In keeping with the changes to the dates of the NZQA exams, the TGC Derived Grade examinations have also been pushed out by two weeks. The Derived Grade Examinations will now run from Wednesday 22 September to Tuesday 28 September (Week 9 and Week 10).

Students in Years 11,12 and 13 will be on study leave during this examination period. Students in Years 9 and 10 who are sitting a NCEA external examination will receive a letter informing them of their study leave entitlement for the Derived Grade Examinations.

Students should be preparing for the Derived Grade Examinations in the same way that they would prepare for the end of year examinations. In the event of another lockdown in November the Derived Grade Examinations grade could be their final grade.

Other reasons that a student may need to apply for a derived grade include:

• A temporary acute non reoccurring illness.

• Trauma – a significantly disturbing or distressing experience

• Misadventure – an event beyond a student’s control or an exceptional circumstance.

• A sudden and significant change to a long-term illness occurring at the time of the examinations.

For a student to apply for a derived grade (other than a nationwide lockdown or natural disaster eg earthquake) they will need to pick up derived grade forms from Ms Rowlands. In the case of illness these forms need to be completed by a medical practitioner (do not supply a doctor's certificate).

The TGC Derived Grade Examinations also provide students with authentic practice for the final examination and enable students to get in depth feedback on any aspects of their learning they need to focus on.

On Tuesday 28 September Level 1-3 Digital Technology will be sitting their only external Common Assessment Task (DCAT) and on Thursday 30 September Level 1 Maths with Extensions will be sitting the Mathematics Common Assessment Task. These two assessments are NCEA external examinations.