As we progress through the academic year, I would like to take a moment to remind parents/carers of some important aspects of our Senior Years Learning Assessment procedures.  

In accordance with the NSW attendance procedures, we recommend that all leave for travel occurs during school holidays.  However, we do understand that there will be times when families are required to travel during the school term.

If you intend to travel during the school term, Mr. McMahon must be notified in writing at least 4 weeks before the leave, outlining the purpose, location, and duration of travel.  If the leave is for 5 days or greater, an Application for Extended Leave (A1 form) must be submitted.  Please be aware, that where extended leave is taken during the school term, only the first 5 days will be approved. The remainder of the leave will be recorded as unjustified on your child’s attendance record. 

Once Mr McMahon has approved the leave, students must obtain a Foreseeable Absence Form and are required to have their class teachers indicate on the form assessment tasks that the student will miss during the leave period. A student on Principal’s Approved Leave, will not be automatically be able to sit or be issued with an estimated mark for missing an assessment task.  This is determined on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with members of the leadership team. Where the procedure has not been followed, this may incur a zero mark for the assessment task.

There are a number of upcoming assessment blocks scheduled.

Term 2 - Week 5/6 - Years 9 and 10 

Term 3 - Weeks 3/4 - Year 12 Trials

Term 3 - Weeks 8/9 - Year 11 Preliminary Exams

Term 4 - Week 5/6 -  Years 9 and 10 

It is important to note that travel is not accepted by NESA as grounds for misadventure.  If a student is absent for an assessment task, they cannot seek special consideration because they are on leave.  These assessment blocks are published and students are aware of these assessment periods so we ask that travel should be avoided at these times.  There are also assessments that fall outside of these blocks that are published in the assessment schedules, and students should be familiar with these dates. 

Please be aware that it is not the College’s expectation that teachers should provide work for students on leave.  Teachers will post work via Google Classroom for the entire class as per their normal teaching practice.  Your child is free to access this work whilst they are on leave.  Under most circumstances, students will be required to catch up on the work missed during their absence from school.  

Where students are absent from an assessment task due to illness or misadventure, (Years 9-12), they are entitled to apply for illness/misadventure.  The illness misadventure procedure exists to provide a fair and equitable way for students to manage their academic responsibilities in cases where they are unable to fulfill them due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. It acknowledges that students may face challenges beyond their control that hinder their ability to perform optimally in assessments.

By having such a procedure in place, schools aim to ensure that students are not unfairly penalised for factors outside of their control and that they have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning to the best of their ability under the circumstances. 

In the case of illness, students must obtain a doctor’s certificate and complete an Illness/Misadventure form.  These documents are to be returned to the college upon the student's return to school and given to Mr Barrs, Leader of Curriculum (Years 5-12).  Failure to follow the procedure may also result in a zero result for the assessment task.  Your support in following these assessment procedures is greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Agostino
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning