a place at a university

• reports student achievement in terms of a standard achieved in individual courses

• is a rank NOT a mark

• presents a profile of student achievement across a broad range of subjects

• provides information about how students perform overall in relation to other students

• provides the discrimination required by universities for the selection process

ATAR eligibilitySatisfactory completion of:

• at least 10 units of Board Developed Courses including 2 units of English

• at least 4 Board Developed Courses• at least 8 units of Category A courses• no more than 2 units of Category B courses

Calculating the ATARBoard of Studies NSW Raw Moderated

Exam + Assessment Marks

Universities Admissions Centre

Scaled

2 units of English + next best 8 units

ATAR

The scaled markfor each course is

based on the qualityof the candidates in that course

in that year

Consider the following

Abilities

Interests/Motivation

Career aspirations and needs

Practical considerations

Syllabus requirements

Practical/Major work components

Subject combinations

What do I want for my future?

What ‘pathway’ best suits me?

Ask for advice from:

• teachers• parents• year adviser• careers adviser• students in Years 11 and 12• publications + website

LINKS ProgramFour programs for students to consider:• Tertiary Link• Job Link • Career Link• Fast Link

Tertiary LINKPreliminary = 12 or 13 units• 10 Board Developed Courses• Extension courses, max 1 VET or TaFE

course

HSC = 10 units - optional• English: Advanced or Standard• Mathematics or General 2 (optional)• Support = Mentor & Study Skills

Job LINKPreliminary = 12 units

HSC = 12 units• English: Standard or Studies• 2U Work Studies – ongoing job

support, work experience • Focus on SVET, TVET, 2U CEC’s

Career LINKPreliminary = 12 units

HSC = 10 or 12 units• English: Standard or Studies• School Based Traineeship (SBaT)• Industry Based Learning 2U - supports

work placement• SVET, TVET, CECs, & BDCs

Fast LINKPreliminary = 12 units• English Studies• 2U Work Studies• Focus on 4U in one year of VET (via F2F,

DE, TaFE)• Various support programs• Exit end of Year 11 with Preliminary

Certificate and Certificate II AQF qualification

LINKS program You need to consider what you are planning to achieve by

continuing on to senior studies.

You need to be able to answer all 11 questions when making decisions about the subjects you wish to study in Year 11 and into Year 12.

By answering YES or NO to these questions you will be able to select which LINK program you are in.

The LINK Program will tell you the type of subjects you should be selecting.

 

Do I know what type of job/career that I intend to pursue? Do I intend to go to university? Do I really need an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)? Do I intend to continue onto a TaFE course? Do I only need the skills for job hunting? Do I wish to pursue work placement during the senior years? Do I intend to undertake a School-Based Traineeship while at

school? Do I intend to leave school when I turn 17? Do I have the skills necessary to enrol in TaFE electives? Do I have the skills to be an independent learner to study via

Distance Education? Do I really want to be at school?

Date Phase Personnel Time LocationTerm 3 Week 1

 

Thursday 17th July

Follow up lessons about choices /Stage 6

 

Parent Information Evening - BOS

R.Rowe

T.Dickenson

M. Hutchinson

S. Westman

T. Dickenson

C Harland

R.Rowe

Option classes

 

 

6.00-7.00 pm

Classrooms

 

 

Staff Common Room

Term 3 Week 2

Thursday 24th July

  

Term 3 Week 2

Faculty Information Evening and Displays

 

Follow up lessons about choices / Stage 6 (web choices)

Head Teachers

Staff

University Representative

VET Representative

 

R.Rowe

T.Dickenson

6.00-8.00 pm

 

 

 

Options classes

MPC

 

 

 

Classrooms

Date Phase Personnel Time LocationTerm 3 Week 3 Student

Interviews (Tuesday 29th-Wednesday 30th)

**Bring in subject selection sheets

Parent Interviews

Career Team Year Advisor

Nominated Staff & Executive

Career Team Year Advisor

Nominated Staff & Executive

Students booked into time slots

Parents –as arranged/booked

Staff Common Room

 

Meeting rooms

Term 3 Week 4 **WEB CHOICES – one week to submit choices online**

R. Rowe Teachers

** Friday

WEB CHOICES locked **

Computer rooms Home

TERM 3 Week 5 – END OF TERM

Line choices established Negotiations with students

TaFE nominations

Completed choices

R. Rowe

T. Dickenson

Final Tuesday Assembly or arranged time

MPC