Your Higher School

Certificate

2021

HSC MINIMUM STANDARDWhat is the HSC minimum standard?

• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has implemented the HSC

minimum standard to help ensure that students have the key literacy and

numeracy skills for life after school. Students in New South Wales will

need to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to

receive the HSC credential from 2020.

• The standard is assessed through online tests across three areas: reading,

writing and numeracy.

• Students who do not meet the HSC minimum standard can still

Sit the HSC exams.

Receive an ATAR for University applications

Receive a ROSA

Receive a HSC minimum standard report.

HSC MINIMUM STANDARD• There are no pre-requisites for choosing subjects for stage 5 or stage 6.

Students do not need to achieve the minimum standard to choose a

subject they will study in stage 5 or 6.

• Students will have two opportunities per year to sit the minimum

standard online tests in each area of Reading, Numeracy and Writing, in

Year 10, 11 and 12. Students will also have up to 5 years from the time

they start the HSC courses to sit the minimum standard online tests.

The tests must be administered by schools via a lockdown browser.

• Students with additional learning needs may be eligible for extra

provisions or exemption(s) for the minimum standard online tests or be

exempt from meeting the HSC minimum standard in order to receive

their HSC.

• Further Information NSW Education Standards Authority

(NESA)website: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/

nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard

RoSA

• The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) is a credential for all

students to recognise school achievement before completion of the

Higher School Certificate (HSC).

• The RoSA will show your Year 10 grades, as well as any grades for Year

11 (Preliminary) courses completed after that.

• To receive a RoSA you will need to meet your school’s assessment and

attendance requirements.

• Grades for all your courses in Year 10 and 11 will be based on your

results in assessment tasks you do throughout the year.

• If you are leaving school before getting your HSC you will have the

option of sitting literacy and numeracy tests and results will be reported

separately to the RoSA credential.

• Students who leave school and who are not eligible for a RoSA will be

able to receive a Transcript of Study from their school at their time of

departure.

You have come to the time where you

will be deciding on your subjects for

your Higher School Certificate.

This is not an easy decision and needs to

be made by talking to:

• Your Teachers

• Your Careers Adviser

• Your Family

Most importantly you must think about what you enjoy, your interests

and your skills.

Ask yourself

• How much study am I prepared to commit to for my

HSC?

• What else is happening in my life and how will this affect

my HSC? Think about sport, part time job and family

commitments.

• Do I want to study subjects that require writing essays?

• Do I want to study subjects that have a major project?

• What type of HSC do I want?

What type of HSC do I want ?

• ATAR – All my Category A subjects will contribute

to an ATAR ( Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank)

• ATAR/Vocational VET (Combines Category A and

Category B Subjects)

• Non ATAR / VET– (Vocational and TAFE

Accreditation)

• Your type of HSC will depend on your

combination of subjects

WHAT IS THE ATAR?The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank:

is a number rank between 0.00 and 99.95

(only ATARs above 30 will be reported)

is a rank, not a mark

is used by universities to rank applicants

is managed and administererd by the

Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)

ATAR Subjects – Category A

• Ancient History

• HSC History Extension*

• Biology

• Business Studies

• Chemistry

• Design and Technology

• Drama

• Economics

• Engineering Studies

• English EAL/D

• English (Standard)

• English (Advanced)

• HSC English Extension 1

• HSC English Extension 2

• Mathematics

• Mathematics Advanced

• Mathematics Extension 1

• HSC Mathematics Extension 2

• Industrial Technology

- Multimedia

- Timber Products and

Furniture Technologies

• Information Processes and Technology

• Legal Studies

• Geography

• Modern History

• Music 1

• Music 2

• HSC Music Extension

• Personal Development, Health and

Physical Education

• Physics

• Senior Science

• Society and Culture

• Software Design and Development

• Visual Arts

• Languages

• Photography Video and Digital Imaging

• Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation

• Visual Design

• Other TVET Courses ( Refer to TVET guide)

Content Endorsed Courses (Non ATAR)

• Information Technology

• Metal and Engineering

• Construction

• Electro Technology

• Entertainment

• Hospitality

• Business Services

• Primary Industries

• Retail

•Tourism

• Automotive

•Financial Services (TVET – studied at TAFE)

These subjects require a

compulsory 70 work

placement component.

35 Hours Each Year

VET Industry Curriculum Frameworks ATAR/VET

( Category B )

These subjects provide you with

dual accreditation - ATAR and

TAFE certificate

VET Industry Curriculum ATAR ( Category B ) studied at TAFE

Study at TAFE NSW as part of your HSC You can study Vocational Education and Training (VET)

courses through TAFE NSW as part of your HSC.

Depending on what course you want to do and where you

are, courses may be delivered at a TAFE NSW campus or at

school.

Some VET courses will also help you gain a place at a

university by contributing to your ATAR. You can also get an

industry qualification at the same time.

More reasons to study a VET course as part of your HSC:

you will gain work skills and experience that can give

you a head start in your career

a VET course can give you unit credit towards your

HSC at the same time as giving you a nationally

recognised qualification.

Students at Tempe High School have studied the following TVET courses:

Automotive studies

Financial Services

Graphic Design

Computer Aided Design

Information Technology

Electrotechnology

Nursing

Tourism

Sport and Recreation

Hairdressing

Marketing

Multi Media

Property Services

Ultimo TAFE

St George TAFE

Petersham TAFE

Enmore Design Centre

School-based traineeships and

apprenticeshipsSchool-based apprenticeships and traineeships provide

students with the opportunity to attain a nationally recognised

Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification as well

as their Higher School Certificate (HSC) and gain valuable

work skills and experience through part-

time paid employment.

Both school-based traineeships (SBTs) and school based

apprenticeships (SBAs) can be delivered through TAFE NSW.

Information about qualifications available within this program

is available from the SBAT website.

NSW Apprenticeships and Traineeships

So Far

1. Time to think about HSC subjects

2. ATAR Australian Tertiary Admission Rank

3. Who to talk to

4. Types of HSC – ATAR ATAR/VET VET

5. HSC subjects: Category A, Category B, TVET, TAFE

6. Combination of Study

7. School-Based Traineeship

Subject Selection

Process

Subject Selection

• All courses are of 2 unit value except for Extension courses

which are 1 unit value.

• Eligibility rules apply to the study of English EAL/D and

Languages courses.

• In subjects where there are different levels, or where the

subject requires specific skills, the Head Teacher of the faculty

will determine the suitability of candidates based on proven

performance and other relevant data. In some cases students

may be required to sit for an entrance-style exam to

determine suitability. The final decision rests with the

Principal.

• VET Courses have compulsory Work Placement

• English is the only compulsory subject.

Your Higher School Certificate

Year 11 Preliminary Certificate = Minimum 12 units.

Begins term 1 and is completed by the end of Term 3.

You have to complete all the NESA requirements for

the Year 11course to be eligible to progress to Year 12.

Year 12 Higher School Certificate = Minimum 10 Units

Begins in Term 4 and is completed by the end Term 3,

the following year. The HSC exams are in term 4.

SUBJECT SELECTION BOOKLET Posted on SENTRAL Portal

Consider the environment before

printing

Contains detailed information and

subjects offered at Tempe High School

Includes Subject Selection form and

the Expression of Interest form for

extension, TAFE and Saturday School

of Languages form.

Subject Selection Form

Line 1

English (2U)

Tick one course

Lines 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 (2U)

List your course choices in order of preference

Line 7^

(1U)

Choose only if

EAL/D English

Line 8

(1U)

Line 9

(1U)

Line 10

These subjects

are above the 12

units studied at

school)

□ Advanced

□ Standard

□ Studies

□ EAL/D

1. Reserves:

2. 1. ________________

3. 2. _______________

4.

5.

□ □ Ext1 Maths □ Ext1 English □ OHS

(Ms White)

□ Saturday School

(Ms White)

□ TAFE

(Mr Fawcett)

2U of English is compulsory.

Students must choose a

level of English to study in

this line.

Mathematics is not compulsory.

Your priority list will be used to resolve clashes and/or determine

classes.

Choose subjects in the order of preference.

Separate

application

process is

necessary for

this subject

Separate

application

process is

necessary for

this subject

Separate application

process is necessary

for these subjects

Expression of Interest Form

Separate form for each course

Attach supporting

documentation and evidence

Submitted at the same time as

your subject choices

EXTENSION SUBJECTS• Extension courses are more rigorous courses designed for the very

highest achievers. They are 1 unit subjects and are equivalent to 2

periods per week. These courses are often held outside the normal

school day, before or after school.

• Students must meet the following set criteria for admission to any of the

Extension courses. There must be demonstrable achievement against

these criteria throughout the Stage 5 course to date.

• Students need to demonstrate:

a record of excellent attendance and punctuality

consistent performance at grade A or B levels in all school courses

a proven ability to submit work and complete tasks on time

self-motivation and well organised approach to learning

a capacity to work independently.

• Extension 1 English:

• Grade A or B in the Stage 5 English course. In addition, an A grade is

required in the school report for the following outcomes:

Responds to and composes sophisticated texts using a range of

processes for a variety of purposes

Uses, describes and explains elements of texts for various

purposes and effects

• Extension 1 Mathematics:

• Grade A10, A9, or Grade B8 in Stage 5 Mathematics course. In addition,

an A grade is required in the school report.

• highly developed skills in high order Mathematical thinking skills and

conceptual understanding, particularly in the areas of algebra and

trigonometry.

Check list:

What type of HSC do you want?

Category of subjects

Total Units

Year 11 subjects

Year 12 subjects

Every year 10 student will be

interviewed by the Careers Advisor

during the subject selection process.

You will be choosing your subjects

online during this time.

Choose very carefully as this process will

determine the subjects and the classes

for next year.

Courses with less than 15 students will

not run.

This will result in further reselection for

students whose first choices cannot be

met.

REMEMBER:

• TALK TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE

• DO YOUR RESEARCH

• ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

• BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

• BE HONEST

• BE REAL

WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND SUPPORT YOU DURING THIS PROCESS