Term 4 always moves quickly and it’s hard to believe that we’re already to Week 5. For Year 11 and 12 students that means that this is the final week of classes and exams will commence next week. As has been posted in the daily notices, exam timetable are available through the Eddies Dashboard by clicking on the folder in the Timeline area. Any student who foresees any issues with the timing of an exam should speak with the teacher in the first instance and then follow up through the Head of Faculty and with me in Teaching and Learning as is necessary. If an unforeseen event should occur and a student cannot attend an exam, please let us know and be sure to collect documentation (for example, a medical certificate in the case of illness). Because of our deadlines with the BSSS, in nearly all cases if a student misses an exam for a legitimate, documented reason we would apply an estimate to that task rather than schedule a re-sit. An estimate is a mark that preserves the student’s ranking in the course group based on the other assessment items completed during the semester. As always, if any issues or questions arise, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
In that vein, please note that Friday, November 18 is the final day for Year 11 and 12 students to submit any outstanding assessment. Extensions cannot be granted beyond this date—if any work remains outstanding for a legitimate reason please be sure that your teacher and Head of Faculty are aware of the circumstances and that you are eligible for an estimate. Work that is late, even if it is greater than 7 days late, may be submitted up until the 18th. For work that is submitted more than 7 days late, students in T courses would receive a notional zero, those in A courses a natural zero, but the submission may potentially help avoid a V grade.
Finally, Year 11 students would be aware of a pop-up on their Eddies Dashboard that asks them to indicate if they have any intention of changing classes for next year. Any student who has not responded to this please ensure that you do so as soon as possible. The purpose of this request is to help with creating a timetable for next year that facilitates as many students’ first preferences as possible. Prior to making a change to a student’s timetable, however, students must fill out a form, collect the appropriate signatures, and return that to me in the Teaching and Learning office. That ensures that parents and relevant staff are aware of any potential changes, allows me to review the student’s package and offer advice if I feel the change is not in the student’s best interest, and also creates a paper trail in case there is any confusion about a change down the track. Students of all year levels are encouraged to come and speak with me if they have any thoughts or questions about potential changes to packages or class preferences going into next year.
Tim Bibbens
Assistant Principal- Teaching and Learning