Information on key dates for schools - Year 10 students in relation to the Record of School Achievement is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/rosa

Key dates

Schools that have students in Year 10 enrolled in Stage 5 courses will need to submit grades for these courses, and, where applicable, Life Skills outcomes and VET course competency outcomes, on or before Friday, 30 November 2012. In addition, schools need to submit N-determinations for any students who have not completed course requirements by the same date. Schools can perform all these functions on Schools Online from 22 October 2012.

Issuance of RoSA and other documents

Students who the principal has indicated are leaving school and have met all the requirements will receive a Record of School Achievement credential from the Board. Students who are leaving school but who have not met the requirements for the Record of School Achievement will receive a Transcript of Study from the Board.

Schools will also be able to access transcripts which record Stage 5 achievements for their students who do not intend to leave school at this point.

Information on each student’s Stage 5 courses completed, grades and mandatory curriculum requirements will be made available to schools via Schools Online on Monday, 10 December 2012. Further information will be provided to schools about how to apply for appropriate RoSA documents for students.

Support for schools in allocating grades

The Board will support schools by developing information that shows the historic pattern of grade allocation for their school in each course, and grade ranges based on this historical pattern. As shown in the Key dates for schools – Year 10 students table this information will be available early in Term 3.

• This information will not be a rigid framework for allocating grades to current students, but it will help both the school and the Board ensure that grades are being allocated fairly and consistently across all NSW schools.
• If schools find that their current grade allocation seems markedly different from the historical pattern, they will be able to seek advice from Board officers.
• This approach will strengthen grading consistency, while ensuring students receive the credit they deserve for their work.

Appeals against grades

Students wishing to appeal against the grade awarded to them by the school in any course should submit a written appeal to their principal. If the appeal is upheld, the principal sends notification of the new grade to the Board of Studies.

End of the school year for school leavers

The rules relating to school attendance remain unchanged. A requirement for the award of the Record of School Achievement is that students attend until the final day of Year 10 as determined by the school system concerned or by the principal of non-systemic schools. In all cases, schools are to ensure that syllabus outcomes and course study requirements, including indicative hours of study as specified by the Board are met.

In coming months, further information regarding the Record of School Achievement will be provided on the Board's website. The Board Bulletin will be a key vehicle for announcements and links to further information.

For further information about the Record of School Achievement, go to www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/rosa or contact a Board of Studies Liaison Officer on 13 11 12.