Term 4 Newsletter, 2024

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.

End of Year Celebration Assembly

When: Tuesday 17th December 2024
Where: ETASC School Hall

The ETASC End of Year Celebration Assembly will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 17th December 2024. The assembly is being held to present Years 7, 8, 9, & 11 students with a range of achievement awards for 2024.

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

Key Dates for Term 4 2024

The first day of Term for all students is Tuesday 15th October 2024.
The last day of Term for all students is Wednesday 18th December 2024*
*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 8:40am, 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 or Deputy Principal every day for a period of 10 weeks.

School Management System – Compass

Compass is our web-based school management system that is accessible on any modern web browser or by using the ‘Compass School Manager’ app available on iOS or Android. To access our Parent/Carer Portal, go to: https://etaustralia-nsw.compass.education

Compass user ID’s and passwords have been sent to all Parents/Carers, if you have any questions about Compass, please contact the College.

From the Compass App, you can:

• Access your child’s semester reports
• Book your Parent/Carer/Student and Teacher conferences
• View up-to-date class and school attendance information
• Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your child
• Download, print details and provide permission to attend upcoming excursions/events
• Update your registered email and mobile number details
• Access information regarding upcoming events and news

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 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 to 12 College Handbook

Reporting a Student’s 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 is 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.

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 to 12 College Handbook.

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 that needs 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 to 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 2025:

• Year 7
• Year 11

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.

Lunch Orders – Lunch Options for 2024

Students in Years 7 and 8 will have the following lunch order options in 2024:
Monday – McDonald’s
Tuesday – Subway
Wednesday – Sushi
Thursday – Subway
Friday – Hot chips

Years 9, 10, 11, and 12 students have permission to buy food from the food court in the Imperial Centre for the first 15 minutes of each break every day. The school staff provide student supervision in the food court during breaks.

As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Students will only be permitted to enter the food court if they are purchasing food or drinks. If students go to the food court and do not purchase food or drinks, they will be banned from accessing this privilege.

Years 11 and 12 students are also permitted to go to Shop 3 Café unsupervised to buy food and drinks during breaks. As soon as students have received their food and drinks, they must make their way directly to Kibble Park. During breaks in Kibble Park, students are always supervised by school staff.

Teaching Staff

Contact details for all members of school staff are in the College Handbook relevant to you:

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

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 RoSA grades must be submitted to NESA in week 6. 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.

Years 7 – 9 Individual Education Plans (IEP’s)

Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings are continuing in Term 4. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the students individual learning needs and plan for reasonable adjustments that ETASC can make to provide targeted support for your child. An email has been sent inviting you to book via the Compass Portal by clicking on ‘Parent Student Teacher Conference’.

Please bring to the meeting any diagnostic paperwork or specialist reports that you have not previously provided to the school. The meetings will be with either Jasmyn du Plessis, ETASC’s Student Learning Support and Careers Coordinator, or Olivia Whiting, ETASC’s Assistant Student Learning Support and Careers Coordinator.

If the time slots are not suitable, please email Jasmyn.duplessis@etaustralia.com so an alternative time can be arranged.

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 consolidation of classwork and after school English tutoring.

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. Information will be made available via Compass including the dates for these online tests.

Stage 4 Spelling and DEAR

Year 7 and 8 students will participate in DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) during Term 4. Please encourage students to bring in a novel of their choice or to borrow one from the Knowledge Hub.

HSC Numeracy and Literacy Minimum Standards tests

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.

Any questions please contact the Curriculum Coordinator, Kimberley Wheeler.

Year 10 School Leavers and RoSA Nominations

Information will be sent out via Compass asking parents/carers of Year 10 students if they are leaving the school system at the end of 2024. This will enable ETASC to nominate the student for their Record of School Achievement (RoSA).

Year 10 students who are leaving the school system at the end of 2024 to engage in either full time work, TAFE, a traineeship or apprenticeship will need to nominate to receive the RoSA. Information on how to do this will be made available via Compass at the beginning of Term 4.

Year 10 students who are continuing into Year 11 at either ETASC or another school, do not need to nominate to receive the RoSA.

For students who are uncertain of their pathway next year, NESA has recommended that you nominate for the RoSA. If you decide to continue or re-enrol in school education, it is a simple process to re-enrol a student rather than having to remove the student from their system.

Please respond to the Compass post when you receive it so the appropriate action can be taken.

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students will undertake two weeks of work experience starting on 25th November and concluding on 6th 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 Learning Support and Careers Coordinator, and Olivia Whiting, our Assistant Student Learning Support and Careers Coordinator, in an area of interest to them.

During work experience, Jasmyn or Olivia 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 Pathway Plans

Pathway Plan meetings are continuing in Term 4. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the student’s future study and career goals and what ETASC can do to support the student and their family. An email has been sent inviting you to book via the Compass Portal by clicking on ‘Parent Student Teacher Conference’.

The meetings will be with either Jasmyn du Plessis, ETASC’s Student Learning Support and Careers Coordinator, and Tony Mylan, ET Australia’s CEO and College Principal.

If the time slots are not suitable, please email Jasmyn.duplessis@etaustralia.com so an alternative time can be arranged.

Future Me Week

Year 10 Future Me Week is designed to equip students with essential life skills and career insights. It features hands-on workshops in employability skills, resume writing, and interview techniques, alongside practical sessions on budgeting and financial management. Students have the opportunity to engage in a workshop called ‘Whole Brain Thinking’ to enhance problem-solving abilities. Students will gain valuable knowledge about fair work practices, including shopping rights and car purchases. Students will also benefit from presentations by employers and industry experts, explore Disability Employment Services, and embark on an exciting careers camp in Sydney with tours of higher education campuses and leading industries.

Future Me Week is from 9th December until 13th December, with the Careers Camp taking place on Thursday and Friday. More information will be provided via Compass.

Stage 5 DEAR

Years 9 and 10 are still 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.

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.

• Year 9 Assessment Handbook
• Year 10 Assessment Handbook

Year 11 Transition into Year 12

Year 11 will be moving into the Year 12 classrooms as they commence their HSC courses. There will be two Year 12 classes for all subjects except Biology which will have one class. Students 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 is to:

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 to 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, and various online learning platforms to assist them in their learning.

Year 12 HSC Disability Provisions Applications

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.

Disability provisions are one way that NESA ensures there are reasonable adjustments available to students with disability so that they can access and participate in the HSC on the same basis as students without disability.

ETASC will begin the process of applying to NESA for HSC disability provisions for eligible students in Term 4. The due date for these applications is Friday, 11th April 2025 (last day of Term 1).

If you feel your child is eligible for HSC disability provisions and you have not heard from the school, please contact Elissa Cosentino as soon as possible. (Phone: 4323 1233 or email: Elissa.Cosentino@etaustralia.com).

Intervention

Intervention will begin this term with a focus not only on literacy but also numeracy. In these sessions selected students are given the opportunity to improve their sentence structure and the 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 Christina.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 and 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.

Year 12 Assessment Handbook

If you have any questions regarding the above content, please contact Christina Clark, the Stage 6 Curriculum Coordinator on 4323 1233 or at Christina.Clark@etaustralia.com.

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates

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