Term 4 Newsletter, 2023

Excursions and Events

There are a number of School Events planned for Term 4. Parents/Carers will be emailed with details of each event. Where permission is required, we ask that you give permission through the Compass Portal as instructed. This will ensure that your response goes directly to the staff member who is responsible for that event. Students without Parent/Carer consent provided cannot be included in the event. Phone calls, handwritten notes and texts are not acceptable unless a prior agreement has been made with the Assistant or Deputy Principal. Some events will be limited due to transport or other considerations, so getting in early will be important, once you are notified those bookings are open.

Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 Celebration Assembly

When: 14th December 2023
Where: ETASC School Hall

The ETASC Years 7 to 9 and 11 Celebration Assembly will be held in the school hall on the 14th of December 2023. The assembly is being held to present students with a range of achievement awards for 2023.

An email will be sent out to parents/carers closer to the date with more details.

Year 10 Careers Camp

When: 7th & 8th December 2023
Where:  Various locations across the Sydney CBD

At the end of Future Me Week, Year 10 students are invited to attend our first ever Career’s Camp. We will be spending the night in Sydney and attending many industry and educational tours. We are still finalising the itinerary, but some activities include a tour of the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, a tour and talk of AFTRS (Australian Film and Television School), a talk and tour of the Art Gallery of NSW and hopefully many more! A permission note will be sent once we have finalised the activities.

Year 8 Language Incursion

When: 29th November 2023
Where:  ETASC School Hall

To celebrate a year of learning the French language, French speaking chefs have been invited to teach students how to make crêpes. Students will get a hands-on experience in creating delicious crêpes all whilst learning key French terms related to ingredients and methods of cooking. A greater understanding of the French culture will also be gained. Some lucky parents & carers might be able to encourage their child to repeat the process at home, so the entire household can enjoy crêpes.

Key Dates for Term 4 2023

The first day of Term for all students is Tuesday, 10th October 2023.
The last day of Term for all students is Friday, 15th December 2023*
*This will be a half day for Years 7-10 students.

Parents and carers are requested to review and update their contact details in Compass. If you need help accessing your Compass account, please contact the school on 4323 1233.

School Starting Times and First Day of Term Arrangements

• Years 7 and 8 students are required to be on campus at 8:55am for a 9:00am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7 to 10 campus via the school reception area located on Level 1, Imperial Shopping Centre, Gosford. Accessing the Imperial Centre via the Erina Street entrance is the most direct entry point for the school. The school hall is open for students and supervised by staff every morning from 8:30am.
• Years 9 and 10 students are required to be at school at 9:05am for a 9:10am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7 to 10 campus via the school reception area located on Level 1, Imperial Shopping Centre, Gosford. Accessing the Imperial Centre via the Erina Street entrance is the most direct entry point for the school. The school hall is open for students and supervised by staff every morning from 8:30am.
• Years 11 and 12 students are required to be on campus at 8:40am for an 8:45am start time every school day. Students enter via the school reception located in the driveway of 125 Donnison Street, Gosford. For those students who arrive before 8:40 am, students are welcome to use the student common area from 8:30am.
• If a student arrives late to school without a valid reason, they are required to surrender their mobile phone to reception for the day. Failure to do so will result in the student having to surrender their phone to the Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal every day for a period of 10 weeks.

Regular Pattern of School Attendance Required by Students

A reminder to parents/carers that for their child to continue their enrolment at the college, students need to maintain a consistent pattern of attendance.

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires all students to have a minimum attendance percentage of 85% throughout the year.

This means the college expects every student to attend school every day unless they are too sick to attend. In the event of an absence caused by illness, the college requires an explanation of the absence within 24 hours of the student’s absence. Notification can be provided via the Compass Portal, email, or phone call. In the event of three or more consecutive days off, the college can request a medical certificate to support the provided reasons. If you have other reasons for a student being absent for the day (family emergency for example) please provide the college office with an explanation so we can account for the student’s absence.

For more information on school attendance please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Reporting Student Absence

It is a government requirement for parents/carers to notify and provide a reason for their child’s absence from school on every occasion. To ensure notifications are always received and recorded by the appropriate staff members, a generic email address can be used for absentee notifications. We request this email address be used rather than emailing individual staff members. This will ensure the notification is received by the Reception staff regardless of who is working on the day. Where an explanation has not been received within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence, the school will record this as unexplained on the student’s record.

Methods for notifying the school of absences are:

Email: attendance@etaustralia.com

Phone: 02 4323 1233 after 8:30am

Via the Compass App
When your child is absent from school and we have not been notified, an email and push notification via Compass will be sent to inform you of their absence which you are able to reply to. Parents/Carers can sign into the Compass Portal and enter an attendance note for their child for future and past absences.

COVID-19, Plus Any Illness and School Attendance

ET Australia follows NSW Health guidelines to minimise COVID-19 transmission, keeping schools open and the community safe.

NSW Health advice is that if a student is unwell and has any symptoms, they should always test for COVID-19. If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student should still not return to school until the student no longer has any symptoms. NSW Health advises that it is important that students do not attend school if they are unwell. Covid-19, other viruses, influenza, common colds, and stomach bugs can all be contagious. Health advice is that students who are sick should always stay home to rest and recover and avoid putting other students and staff at risk of getting sick. Students who present with symptoms at school will be sent home immediately and will not be able to return to school until they no longer have symptoms.

Request for Student Leave

The Department of Education’s requirement for school attendance also affects opportunities for families to take holidays during school terms. Some schools are withdrawing the option of families taking students out of school for holidays. ETASC is flexible, but the Minister for Education requires us to ensure all student leave during term time be approved by the college Principal in advance. A Student Leave Request form is available from reception and needs to be completed 4 weeks prior to the planned absence from school.

Please contact the College office on 02 4323 1233 if you have any further queries about holidays during school terms.

ET Australia Secondary College – A non-smoking High School

ETASC is a non-smoking secondary college for ALL students and staff – this includes the use of vape pens and e-cigarettes.

Students who are caught smoking cigarettes or using vape pens or e-cigarettes during school hours will have their cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigarettes confiscated and destroyed. Parents/Carers will be contacted to inform them of this behaviour.

Advice from NSW Health clearly outlines that it is illegal to sell cigarettes, vape pens and e-cigarettes or accessories to, or buy these products on behalf of, a person under 18 years of age.

Please visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarettes.aspx for more information from NSW Health.

Any student smoking during school hours will be in breach of school rules and will be treated the same way as any other breach of school rules. Repeat offenders will be placed on a school contract that will stipulate the behaviour required to maintain their enrolment at the college. The school contract with the student will include the provision of access to quit smoking programs and access to the college psychologist to develop strategies to use instead of smoking during the school day. Breaching the school contract will result in the student’s expulsion from the college.

Opal Cards

The Department of Transport issues OPAL Cards and schools are not involved in the issue and re-issue of this free service for school children. Parents/Carers are now responsible for following up with errors or lost and stolen cards. Students are advised not to put OPAL cards near phones or other disabled cards.

For more information on OPAL Cards please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

Contacting Students in Class Time

Please do not phone your child during class time, they will be tempted to answer which is very disruptive to the class. Their phone should be off and out of sight. Parents/Carers who need to contact their child during school hours are asked to do so by calling the College office on 4323 1233 or wait until break times.

Banned items – Reminder

Students are prohibited from bringing certain items to school:

• Chewing gum
• Aerosol cans – deodorant etc.
• Knives
• Liquid paper
• Permanent markers
• Laser devices
• Metal or opaque drink bottles
• Cigarettes
• e-cigarettes or vapes
• Cigarette lighters or matches
• Gel Blaster/Gel Gun

If students bring these items to school, they will be confiscated.

If students continue to bring these items to school appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the consequences for breaches of the expected behaviours outlined at enrolment and in the Years 7 to 10 College Handbook and Years 11 and 12 College Handbook.

The Possession of Gel Blasters and their Presence in Schools

New South Wales Police and the Department of Education have requested ETASC circulate the following important information about the possession of gel blasters and their presence in schools.

Gel Guns or Gel Blasters are lifelike ‘toy’ guns that closely resemble firearms. They fire gel balls and can be very difficult to differentiate from a real firearm. They are classified as air guns under NSW law and gel balls are classified as ammunition.

It is a crime to possess a Gel Gun in NSW unless you have a firearms licence, even if it was purchased online or legally in another state. It is also a crime to bring a Gel Blaster or Gel Gun to school.

There is a potential for injury if a person is struck by gel pellet ammunition and understandably students and staff may become frightened and distressed if they believe a firearm has been brought into a school.

If a student is found to have a Gel Gun at school, the firearm will be confiscated, and the Police contacted immediately. The student could be arrested and charged with possession of a firearm. Parents/Carers may also be held liable as per section 82 of the Firearms Act.

Medication Taken at School

In accordance with our First Aid and Medications Policy, parents/carers are required to complete an Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form for any medication which is required to be dispensed during school hours.

Parents/Carers will also be required to provide the medication in its original packaging which has the Doctor’s instructions on the label.

Please contact the school office if you would like any further information or require a form to be sent home.

For more information on medication taken at school please refer to the College Handbook relevant to you:

• Years 7 to 10 College Handbook
• Years 11 and 12 College Handbook

School Lockers

Lockers are provided at no cost for students to store their school bags to improve security, and work, health and safety. Students are asked to clean out their lockers at the end of every term. Items left in lockers at the end of each term will be discarded. If you value the contents of your locker, please take it with you.

Students are encouraged to keep lockers always locked, even when empty. We are keen to prevent unauthorised access to lockers and/or to have other people placing objects in lockers that do not belong there.

Enrolments

Enrolment places are still available for the current year groups in 2024:

• Year 7
• Year 11
• Year 12

Places are not available in our other year groups, and a waiting list is in place.

Please contact the school office if you would like to make an enrolment enquiry or would like more information.

Year 8 VALID testing

Year 8 students will be participating in the Science VALID testing in Term 4. The Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) program provides online end-of-stage assessments for the science key learning area. These assessments can be used as a diagnostic tool to assist in improving student outcomes in science and as a tool for program evaluation. The test is linked to the science syllabuses, and assesses what students know and can do in science. It also provides useful information about student attitudes towards science. A letter will be sent home with the dates for these online tests.

Years 7 to 10 Assessment Week

Students will have their final examinations for the year during weeks 4 and 5 this term. Every day there will be one examination per KLA. Students will also be given revision during this time. Attendance is very important so that students do not fall behind. Year 10 grades must be submitted to NESA no later than 17^th November 2023. All assessments must be completed and marked before this date. If you know in advance that your child will be absent, please contact the school ASAP.

HSC Literacy & Numeracy Minimum Standards Testing

Year 10 will be given another opportunity to complete their HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards tests. These tests are used to show the level of numeracy and literacy achievements of students before they exit the school system, whether it be in Year 10, Year 11 or Year 12. Students who acquire a level 3 in each of the standards tests have reached the state level of achievement and do not need to continue the testing process. Students are given multiple opportunities throughout the year to acquire a Level 3. For more information, please see the website https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard.

If you have any questions, please contact the Curriculum Coordinator, Kimberley Wheeler.

Years 7–10 Meditation and mindful colouring

Once a week, students will be given the choice to participate in meditation or mindful colouring to give them the opportunity to slow down and be present before tackling their busy schoolwork.

Learning Enrichment Opportunities

ETASC offers free tutoring for all students.
For students who are identified as needing extra assistance with:

• Reading – ETASC offers the MacqLit reading program
• Mathematics – ETASC offers the QuickSmart program. We also offer consolidation of classwork and after school tutoring.
• Writing – ETASC offers English tutoring and consolidation of classwork.

Stage 4 Spelling and DEAR (Drop Everything & Read)

Year 7 will be participating in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) by enjoying a novel with their class, chosen by their teacher.

Year 8 will be participating in a spelling program reviewing the fundamental spelling rules and words.

Stage 5 DEAR

Years 9 and 10 will be participating in DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) twice a week, reading topical new articles selected by the teachers to encourage them to read mindfully and to be engaged in current issues.

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students will undertake a 2-week work experience program starting on the 20th of November and concluding on the 1st of December. Students will be encouraged to negotiate a minimum of 25 hours per week of unpaid work with the help of parents/carers and Jasmyn du Plessis, our Years 7 to 10 Student Development Coordinator (SDC), in an area of interest to them. Students may stay with the same company in the same work experience trial for the duration of their work placement, however trialling various occupations may be a great opportunity.

During work experience, Jasmyn will visit all students to monitor their progress and participation as well as receive feedback from their workplace supervisor. Students are fully covered by ET Australia’s insurance policy for the duration of approved work experience. Students who are unable to find work placement are required to attend school.

Year 10 School Leavers and RoSA nominations

An email will be sent early this term asking parents & carers to nominate their child for their RoSA (Record of School Achievement). If your child is leaving the school system, for either work, TAFE, internship, apprenticeship or the like, then they need to be nominated for a RoSA.  If your child is uncertain of their pathway next year the advice from NESA is to nominate for a RoSA as it is easier to bring them back into the school system after removing them. Please reply to this email with your child’s full name if you wish to nominate them for a RoSA. Student’s RoSA grades are available through their Student Online portal.

Year 11 2024 – Information & Enrolment

Year 11 enrolments for 2024 are now open and students in Year 10 who intend to continue their studies at ETASC in 2023 should apply now as spots are limited.

ETASC offers students an ATAR focused HSC pathway for students, offering the following 2-unit subjects:
• Standard English
• Standard Mathematics
• Biology
• Modern History
• Business Studies
• PDHPE.

Successful completion of the pattern of study provided will give students the ability to nominate for an ATAR if they wish.

We also offer students flexibility in subject selection with distance education courses available through external providers. Enrolment in these courses is per the external providers’ requirements and the cost is not included in the college school fees.

Students who would like to attend Years 11 & 12 are required to apply for a position and provide supporting documentation (school report etc.) to determine their suitability for the ATAR focused course ETASC provides.

Enrolment forms are available on request from reception at the Years 7 to 10 campus.

New enrolments are required to contact reception to organise an enrolment interview with the Assistant Principal and a tour of the facility.

If parents/carers of Year 10 students have any questions or would like to organise a tour of the Years 11 & 12 campus, please contact reception so a suitable time can be arranged.

For more information about the Years 11 & 12 programs ETASC offers students, please find a link to the student handbook.

Years 9 & 10 Student Assessment Handbooks

Student Assessment Handbooks are available on the school website and are important documents for Years 9 & 10 students to read to be informed about their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) requirements.
Within the handbook there is information on how to successfully complete Year 10, the grading scale for each subject, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help.
We encourage all Years 9 & 10 students and parents/carers to read these documents thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Years 9 & 10 students.

Click here to read the Year 9 Assessment Handbook
Click here to read the Year 10 Assessment Handbook

Stage 6 Curriculum Update

Our current Year 12 students are sitting their HSC exams this term and we wish them all the best. ETASC teachers are available to support and answer questions whilst students are revising for each subject. Students are welcome to continue coming into school to use the quiet space to study and access teachers for help.

Year 11 transition into Year 12

Year 11 will be moving into the Year 12 classroom as they commence their HSC courses.  They will either study their selected 5 or 6 subjects this term. When students are not in class, they will be able to use the time to study and complete work under the supervision of a teacher. It is important that students use this time productively. The three top tips for improving achievement in the HSC, which can be done during this time are:

1. Write summary notes for the subject.
2. Memorise the syllabus.
3. Complete practice HSC questions.

It is best to do these things regularly, and not wait until the end of the HSC course to begin.

Students will be given their HSC textbooks and codes to access electronic versions. They will also continue to have access to Google Classroom, Edrolo and Education Perfect to assist them in their learning.

Year 12 Mentorship Program

Year 12 students will be assigned a staff member to be their mentor throughout their HSC studies. Students will receive a booklet to record their academic goals for the term and meet with their mentor to plan steps to help them achieve them. Mentors will meet with the students to encourage them to keep working on those steps.  They will also help students reflect on what strategies are helping them and what things need to change to ensure they meet their academic goals.

Special Provisions

ETASC is very good at providing support and assistance to students. This support is not automatically provided for in the HSC exams and assessments. There is an application process that all students in NSW must follow to ensure uniformity across the state. If your child needs disability provisions for the HSC, please speak to Elissa Cosentino Elissa.Cosentino@etaustralia.com, as she will be submitting applications in Term 4.

Intervention

Intervention will begin this term with a focus not only on literacy but also numeracy. During these sessions, selected students are given the opportunity to improve their sentence structure and ability to develop cohesive pieces of writing. The numeracy sessions will be tailored to the needs of the individual.

Term 4 HSC Assessments

Please refer to the Student Assessment Handbook for an outline of when tasks are due throughout the term and check emails at the beginning of the term for assessment outlines, so you are aware of what is expected for each one. Many tasks require students to research and write responses outside of class time. Remember to take advantage of the after-school session from 3-4pm where teachers are available to answer questions. These tasks require students to work on them throughout the term and are not designed to be done in one night. If a student is absent on the day an assessment task is due please ensure the illness misadventure form is completed, with documentary evidence and emailed to chrisitna.clark@etaustralia.com within 24 hours.

Year 12 Student Assessment Handbook

The Year 12 Student Assessment Handbook is an important document for Year 12 students to read to be informed about the HSC course requirements.

Within the handbook, there is information on how to successfully complete Year 12, what an ‘N’ Determination Award (N Award) is and how to avoid one, study skills and who to talk to if you need help.

We encourage all Year 12 students and parents/carers to read this document thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for Year 12.

Click here to read the handbook

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

ET Australia Secondary College Years 7 to 10 Handbook
ET Australia Secondary College Years 11 and 12 Handbook
ET Australia Training College Upcoming Courses