ASSESSMENT POLICIES

JUNIOR ASSESSMENT POLICY
Over an assessment period the student’s progress is not based on a single examination but on each teacher’s:

1.	Continuous observations of the students in their class, the student’s attitude, interest and participation in the lessons and his or her relationship with other students, and
2.	Records of the student’s performance in class tests, projects and assignments.
In Years 7 to 10, every student is given a grade in each subject to indicate the level of achievement in accordance with the Board of Studies Course Performance Descriptors.
	A indicates outstanding achievement B indicates high achievement C indicates sound achievement D indicates basic achievement E indicates limited achievement N indicates non-assessable

HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Read these notes carefully as students are expected to abide by the policies as outlined below.

1.	Your responsibilities are:
	1.1.	To ensure that individual tasks are completed by you alone, and are all your own work.
	1.2.	To hand in tasks at the specified due time.
	1.3.	To attend ‘in-school’ assessment tasks at the times specified.
	1.4.	To avoid seeking an unfair advantage (see 5.1) or engaging in malpractice (see 5.2) in the completion of assessment tasks.
	Failure to meet your responsibilities in any of these aspects may result in a mark of zero being awarded for the assessment task.
2.	If you become aware of an event (e.g. sporting representation, school tour etc) that will occur at the scheduled time of an assessment task you should:
	2.1.	Obtain a ‘Variation to Assessment Task’ form from the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) at the earliest opportunity.
	2.2.	Consult the relevant head teacher (or delegated teacher) immediately with the form and relevant documentation. The head teacher (or delegated teacher) will annotate the form to show what new arrangements have been made.
	2.3.	Return the form to the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) as soon as it has been annotated by the teacher.
	Failure to meet your responsibilities in any of these aspects may result in a mark of zero being awarded for the assessment task.
3.	If you miss an assessment task or are prevented from handing in an assessment task at the due time for a legitimate reason, you should:
	3.1.	Obtain a ‘Variation to Assessment Task’ form from the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) at the earliest opportunity.
	3.2.	Consult the relevant head teacher (or delegated teacher) by the end of recess on the first day back at school with the form and relevant documentation eg doctor’s certificate. The head teacher (or delegated teacher) will annotate the form to show what procedure will be followed. Note carefully the timing in the previous paragraph. Do not wait for the first period of that subject before consulting the head teacher (or delegated teacher).
	3.3.	Return the form to the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) as soon as it has been annotated by the teacher.
	Failure to meet your responsibilities in any of these aspects may result in a mark of zero being awarded for the assessment task.
4.	If you miss a Mid-Stage or Final examination for a legitimate reason you should:
	4.1.	Obtain an ‘Illness/Misadventure’ form from the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) or the school internet website: www.kirrawee-h.schools.nsw.edu.au at the earliest opportunity.
	4.2.	Complete and return the form, with all relevant documentation (eg doctor’s note), at the earliest opportunity. Do not wait until the end of the examination period to return the form if it is possible to return it sooner.
	Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the appeal not being considered. The student must sit for the missed examination at the earliest possible time during the remainder of the examination period. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the relevant head teacher as soon as practicable to arrange this. If the missed examination falls near the end of the examination period it may be possible to arrange for a sitting after normal schooling has resumed. In this circumstance, no examination can be sat more than seven days after the original scheduled date, and the head teacher may provide an estimate with the permission of the Principal.
5.	Other aspects of the assessment policy that you should note:
	5.1.	Where a student is unable, for a verified and acceptable reason, to complete a task done at school, the teacher may
		set the student the same task the next practicable school day set a different task of comparable standard give an estimate
	5.2.	An ‘Illness/Misadventure’ appeal may be submitted by a parent on behalf of a student.
	5.3.	The interpretation of policy relating to unusual or difficult cases, or appeals against an award of zero, should be referred in the first instance to the Deputy Principal (Curriculum). If necessary, the Assessment Review Committee consisting of the Principal, Deputy Principal (Curriculum) and the relevant head teacher will be convened to decide the matter.
	5.4.	If there is a need to vary the assessment program the Deputy Principal (Curriculum) will be consulted. If the variation is approved, the students will be advised in writing.
	5.5.	The school will consider any specific severe learning disability (if supported by both medical and parental written evidence) which may affect a student’s performance in a task. The requirements of the ‘Variation to Assessment’ form and conditions should be followed.
6.	Explanation of terms
	6.1.	Seeking to gain an unfair advantage includes but is not restricted to:
		Legitimately gaining permission to attempt an assessment task after the rest of the group, then making an effort, successful or not, to find out details of the paper. Failing to attend school for a day, or part of a day, before an assessment item to gain extra study time. If a student is absent before an assessment item the onus is on the student to provide evidence that the absence was legitimate.
	6.2.	Malpractice includes but is not restricted to:
		Copying, buying, stealing or borrowing another’s work, in part or in whole, and presenting it as one’s own. Plagiarism from journals, CDs or the internet without reference to the source. Submitting work as one’s own to which another person such as a parent, tutor or subject expert has contributed substantially. Using words, ideas, designs or the workmanship of others in practical and/or performance tasks without appropriate acknowledgement. Breaching school examination rules. Using non-approved aids during an assessment task. Offering false explanations for failing to hand in work by a due date. Assisting another student to engage in malpractice.
7.	Key contacts
	Any questions relating to the Kirrawee High School assessment policy should be directed to Mr Myers, Deputy Principal (Curriculum). Information relating to general HSC assessment policy can be found at the Board of Studies website at: www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/manuals/acemanual.html