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Dear Parents and Caregivers
Looking back a little first – Academic Reports
Parents will by now have accessed through the Community Portal their student’s mid-year academic report. The report provides a lot of feedback from each subject teacher and, really, the information from the teachers should have come as no surprise to a student. Hopefully you have read this report by now and have gained a bit more insight into how your student is doing academically.
The arrival of Term 3 – it’s a big 10-week term
In this newsletter I’m sharing with you details of some very important academic events that are occurring in the lives of our NCEA-level students over the next 10 weeks. Parents have a big role to play this term as ‘guides on the side’/advisors/checkers/monitors for their children to help them successfully navigate these coming weeks – and to hold them accountable for meeting the many deadlines (assessment hand-ins and other similar things) that are coming up. Of course, teachers will be keeping a close eye on their students’ progress, but parents can do that too and that’s where the NCEA Current Results Summary comes in with increasing importance.
In my next newsletter later this term, I’ll update you on where things are at academically speaking and will begin pointing you in the direction of the NCEA and Scholarship examinations in November. But first, what’s coming up for students overall this term? There are four big things happening, each of which I’ll outline, along with some related events.
Because this is quite a ‘dense’ newsletter, there’ll only be one more this term, just prior to Prelims. So, please take some time to read, and maybe re-read, the information outlined here so that you can feel informed about how your student’s academic life will unfold this term.
At all times, please feel free to contact me via email with any questions that you may have about NCEA, or matters raised in this newsletter at DBV@stac.school.nz.
Kind regards
David Bevin
Head of Teaching and Learning – Secondary
Now that we’re into Term 3, the amount of internal assessment will likely begin to increase in some subjects at the same time as coming to an end in other subjects by the end of Term 3. In fact, only subjects that are fully internally assessed will continue with assessment very early next term; all other subjects must complete their programmes by the end of term.
This means that students must know about, and meet, assessment deadlines and, if an extension is needed, it must be supported by an online application using our online tool and, if it is on medical grounds, by a medical certificate.
As well, students must remember very well our rules around Plagiarism/Authenticity in assessment. Last term, presentations were made to both Year 11 and Senior College students reminding them of the College’s rules and procedures, particularly with regard to the use of AI (e.g., Chat GPT) in internal assessment. Staff are rapidly becoming very vigilant about spotting examples in students’ work of the use of AI and, because this is expressly forbidden in internal assessment, the result for a student of the proven use of it in their work means a ‘Not Achieved’. We are very clear and uncompromising about this, just like all schools throughout the country.
Tip 1 - students should map out their assessment deadlines (using a calendar) this term so as to support them in their management of their workload and the meeting of those deadlines. The College helps students with this by publishing a live Term Assessment Calendar. Your child should have looked at this term’s version by now to help them map out what’s happening. What’s showing on the calendar should repeat the details that students have already been given by their teacher in each subject.
Tip 2 - Because of the College Prelim examinations later this term, most internal assessment programmes will be completed by the end of August if not earlier than then. Students therefore need to look very closely at their academic programme over the coming weeks.
Last term, our NCEA assessment practices were comprehensively audited by NZQA for their fitness for purpose, robustness, reliability and quality. All schools go through this process of external ‘inspection’ once every three to five years and a detailed report is provided and published on NZQA’s website. Typically, the audit identifies issues of (some) significance relating to assessment management that the school is expected to take note of and remedy (in both this year’s and in the previous audit in 2018, no issues were identified). An NZQA officer meets with me and other members of senior management, with a selection of staff and with a group of students to provide as wide a review as possible.
For us, it is of course important that we can be assured that we have policies and processes that provide the highest level of assurance that we are running NCEA well…. So, it will be of interest to parents to note the following strongly positive comments from the audit (the full audit report is available on the NZQA website: Organisations >> NZQA - St Andrew's College)
St Andrew’s College has a strong culture of planning and review that is embedded in many areas of college life, including assessment in the senior school. Reviews are formally carried out at all levels of the school and within departments as part of the planning process for future performance and achievement, aiming to support students and improve outcomes.
St Andrew’s College has highly effective means of analysing outcomes at department, cohort, subject, individual class, and individual student levels. Departments are required to submit an annual report that reviews all aspects of the department. The review includes department goals, their alignment with the strategic goals of the school, an assessment of the head of department's role, consideration of student voice, and the setting of new goals. The report also includes a review of NCEA student achievement goals. The reviews are an integral part of the teacher appraisal process and lead to the development of individual goals.
Comprehensive reviews have led to modifications in courses and assessments as well as sharing good practice and strategies for improvement. Changes have been made to best meet learning and assessment needs, with the aim of ensuring the best outcomes for students. The school believes this approach has been successful, as careful tracking of students has shown that over the past two years there has been an increase in the percentage of excellence endorsements and scholarships earned.
Annually updated college assessment rules and procedures - the school has highly effective processes to review and communicate assessment information to staff, students and parents. Assessment information provides comprehensive guidance on the consistent application of best-practice rules for internal assessment.
Students who are at risk of not achieving their academic goals are identified, emails sent home, and discussions held with parents and students if a student does not meet internal assessment requirements. The school is proactive in identifying these students and providing necessary support and interventions. Additionally, students who demonstrate the potential to excel at higher levels are identified and encouraged to enter scholarship examinations. The school's culture promotes scholarship as inclusive rather than exclusive. The Head of the Secondary School, along with other senior staff members, uses available data to continually track each student's progress and achievements.
August is the month when we ask students to look ahead and consider, then make, their course selections for next year. It does seem early to be doing so but the creation of our 2024 timetable takes months in the making and can only begin by knowing what each student wishes to study next year.
We simply can’t wait any longer than the end of August to begin this very complicated process and that will then enable us to confirm students’ subjects for the next year by the end of this. Over a period of a few weeks, students will meet with me in their year groups to hear about the process in its entirety, they will be able to access our online Curriculum ‘book’, Years 10–12 students will be encouraged to attend with their parents our after-school Course Expo on Friday 11 August to talk to staff about courses. They will receive a number of emails at different times from me to guide them through this process (they really must be looking out for these and read them when they come through!) and to help them meet our deadlines. The main deadline is Wednesday 23 August for their confirmed selection – which is made online only. It will be made very clear to them that all deadlines must be met, and we will not accept late applications for courses.
Of course, we really want parents to participate in this process too so you will receive a number of email communications regarding this process and will be encouraged to attend an evening presentation in early August (see below), just before the Course Expo, to which you are also invited.
Tip 1 - Look out for those emails from me, which will also provide the link to the 2024 Curriculum Book (you won’t receive a link to the actual online selection form, that goes to students only).
Tip 2 - Check out the timeline of key events at the end of this newsletter.
Tuesday 8 August (6.30pm–7.30 pm) for parents and students of Years 10–12
Please put this date in your diary as it is an opportunity to come into school and hear from our Careers Advisor, Richard Webster, who will talk about issues related to students selecting their courses for 2024. You will have the opportunity to listen and to ask questions, and to perhaps discuss with other parents the key issues in this area. It can’t be understated how more significant the issues become (the ‘stakes’ are raised) as students progress through the school years in their courses for the plans they have for tertiary study and for future careers. This information evening will give you some insights into how to support your child as they grapple with this reality.
I will be giving you more information later in the term about these extremely important examinations that run across Weeks 8–9 of this term. These three-hour examinations are a complete ‘dry run’ for our students for the November NCEA and Scholarship examinations and are our second-most important academic event in our school calendar. Effectively, in just over a week we run a programme of examinations that then runs formally over more than three weeks as the NCEA examinations. The Prelims are compulsory for all students who sit external standards, and a timetable is produced that is fixed and that students must follow.
The Prelims provide:
Tip 1 - People mistakenly call the Prelim examinations ‘practice’ examinations but they are much more significant than that. They are a very formal and serious academic programme and students are expected to take them very seriously and prepare well. Much effort is put into preparing all of our systems (such as our system for students who have Special Assessment Conditions) our staff and our students for ensuring that the programme runs smoothly and that no student misses out on sitting their examinations.
Tip 2 - Students who are away for two weeks in August at the Pipe Band competitions in Scotland will still be expected to sit their Prelim examinations as normal. We simply don’t have time flexibility this term to do otherwise.
Winter Tournament Week (Week 7, Monday 28 August – Friday 1 September)
Students who participate in Winter Tournament Week events in the week before the Prelims will also be expected to sit their Prelims as per the timetable.
Year 11 students who are entered for the Level 1 externally assessed Algebra standard will sit that one-hour NZQA examination on Tuesday 12 September as per the Prelims timetable. While sat internally, this must be run on the set date and at the set time in our Prelim examination programme (9.00am–10.00am) and students are not allowed to be absent nor sit it at another time.
To enable students sitting the MCAT to concentrate their Mathematics revision on this examination and still have both feedback for NCEA and derived grades in case they are needed, these students will sit their Mathematics Prelim examination as an ‘advance’ examination on Monday 21 August. It will be a formal, scheduled and timetabled event, with important grades awarded.
Monday 21 August (Week 6 of Term 3) is a Teacher-Only Day set aside for staff to work on preparation for the new NCEA Level 1 programme to be implemented from the start of 2024. On that day, we will also be running a number of ‘advance’ Prelim examinations: Level 1 Mathematics, Level 2 English, Level 3 Biology. These examinations are compulsory for enrolled students, will be run formally (SAC entitlements will be provided as normal), and will provide the derived grades for NCEA and more information will be provided separately in a few weeks’ time. It will not be possible to run these particular examinations at any other time than on this day.
Note: Pipe Band students will not be able to sit examinations on Monday 21 August. We are currently exploring options which may include those students sitting their examination as part of the normal Prelims programme.
Students are not required to attend classes at school during the Prelims. This allows them to study for examinations (some students have quite a large number of Prelims, particularly those sitting Scholarship Prelims as well as their NCEA examinations – preparation time is essential) and teachers to mark, check marks, discuss marking outcomes with their colleagues, and analyse and prepare feedback on each student’s performance. This is done ‘at speed’ so that we are able to give each student detailed feedback before the Term 3 holidays on their performance in the Prelims that also provides feed forward for their preparation for the big NCEA examinations. This feedback is discussed and given through a student’s tutor at formally scheduled Academic Conferences at the end of this term. This is not only about your child’s tutor giving feedback, but also about the student discussing with them and their parents how they performed in the Prelims and working out what their next steps in preparation are.
Note: teachers at NCEA levels do not provide written end-of-year reports as we consider the Academic Conference provides timely and very effective feedback involving the student in meaningful reflection and academic goal setting.
As you can see, much of the events outlined here basically lead to the Term 4 NCEA and Scholarship examinations. By clicking on this link, you are able to see the official NCEA Examination Timetable and can begin working with your child on planning– e.g. by putting examination times in a diary, or in an electronic calendar. Perhaps needless to say, this is the absolute pinnacle of our academic year. When checking the timetable, you may see that some students have examination clashes; we are aware of those students and this term will put in place a process for working out with the student how to manage such a clash. NZQA provides us with clear guidance in this situation so it will be worked out satisfactorily.
For NCEA, the Prelims provide the all-important derived grade for each student along with the equally important feedback on the student's ‘academic readiness’ in each subject. That is the overriding reason why students must prepare well for the Prelims and try to do their best in each subject. Note also that the derived grade is not available for the November Scholarship examinations; if a student cannot sit their Scholarship examination/s due to situations such as sickness, they will simply not receive a grade.
In a few subjects such as Art, not surprisingly, there is no end of year examination. Students may instead work for some months on the production of work for a portfolio that is produced at school under the guidance of the teacher but sent away for marking externally. These assessments are usually ‘sizeable’ in nature and carry a larger number of credits than a ‘standard’ NCEA external standard. They are required to be completed by very early in Term 4 and a late submission for any reason whatsoever is not possible – in that way, it is treated just like an examination where a student either sits it at the set time or they don’t.
At all three NCEA levels, students studying Digital Technology have a three-hour DCAT (examination) of an external standard that they will sit at a time and date (to be confirmed) in school in Week 1 of Term 4. They will have a practice examination during the Prelims that will provide them with the derived grade should they not be able to sit the formal DCAT.
Reading this leaves even me breathless, so much is happening this term… So, how do you as a parent keep track of how your NCEA-level child is going? How well can you know about how they are tracking towards their NCEA Level certificate, towards Certificate endorsement, towards Course/Subject endorsement, University Entrance? Parents who have been through the NCEA ‘mill’ already know how hard it can be to know how their child is really doing. So, in addition to conversations with your child (which might, or might not, be very enlightening), now is the time to start checking out their Current Results Summary. It’s increasingly up to date and always accessible through your own login to the College Portal and will tell you much about how your child is progressing and will support any enquiry that you might want to make to an individual teacher.
A tip! – In the NCEA Current Results Summary you can find the answer to some of those questions above without having to rely on your child at all. Using your own access to the Community Portal/Results tab, you can access your child’s NCEA results to date. In Term 3, the data showing will change regularly as more and more assessments and assessment programmes are completed. This information is accessible on mobile phones and laptops.
These are the main events and dates to watch out for this term
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1 August |
Link sent to Years 9–12 students and parents for accessing online curriculum (the Curriculum ‘Book’) and sport and culture information |
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8 August |
NCEA and Course Selection Parent Information Evening, 6.30pm–7.30pm, Centennial Chapel |
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11 August |
Course Selection Expo, 3.45pm–5.00pm, Gym 1 |
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21 August |
Year 11 Mathematics (for students entered for MCAT examination 12 September) Advance Prelim examination Teacher-Only NCEA Planning Day – no classes for students |
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23 August |
Deadline for all online selections |
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6–15 September |
Prelim Examinations Years 11–13 |
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21–22 September |
Academic Conferences Years 11–13 (afternoon) End of internal assessment (21 September) – apart from fully-internally assessed courses |
NZQA for extensive information about NCEA qualifications and assessment, and much more – www.nzqa.govt.nz
NCEA Examination Timetable - National secondary examinations timetable » NZQA
Submission Dates for externally-assessed portfolios and reports - National secondary examinations timetable » NZQA . These assessments are worked on and completed in school in a way similar to internal assessment, however, work is sent to NZQA markers for verification (sample checking) or full assessment.
Term 4 is just two weeks and one day long (10 school days) for NCEA-level students hence the ‘full-on’ nature of this term’s academic life (and the requirement for internal assessment programmes to be completed by the end of term, apart from those few subjects that are fully internally-assessed).
With NCEA and Scholarship examinations beginning on Monday 6 November, students will begin study leave at the end of Monday 30 October. More information will be provided about these dates in subsequent communications from the College.
Please also note that we do not provide a coordinated programme of examination tutorials for NCEA-level students once they go on study leave, although individual teachers may do so where that is possible.
