Board of Studies News

Official Notice: Extension of Stage 6 English Studies pilot study

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 +1000

BOS 25/13

Who needs to read this notice:
Principals
Curriculum coordinators
Year advisers
HSC coordinators
Head teachers (English)
English teachers

The Board has extended the pilot of the Stage 6 Content Endorsed Course, English Studies, for a further two years. Any secondary school may offer the course for their Preliminary and/or HSC candidatures until and including the HSC cohort of 2016.

Amended Guidelines for Schools form part of this notice.

The English Studies course will continue to be monitored and evaluated with regard to the appropriateness of the course and its impact on retention in Years 11 and 12. Schools that participate in this pilot may be asked to provide feedback as part of the ongoing evaluation.

Guidelines for Schools:

1. Students considering choosing the course should be advised that:

Stage 6 English Studies is a Content Endorsed Course with no HSC examination
satisfactory completion of English Studies as part of the pilot study will fulfil English requirements for the Higher School Certificate. The course will count towards the 6 units of Board Developed Courses required for the award of the Higher School Certificate
students who complete the course are not eligible for the calculation of an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

2. In approving students’ entry to the pilot, principals should consider indicators of the students’ level of achievement in English at the end of Year 10. The English Studies course is appropriate only for those students seeking an alternative to the English (Standard) course.

3. Students participating in the pilot will typically intend to proceed from school into employment or vocational training. They do not wish to go directly from secondary schooling to university.

4. Schools participating in the pilot should:

have a clearly identified group or class of students who would benefit by engaging in the course
commit to supporting the delivery of the course and the participating students and teachers throughout the Preliminary and HSC courses
provide appropriate and adequate resources (including computer and internet facilities) to support effective course delivery
consider the potential impact of the course on the school’s capacity to deliver the Stage 6 Board Developed English courses, including higher level courses
ensure that the parent(s)/caregiver(s) of students selected to undertake the course are fully informed of the implications of undertaking a non ATAR English course and have given their permission for their son/daughter to undertake this course of study.

5. Principals in pilot schools may also grant approval for students who have undertaken Preliminary English (Standard or ESL) to join the HSC English Studies pilot study group for their HSC year.

6. Stage 6 English Studies may be undertaken concurrently with the Stage 6 Fundamentals of English course.

The Board of Studies will monitor school entries in this course.

Effective: Immediately

For further information:
Louise Ward
Inspector, English
(02) 9367 8247
louise.ward@bos.nsw.edu.au

Visit the Board at the HSC expos in Sydney

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:20:00 +1000

Visit the Board of Studies at The Sydney Morning Herald HSC and Careers Expo and the Western Sydney Careers Expo.

The Expos will be held at Moore Park from 30 May – 2 June and Sydney Olympic Park from 20 – 23 June.

Year 10, 11 and 12 students, parents and teachers are encouraged to visit the Board’s stand where you can:

talk to a Board Liaison Officer and get all your questions answered
pick up brochures explaining the HSC process, HSC results, and HSC assessments and submitted works
purchase exam workbooks containing exam papers and study resources, including marking guidelines, marker feedback and top-scoring student answers from the 2012 exams.

The Board will also run a seminar titled Understanding how the HSC works – for year 10, 11 and 12 students on each weekday at each Expo. View the full seminar program for Moore Park or the seminar program for Sydney Olympic Park to help plan your visit.

Schools are able to pre-book to visit the Expos and tickets are also available to buy at the door.

Other exhibitors will include:

universities, TAFE colleges and training providers
career advisers
providers of work and study skills programs
organisations with apprenticeship information, and international exchange and gap year opportunities.

For more information, contact:
Kate Millard
Communications Officer
kate.millard@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8159

Term 2 videoconference: New NSW syllabuses and students with special education needs

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:10:00 +1000

This videoconference will explore resources and materials now available on the Board’s website which have been specifically designed to support teachers in introducing the new K–10 syllabuses, for English, Mathematics, Science and History, to students with special education needs.

This videoconference will also demonstrate Program Builder, focusing on how the tool can assist teachers in programming for students with special education needs.

To register or for more information, visit the Professional Development page.

HSC Advisory Bulletin 2013 released

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 +1000

The annual HSC Advisory Bulletin is now available. The bulletin provides general advice for all HSC students and teachers.

It highlights some of the issues that were raised during the 2012 examinations and gives information relating to:

alerts for changed examination specifications in 2013
examinations with question restrictions
where to write answers
labelling writing booklets
using black pen
languages oral examinations
requirements for major projects and performances
student entries for VET examinations
illness/misadventure
breaches of examination rules
non-serious attempts and non-attempts in examination rooms.

For more information, contact:
Helen Bristow
Manager, Examining and Testing
(02) 9367 8095
helen.bristow@bos.nsw.edu.au

HSC language oral examination scheduling

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:40:00 +1000

From Monday, 3 June, schools can schedule their students’ HSC language oral exams through Schools Online. From Wednesday, 29 May, teachers will be able to view the dates, times and venues for all language oral examinations in the ‘Examination Options and Scheduling’ section of Schools Online. The scheduling function will open on Monday, 3 June.

Teachers can choose from a range of times and, in some cases, alternative venues. This feature gives teachers the flexibility to coordinate their students’ examination attendance, and offers students a choice of times.

Teachers can print a summary page of their students’ examination details from Schools Online as soon as the examinations have been scheduled, and students will be able to download their confirmation sheet and relevant venue location maps through Students Online. Detailed instructions of the scheduling process are now available on Schools Online in ‘Memos and Documents’.

The online scheduling facility will close on Friday, 21 June 2013. Any students who are not scheduled by this date will have their examinations scheduled by the Board of Studies.

For more information, contact:
Examination Operations
(02) 9367 8259
examlang@bos.nsw.edu.au

Certification of HSC projects, submitted works and performances

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:00 +1000

Information regarding the certification of projects, submitted works and performances is now available for 2013 HSC students, supervising teachers and principals.

The updated information relates to those HSC courses that include a project, submitted work or performance as part of the HSC examination. There are four documents available:

information for principals and head teachers/coordinators – which summarises the roles that principals, supervising teachers and students play in the certification of HSC projects, submitted works and performances
information for students – which reminds students of the requirement that their work must be certified, and of their responsibilities regarding their projects
information for supervising teachers – which provides guidance and advice on requirements for certification and best practice in monitoring and supervising work in progress
a pro-forma to assist in monitoring students’ work on their projects. The teacher may use this pro-forma to make notes on progress at various stages in the development of each student’s project.

The documents are available for schools to download from Schools Online. They can be found in the ‘HSC Practical Certification’ folder in the ‘Memos and Documents’ section.

The document for students will be available to download from Students Online.

For more information, contact:
Michelle Mitcherson
Head, Quality in Credentialling Unit
Quality, Processing and Research
michelle.mitcherson@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8269

Support materials for programming

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:20:00 +1000

The Board has developed and published a range of support materials to assist teachers in their planning for the introduction of new syllabuses in English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and History.

Teaching of the new syllabuses will commence with English for K–6 in 2014. K–6 schools also have an option to introduce Mathematics, and Science and Technology in 2014.

The programming materials are found on the Board’s NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum website.

As well as providing practical guidance on the key aspects of programming, the resources can be used as the basis for professional development for teachers.

The following extract and diagram is one example of the content available to teachers when unpacking key aspects of teaching and learning through the new syllabuses.

What evidence of learning is required?

Evidence of learning assists teachers in making professional judgements about student progress and achievement in relation to syllabus outcomes. The criteria should be based on the outcomes to assess and monitor student learning. A range of evidence should be used to determine the level of achievement of outcomes and to plan the next steps in the learning process.

Some points to consider when planning learning and assessment opportunities:

Will the activity provide useful information about what students have learned?
Is it easy to administer and relatively simple to prepare and use?
Is it easy to analyse evidence and provide meaningful feedback?
What steps can be built in to provide a level of achievement and challenge appropriate for all students?
How will information be collected and recorded?
How will results be communicated to students and others?
How can students, parents and other teachers be helped to make the best use of the results?

Also covered in the programming support materials are:

designing effective learning and assessment
differentiated programming
sharing learning and assessment intentions
integrating ICT capability
advice on scope and sequences
sample scope and sequences
advice on units
sample units.

For more information, contact:
Christine Taylor
Board Inspector, Primary
christine.taylor@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8199

Complete the Board Bulletin readership survey

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:00 +1000

Take a minute to complete our short survey on the Board Bulletin, the Board’s weekly email newsletter to schools and the education community.

Your feedback will help us plan how to attract more subscribers and ensure that we're providing relevant and timely information through the Board Bulletin in a way that works for you.

Let us know how you like to receive your news, what items are of most interest to you and how we could improve the Board Bulletin.

To complete the survey, visit Board Bulletin survey. The survey closes on Friday, 7 June 2013.

Subscribe if you’re not receiving the Board Bulletin.

For more information, contact:
Kate Millard
Communications Officer
kate.millard@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8159

Parents' Guides to the new NSW syllabuses incorporating Australian curriculum

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:10:00 +1000

Resources to support parents in understanding the new NSW K–10 syllabuses incorporating Australian curriculum are now available free on the Board’s NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum website.

The resources provide clear and important messages about the four new syllabuses: English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and History.

The first resource is a video presentation that many schools have used during parent meetings at their schools.

A brochure is also provided which contains additional information for parents.

The Parents’ Guide to the new NSW K–10 syllabuses provides an excellent summary of:

the nature of Australian curriculum
how it will be implemented in NSW schools
when the new NSW syllabuses incorporating Australian curriculum will be taught in NSW
what children will learn at school using the new syllabuses
cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities.

Teachers and parents can view the four new K–10 syllabuses for NSW schools on the Board’s NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum website.

For K–6 enquiries, contact:
Christine Taylor
Board Inspector, Primary
christine.taylor@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8199

For NSW syllabuses for the Australian curriculum website enquiries, contact:
syllabusfeedback@bos.nsw.edu.au

Consultation on Stage 6 Community and Family Studies revisions

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:40:00 +1000

The Board has drafted minor amendments to the Stage 6 Community and Family Studies Syllabus. These are designed to update the content and provide a more contemporary approach to learning about the needs of young children and families. The proposed revisions will not impact on the current core and option structure of the course or the examination specifications.

Teachers are invited to provide feedback in relation to these draft amendments by completing the consultation survey.

Consultation will be open until 21 June 2013.

Additional comments or written submissions on the Stage 6 Community and Family Studies Syllabus amendments may also be forwarded to:
Stan Browne
Board Inspector, PDHPE
(02) 9367 8156
stan.browne@bos.nsw.edu.au

Draft Stage 6 Community and Family Studies Life Skills Syllabus consultation

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:20:00 +1000

The Board is developing a new Stage 6 Life Skills syllabus for Community and Family Studies, commencing with teacher consultation to gather feedback. When finalised, this syllabus will add to the Life Skills course options available for students with special education needs in Stage 6. It is anticipated that the syllabus will be available for implementation for Year 11 students in 2014.

Teachers are invited to provide feedback on the quality and suitability of the draft Stage 6 Community and Family Studies Life Skills Syllabus for students with special education needs. Feedback can be provided by completing the consultation survey or attending one of the following consultation meetings:

30 May 2013 4.00 – 6.00 pm	The Newcastle School	Register here
4 June 2013 4.00 – 6.00 pm	Blacktown Workers Club	Register here
6 June 2013 4.00 – 6.00 pm	Campbelltown Catholic Club	Register here
11 June 2013 4.00 – 6.00 pm	Hornsby RSL	Register here

Consultation will be open until 21 June 2013.

Additional comments or written submissions on the draft Stage 6 Community and Family Studies Life Skills Syllabus may be forwarded to:
Marina Laing
Curriculum Officer, Special Education
Board of Studies NSW
GPO Box 5300
Sydney NSW 2001
marina.laing@bos.nsw.edu.au

Publication of 2012 HSC Illness/Misadventure appeals information

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +1000

Illness/Misadventure appeals are available for students who have encountered an unexpected illness, injury or circumstance that affected their ability to fairly participate in a HSC examination.

Each application is reviewed by a Board of Studies panel and supported by evidence from the student, the examination Presiding Officers and relevant independent experts such as doctors or psychologists.

As the HSC mark is half examination mark and half assessment mark, students with successful Illness/Misadventure appeals can have some or all of their examination mark replaced by their school assessment mark if it is higher.

Students may apply for Illness/Misadventure appeals for one or more of their examinations. Also a single event such as a natural disaster or death of a classmate may affect a number of students. In such instances there may be an appeal lodged by a group of students for the same examination.

The Board publishes the outcomes of HSC Illness/Misadventure appeals annually when all applications have been determined, and maintains on its website the annual figures for the previous three HSC examinations.

For more information, contact:
Student Support Services
(02) 9367 8117
studentsupport@bos.nsw.edu.au

Reminder: Professional development opportunities

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:40:00 +1000

Throughout this term the Board is running Preliminary Grading and Board of Studies Information workshops across the state.

These workshops will assist teachers to address the introduction of preliminary grading in 2013 and Board of Studies assessment and credentialling for Years 10, 11 and 12.

For more information, contact:
Your regional BOSLO

Official Notice: Personalised examination materials in a number of HSC examinations

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:20:00 +1000

BOS 24/13

Who needs to read this notice:
Principals
Curriculum coordinators
Year 12 advisers
HSC coordinators
Head teachers
Year 12 teachers

The Board is continuing to expand the use of personalised examination materials that are pre-printed with the student’s student number, centre number and, generally, the student’s name and school.

Personalised examination material reduces work for students during the examination, and allows greater efficiency in identification when it is scanned for processing and onscreen marking.

Depending on the examination, students may be given some or all the following:

a personalised multiple-choice answer sheet
a personalised question/answer booklet
a personalised writing booklet.

For the 2013 HSC examinations, the examinations listed below will have personalised question/answer booklets and/or personalised writing booklets.

Sample examination materials showing the formats of the various types of booklets are available to download from the syllabus section of the Board’s website.

*Examination*	*Type of personalised booklet*
Ancient History	Section II – 8 page writing booklet Writing booklets for use in Sections III and IV
Biology	Section I Part B – 16 page question/answer booklet Section II – 8 page writing booklet
Business Studies	Section II – 8 page question/answer booklet Section III – 8 page writing booklet Section IV – 8 page writing booklet
Drama	Section I – 8 page writing booklet Section II – 8 page writing booklet
Economics	Section II – 12 page question/answer booklet Section III and IV – 16 page writing booklet
English Standard and Advanced Paper 1	Section I – 8 page writing booklet
English ESL Paper 1	Paper 1 – 12 page question/answer and writing booklet
English ESL Paper 2	Writing booklets for use in Sections I and II
Information Processes and Technology	Writing booklets for use in Sections II and III
General Mathematics	Four numbered writing booklets for Section II
Mathematics	Six numbered writing booklets for Section II Questions 11–16
Mathematics Extension 1	Four numbered writing booklets for Section II Questions 11–14
Modern Hebrew Continuers	Writing booklets for use in Sections II and III
Modern History	Writing booklets for use in Sections II, III and IV
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education	Section I Part B – 8 page question/answer booklet Section II – one 16 page writing booklet
Society and Culture	Writing booklets for use in Sections II and III
Software Design and Development	Section II – 24 page question/answer booklet
Textiles and Design	Writing booklets for use in Section III
Vietnamese Continuers	Writing booklets for use in Sections II and III

For further information:
Michelle Aspery
Head, Test Development
(02) 9367 8372
michelle.aspery@bos.nsw.edu.au

NAPLAN test week and test security

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:10:00 +1000

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted over three days from 14–16 May 2013. To ensure the security of test materials until 24 May and to minimise the chances of breaches of protocols, the following guidelines must be followed:

The tests must be conducted in the order specified in the Handbook for Principals.
All test materials must be kept in secure storage unless required for testing.
All test administrators, including itinerant teachers, must be provided with a copy of the relevant Test Administration Handbook for Teachers.
All applications for scribe and computer use must have prior approval from the Board of Studies.
When a scribe is used in the Writing test the NAPLAN scribe rules must be followed and the scribe must be an adult.
Individual students are not permitted to complete catch-up tests in the second week of testing.

It is strongly recommended that all test administrators are fully briefed on the protocols and procedures for administering the tests.

Should an incident be reported or suspected at a school level, the principal is required to document the incident and follow the actions outlined in the 2013 Guidelines for Managing Test Incidents in Schools and notify the NAPLAN team as soon as possible.

Should you require any support or have any questions regarding the NAPLAN tests administration, please contact the NAPLAN team.

For more information, contact:
NAPLAN team
(02) 9367 8382
naplan.nsw@bos.nsw.edu.au