New Catholic Schools New South Wales COVID-19 HSC Web Page (Ref:077/20)
Catholic Schools New South Wales have launched a new page on their website to ensure all stakeholders are kept up to date with the most recent advice regarding COVID-19 and its impacts on the HSC. To view page please click here.
Higher School Certificate (HSC) - Update (Ref: 66/20)
The HSC is going ahead in 2020.
A COVID-19 Response Committee is addressing developing issues as a matter of urgency.
Advice to students
§ Keep learning, do your assessments, make progress on your major projects.
§ Look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home.
§ Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.
§ Go to UAC COVID-19 updates for information about entering university in 2021.
School-based HSC assessment
Schools must follow social distancing requirements when planning or undertaking school assessment tasks.
The Board has given principals or system authorities the power to make decisions about school-based assessment for the 2020 HSC in relation to:
§ the number and weightings of formal assessment tasks
§ the task types.
NESA anticipates that most students will have already completed one formal assessment task in each course.
NESA’s principles of assessment continue to apply. Wherever possible, school-based assessment should continue to be:
§ based on a wide range of syllabus outcomes
§ based on multiple measures made throughout the HSC course
§ informed by the components identified in the assessment and reporting documents for each of the syllabuses
§ be inclusive of and accessible for all students.
Processes, procedures and policies
Schools should continue to implement their assessment policy where possible, including administrative arrangements for illness/misadventure and substitute tasks.
Given that most schools will make some changes to their assessment program, they should continue to ensure that students have adequate written notice of any changes to the school’s assessment program or policy, and are aware of the details of the school’s arrangements for illness/misadventure and substitute tasks.
HSC exam projects, submitted works and performances
NESA will provide advice to students and teachers about the HSC exam projects, submitted works and performances shortly.
HSC Disability Provisions
NESA advises schools to continue submitting disability provisions applications for the 2020 HSC exams.
The coronavirus outbreak might make it difficult to collect evidence in some cases.
To fast track the process, schools should apply for the provisions for which they can get evidence, with a view to updating the application when more evidence is available.
For example, if applying for a reader and a writer, a school may already have reading results and medical evidence. Submit an application for a reader first. When writing samples become available, submit a ‘variation request’ for a writer.
Disability provisions for school-based assessments and exams remain school decisions.
If you have any questions about HSC Disability Provisions, please contact Student Support:
· Call: 9367 8117
· Email: [email protected]
Mandatory work placement in VET
NESA is aware of the impact of COVID-19 on the work placement service provider program, with a number of employers indicating their inability to continue providing work placement opportunities at this time.
NESA is working with the school sectors regarding possible interim arrangements, and will provide further advice shortly.
COVID-19 – Latest Updates and Resources (Ref: 060/20)
For the latest updates and helpful resources and advice regarding COVID-19 and it’s impacts on the Catholic Education sector please refer to the COVID-19 Section on the Catholic Schools New South Wales Website. Diocesan Directors and Principals are encouraged to access the COVID-19 Response Portal for relevant resources and information.
Schools invited to apply for a school crossing supervisor (Ref: 076/20)
Schools across NSW are encouraged to apply for a school crossing supervisor in a new round of the Government’s crossing supervisor program.
The NSW Government is currently rolling out 300 additional school crossing supervisors at NSW schools by 2021, as part of a three year $18.5 million initiative to improve road safety for school children.
To apply for a school crossing supervisor, please click here.
Learn German Online with the Goethe Institute (Ref:075/20)
Everyone interested in learning German in Australia can now do so online! Goethe Institute now offer online German courses. There is no need to be based in Melbourne or Sydney. You can learn German from wherever you are in Australia.
Click here to find out more.
NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships (Ref:037/20)
Applications for scholarship-funded study tours commencing in 2021 will close on Sunday 19th April 2020.
Subscribe to our Alert MeExternal link list to keep up to date with scholarship notifications.
The NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships provide $10,000 or $15,000 for a five-week study tour within Australia or overseas.
The scholarships, funded by corporate supporters and private foundations, are open to teachers in NSW government and non-government schools, TAFE NSW campuses and early childhood centres. Scholarships are awarded in the year prior to the study tour.
The majority of scholarships are for school-based teachers to explore best practice in their chosen subject area. The program delivers significant outcomes for scholarship recipients, students, teacher colleagues and school communities.
The NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships program is an initiative of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and administered by the NSW Department of Education.
For more information, contact the project team via [email protected] or by calling (02) 7814 3820.
Support for Bushfire-Affected School Students and Families in NSW (Ref:017/20)
Please refer to the Catholic Schools New South Wales website for a range of resources and information to support bushfire-affected schools, students and families.
Information includes:
– Financial support for families
– Community support
– Mental health support
– How Catholic schools communities and parishes can help
Please note all this information has previously been provided to diocesan directors and school principals via memo over the last few weeks.
Animal Research Authority 2020 (Ref: 078/20)
The use of animals in schools for educational purposes is governed by the Animal Research Act (1985) NSW. Catholic Schools NSW meets a requirement of this Act by issuing an Animal Research Authority to each school annually.
Accompanying this advice is the annual Animal Research Authority for the Principal and teachers who use animals to complete and retain within the school. Both pages of the Authority need to be completed. The names of teachers approved by the Principal to handle animals should be listed on the second page of the Authority, along with each teacher’s signature.
The Animal Welfare Liaison Officer, appointed by the Principal, must also be identified. The Principal is the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer in Schools for Specific Purposes, primary and infants schools. In central and secondary schools, it is generally the teacher most qualified to supervise the use of animals for teaching and research purposes. A full description of the role of the Animal Welfare Liaison Officer can be found at Animals in schools>Compliance>Responsibilities accessed at http://nswschoolanimals.com/compliance/responsibilities/.
The information on page two of the Animal Research Authority must be updated when changes in personnel occur at the school. The Animal Research Authority must be retained at the school and made available to appropriately authorised people including officers of the NSW Department of Education, inspectors from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Animal Welfare Unit and officers involved with, and members of, the Schools Animal Care and Ethics Committee.
If you require further information about the Animal Research Authority, please contact Gerard Delany, State Manager – Education Policy by email [email protected]
2020 NSW Fire and Rescue Open Week Online! (Ref:079/20)
Due to Social Distancing restrictions, this year’s Fire and Rescue Open Day has become an Online Open Week. The 2020 FRNSW Open Day (week) will be hosted online from 16-22 May 2020. NSW Fire and Rescue are aiming to help young people experience something different this year and bring their home (fire stations) to the student’s homes and show them what it’s like to be a fire fighter and provide life lessons about being safe in emergencies.
The key messages for young people this year include:
Get down low and go, go, go
If you see smoke or fire, tell an adult
Get out, stay out. Never go back inside
In an emergency call 000
Have and practice, your home fire escape plan
Stop, drop, cover and roll
Never play with fire
Information concerning the online open week will be hosted here once it becomes available.
Tune into Taronga TV For Your Daily Dose of Animal Antics (Ref:070/20)
For the first time in Taronga’s 103-year-history, Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo will be going virtual, with the launch Taronga TV having occurred on 1 April 2020.
Tune in daily for a packed schedule of fascinating keepers talks and shows, 24/7 live animal streams, amusing animal antics and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at what the animals (and the keepers) actually get up to when the zoo is closed.
For more information please click here.
ENTER NOW - 2020 Harmony Day Poster and Song Writing Competitions (Ref:020/20)
This year’s Harmony Day Poster and Song Writing Competition theme is ‘Picture a World in Harmony’. Prizes will be awarded in two categories:
1. Senior (year 7 – year 12)
2. Junior (K – year 6)
Poster Competition Prizes In each category the following prizes are awarded:
– State Winner $500
– Regional Winner $150
– State Winner’s School $500
Song Writing Competition Prizes
In each category the following prizes are awarded:
– First Prize $300
– Second Prize $150
Closing Date: 10 April 2020
Entry Forms and Competition Rules Are available at: www.movingforwardtogether.org.au
Prize Giving Function Will be held at the NSW Parliament House in June 2020
Every entrant will receive a Certificate of Participation
More information from:
– [email protected]
– [email protected]
– [email protected]