From the Leader of Learning

NEWMAN SYMPOSIUM and FORM: Shape, SPACE and SOUND

As Dr Ireland mentioned, our students will showcase their learning and work this coming Monday. I especially encourage all students, parents and carers to attend FORM: Shape, Space and Sound.

On Monday afternoon, in addition to our Newman students showcase, you will be able to view major works from our recent Year 12 students in Visual Arts and Design & Technology. To whet your appetite please see the Visual Arts News article.

Our Stage 5 Music elective students will also perform in the Theatrette from 5pm.

I guarantee that you will leave amazed and in awe of what our students achieve.

Semester 2 Reporting in Stages 4 & 5

Teachers are currently preparing academic reports and determining grades for students. The grade determined is with reference to the typical performance of a student using evidence from all learning activities and assessment tasks across the year. The grade determined reflects the typical performance of a student for the year, not just Semester 2. 

The Common Grade Scale and Course Performance Descriptors

The common grade scale is a standardized NSW framework that allows teachers to evaluate student performance consistently across different schools and subjects. It ensures fairness, transparency, and reliability in the grading process, providing a shared language for teachers, students, and parents to understand and interpret grades meaningfully.

In our Assessment Handbooks, each subject has a grid that details the grade scale.

It is important to note the following about the Semester 2 Academic Reports:

• The Semester 2 Grade is determined by each teacher’s on-balance judgement using a range of evidence
• Grades are not determined mathematically or with reference to numeric benchmarks
• The reportable outcomes are not totalled to generate a grade, and there can be variation in reportable outcome levels
• No one formal assessment task will determine a grade
• Earning consistent grades in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 indicates academic growth, as the student has successfully navigated the increasing challenges and demands of the course over time
• For Year 10 students, the Semester 2 Grade is the grade reported to NESA for a student’s Stage 5 Record of Student Achievement (ROSA).

As parents, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the common grade scale and course performance descriptors, enabling you to support your daughter’s education effectively. By working together, we can create an environment that fosters growth, recognizes achievement, and nurtures a love for learning.