This document provides information for students transitioning to Year 9 at a Catholic girls' school. It begins with an opening prayer. It then outlines the agenda for the information evening, including addresses from the Principal, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Mathematics Coordinator, and Curriculum Administrator. The document provides details about the Record of School Achievement, curriculum requirements, and elective course options for Stage 5 (Years 9-10). It also discusses mathematics pathways and course options for Stage 6 (Years 11-12).
4. OPENING PRAYER
Miss Michaela Beard
Year 8Year Coordinator
5. OPENING PRAYER
God, source of wisdom, bless our daughter
as she moves towards a new future, smooth
her path and let her see new possibilities.
Gift her with an open mind and
enthusiasm for learning as she makes the
transition to Stage 5 of her educational
journey.
6. OPENING PRAYER
Jesus, our brother, you embraced life fully
each day, aware of yourself and your need
of God’s blessing.
Be with us that we will choose our subjects
wisely and move into Year 9 with renewed
energy and passion for our learning.
Empower us to be responsible 21st century
learners.
8. Tonight’s Agenda
Ms Anne Anderson
Principal’s Address
College Principal
Mrs Connie Frino
Stage 5 Curriculum
Teaching and Learning Coordinator
Mrs Evelyn Zaczek
Stage 5 Mathematics Pathways
Mathematics Coordinator
Mrs Kath MacDougal
The Subject Selection Process
Curriculum Administrator
13. The RoSA will:
Provide an ongoing, cumulative record for
students until they leave school.
Report results of moderated, school-based
assessment in the form of grades.
Teachers use the Course Performance
Descriptors to determine an A – E grade at
the end of Year 10.
14. The RoSA will:
Introduce optional, online literacy and
numeracy tests for school leavers.
Provide the opportunity for students to
incorporate extra-curricular achievements.
Be available to ALL eligible students upon
the completion of their schooling.
www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au
15. Curriculum Requirements
STAGE 4 STAGE 5
YEARS 7/8 YEARS 9/10
Catholic Studies Catholic Studies
English English
Mathematics Mathematics
Science Science
PD/H/PE PD/H/PE
History, Geography Australian History, Geography
Language Elective 1 (200hr)
Technology Elective 2 (200hr)
OR
Music, Visual Arts Elective 2 / 3 (100hr each)
21. Ensuring Success
Success is related to:
Realistic goals
Using lesson time wisely
Completing all class work
A consistent and well paced study
program
Recognising the importance of
assessment
25. 5.1 Level
Basic level
School Certificate set at this level
but only assesses the Working
Mathematically component
26. 5.1/5.2 Level
Middle level
Covers all of 5.1 topics
Working at a faster pace than 5.1
Additional topics studied
27. 5.2/5.3 Level
Advance level
Assumed knowledge of 5.1 work
Covers all 5.2 topics
Covers 5.3 topics necessary for Year
11/12 Mathematics and Extension
courses
Must achieve a high standard in Year
8 to be offered a position in 5.2/5.3
level
28. Class Allocation
Students will be placed in classes
according to their achievements
at the end of Year 8
This includes classwork and
performance in exams
Good evening parents and Year 8. Thank you for taking the time to be here tonight to learn more about our Stage 5 curriculum offerings. I know it’s a very exciting time for girls, as they have the opportunity to shape their pattern of study for the first time. Over the last few weeks, the girls have participated in a number of information sessions and workshops, designed to support them, so that their decisions concerning elective courses are made with confidence, based on their current learning needs and interests.Earlier this term the girls participated in a ‘Subject Selection Workshop’ presented by Mr Schneider, our College Careers and VET Coordinator. The purpose of the workshop was to help girls identify their talents, interests and current learning needs so that they make appropriate elective choices.This was supplemented last week with presentations conducted by Studies Coordinators regarding their elective courses. During this time, girls were given the opportunity to ask further questions to help clarify their understanding of each elective course. At this time the girls also received a copy of the Stage 5 Curriculum Handbook. This handbook contains information about both mandatory and elective courses at St Ursula’s. I highly recommend that girls read this handbook together with their parents.Girls I highly recommend that you listen to the advice that your parents give. Your parents often know your talents, interests and learning needs best, as well as weaknesses and faults. Therefore the advice they offer you at this time is invaluable. However, I would also offer a word of caution to parents. Although very tempting, it’s unwise to dictate what courses your daughter will study. This more than often leads to failure and future recriminations when your daughter is not happy or succeeding in her elective courses.
As you are aware, the NSW School Certificate has been abolished. In its place the BOS has introduced a new credential called the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) . The RoSA will not automatically be provided to all students. Students will still need to meet BOS mandatory curriculum, assessment and attendance requirements to be eligible.
The RoSA will record grades for all courses completed in both Year 10 and 11. These grades will be determined by schools based on a student’s overall achievement of course outcomes. For each Stage 5 Course a set of Course Performance Descriptors has been developed by the Board of Studies. These are a series of statements that summarise characteristics of student achievement at different levels. Throughout Year 10 teachers collect assessment information about student achievement, relate it to the Course Performance Descriptors, and then award appropriate grades. At the end of Year 11 the same process will be used to determine grades in each Course. The Board is currently developing Stage 6 Course Performance Descriptors.If a student doesn’t satisfactorily complete a course in Year 10 or Year 11, their RoSA will record their enrolment without showing a grade. These students will only receive a Transcript of Study.
As part of the suite of RoSA initiatives, students will be able to take voluntary, online literacy and numeracy tests before leaving school. The tests will be designed to show prospective employers a snapshot of a student’s level of achievement in these areas. The tests will be offered during nominated ‘windows’ throughout the year. The RoSA will also provide the opportunity for students to include their extra-curricular achievements such as debating, school leadership positions, AMEB tests etc. The BOS has yet to communicate to schools how this information will be collected and verified but we will let you know when this becomes available.The RoSA will a credential available to ALL eligible students when they complete their secondary schooling. Students who receive an HSC will be also be able to receive a RoSA. In this case, details of their achievement in both the HSC and Years 10 and 11 will be included.I hope this has given you some understanding of the RoSA. Further information about the RoSA can be accessed through the Board of Studies website listed.
The implementation of the RoSA in 2013 will have no impact on existing curriculum structures and mandated hours currently in NSW. In Years 7 & 8, students study a broad and balanced compulsory curriculum that provides anintroduction to all Key Learning Areas. At St Ursula’s students satisfy the Board of Studies mandatory course requirements in Visual Arts, Music, Languages and Technology by the end of Year 8. In Year 9, students then move into a program of study made up of compulsory and elective courses. They study a core curriculum of Catholic Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Personal Development, Health & Physical Education, Australian History and Geography. At St Ursula’s they also study TWO electives courses in Year 9, of which at least one will be carried on to Year 10 as a 200 hour course.
At St Ursula’s the girls have a choice of nine elective courses.A very popular elective course at the College is Commerce. In Commerce, students learn about clever shopping, e-Commerce, money and accounting, wise investing, consumer rights and the law, politics, employment, how to run and market a business, travel and the Australian Economy.
Within the TAS key learning area there are four elective courses offered for study. In Information and Software Technology students will gain practical experience with modern computer hardware and software in areas such as website development and database design, digital media, robotics and automated systems. The emphasis of the course is in solving ‘real-world’ problems that will enable students to appreciate the multitude of applications and implications of computers in today’s society. Textiles Technology provides students with a broad knowledge of the properties, performance and uses of textiles, in which fabrics, colouration , yarns and fibres are explored. Students will examinethe work of designers, particularly Australian designers, and learn to use the creative process to design and produce quality textile items. In Design and Technology students will learn to be innovative, creative and gain practical experience in a number of mediums such as timber, plastics, model making and computers. This is achieved by applying the design process to solve everyday problems using present and emerging technologies. In Food Technology students will learn through practical experiences how to design, produce and evaluate food. They will develop good food preparation skills and learn about a variety of food and nutritional issues.
Creative and Performing Arts offers three elective courses for study in Years 9 & 10.Visual Arts is a popular course that provides opportunities for students to learn about other artists and their artworks. Students will develop skills in analysis, art language and writing about the arts, along with exploring artmaking practices such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, digital media and ceramics.Musicis a practical course where students learn about different styles of music through the areas of performance, composition and critical listening activities. Students will learn about Film Music, Contemporary Popular Music, Musical Theatre and Classical Music, and will have the opportunity to specialise in an instrument of their choice, that includes the voice.Finally, in Drama students will learn about performance and the theory behind the dramatic process. The course content focuses on the exploration of the elements of Drama through playbuilding and practical experiences in a variety of dramatic forms and performance styles. These include mime, improvisation, mask and comedy.
Japanese is the only language course offered in Years 9 & 10. The course comprises of four aspects of learning – speaking, listening, reading and writing. In this course students develop the skills to communicate in Japanese and they also develop the capacity to interact with Japanese people and their culture.
If girls want to succeed academically they must ensure that they;Have realistic goals based on their talents, interests and abilitiesAlways use their lesson time wiselyComplete all class work to the best of their abilityMaintaina consistent and well paced home study program ANDRemember that assessments are a very important aspect of the learning process so students should ensure that adequate time and effort is placed on preparing for them.Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about your daughter’s learning or pattern of study in Years 9 or 10.
