Term 3 is an important time for students as they prepare for their school examinations which are from Thursday 13 September to Friday 21 September.

I would like to stress the importance of these examinations as they help to inform the judgement for derived grades (see below).

The last day at school for students in Year 11 – 13 will be Friday 2 November as they begin study leave for the NCEA External Examinations.

The external NCEA Examination timetable for 2018 can be accessed online:

https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/qualifications-and-standards/qualifications/ncea/exams-and-portfolios/exam-timetable-2018.pdf

Derived Grade applications 2018

A derived grade may be awarded to a student who:

· Is unable to sit examinations or submit materials (portfolio subjects) for external assessment. This only covers a temporary illness, trauma or injury that is just before or during the examination, or

· Who considers that their performance in an external assessment has been impaired by exceptional circumstances beyond their control. This includes a natural disaster, the death of a family member or close acquaintance.

· National representative duties which have prevented them from sitting examinations or otherwise presenting materials for external assessment.

· Guidelines from NZQA can be accessed HERE.

A grade awarded by the school, based on standard-specific evidence, is submitted to NZQA for processing.

A derived grade is NOT available for Scholarship.

· Derived Grade applications must be made through the Principal's Nominee.

· Candidates should contact the Principal's Nominee (Sonja Bailey) as soon as possible if an application is likely.

· Candidates must collect or download an application form before consulting a medical practitioner. Applications cannot be processed without the correct documentation and a medical certificate may not be sufficient as it may not cover all requirements.

• Derived Grades for portfolios for Design and Visual Communication, Technology or Level 3 Visual Arts must be returned to the Principal's Nominee by 1 November 2018.

· External Examination Derived Grade application forms must be returned to the Principal's Nominee by Friday, 7 December 2018.

Candidates are encouraged to sit the examination wherever possible. Where the candidate’s derived grade application is approved and they also sat the examination, the better results will be awarded.

Student Logins

Each student has been given their learner login details. If they have not received this information they are to see Mrs Bailey. Each student should have logged on and checked their entries for 2018. It is vital that students do this. If a student believes the entries are incorrect they must come and see me as soon as possible.

Admission Slips

At the end of October all students will be given their admission slips. These are extremely important as students will not be allowed to enter examinations without this slip. We always have students that forget, so please make sure that as either you or they leave the house to remind them to take their admission slip.

As always please feel free to contact me at school via email or phone if you have any questions.