Studying for the2021 HSC

C u r r i c u l u m i n f o r m a t i o n

e v e n i n g f o r s t u d e n t s a n d

p a r e n t s

Course

Information

UNITS

All Courses have a unit value

Most courses are 2 unit (120 hours of study)

A 2 unit course is studied 8 periods a fortnight

2 unit = 100 marks in the HSC

Requirements

Preliminary Course (Year 11)• Minimum of 12 units• Students must satisfactorily complete the preliminary

course before they are eligible to sit the HSC

HSC Course (Year 12)• Minimum of 10 units

Stage 6

Requirements

• 2 units of Compulsory English• At least 6 units from Board developed courses• At least 3 courses of two unit or greater value• At least 4 subjects

At most 7 units of Science courses can count towards the HSC

Both the preliminary and HSC course must include at least:

Meeting the minimum standard in literacy and numeracy

From 2020, students need to demonstrate they have met a minimum standard

in literacy and numeracy to be eligible for a HSC.

Students will show they meet the HSC minimum standard by passing online

tests of basic literacy and numeracy skills, which are available for them to sit

from Year 10 and for up to 5 years after the HSC.

About the minimum standard online tests

Any eligible student can have two opportunities each year to sit the tests

About the tests:

Reading: 45 multiple choice computer adaptive questions (45 minutes)

Numeracy: 45 multiple choice computer adaptive questions (45 minutes)

Writing: answer one question out of a choice of two prompts (approximately 500 words)

Course Information

• are worth 1 unit each• build on the content from the 2 unit course• Are designated for students with a particular aptitude and

talent for the corresponding 2 unit course

Preliminary Extension Courses• English• Mathematics

HSC Extension Courses• English 1 & 2*• Mathematics 1 & 2*• Science• History• Music• Languages*students who undertake 2 units of extension in one subject area are required to maintain > 10 units until completion of the first assessment

Extension Courses:

Preliminary English Courses

English Extension

English Advanced

English Standard

English Studies

Extension English

• Deeper study of English – critical and contextual – “ways of thinking”

• Preliminary 1 unit – Need to be studying Advanced English

• HSC Extension 1 • Year 12 only - HSC Extension 2 -

Major work only

Mathemat ics i s

not compulsory

in Year 11

MATHEMATICS The 3 Courses :

Mathematics Standard

(previously called Mathematics General)

-> Standard 2 (ATAR course)

-> Standard 1 (Category B course)

Mathematics Advanced

Mathematics Extension 1

MATHEMATICS

STANDARD

A p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 0 % o f a l l H S C M a t h e m a t i c s

s t u d e n t s w i l l c o m p l e t e t h e s t a n d a r d 2 c o u r s e .

S u c c e s s i n t h i s c o u r s e r e q u i r e s c o m m i t m e n t

a n d h a r d w o r k .

A p p l i e d m a t h e m a t i c s t h a t c o v e r s a v a r i e t y o f

c o n t e x t s i n c l u d i n g :

- F i n a n c i a l m a t h e m a t i c s

- S t a t i s t i c s

- M e a s u r e m e n t

- A l g e b r a i c m o d e l l i n g

Course Recommendations

MATHEMATICS

ADVANCED

E f f e c t i v e l y a c a l c u l u s c o u r s e

R e q u i r e s a s t r o n g a l g e b r a i c a b i l i t y a n d a ‘ l i k i n g ’

o f M a t h s

A s a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , o n l y s t u d e n t s i n 5 . 3

( a d v a n c e d ) Ye a r 1 0 M a t h e m a t i c s s h o u l d c o n s i d e r

c h o o s i n g t h i s c o u r s e

A p r e r e q u i s i t e f o r m a n y m a t h e m a t i c s b a s e d

u n i v e r s i t y c o u r s e s

MATHEMATICS

EXTENSION

B u i l d s o n t o p o f t h e M a t h e m a t i c s A d v a n c e d c o u r s e

R e q u i r e s s t r o n g a l g e b r a i c s k i l l s a n d a l o v e o f

M a t h s

A s a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , o n l y s t u d e n t s a t t h e t o p o f

5 . 3 ( a d v a n c e d ) s h o u l d c o n s i d e r t h i s c o u r s e .

Overal l

MATHEMATICS Maximum enjoyment and meaning out of

senior Mathematics

Best possible HSC/ATAR result

Conversations and course selection need to

be honest

VET in

the HSC

V o c a t i o n a l

E d u c a t i o n

a n d T r a i n i n g

Industry Curriculum

Frameworks

Vocation Context

Requirements from the training package

Competency based assessments

HSC Context

Requirements from NESA

HSC examination assessment requirements

• VET lets you complete a workplace credential while still at school.

• Qualifications are recognized Australia-wide (AQF – Australian

Qualifications framework).

Curriculum

Frameworks

V o c a t i o n a l

E d u c a t i o n

a n d T r a i n i n g

Students are required to complete 35 hours of mandatory work

placement per 120 hours of coursework

• C o n s t r u c t i o n ( K H S )

• H o s p i t a l i t y ( K H S )

• B u s i n e s s S e r v i c e s ( K H S )

• E n t e r t a i n m e n t ( K H S )

• M e t a l a n d E n g i n e e r i n g

• A c c o u n t i n g

• To u r i s m a n d E v e n t s

• A u t o m o t i v e

• E l e c t r o t e c h n o l o g y

Considerations for courses

Ability:Choose what you are capable of doing well.

Interest/motivation:Choose subjects that interest you.

Career:Keep in mind future career paths, but be realistic about your choices.

Practical Considerations

Assessment requirements:What does the assessment requirements for the course involve? (Major works, essays)

Subject combinationsDo the subjects compliment each other?What style of learning are you suited to?Can there be a balance of creative, practical, humanities, science/mathematical subjects?

Course CompletionStudents must:• Complete assessment tasks by the due date and

attend examinations on time.• Apply themselves with diligence and sustained

effort to the set tasks and experiences that the school provides in the course.

• Ensure technology is backed up. Technology failure is not an acceptable excuse for non-submission.

Assessment Tasks:There is a maximum of THREE formal tasks in the preliminary course and FOUR tasks in the HSC course

Course CompletionNon-award determinations:

N-Determinations are issued by the Principal for the non-completion of a course.

Class Teachers and Head Teachers issue N-warning letters to students who are in danger of not meeting course completion criteria.N-warning letters are a support. The letters inform students and parents of issues with course completion and provide information on what needs to be completed. Letters are set a completion date of at least two weeks.

Course CompletionAdditional requirements:

Students must complete HSC assessment tasks that contribute in excess of 50 per cent of available marks in courses where internal assessment marks are submitted, and sit for and make a serious attempt at any requisite Higher School Certificate examinations for a course

Illness/Misadventure If an unforeseen illness or misadventure stops you from attending an assessment or affects your performance in assessments, it is your right and responsibility to make an illness/misadventure application. The application form can be found on the school website. 4The application needs to be substantiated with evidence.

The form is to be completed no more than two days post an assessment task. The student is to make arrangements with their teacher to complete the task.

Always attend assessments if you can, even if you have an illness or misadventure application.

More information is detailed on the illness/misadventure application form on the school’s website.

Illness/Misadventure These applications do not cover:

• difficulty preparing or lost preparation time.

• alleged deficiencies in teaching.

• lost time or facilities for study before the formal study vacation.

• misreading exam timetables.

• misreading exam instructions.

• entering or sitting for the wrong exam.

• long-term illness unless you can show it recurred suddenly and unexpectedly during the assessment period.

• conditions for which you have been granted disability provisions, unless you have further difficulties.

• conditions for which you should have applied for disability provisions.

• attending sporting or cultural events.

HSC and the ATARHSC ATAR

Is for students wishing to gain entry to University after High

School.

Is a rank, not a mark.

Provides information about how students perform overall

compared to the rest of the state.

Provides the discrimination required by universities for the

selection process.

Calculated from the ten best units (including 2 units of English)

Qualifications:

Must complete 10 units of Board Developed Courses

Must have ≥ 8 units of category A subjects.

At least four subjects

At least three courses of 2 units or greater value

Highest secondary school credential.

Report student achievement in terms of standards achieved in

individual courses.

Presents a profile of student achievement across a range of

subjects.

Qualifications:

• Successfully complete a minimum of 12 units in Preliminary

and 10 units in HSC

• Sit for and make a serious attempt in HSC exams

• Complete ‘All my own work’ course.

• Pass the three HSC minimum standards tests.

• Regular attendance.

NOTE Some courses o ffe red in the

cur r icu lum in fo rmat ion bookle t

may no t run because o f

insuff ic ien t s tuden t numbers

and /or resource cons t ra in ts .

Subjects offered at KHS

CEC Courses

• English Studies

• Mathematics Standard 1

• Business Services (VET)

• Construction (VET)

• Entertainment Industry (VET)

• Hospitality (VET)

• Ancient History

• Biology

• Business Studies

• Chemistry

• Community & Family Studies

• Dance

• Design and Technology

• Drama

• Economics

• Engineering Studies

• English Advanced or Standard

• Food Technology

• French Courses

• Geography

• Industrial Technology

• Information Processes and Technology

• Investigating Science

• Japanese Courses

• Legal Studies

• Mathematics Advanced or Standard 2

• Modern History

• Music 1 or 2

• PDHPE

• Physics

• Society and Culture

• Software Design and Development

• Textiles and Design

• Visual Arts

• All Extension Courses

Category A Category B

• Ceramics

• Photography, Video and Digital Imaging

• Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies

• Visual Design

ATAR Qualifications:

Must complete 10 units of Board Developed Courses (no CEC courses)

Must have ≥ 8 units of category A subjects.

If completing 2 units of category B, the student must elect to sit the HSC Examination

HSC Qualifications for subjects:

Minimum units: 12 (Preliminary), 10 (HSC)

At least 2 units of English

At least 6 units from Board developed courses

At least 3 courses of two unit or greater value

At least 4 subjects

Subject selection is onlineAll Year 10 students will be sent an email to their school email address.

The email will contain a link and unique booking code to enter subjects online.

Subject selectionStudents will need to:1. Select the level of English2. Select their subject choices in priority order

from the drop down boxes in each choice.3. Select 3 Reserve subjects

A minimum of twelve units need to be chosen, plus 3 Reserve subjects. Your Total units (18+) will be displayed.

Print a confirmation of your subject selections and have it signed by a Parent/Carer.

Return the form to the School Admin Office by Friday 2nd August.

Where to from here?

Explore your subject interests and personal strengths

Reports will be issued via the parent portal on Thursday 4th July.

Parent/Teacher Night is Thursday 25th July

The portal will open on Friday 26th July and close on Friday 2nd August