Richmond River High School Year 8 Assessment and Reporting Information
2011
Richmond River High School provides a caring and friendly environment where students are challenged to do their best. Students are empowered to achieve self reliance and to become confident and responsible citizens with the capability to succeed.
INDEX GENERAL INFORMATION
PAGE
Introduction………………………………………….…………………………
2
Course requirements…………………………………..……………………….
3
Reporting procedures........................................................................................
3
Assessment procedures………………………………………………………..
3
Illness/misadventure form……………………………….…………………….
4
Copy of warning letter......................................................................................
5
Plagiarism policy………………………………………………………………
7
COURSE INFORMATION Mandatory Subjects (all students) English……………………………………………………………….……………
8
Mathematics………………………………………………………………………
8
Science ……………………………………………………………………………
9
HSIE ………………………………………………………….…………………..
10
Music /Visual Art …………………………………………….………………….
11
LOTE …………………………………………………….…………………….
11
Personal Development / Health / PE ……………………………………………..
12
Technology – Industrial Arts ………………………………..……………………
12
Technology – Textiles ……………………………………………………………
13
Technology – Food ……………………………………………………….………
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Assessment Calendar ………………………….…………………………………
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Introduction This book provides assessment guidelines in courses for Year 8 students. It is hoped that this information will assist students and parents in understanding these requirements and to plan for each course studied. Students should be provided with additional information, in writing, at least 1 week prior to each assessment task. Whenever a student is absent from class, it is their responsibility to see the teacher about any missed work or assessment information that may have been given out. Whilst faculties will endeavour to adhere to these assessment grids, circumstances may cause variations in timing, weighting and content. Students will be informed if this occurs. Students are advised to develop a study planner for each term based upon the information provided here combined with further details from their class teachers. Richmond River High School has two reporting periods—Midyear and Final. Midyear reports will be based upon course outcomes covered up until mid June. Assessments for Final reports will mainly focus upon work covered from the end of June until the end of the school year. You are urged to read this booklet carefully.If you have a specific course enquiry please contact the Head Teacher of that Faculty. If it is a more general enquiry please contact the Year Adviser.
Requirements Formal assessments are detailed on the calendar provided. Other course requirements include practical, oral, assignment and project works for specific courses. These should also be added to the calendar. Completion of homework and bookwork can form part of class assessment. English Mr D Hanley Mathematics Mr J Scarrabelotti Science Mr Z van den Berg HSIE Mr S Dawson Creative and Performing Arts Mr P Howes Languages Other than English, Mr O Maxted Mandatory Technology Mr S Clayton Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Mr T Laverty Learning Support Mrs J Ryan Year 8 Adviser 2011 Mr L Woodward Deputy Principal Coordinating Yr 8 2011 Mr M Hensley
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COURSE COMPLETION CRITERIA The Board of Studies (BOS) requires Principals to certify that students have satisfactorily completed courses. The Board states that: “a student will be considered to have satisfactorily completed a course if in the Principal’s view there is sufficient evidence that the student has: a) followed the course developed or endorsed by the Board, and b) applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school; and c)
achieved some or all of the course outcomes.
If the principal determines that a student is in danger of not completing a course satisfactorily, the student will be warned in writing in time for them to correct the problem and satisfactorily complete the course. For each course, a set of Course Performance Descriptors has been developed based on the General Performance Descriptors. Each descriptor is a positive statement about achievement related to the knowledge and skills relevant to the course. Teachers collect assessment information about student achievement in a course and relate it to the Course Performance Descriptors, A-E. Grade
General Performance Descriptors
C
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations. The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
D
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
E
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.
A B
REPORTING PROCEDURES Year 7 reports are issued late in Terms Two and Four. Assessment for these reports will be based upon the Year 7 Assessment Schedules for each course as outlined in the following pages.
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES Assessment tasks will occur in all courses during all terms. Tasks will include practicals, examinations, performances and projects as is appropriate for each course. These tasks will be advertised to students at least one week prior to the task.
A. i. Where students are absent from tasks, tests or examinations, a valid reason must be given. Students are expected to complete an illness/misadventure form. Where no valid reason is presented a zero will be awarded.
ii. Students must provide written evidence to validate an illness. iii. Students who are absent from assessment tasks must contact their teacher to make alternative arrangements immediately upon their return to school. B. Students who hand tasks in late will be penalised at the rate of 20% of the marks per school day. After 3 days a mark of zero will be recorded unless an extension has been granted. C. Where students have been dishonest through cheating or plagiarising they will forfeit all marks for that task. Parents will be notified if this occurs.
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RICHMOND RIVER HIGH SCHOOL ILLNESS/MISADVENTURE/EXTENSION FORM THIS FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL
SCHOOL CONTACT NUMBERS:
PHONE - 66213456 FAX - 66222928
STUDENT NAME: ............................................................................................................................. STUDENT CLASS/YEAR: ........................... SUBJECT: ........................................................................................................................................... TEACHER: ......................................................................................................................................... DATE OF SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM: ..................................................................................... TASK YOU ARE SEEKING SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR: .............................................................................................................................................................. DATE TASK IS DUE: ......................................................................................................................... ARE YOU SEEKING SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR (TICK) (a) ILLNESS
(b)
MISADVENTURE
(c)
OTHER REASON FOR EXTENSION
(Attach all necessary medical and other certificates) PROVIDE DETAILS AND REASONS FOR YOUR REQUEST BELOW: ............................................................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................................................
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE: ..................................................................
DATE: ……….......….
PARENT/CAREGIVER'S SIGNATURE: ............................................
DATE: ........................
TEACHER TO: 1
Complete section below
2
Determine outcome: (please tick/add option) a. Estimate to be given at end of Assessment period
b. Compare mark with all tasks at end of course and modify assessment if appropriate c. Student to re-sit task d. Student requested to submit task on alternate date. e. Appeal rejected: Non attempt / zero/ non serious attempt / N award warning letter sent f. Other option: SIGNATURE ………………………………………………
DATE: …………………………
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Principal: Mr C Watkins Deputy Principal: Mrs D Williamson Deputy Principal: Mr M Hensley
P.O.Box 510 Lismore NSW 2480 Tel: (02) 66213456 Fax: (02) 66222928 richmondri‐.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Copy of Warning Letter Ref No: Date:
Dear _______________________
Re: OFFICIAL WARNING - Non-completion of a Board of Studies Course I am writing to advise that _________________ is in danger of not meeting the Course Completion criteria for the Board of Studies course in ____________________. The Board of Studies requires schools to issue students with official warnings in order to give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. Please regard this letter as the ____ (eg 1st, 4th etc) official warning we have issued concerning ______________________. A minimum of two course specific warnings must be issued prior to a final 'N' determination being made for a course.
Course Completion Criteria The satisfactory completion of a course requires principals to have sufficient evidence that the student has: a. followed the course developed or endorsed by the board; and b. applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school; and c. achieved some or all of the course outcomes. Where it is determined that a student has not met the Course Completion criteria, they place themselves at risk of receiving an 'N' (non-completion of course) determination. An ‘N’ determination will mean that the course will not be listed on the student’s Record of Achievement. To date, _______________________ has not satisfactorily met ____ (a, b. or c.) of the Course Completion Criteria. The table attached lists those tasks, requirements or outcomes not yet completed or achieved, and/or for which a genuine attempt has not been made. In order for ____________________ to satisfy the Course Completion Criteria, the following tasks, requirements or outcomes listed overleaf need to be satisfactorily completed. Please discuss this matter with ______________________ and contact the school if further information or clarification is needed. Yours sincerely
_______________ Class teacher
__________________ Head Teacher
______________ Principal
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To satisfy the Course Completion Criteria, the following tasks, requirements or outcomes need to be satisfactorily completed by _____________________________.
Task name/course Requirement
Date/s Task/s Course Requirement/s Initially Due (if applicable)
Action Required by student
Date to be completed by (if applicable)
………………………………………………………………………… Please detach this section and return to (Head Teacher) at the school
Requirements for the Satisfactory Completion of a Board of Studies Course 1. I have received the letter dated ________________ indicating that _________________________ is in danger of not having satisfactorily completed _______________________
Parent/Guardian's signature: ________________________
Date:
_____________
Student's signature:
Date:
_____________
________________________
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PLAGIARISM POLICY Plagiarism, in any form, is unethical and unacceptable. Plagiarism occurs when you submit someone else’s words or ideas as if they were your own and take credit for its creation. It includes: 1 Downloading research papers from the internet 2 Copying articles from the internet, books or electronic sources 3 Copying work from other students 4 Paraphrasing or summarising other peoples work 5 Cutting and pasting together sections from several sources 6 Failing to cite sources 7 Quoting someone else’s ideas in their exact words To avoid plagiarism students should correctly reference sources used. Students must give credit whenever they: 1 Use another person’s idea, opinion or theory 2 Use pieces of information, facts, statistics, graphs or drawings 3 Use quotes 4 Paraphrase another person’s spoken or written words. If students have plagiarised, the following steps will be taken: 1 A copy of the suspect work will be kept 2 The matter will be investigated by the teacher or Head Teacher 3 Incident recorded on the school RISC program 4 The parent may be informed The consequences of plagiarism are dependent on the extent of the offence and the number of previous incidences. Penalties range in severity from: 1 Student given the opportunity to resubmit the task 2 Student awarded zero for the section of work plagiarised 3 Student given an ‘N’ award (fails the course) Plagiarism is cheating. If a student has concerns or questions about how to cite material, the student has the responsibility to consult their teacher. It violates our school values, beliefs and expectations for students and will not be tolerated at Richmond River High School.
Referencing All resources (books, journals, pictures, diagrams, emails, internet sites) you use within an assignment should be acknowledged in a single alphabetical list at the end of your work. Referencing material serves two purposes. First it allows readers of your work to find the resources you used when compiling the assignment, and secondly, by acknowledging material you can avoid the problems of plagiarism. Each reference should appear in two places: 1 A shortened reference in the text of your assignment (in-text reference) 2 Listed in the reference list at the end of the assignment.
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ENGLISH Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
MID-COURSE Viewing & Representing
Using ICT Composing:
Journal
25%
Class & Home based
Term 1 Week 8
25%
Class based Personal & Creative Responses
Term 2 Week 10
25%
Class based Speaking & Listening
Term 3 Weeks 8
25%
Class & Home based
Term 4 Week 4
FINAL Speaking & Listening:
Listening & Oral Presentation Reading & Writing:
Research & Report
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MATHEMATICS Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
MID-COURSE Outcome Based Testing Mathematics Research Project Half Yearly Numeracy Test
Assessment grade Students complete tasks for each outcome set on the course content taught in class.
Ongoing at approximately 3 week intervals
Assessment Grade
A detailed assignment on a specific topic.
Term 1 Week 9
100%
Whole year group numeracy test to give a position for each student in the year.
Term 2, Week 6
FINAL Outcome Based Testing Mathematics Research Project Final Numeracy Exam
Assessment grade Students complete tasks for each outcome set on the course content taught in class.
Ongoing at approximately 3 week intervals
Assessment Grade
A detailed assignment on a specific topic.
Term 3 Week 10
100%
Whole year group numeracy test to give a position for each student in the year.
Term 4 Week 5
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SCIENCE Task type
Weighting (%)
Description
Date
Assessment 1
15%
Energy Topic Test
Term 1 Week 7
Assessment 2
20%
Cells Topic Test
Term 2 Week 2
Assessment 3
15%
Chemical Substances Topic Test
Term 2 Week 7
Assessment 4
10%
Sedimentary Rocks Topic Test
Term 3 Week 1
Assessment 5
15%
Forces Topic Test
Term 3 Week 6
Assessment 6
10%
Body Systems Topic test
Term 4 Week 2
Assessment 7
15%
Medical Technology Research Task
Term 4 Week 4
MID-COURSE
FINAL
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HSIE HSIE includes History and Geography. Each subject is assessed and reported over two terms only. Students study Geography Semester 1 and then History Semester 2. Specific details of tasks will be given by class teachers. Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
Geography Research assignment
25%
Global Change
Term 1 Week 6
Topic/Skills Test
25%
Global Change
Term 1 Week 10
Research assignment
25%
Global Geographic Issues
Term 2 Week 5
Topic/Skills Test
25%
Global Geographic Issues
Term 2 Week 6
Research assignment
25%
Colonial ContactAustralian Aboriginals
Term3 Week 6
Topic Test
25%
Colonial Contact – Australian Aboriginals
Term 3 Week 8
Research assignment
25%
Colonial Contact – Non Australian
Term4 Week 5
Topic Test
25%
Colonial Contact – Non Australian
Term 4 Week 6
History
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LOTE Specific details of tasks will be given by class teacher. Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
MID-COURSE Topic test
25%
Numbers 0 - 20
Term 1 Week 7
Research Assignment
25%
French around the world
Term 2 Week 9
Topic Test
25%
La pièce
Term 3 Week 4
Research assignment
25%
Holiday in France
Term 4 Week 6
FINAL
MANDATORY TECHNOLOGY Technology includes Industrial Arts, Food and Textiles. Each subject is assessed and reported over two terms only. Specific details of tasks will be given by class teachers. Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
Industrial Arts Projects
60%
Summative assessment of all project work undertaken in the term
Week 9 of Term
Portfolio Work
40%
Folio containing related learning of specific context area studied
Week 9 of Term
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PDHPE Task type
Weighting %
Description
Date
25%
Students will present a group report after conducting research into Road Safety
Term 1 Week 6
Develop Campaign to deal with Bullying
25%
Students will research Bullying and then present a Strategy to deal with this at our school.
Term 2 Week 5
Class participation
50%
Students will be assessed on class participation in both theory and practical
Ongoing
Personal Safety Plan
25%
Students will develop two personal safety plans for issues relevant to them
Term 3 Week 7
Create a Dance Routine
25%
In small groups students will create a short dance routine to present to class.
Term 3 Week 9
Class participation
50%
Students will be assessed on class participation in both theory and practical
MID-COURSE Group Report
FINAL
Ongoing
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Overview of Assessment tasks – Year 8 2011 Please note: Dates may be changed due to unforseen events. Students will be given adequate notice of new dates if necessary. Date Term 1 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Term 2 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Term 3 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Term 4 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10
Task
PDHPE Group Report, Geography Research Assignment LOTE Topic Test, Science Topic Test English Using ICT Mandatory Technology Projects & Portfolios, Mathematics Research Project Geography Topic/Skills Test,
Science Topic Test
PDHPE Bullying Campaign, Geography Research Assignment Geography Topic/Skills test, Mathematics Numeracy Examination Science Topic Test Mandatory Technology Projects & Portfolios, LOTE Research Assignment English Journal Science Topic Test
LOTE Topic Test History Research Assignment, Science Topic Test PDHPE Personal Safety Plan History Topic Test, English Listening & Oral Presentation, PDHPE Dance routine, Mandatory Technology Projects & Portfolios, Mathematics Research Project
Science Topic Test English Research & Report, Science Topic Test History Research Assignment, Mathematics Final Examination History Topic Test, LOTE Research Assignment
Mandatory Technology Projects & Portfolios
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