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High Notes, Vol 22 No 16, June 04 2021

From the Principal

High Talent

Congratulations to our successful debating teams in the Friday Evening Debating competition (FED), Senior A and 7B. Senior A- Anson Chan (12T), Nicholas Arvanitellis (12T), Matthew Awad (12F) & Nicholas Francis (11R). 7B - Azam Mohamad (7M), Syed Ahmed (7E), Ayman Ahsan (7F) and Marley Masya (7F).

Information for Parents about ‘N’ Awards

So far this year, many ‘Warning Letters’ have been issued, principally to students in Years 11 & 12. The P & C requested more information about the warning letter and ‘N’ determination process.

The HSC is an internationally accepted credential.  To maintain its integrity, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has put in place strict guidelines regarding students’ satisfactory completion of courses. If a student is not meeting the requirements, they are awarded a ‘Non-completion Warning’ (or N award). An email is sent to parents with a soft copy attached and a hard copy is posted home. The N award warning system is explained to students in detail.

The ‘N’ Award letter outlines any issues of concern or outstanding work and includes a date by which students should submit the missed work. NESA requires TWO warnings for a student in order for an N determination to be made by the Principal at the end of a course.

A warning is a concern that the student is not meeting course outcomes and that he may be in danger of not meeting course requirements satisfactorily:

• A warning is typically given if a student does not submit, or is absent for, an assigned task, an assessment task, and/or, has not demonstrated sustained effort and due diligence in class.
• An N warning can be issued for a non-serious attempt in an assessment task (e.g. a frivolous, off-topic or inappropriate response).
• A student will be awarded zero if he does not submit a task or is absent for an assessment task.

As a general rule, extensions are not granted for tasks. Legitimate misadventure must be supported by a doctor’s certificate, presented to a course Head Teacher on the first day a student returns to school. Submitting at task after it was due is required by NESA as evidence that a student has satisfied the requirements of a course.  Submission of a task does not credit the student with marks above zero if the warning is for a missed assessment task.

Students may appeal if they believe the appropriate process has not been followed. They cannot, however, appeal on the basis of a disputed mark. The process for missed tasks or examinations is included in the examination rosters published for each assessment block. The appeal process is outlined in their assessment policy.

Translated Non-completion Warning letters are available in a range of languages at , under ‘W – Warnings’ for HSC, Preliminary and Year 10.

Full School Uniform Policy 

High is proud of the fact that its boys wear their school uniform. We expect boys to be in their appropriate uniforms at all times. In winter, there can be extreme weather events but where adjustments need to be made in clothing, the High Store has responded to the requests from the SRC to supply approved supplementary items. Uniform items are approved by the school community through the P & C.

The school beanie and school scarf can be worn at all times as part of the official school uniform. Students feeling the cold should not improvise with random items of clothing of various colours and designs. It is permissible to wear white skivvies, underneath school shirts when it is really cold. Students are allowed to wear sports clothing on sports days (Wednesdays for Years 10-12 and Thursdays for Years 7-9) and can add the school tracksuit for warmth. When it is raining, umbrellas, disposable ponchos or the new school wet weather jacket are authorised. Non-uniform anoraks, jackets, caps, beanies, scarfs and wet weather gear are not permitted under any circumstances.

Teachers are reminded to ask students to remove items of clothing that are not school uniform and warn them about the need to comply with the school dress code. Explain the options they have available. Put students on detention if they re-offend. If the student still does not comply with school uniform, report recidivist students to the relevant DP, for persistent disobedience in their failure to wear approved school attire.
Dr K A Jaggar
Principal