Term 4 Newsletter, 2026

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 that those bookings are open. 

Year 8 STEM Community Partnerships Program Presentation 

When: Tuesday 3rd November 2026
Where: Gosford Regional Library 

This year, students in Year 8 Science are taking part in the STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP), in collaboration with the Generation STEM program delivered by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.  

(Further information can be found in the “Years 7 & 8 News” section of this newsletter.)  

Future Me Week 

When: Monday 7th December – Wednesday 9th December 2026
Where: ETASC School Hall

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 will gain valuable knowledge about fair work practices, including consumer 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.

More information will be available via Compass next term.

Key Dates for Term 4 2026 

The first day of Term 4 for all students is Tuesday 13th October 2026.
The last day of Term 4 for all students is Wednesday 16th December 2026* 

*This will be a half day for Years 7-10 students. 

Parents/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 8:55 am for a 9:00 am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7-10 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 8:30 am. 
• Years 11 and 12 students are required to be on campus at 8:40 am for an 8:45 am 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, they are welcome to use the student common area from 8:30 am. Years 9 and 10 students are required to be at school at 9:05 am for a 9:10 am start time every school day. Students enter our Years 7-10 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 8:30 am. 
• 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. 

Withdrawal From School 

ETASC requires four weeks’ notice of withdrawal of a student from school.
Parents are liable for school fees up to the withdrawal date or four weeks after notice is given, whichever is the latest. 

Notice of withdrawal must be made in writing to the Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal.

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 and 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 8:30 am
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, Other Illnesses 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.

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 

• Other sharps (e.g. pencil sharpeners, craft knives, pins) 

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.

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 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 2026 & 2027: 

• 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. 

Lunch Orders – Lunch Options for 2026 

Students in Years 7 and 8 will have the following lunch order options in 2026:  

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 and 12 College Handbook 

Assessment Week 

Students will have their final examinations for the year during weeks 4 and 5 this term – from 4th November to 13th November. Every day, there will be one examination per subject. 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 in Week 6 and 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.  

IEP Meetings Term 4 

IEP meetings for new students will continue throughout Term 4. These meetings provide an opportunity for families, students and staff to discuss individual learning needs, goals and appropriate supports. 

Further information about available meeting times and how to book via Compass will be sent to families soon. 

Years 7-10 Compass Learning Tasks 

Students can access their assessment schedules via their Student Portals under the Learning Tasks tab in Compass. This information will make it easy for students and parents to stay organised and informed about when assessments take place and if they are submitted on time. Each task or assessment clearly displays the due date, assessment type, and relevant instructions. Students can quickly see what assessment is coming up and whether it has been submitted or is still outstanding. Parents can also access this information via the Compass Portal, enabling them to monitor progress, support time management, and ensure important deadlines are not missed.

Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 Student Assessment Handbooks  

Student Assessment Handbooks are available on the school website and are important documents for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students to read to be informed about how to successfully achieve their academic school requirements.  

Each of the handbooks has the relevant information for each year group on submitting assessments, the misadventure process and helpful hints on how to study.  

Each handbook has the assessment schedule for each subject and the term and week that the assessment is scheduled to take place – please note this may be subject to change. 

For Years 9 and 10 students, there is information on 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 students and parents/carers to read these documents thoroughly to ensure they are informed of the expectations for their learning this year.  

If you have any questions regarding the above content, please contact Kimberley Wheeler, the 7-10 Curriculum Coordinator on 4323 1233 or Kimberley.Wheeler@etaustralia.com.

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 Individual Education Plans (IEPs)  

Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings will continue in Term 4 for students who have recently enrolled at the College. 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 will be 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 Olivia Whiting, ETASC’s Stage 4 Student Learning Support Coordinator.   

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

Year 8 Transition Program  

In Week 8, Year 8 will be participating in a transition program to help better prepare them for Years 9 & 10, when they will be working towards their Record of School Achievement (RoSA). Students will participate in resume writing workshops, a study skills program run by Elevate, a day following the Years 9 & 10 timetable and an opportunity to meet their teachers. 

As students prepare to move from Year 8 into Year 9, our Year 8–9 Transition Program is designed to support a confident and successful start to Stage 5.  

The program will help students become familiar with the teaching staff and routines, while developing the academic and organisational and wellbeing skills needed in Year 9 and beyond.

Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to: 

• Build confidence and reduce transition-related anxiety 

• Develop effective study, organisational and wellbeing skills 

• Build relationships with new teachers  

• Explore Stage 5 courses  

• Learn about pathways beyond Year 10 

• Develop careers and resume skills 

• Prepare for work experience

The program also provides an important opportunity for staff to identify students’ strengths and support needs before the commencement of Year 9 in 2027, enabling proactive planning and support. 

Year 8 STEM Program 

This year students in Year 8 Science are taking part in the STEM Community Partnerships Program (STEM CPP), in collaboration with the Generation STEM program delivered by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.  

The focus of the program is to encourage students to consider the current and future need of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills and how they will be applied in real world contexts.   

As part of the STEM CPP, students will work on a group project in the classroom to solve real-world STEM challenges. The project is designed to build key STEM skills such as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and communication skills.  

As part of students’ participation in the program, there is an opportunity to participate in a presentation afternoon at Gosford Regional Library.

Year 10 School leavers and RoSA nominations 

Early in Term 4, an email will be sent to parents and carers inviting them to nominate their child for a RoSA (Record of School Achievement). 

Students who intend to leave the school system to pursue employment, TAFE, an apprenticeship, traineeship, internship, or a similar pathway should be nominated for a RoSA. 

If your child’s plans for next year are still uncertain, NESA recommends nominating them for a RoSA. It is easier to return a student to a school-based pathway if required than to arrange a RoSA after the process has closed. 

If you would like to nominate your child for a RoSA, please reply to this email and include their full name. 

RoSA results and grades are available through the student’s NESA Student Online account. 

Year 10 Extension Tutorials – HSIE & Science 

ETASC is continuing to provide Year 10 students with the opportunity to participate in after-school extension classes during Term 4. 

These classes are designed to provide our Year 10 students with extra-curricular opportunities in HSIE and Science, to prepare students for Years 11 and 12. 

 Sessions will start at 2:30pm and conclude at 3:30pm with the following teachers and dates:

All Year 10 students who intend to continue to Year 11 next year are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Stage 5 DEAR 

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

SYNC – Skills You Need Consolidating 

This year ETASC will continue with SYNC for Years 9 and 10 students. Each lesson aims to help students establish and practise the fundamental skills necessary for further education and work. These practical skills enable students to practise problem solving, critical thinking and group work. 

Classes include:  

• Nutrition – properly reading food labels, budgeting, planning, food wastage and cooking skills; 

• Computer Skills – desktop usage, using Microsoft Office, typing skills, film editing and website building; 

• Careers – resume writing, cover letters, how to research jobs, skills selection and how to apply for jobs; 

• Independence Days – car maintenance, practical living skills and household upkeep.
  

These units will help to round out the students’ employability skills. 

Curriculum Update 

HSC Exams 

Our current Year 12s are sitting their HSC exams this term, and we wish them all the best. HSC exams will be held at our school and at Gosford Regional Library. 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. Students can access their individual HSC timetable on https://studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au/ 

The timetable for all subjects can be found https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/key-dates/hsc-written-exam-timetable 

If your child is sick or unable to make the HSC, please contact Christina Clark (Christina.Clark@etaustralia.com) immediately and obtain independent documentation, such as a doctor’s certificate, to support the reason for their absence on the day of the exam they miss. 

Year 11 Transition into Year 12 

Year 11 will be commencing their HSC courses in Term 4. There will be two Year 12 classes for English, Maths, Health & Movement Science and Modern History. Biology and Business Studies 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; 

• Write summary notes for the subject. 
• Memorise the syllabus. 
• Complete practice HSC questions.
  

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

Students will have access to HSC textbooks and codes to access electronic versions if requested. They will also continue to have access to Google Classroom, and various online learning platforms to assist them in their learning. Atomi is one such platform that has videos and quizzes of all the course content for each subject. It is a great resource for students to use if they miss lessons and need content explained. For additional information on how to support your child with using Atomi click on the link for further information.  https://support.getatomi.com/en/articles/9261730-enabling-academic-success-for-your-child\

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 continue this term with a focus on literacy and numeracy. In 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. Students are sometimes supported in class and at other times may be withdrawn for more specialised assistance.  

Term 4 HSC Assessments 

Please refer to the Stage 6 Student Assessment Handbook for an outline of when tasks are due throughout the year and check Compass 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 – 2027 HSC exam provisions applications 

Exam 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 exam provisions for eligible students in Term 4 2026. The due date for these applications is the last day of Term 1 2027.  

If you feel your child is eligible for HSC exam 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). 

Year 12 – Individual Education Plans  

Year 12 Individual Education Plan meetings will be conducted throughout Term 4 with the Student Learning Support and Careers Coordinator. Individual Education Plan meetings are an opportunity to discuss student individual needs and to develop reasonable adjustments that ETASC can make to provide targeted support to your child. If you feel your child would benefit from an Individual Education Plan but have not heard from the school, please contact Elissa Cosentino as soon as possible. (Phone: 4323 1233 or email: Elissa.Cosentino@etaustralia.com).  

ET Australia Secondary College Term Dates