Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering studying at TAFE Queensland, you might have a few questions. To get you started on your journey, we have put together some frequently asked questions posed by students and parents. Please talk through this information with your school, or alternatively, feel free to contact us to discuss.
TAFE at School students will be studying in an adult learning environment, as such their behaviour and general approach to study should be respectful to their teachers, learning environment, peers and themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does TAFE Queensland competencybased training and assessment differ to school assessment?
Competency-based training is a method of training that focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information in order to achieve competency. It is geared towards the attainment and demonstration of skills to meet industry-defined standards, rather than to a learner’s achievement relative to that of others. It is not time-based, as soon as a learner achieves a required competency, they can move on to the next.
Competency-based assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making judgements about whether a person has achieved competency. It involves people being assessed against fixed criteria or predetermined benchmarks – such as those expressed in units of competency or accredited modules.
Competency-based assessment is not graded (eg: A –F) and only has two possible outcomes – Competent or Not Yet Competent. Unlike school assessments, each learner has a maximum of two attempts or opportunities to demonstrate competency for each assessment task.
Will I have homework?
To be successful in your TAFE at School course, you need to revise and apply what you learn in class. It is expected that you undertake independent study and complete learning activities as directed outside of formal scheduled times that you interact with a teacher, either face to face and/or online.
What is a pre-requisite unit?
A pre-requisite unit is a unit that must be completed successfully before enrolment or commencement of a subsequent unit. Where a course has pre-requisite units, failure, or an inability to complete a pre-requisite unit may incur an early withdrawal from the course. At the start of your course, the teacher will clearly identify any units that are a pre-requisite, as they are extremely important to complete in the timeframe allocated so that you can continue to progress in your course.
What happens if I miss a class?
While missing class is less than ideal, in some instances, it cannot be avoided (e.g. illness). TAFE Queensland on the Gold Coast manages these instances depending on the specifics of the courses (unit), as it depends on length of unit delivery, learning content (theory or practical) covered, and if the absence has prevented you from completing any assessments. You will need to discuss your absence with your TAFE Queensland teacher to determine what impact your absence (planned or unplanned) has or will have on your course.
Your teachers will provide access to recorded sessions and/or suitable online resources to revise prior to next attendance, and determine if you may continue in your course.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
• Absence may have detrimental effects for the continuation in your course.
• Absence on a planned assessment day may lead to a did not submit/sit (DNS) attempt. Meaning, you only have one attempt of assessment remaining.
• Absence from classes where practical skills are the focus may require additional attendance to develop the mastery of skills before attempting assessment.
What does satisfactory progress look like?
You are expected to make satisfactory progress within your chosen field of study. Satisfactory progress is made by maintaining attendance, participating in course activities, completing assessments by due dates and successfully finalising all assessment items including reassessment, work experience or vocational placement by the advertised dates.
What happens if I am unsuccessful on my first attempt of an assessment task?
You will be provided a second attempt to be deemed competent in the assessment task. Re-assessment should only be attempted once you are confident you have understood the assessment task, have been provided with feedback and have reviewed associated learning materials.
What happens if I am unsuccessful after attempting an assessment task for a second time?
If your second attempt of assessment is unsuccessful, you will receive a ‘Not Yet Competent’ result for the unit of competency. Notification of this result will be provided to you by your teacher. Your school will also be notified via email, and provided with options for you to re-enrol in the unit, where you can re-engage in the learning material and be provided with the opportunity to undertake the associated assessment task/s again. Your school VET Coordinator (or delegate) will discuss with you, and/or your parent/guardian to determine what future options you may want to pursue and will advise TAFE Queensland.
Do I receive a TAFE Queensland report card?
Yes. TAFE Queensland provides end-of-term reports to schools in Terms 1, 2, 3, and 4 each year. Reports for Term 4 are issued only for continuing students.
How do I get support with my TAFE Queensland study?
You will have a variety of support services available to you, such as counselling and indigenous support services. Our teachers will also provide support of learning through adapting learning and delivery strategies and applying reasonable adjustment to assessment tasks as required.
As TAFE Queensland is not funded to provide individual support services to school students, it is expected that if your school normally provides you with specialised support services, such as a participation assistant (or similar) for day-to-day learning or personal support, then schools also provide this support when you attend your TAFE at School course.
How do I notify TAFE Queensland of absenteeism, early departure or late arrival?
Your parent/guardian is required to email the centralised inbox SchoolAbsentees.GoldCoast@ tafeqld.edu.au before 9:30am on the day of absenteeism or late arrival. If you are required to leave early, your parent/guardian is required to notify TAFE Queensland via the above email inbox and you will also be required to formally sign out on departure at the Customer Service counter on Campus.
How do I withdraw from my course?
Parents/guardians and/or Schools may request a student withdrawal by accessing and completing the online Withdrawal Request Form located at: forms.office.com/r/3JtjKhEBjd
Once received the TAFE Queensland Student Management team will process the withdrawal request and update the Student Management System and Pathways.
What is student misconduct?
Misconduct is personal conduct that breaches the TAFE Queensland Student rules and is categorised as either behavioural or academic misconduct, and how is it dealt with at TAFE Queensland.
Further information regarding types and consequences of student misconduct can be found here: tafeqld.edu.au/about/policy-and-governance/studentrules-and-policies/student-misconduct
Please talk through this information with your school, or alternatively, feel free to contact us to discuss.