2026 Nazareth VCE Handbook

VISION STATEMENT

Nazareth

Nazareth College is a learning community centred on the person of Jesus Christ. Through learning and teaching in the Catholic tradition we foster a culture of faith, wisdom and knowledge.

Theme for 2026 Gratitude.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians

DEFINITIONS

Administrative Handbook for VCE

Guide to assessment for each VCE Subject, published annually by the VCAA and available on the VCAA website

Assessment Task One or more tasks a student undertakes to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to meet an outcome. This is usually completed in class but can take many different forms, and may include homework or any other prescribed task

ATAR Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. This is the overall ranking given by the VTAC, (on a scale of 0-99.95), that students receive, based on their VCAA Subject Scores. Universities and TAFE institutes use the ATAR to select students for their courses.

Authentication Authentication is the process of ensuring that the work submitted by students for assessment is their own. The student must follow the rules for assessment set by the VCAA and the school to ensure that the teacher can authenticate the work.

DES Derived Examination Score. The DES is calculated by the VCAA and may be used as the student’s examination result where the student has met the eligibility requirements for the provision. The DES is intended for the student who is ill or affected by other personal circumstances at the time of an examination and whose examination result is unlikely to be a fair or accurate indication of their learning or achievement in the study.

EAL English as an Additional Language

GAT The GAT is a test of literacy and numeracy skills, as well as knowledge and skills in mathematics, science and technology, and the arts and humanities.

The GAT has 2 sections. Section A assesses literacy and numeracy skills. Section B assesses skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts and humanities, with an increased focus on critical and creative thinking skills.

The VCAA uses GAT results to check VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed.

Learning Outcome A course, curriculum, training package, units of study, or structured workplace learning that leads to the award of a qualification

Non-Satisfactory (N) Not satisfactory (N) is a result for a unit reported on a student’s Statement of Results. It indicates that the work submitted for that unit does not demonstrate achievement of the specified outcomes for satisfactory completion of the unit and/or the student has failed to meet a school deadline or other requirement for submission of the assessment task.

Outcomes Outcomes are what a student must know, or be able to do, in order to satisfactorily complete a unit as specified in the study design.

Satisfactory (S) Satisfactory (S) is a result for a unit reported on a student’s Statement of Results. It indicates that the work submitted for that unit demonstrates achievement of the specified outcomes for satisfactory completion of the unit.

SBAT School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship - an apprenticeship or traineeship undertaken in the VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major, with at least one day a week spent on the job or in training during the normal school week

Scaling Subject scores for VCE Unit 3&4 subjects are sometimes statistically modified by the VTAC when calculating an ATAR, and can therefore either be increased slightly, decreased slightly or remain unchanged. This varies from year to year and should not be the basis for choosing Unit 3-4 subjects

School-assessed Coursework (SAC) SACs are made up of a number of assessment activities specified in the study design. These activities are used to assess the learning outcomes.

School-assessed Tasks (SAT)

SATs are extended assessment tasks in studies such as Art, Visual Communication, Product Design and Technology, Media and Studio Arts, where products and/or models are assessed.

SEA Special Examination Arrangement

Semester Equivalent to half a school year

Special Provision Special Provision aims to provide students in defined circumstances with the opportunity to participate in and complete their secondary level studies. These circumstances may include physical or mental disabilities, illness, personal circumstances or other barriers to learning. Students apply to their school for Special Provision for both classroom learning and school-based assessment.

Statement of Results A set of documents that states a student’s VCE results, and if relevant, whether the student has been awarded the VCE.

Structured workplace learning for VET (SWL)

On-the-job training that enables students to develop their work skills and understand employer expectations while completing their VCE.

Subject A subject that can be undertaken as part of an approved VCE or VM course

Subject Study Design Outlines the knowledge and skills that a student is to be taught within a VCE Subject, as outlined by the VCAA

Subject Score A score from 0 to 50 which indicates how well the student performed in a subject, relative to all other students across the state undertaking that same subject. It is based on the results of school assessments and examinations

TAFE Technical and Further Education Institute

Unit of Competency The specified standard for the demonstration of skills, knowledge and abilities required for a specific work activity. Units of Competency obtained from the completion of up to 180 nominal hours drawn from multiple VET qualifications

Units Units are semester-length programs that make up each VCE study or subject. Students typically study Units 1 and 2 of the study in their first year of the VCE, and Units 3 and 4 in their second year.

VCAA Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

VCE The Victorian Certificate of Education. An accredited senior secondary course leading to the award of a senior secondary qualification. (Usually undertaken across Years 11 and 12)

VCE VET Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are undertaken as programs of study within the VCE and contribute to satisfactory completion of the VCE.

VCE-VM VCE Vocational Major is an applied learning program of study with a vocational focus within the VCE designed to be completed over 2 years.

VTAC The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. This body administers the selection system for Victoria’s tertiary institutions

VICTORIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

Assessment

In the VCE and VCE-VM, ‘assessment’ refers to those activities undertaken to determine whether a student has demonstrated satisfactory completion of each outcome for a subject and, in scored VCE, to measure the level of achievement (VCAA VCE Assessment). The VCAA regulates and, in some cases, administers the assessment of all students undertaking the VCE and VCE-VM.

Assessment of secondary students undertaking VCE and VCE-VM must be fair, valid and reliable. This means that the assessment task measures student achievement of the outcome, the assessment task consistently and accurately measures learning and that the assessment task used does not disadvantage particular students.

Assessment for levels of achievement for each subject is outlined in the relevant Subject Study Design. All VCE and VCE-VM Studies make use of school-based assessments, (e.g. SACs, SATs, Semester Examinations, homework). In addition, Unit 3-4 VCE subjects and scored VET subjects also require the completion of externally set assessments, such as written examinations.

In VCE Units 1 & 2 studies, (i.e. Year 11 subjects), a student may be awarded a Satisfactory (‘S’) or NonSatisfactory (‘N’) result for each unit. These unit results are recorded by the VCAA and contribute to the overall completion of the VCE. Graded assessment in Units 1 & 2 is school-based only and does not impact a student’s final VCE marks. Students must receive an ‘S’ for every outcome to be awarded an ‘S’ for the unit; i.e. if a student receives an ‘N’ for just one outcome, they receive an ‘N’ for the entire unit (see example below).

There are two forms of graded school assessment for VCE Units 3 & 4 studies – School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) and School-Assessed Tasks (SATs). The score weighting for each piece of school-assessed work is specified for each subject and is found in the Subject Study Design. The specific tasks for assessment in Units 3 & 4 studies are outlined each year in the relevant subject’s Study Design.

For example:

In VCE Units 3 & 4, (i.e. Year 12 subjects), students are awarded an ‘S’ or ‘N’ result for each unit of work as well as marks from graded assessments. The marks from these graded assessments, (both school-based and external assessments), in VCE Units 3 & 4 count towards a student’s subject score in each VCE Subject and ultimately towards a student’s ATAR. It is worth noting that to obtain a Study Score for a Unit 3 & 4 Subject, an ‘S’ must be obtained in both Units 3 & 4 of that Subject. Students must receive an ‘S’ for every outcome to be awarded an ‘S’ for the unit; i.e. if a student receives an ‘N’ for just one outcome, they receive an ‘N’ for the entire unit and the whole subject.

Assessment details for VCE

Assessment information for all VCE Studies is published annually by the VCAA and is available in the VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026.

The weighting for different assessments for Units 3 and 4 can also be found in the appendices of this document: please note that some subjects will change if they have a new Study Design.

Assessment details for VCE-VM

A range of assessment methods can be used to verify the successful completion of learning outcomes for each VM unit in the VCE VM learning program. These learning outcomes encompass broad generic skills which are important for active citizenship, work and further education along with specific skills for each of the main areas:

• Literacy

• Numeracy

• Work-related Skills

• Personal Development Skills

Documented evidence may be obtained from selfassessment, teacher observation, written work, oral tasks and debates, folios, and the performance of practical tasks, etc.

Satisfactory Completion of the VCE Certificate

To be awarded the VCE Certificate, the VCAA requires that students satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, (i.e. from Units 1, 2, 3 & 4), which must include:

•at least three units from the English Group, two of which must be a Unit 3 and 4 sequence (Literature, English Language and EAL may also be undertaken for this requirement).

It should be noted that satisfactory completion of both Units 3 & 4 of an English sequence is required to obtain an ATAR.

•an additional three Unit 3 and 4 sequences of studies, which can include further sequences from the English Group and may include up to two VCE VET sequences.

• VCE VET Programs

• VCE VET Programs Scored Assessment

Independent, high-achieving and interested VCE students may benefit from including one of the VCAA approved higher education studies Satisfactory completion of an approved HES will contribute towards a students’ VCE as a Unit 3-4 sequence without a study score. The VCAA publishes a list of approved studies each year. Prerequisites or co-requisite requirements apply.

Some VCE units are considered by the VCAA to be equivalent to other units, and there are restrictions on the number of equivalent units that can be credited towards satisfactory VCE completion. If a student undertakes equivalent units, only one of these can count towards satisfying the minimum requirements for award of the VCE (see Equivalent studies).

To be awarded a VCE VM Certificate, the VCAA requires that students satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, which must include:

• three VCE VM Literacy units or units from other studies in the English group (including a Unit 3-4 sequence)

• two VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units

• two VCE VM Work Related Skills units

• two VCE VM Personal Development Skills units

• two VET credits at Certificate II level or above (students may accrue two units of credit following the completion of Units of Credit (UoCs) to the total of 180 nominal hours drawn from multiple VET qualifications).

VCE VM Literacy Units 1-4 is available for students enrolled in an eligible VCE VM program only. VCE VM Literacy does not generate a study score and cannot contribute towards the ATAR. In addition to their Unit 3-4 sequence from the English group, students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3-4 sequences as part of their program. A full description of what constitutes a unit can be found in the VCAAproduced VCE Administrative Handbook on the VCAA website.

Students will receive the appellation of ‘Vocational Major’ on their VCE certificates upon satisfactorily completing the VCE VM program.

Students at senior level require a minimum of 90 hours of completed VET units of competency. The award of satisfactory completion for a unit in the VCE or VCE-VM program is based on the teacher’s judgement that the student has achieved the set outcomes specified for the unit. This decision is based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall performance in the assessment tasks designated for the unit and whether:

• All specified criteria have been met

• The work is clearly the student’s own

• The work was submitted on time

• There has been no breach of rules, including the school’s attendance rules.

If a student’s overall performance on the assessment tasks is poor, the student’s performance on homework and class work designated for the unit may also be taken into consideration.

In VCE Units 3 and 4, the vast majority of students will demonstrate satisfactory completion by completing the coursework assessments required for the award of a grade. Some students, however, will not initially meet the standard determined by the teacher as satisfactory. If, in the judgement of the school, the work submitted by a student for coursework assessment does not meet the requirements for satisfactory completion, the school may allow students to submit further work to meet the requirements for satisfactory completion. Generally, schools will do this in accordance with their existing policies and procedures for the redemption of work. Note that this further work cannot be re-marked for the coursework assessment score.

Authentication

VCE-VM students must only submit work which is their own for assessment (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, pages 76-79). All assistance received by the student in producing the work must be acknowledged and be obvious to the reader.

Students must be responsible for ensuring that the teacher has no difficulty in authenticating their work. They should understand that teachers cannot authenticate work about which they have doubts until further evidence is provided.

For School-Assessed Tasks, students must also:

1. Produce appropriate evidence of the development of the work, from planning and drafting, through to the final piece of work. This will enable the teacher to monitor and record the development of the work and to attest that the work is the student’s own.

2. Submit evidence of the development of each School-assessed Task (for example a sketchbook).

3. Sign the Authentication Record for School-assessed Tasks (see appendices) whilst completing the task. This declaration states that all unacknowledged work is the student’s own.

4. If a SAT is lost, stolen or damaged, a report must be filed to VCAA. The authentication records are used to determine an initial assessment.

Teacher Assistance

All changes made in the various stages of development of a School-assessed Task (see Appendix B)must represent the student’s work.

It is appropriate in the developmental stages of the work for the teacher to ask questions and to offer general advice, for example about alternative strategies that might be tried. However, the teacher must not dictate or make changes in such a way as to put into question the student’s authorship or ownership of the work.

Teachers’ written comments should be made on only one draft of each School-Assessed Task. Where written comments are made, the draft containing the teacher’s comments must be initialled and dated by the teacher and attached to the piece of work that is finally submitted.

Teachers should distinguish between pointing out the areas in student work which require attention and development, and the responsibility of the student to act on that advice. The responsibility for acting on advice remains with the student.

The following forms of teacher assistance are appropriate - please note that the VCAA stipulates that at least one set of comments provided by teachers should be in writing:

• Providing oral and/or written comments which identify the need for students to further explore their response to the topic and/or the link between what they have written and the assessment criteria.

• Highlighting areas requiring student attention –these areas might include expression, structure, sequencing of ideas, punctuation, spelling, use and citation of resource and reference material, use of terminology or vocabulary, use of subject-specific conventions, accuracy of mathematics, and need for checking results.

• Asking students whether their choice of words is the best for conveying the intended meaning

• Asking questions about aspects of written text, seeking to clarify meaning or elaborate on detail.

The following forms of teacher assistance are not appropriate:

• Providing detailed advice on, corrections to, or actual reworking of, students’ drafts, production, or folios.

• Providing structured outlines with detailed suggestions or instructions for completing work that may constitute undue assistance.

• Providing or interpreting data, providing content or concepts not already mentioned by the student in draft work or their design briefs.

Teachers are required to use the Authentication Record for School-assessed Tasks to record their monitoring of each student’s development of work.

The Authentication Record for School-assessed Tasks requires three recorded observations of individual work done in class. The teacher and student must sign each recorded observation. The Authentication Record for School-assessed Tasks Pro-forma is provided in Appendix B.

The teacher may consider it appropriate to ask the student to demonstrate their understanding of the task at or about the time of submission of the work.

The work will be assessed only if the teacher can attest that, to the best of her or his knowledge, all unacknowledged work is the student’s own.

Breach of Rules of Authentication

Teachers must satisfy themselves about the authenticity of any student work if that work:

• Is not typical of other work provided by the student

• Is inconsistent with the teacher’s knowledge of the student’s ability

• Contains unacknowledged material

• Has not been sighted and monitored by the teacher during its development Teachers should not assess such work until sufficient evidence is available to show that the work is the student’s own.

The student must provide evidence that the work submitted is their own and was completed in accordance with VCAA requirements (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, pages 76-79). To obtain the necessary evidence, students may be required to:

• Provide evidence of the development of their work, e.g. drafts, data or information sheets

• Discuss the content of the work with the teacher and answer questions to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the work

• Provide samples of other work

• Complete, under supervision, a supplementary assessment task (or test) related to the original task

• Attend a VCE/VCE-VM Appeals Panel interview or complete a test to demonstrate an understanding of the work

All VCE students are required to adhere to the VCAA VCE examination rules. Further issues may arise that involve cheating or theft of material related to the SAC or SAT.

In all cases, the teacher must advise the Senior Studies Coordinator immediately. Students will be interviewed by the VCE and VCE-VM Appeals Panel when issues of authenticity arise. Cautionary or disciplinary action will be taken after consultation with the Principal. Parents will be advised in writing of the action taken.

The student has the right to appeal to the VCAA Chief Executive Officer (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, student appeals, p. 87) within 14 days of written notification of the Panel decision (via letter available on PAM) on the grounds that:

• A breach has not occurred

• The penalty was too severe

The Principal (or their nominee) has the authority to:

• Reprimand a student

• Give the student the opportunity to resubmit the work if time permits

• Refuse to accept some or all the work depending on the specific circumstances of the situation, and therefore decide whether to award the task an ‘S’ or an ‘N’.

VCAA regulations and student rights regarding breaches of rules and investigations and the conduct of the VCE and VCE-VM Appeals Panel can be found in the VCE Administrative Handbook, available on the VCAA website.

Appeals Panel

The VCE and VCE VM Appeals Panel exists to monitor the progress of any VCE, VET or VCE VM student who:

1. fails to meet a revised deadline or resubmission date, 2. submits work that creates a problem of authentication,

3. submits work that does not fulfil the required criteria or,

4. breaches the rules of attendance.

A student who has been awarded a provisional ‘N’ by their subject teacher may appeal this decision by writing a formal letter to the Appeals Panel (to be emailed to: panel@nazareth.vic.edu.au) within 5 school days of written/email notification of the provisional ‘N’ result.

Students required to attend the Appeals Panel will be notified at least 48 hours before their Panel session via their Nazareth College email. Failure to attend will result in a decision being made in their absence. Appeals Panel sessions may be held either during the school day or after school day. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are available for their session.

Should the Appeals Panel uphold the ‘N’ result, an appeal against a school decision may be made by the student in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of the VCAA no later than 14 days after the student receives written notice of the decision (via a letter on PAM) from the school. This right of appeal does not apply to decisions about the satisfactory completion of a course arising from a student’s attendance, or other disciplinary decisions of a school not arising from a contravention of VCE and VCE VM assessment rules. This process is not conducted through the school.

Student Request for Appeals Panel

Referral Guidelines:

Student is required to contact the Appeals Panel within 5 school days via panel@ nazareth.vic.edu.au and arrange a session to appeal the provisional ‘N’ result.

Student will be notified via their Nazareth College email address.

Student attends VCE/VCE-VM Appeals Panel at the time specified by the Panel.

Student, parents, Head of House and teacher advised of VCE/VCE-VM Appeals Panel decision.

Signed acknowledgement Panel notification MUST be returned to the specified pigeonhole at Student Services.

Student may appeal the Panel’s decision in writing to the VCAA.

A student has the right to appeal the awarding of a provisional N result. A subject teacher can award a provisional N if the student is at risk of failing the Unit, for one of the following reasons:

• When they fail to achieve a satisfactory grade on a SAC resit

• When a student does not attend a scheduled SAC resit/reschedule without a medically certifiable absence (or other appropriate documentation)

• Plagiarism/cheating in School-Assessed Coursework/Task or an Assessment Task

• Repeated non-completion of homework

• Repeated absences without certification (i.e. below 90% attendance)

Please note: it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Appeals Panel via email (panel@nazareth.vic.edu. au) within 5 school days of receiving the provisional N if they wish to appeal the provisional N result awarded by the subject teacher.

Instructions for student emailing Panel to appeal a provisional ‘N’ result: Email is sent to panel@nazareth.vic.edu.au

Subject line: STUDENT NAME and HOUSE Body of email: Subject name and teacher

• Academic concern (as listed in the letter received for the Provisional ‘N’)

• Clear statement of the grounds for your appeal (i.e. why you believe you should not be receiving an ‘N’ result)

• Any other relevant information

• Attach any relevant medical certificates or other documents.

Appeals Panel appointments:

Students will receive notification of their Appeals Panel appointment 48 hours prior to the session, via their Nazareth email account. Appeals Panel sessions may occur during class time or at the conclusion of school. Appointment times are not negotiable: failure to attend will result in a decision being made inabsentia, with no further recourse at school-level.

Parents, Head of House, Pastoral Teacher and Subject Teacher are also notified of the time.

A student may bring a support person to an Appeals Panel hearing, but this person may not advocate on the student’s behalf (as per VCAA regulation 12 ‘Investigation of breaches of School-based Assessment).

Non-completion of Classwork and Homework

The VCE and VCE-VM programs require students to satisfactorily achieve all outcomes. Two vital components of these outcomes are the satisfactory completion of ongoing homework and classroom exercises.

A student who is not keeping up-to-date with her or his homework or classroom work is at risk of receiving an ‘N’ or equivalent grade for one or more Outcomes.

If a student does not complete homework or class work, the teacher must send the SiMON letter for homework/class work. This is sent to parents via PAM (in the case of no available email or PAM access, a physical copy will be sent).

Late Work and Unexplained Absence

All set work must be submitted by the given due date. This includes, but is not limited to: SACs, SATs, topic tests, assessment tasks, homework, revision etc. If a student is unsure of the due date, it is their responsibility to discuss this with the relevant subject teacher to ascertain the correct information. When work is not submitted by the correct due date, this will usually result in the work being awarded a provisional N. The awarding of an ‘N’ for the outcome results in an ‘N’ for the unit. A provisional N is also awarded if the revised date is not met OR further work in that subject is not submitted on time.

A School-Assessed Task (SAT) that is not submitted on the due date at the time specified in writing by the subject teacher cannot be graded beyond what the assessing teacher has assessed/viewed up until the due date. If a problem occurs such that the student cannot submit his/her SAT on the due date, the College should be contacted at the

latest, on the morning of the due date to advise the assessing teacher, Head of House and Senior Studies Coordinator about the problem. Where practicable, as much of the work as possible should be submitted by the due date so that some of the marks may be allocated to it. Additionally, the student must provide a letter to the Principal within 24 hours of the deadline, outlining the situation, should he or she wish the work to be considered for an ‘S’ result. Formal documentation must be provided to further substantiate the explanation given for the work being late (i.e. hospitalisation, funeral, etc.).

Extension of time for an individual student to complete a task is granted only in special circumstances (see Special Provisions on page 20).

The following flowchart outlines the process for dealing with work which is not submitted by the due date or for which the student is absent without legitimate reason.

A student:

1. Fails to submit work by due date or is absent on the day of assessment submission and 2. Fails to provide a medical certificate within 48 hours of return to school.

Subject Teacher sets a revised deadline for the resubmission /re-schedule of work (no later than 7 days after the initial due date).

Provisional ‘N’ awarded. Subject teacher completes the ‘Failure to submit work’or ‘SAC absence letter’.

2nd Instance, the student is immediately awarded an ‘N’ for the task/outcome.

Subject teacher emails parents. ‘N letter’ sent out.

Acknowledgment from parents received.

Student submits work which fulfils criteria by the revised due date.

Student awarded an ‘S’ and the teacher provides feedback, but a zero score is awarded for the task.

Student does not submit work by revised date or work is still unsatisfactory. ‘N’ result is awarded to the student. ‘N letter’ sent out.

Acknowledgment from parents received.

Criteria Not Met

Satisfactorily

All set work is expected to be completed and submitted at a standard which fulfils a set of stated criteria. This includes, but is not limited to SACs, SATs, topic tests, assessment tasks, etc. If a student submits partially completed work or work which is of a very low standard, this will be deemed not to have met the required criteria and

an ‘N’ (Not Satisfactory) may be awarded for this work. In turn, this may result in an ‘N’ outcome for the entire unit for that semester.

The following flow-chart outlines the process for dealing with work which does not satisfactorily meet the expected criteria.

A student submits work, but it does NOT meet the set criteria (minimum of 50%).

Subject teacher completes ‘Failure to meet criteria letter’ in SiMON and sets a revised date for resubmission/re-sit of the task. This provides the student the opportunity to redeem the outcome. The revised date is within 7 days of the original date. The original mark remains.

If this has occured in this subject before, the student immediately receives a provisional N for the task. Subject teacher completes “Provisional N letter” Student can appeal this decision.

Attendance Requirements

A student enrolled in VCE or VCE-VM is expected to attend 100% of classes in any unit. Failure to attend classes will result in the following:

• A recorded absence against that subject

• A letter to inform parents/guardians of missed classes

• Where a number of classes are missed without medical grounds, the teacher may not be able to authenticate the students’ work, and students will be required to meet with the VCE and VCE VM Appeals Panel.

Less than 90% of attendance in Year 11 or Year 12 studies may lead to an ‘N’ (‘Not Satisfactory’) result being recorded on the VCE, VCE-VM, or VET Certificate for that unit of work (regardless of numeric results achieved in Outcomes).

The VCAA clearly states that where students have completed work but there has been a substantive breach of the school’s attendance rules, the student may be awarded an N (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, Student attendance: p. 29).

Absence from School-based Assessments

Absence on the day of a SAC/Assessment Task (or part thereof) or when a SAT is due is unacceptable. If a student is absent on the day of a SAC/Assessment Task or a SAT due date, Student Services must be contacted by a parent or guardian by 9.00am that day (it is also recommended that students email the relevant subject teacher). A medical certificate or other formal documentation must accompany the official ‘Application to Complete Missed Work’ form (see Appendix A) within twenty-four hours when applying to sit the SAC/Assessment Task or submit the work or SAT on an alternate date. Should no medical certificate or formal documentation be available, students may apply to sit the SAC/Assessment Task or submit the work or SAT to demonstrate that they have achieved an Outcome; however, only partial or no marks shall be allocated for the task in this case. This application with supporting documentation attached must be submitted to the Senior Studies Coordinator or immediately upon return to school after their absence.

Student does NOT resubmit by revised date OR work still does NOT satisfy criteria.

‘Provisional N’ letter is sent.

Student submits work which fulfils criteria by the revised due date.

‘S’ is granted (with original mark) and feedback from teacher.

Student has the right to appeal the awarding of the provisional N by contacting the Senior Studies Appeal Panel and requesting to be heard (see Appeals flow diagram).

A Medical Certificate or official documentation (e.g. summons for attendance in court; notice of funeral, etc.) must be supplied for all VCE absences. It is the student’s responsibility to hand this documentation to their the Senior Studies Coordinator for approval, who will pass it on to Student Services for central electronic recording and placement in the student’s file. Subject teachers need to consult the central records or Student Services to confirm legitimate absences.

Absences of two or more consecutive subject lessons should be reported by the Subject Teacher to the Pastoral Teacher and/or Head of House.

Permission for scored assessment of missed work will only be granted if the original work was missed due to a serious reason (e.g. medically certified illness, funeral etc.) over which the student had no control. Outstanding work must be completed at the College on the day of return to school or, if this is not possible, after school within five (5) school days of the date that the original assessment took place. Assessment tasks will be rescheduled at the soonest available opportunity: this may be during a study period on the day of the student’s return to school or on a Tuesday after school. When not completed on the day of return to school, students will be advised in writing of the time and date they need to complete the missed work. Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the student to check these details (via Nazareth College email) if they are not sure of the revised date. If approved, a student will be given only one opportunity to complete the school-based assessment at a later date. Students should expect to complete the SAC on the day of return and prepare thoroughly before returning unless otherwise agreed.

Failure to attend at this scheduled time or nonsatisfactory completion of the piece of work will result in no further time being offered to the student. Consequently, this may lead to an ‘N’ result and a zero grade for that part of the work as appropriate.

Furthermore, if a student misses a SAC/Assessment Task or fails to submit a SAT by the due date, subject teachers are required to alert the Head of House and the student’s parents on the due date via the ‘SAC Absence letter’ in SiMON.

Absence – SACs and other Assessment Tasks - VCE and VCE VM (Years 11 & 12)

The following flowchart outlines the process for dealing with absence from a scheduled SAC or assessment task.

A student is absent on the day of assessment/submission.

Subject teacher completes the “SAC Absence Letter” (in SiMON) to notify the student, parents, Pastoral Teacher and Head of House.

The student completes an “Application to complete missed work” (Appendix A), attaches supporting documentaion (e.g. Medical Certificate), and returns it to the Senior Studies Coordinator by email or on the day of return to school.

The student is expected to complete the missed SAC on the day of return to the College during a study period or on a Tuesday after school (day 2 and day 7), whichever comes first.

The student will receive an email outlining the rescheduled date, time, and location. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Nazareth College email address.

Parents will receive a PAM notification outlining the rescheduled date, time, and location.

1. The Senior Studies Coordinator confirms task is approved for grading.

2. Student sits the rescheduled task which fulfils criteria by the revised due date.

Record of Attendance

A record of attendance will be kept by each subject teacher as part of VCE and VCE VM record keeping. Absences of more than two periods per cycle should be covered by a letter from a parent or guardian and a medical certificate or other formal documentation. It is the responsibility of the student to find out the work that was covered and homework set during a missed class. During the semester a Record of Attendance letter (in SiMON) will be sent to parents where there is an area of concern, i.e. the student is in danger of failing the 90% minimum attendance requirement.

VCE with a VET and VCE-VM students are expected to attend 100% of their VET classes and work placement days. In the event of absence due to unforeseen and out of the students’ control circumstances, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their VET trainer or work placement supervisor, providing as much notice as possible of the absence.

Breach of Attendance Rules

Student misses a significant number of classes without appropriate medical certificates or other documentation.

The subject teacher completes the ‘Attendance concerns letter’ in

and

Student attends all further classes.

the

Student awarded an ‘S’ and the teacher provides feedback and a score is awarded for the task.

1. Student does not submit ‘Application to complete missed work’ and/or

2. The application is determined by the Senior Studies Coordinator to have insufficient grounds for consideration for grading.

Provisional ‘N’ letter in SiMON and the student may be awarded a zero for the assessment.

Acknowledgement’ from parents received.

Subject teacher completes “Failure to meet attendance criteria (single subject) letter to notify the student, parents, Pastoral Teacher and Head of House.

Student provides evidence within 7 days that attendance has been authorised. ‘S’ granted

continues to be absent from classes. Evidence not provided

granted

Informing Students of Assessment Details

Subject teachers will provide written/printed details for each assessment at least one week before the assessment (SAC/SAT announcement sheet). This will include the date of assessment, length of task (time and marks/word limits), assessment criteria, topic(s), format, and allowable materials.

Calendar

Subject teachers are required to submit due dates for assessment tasks with all the relevant information (SAT/SAC/assessment task number and title and the teacher’s name) to the Unit 3-4 SAC Calendar (Year 12) and the Unit 1-2 SAC Calendar (Year 11).

The Senior Studies Coordinator will distribute the calendar to all VCE teachers and students via SiMON/ PAM (Knowledge Banks > Learning Handbooks and Forms). It should be noted that some dates might change due to unforeseen circumstances. Subject teachers must consult with the Senior Studies Coordinator before confirming changes in assessment dates and students must be provided with the amended date in print/email with at least one week’s notice but preferably before the release of the SAC announcement sheet.

Requests for rescheduling or an extension for a VCE assessment are extremely rare. Please see the section on “Special Provision” and Appendix D for the conditions under which rescheduling, or extension may be considered.

Assessment Completion

Most school-based assessment tasks will be completed in class time in Year 12 and Year 11. Where there are multiple classes of the same subject, Unit 3 – 4 school-based assessments will be completed during scheduled study periods. It is the students’ responsibility to check the VCAA VCE Authorised materials and equipment. When an extended time is allocated to the SAC/assessment task (i.e. several lessons), the teacher will collect the student work at the end of each lesson (including data/information sheets) and redistribute it at the commencement of the next lesson, or break down the SAC/assessment task into sub-tasks to be completed in timetabled classes.

For authentication purposes, SATs are to be completed mostly in class; however, it is understood that some work needs to be done outside of the lesson time. It is therefore the student’s responsibility to discuss their ideas with the teacher, have their developing work sighted, and regularly submit their Authentication Record to the teacher to authenticate student work.

Use of Technology

During SACs, assessment tasks and SATs, unless it is stipulated in the subject study design that computer technology must be used, computers and other digital devices will not be used. Where technology is permitted for use, please refer to the VCE Administrative Handbook on student responsibility and authentication of student work (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, Authentication: pg. 76-79). Note that computer misuse or malfunction is not an acceptable reason for failure to submit work.

Verification

It is the responsibility of Learning Areas to develop criteria sheets that are used to assess all students in a subject. It is also the responsibility of Learning Areas to determine what constitutes satisfactory completion of criteria and outcomes (based on the relevant VCE Subject Study Design and VCE Administrative Handbook).

Students should be advised of the criteria that will be used for assessment (as noted above).

In all studies, work should be cross-marked, or benchmarks should be established to ensure consistency of judgement.

Feedback

Teachers are expected to give meaningful feedback to students at the relevant times and in an appropriate format. For formative assessment, this will usually be within a few days of submission, and always before the summative assessment. For summative assessment (i.e. assessment task, SAC or SAT), this will be in written format within two weeks of the completion of an assessment task. Students must be provided with a copy of each completed school-based assessment, and the initial result for each assessment task. In 2026, the earliest date the VCAA allows schoolassessed tasks (SAT) to be returned is 30 October. Teachers must have access to assessment tasks until the end of year in which it was completed.

All feedback to students for SACs and SATs for Year 12 (Units 3 and 4) work must be given the disclaimer that it is subject to statistical moderation by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. This means that the marks allocated (no grades are to be used) by the subject teacher for that work will be altered by the VCAA as part of its statistical moderation process (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, Statistical moderation: p.102).

The final results for students’ Units 3 and 4 subjects, will be available on Thursday 10 December 2026. These results will be issued to students by the VCAA.

Grading Scale (Year 11)

The grading scale to be used to grade students in Year 11 is the same as the scale used to assess students in Years 7 to 10, as outlined below.

% RANGE LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT

95 – 100% Outstanding

90 – 94% Excellent

80 – 89% Very Good

Acceptable

50 – 59% Needs attention 35 – 50% Unacceptable

<35% Attempted, but not within assessable grades

The grading scale to be used to estimate indicative grades for Year 12 is to be based on the grading scale used for that subject in the previous year’s examination. This information is posted on the VCAA website.

The VCAA Special Provision Policy aims to provide students in defined circumstances with the opportunity to participate in and complete their secondary-level studies. The objective is, as far as possible, to remove the barriers to a student demonstrating their capabilities in a subject if their learning and assessment programs are affected by disability, illness, impairment or other circumstances. Special provisions should provide equivalent, alternative arrangements for students but not confer an advantage to any student over other students.

Eligibility

A student is eligible for Special Provision if, at any time during their VCE, they are adversely affected in a significant way by:

• an acute or chronic illness (physical or psychological)

• factors relating to personal circumstance

• an impairment or disability, including learning disorders.

The adverse circumstances affecting the student must in no way be within the control of the student. For example, a student who nominates for a student representative position may not then claim a disadvantage on grounds related to that position.

Prolonged absence from school or a subject is not in itself grounds for Special Provision.

For the Special Provision Policy and latest advice refer to the VCAA special provision webpages (VCAA Special Provisions) or ask the Director of Wellbeing, the Senior Studies Coordinator, Learning Diversity Team, and the College Counsellor.

Students may apply to their school for special provisions for both classroom learning and schoolbased assessment. The College may apply to the VCAA on behalf of a student for Special Examination Arrangements (SEA) by submitting evidence; however, the decisions are granted by the VCAA (not the College). Submissions for special examination arrangements are completed in collaboration with the Learning Diversity Team, College Counsellor and the Senior Studies Coordinator.

Forms of Special Provision

Special provision is available to VCE students for classroom learning and school-based assessments and VCE external assessments.

There are two forms of special provision, each of which is explained below:

• Special Examination Arrangements (SEA) - Students may be granted provision, which allows them to fully demonstrate what they know and can do in VCE external assessments, including the General Achievement Test (GAT). These provisions must be approved by Nazareth College and by the VCAA.

• Administrative and Reporting - This involves acknowledgement of students’ special needs through either enrolment (e.g. Compassionate Late Withdrawal or Interrupted Studies) or reporting strategies.

Assistance – Strategies Approved by the School

The VCAA has delegated responsibility to schools for the approval of applications and the implementation of school–based strategies, most particularly for Units 1 and 2 students. Students may apply using the ‘Application for Special Provision for School-based Assessment and Unit Completion’ in Appendix D.

Strategies approved for students at Nazareth College are designed to replicate VCAA strategies and may include:

• Using options for assessment within the VCE

• Provision of facilities and technology

• Re-scheduling of assessment tasks

• Extra time to complete work for unit completion or School-assessed Coursework

Nazareth College is required to retain documentation to support decisions concerning special provisions. Such documentation may include medical certificates and medical reports. Other documents, such as reports from social workers, youth workers or other professionals may be appropriate in certain circumstances.

Special Examination Arrangements – Strategies Approved by the VCAA

Units 3 and 4 students wishing to access these strategies are required to request that Nazareth College submits an application to the VCAA on their behalf. Approval for these provisions can only be made by the VCAA.

Strategies include:

• Special examination arrangements, including the GAT

• Special supervision arrangements, due to illness or disability

• Administrative and reporting provisions, including compassionate late withdrawal and interrupted studies status

• Exemption from the GAT

• Arrangements for when the student has a comparative unfamiliarity with the English language

Further details are available in the VCE Administrative Handbook ‘Special Provision’ section. Further information is also available from the Director of Wellbeing, the Senior Studies Coordinator, Learning Diversity Team and the College Counsellor.

Derived Examination Score – DES

In particular cases, some students may be eligible to apply to the VCAA, through Nazareth College, for a Derived Examination Score. This would apply to students who have experienced considerable

hardship just before (approximately 2 weeks) or during their end-of-year examinations.

Students are only eligible for a DES for a VCE examination if they meet all of the following criteria:

1. (i) They experience the onset of an illness or the occurrence of an injury or personal trauma in the period before or during a performance, oral or written examination; or, (ii) They experience a serious intervening event that has affected their performance in the examination or has prevented them from attending the examination.

2. They provide independent professional written evidence that demonstrates that the illness, injury, personal trauma or serious intervening event has affected their performance in the examination or has prevented them from attending the examination.

A ‘personal trauma’ may include but is not limited to death, serious illness or an accident involving a family member or family break-up.

A ‘serious intervening event’ may include but is not limited to an accident on the way to or at an examination, attendance at a funeral of a family member or other person of a close relationship, or the required attendance at a court proceeding.

Students cannot apply for a Derived Examination Score based on:

• long-term or chronic illnesses

• conditions for which the student has already been granted special examination arrangements

• misreading the examination timetable

• matters the student could have avoided.

Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to initiate a DES application and to complete the required paperwork. Applications must be made at the time of the examination in question. The VCAA must receive your application no later than 7 days after the student has sat their final examination. Relevant supporting documentation is essential and the Examinations Chief Supervisor (i.e. the VCAA-appointed exam supervisor, not a Nazareth College staff member) must complete a section of the application.

Therefore, it is essential that you immediately advise the Senior Studies Coordinator or Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning of such illness, accident or personal or unforeseen circumstance.

The College Principal is required to recommend your DES application to the VCAA. The VCAA is responsible for approval and will advise each student of its decision in writing.

COMPLETING VCE UNITS WITHOUT CALCULATION OF A STUDY SCORE

Nazareth College is committed to supporting students with individual needs in completing their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Completing VCE Units without calculating a study score is available for individual students. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) considers the completion of VCE without calculation of a study score an atypical program and not an alternative VCE program for a cohort of students (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, p. 13)

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) provides flexibility under certain circumstances to satisfactorily complete units without being assessed for levels of achievement in all or any graded assessments. The VCAA acknowledges students’ individual needs and allows students to vary from the usual VCE program to an atypical program if they require additional support (Completing VCE units without the calculation of a study score).

Students who complete VCE units with or without the calculation of a study score are required to:

• be assessed for satisfactory completion of each outcome

• participate in school-based assessment (SBA) for levels of achievement, even if a score is not provided to VCAA. The conditions under which the SBA is to be completed may be varied

The decision to award an ‘S’ for a unit must be distinct from the assessment level of achievement. A teacher’s judgement when determining the satisfactory completion of a VCE unit must be consistent for all students. A student may be eligible for the award of the VCE if they have submitted a range of set work (learning activities) and assessment tasks (including SBA) for satisfactory completion of units (VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, p.5).

The completion of VCE units without the calculation of study scores has implications as these students may not be eligible for an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and won’t have access to some postschool pathways.

Examples of circumstances, where it is appropriate to offer the option of completing VCE without the calculation of a study score include the following:

• illness and/or absence

• mental health and wellbeing issues

• clear and well-supported post-school aspirations that do not require an ATAR, for example, an apprenticeship

• other specific and personal circumstances (not based on academic results).

In collaboration, the Senior Studies Coordinator, the Learning Diversity Leader, and the Counsellor discuss the most appropriate conditions under which schoolbased assessments are to be completed for individual students. Relevant subject teachers will collate evidence to support a satisfactory or non-satisfactory achievement of outcomes.

Nazareth College encourages students to consider delaying the decision to do VCE units without calculation of study scores until at least after Term 1 of the academic year, to allow for possible changes of mind or change in circumstances. Delaying the initial decision allows ample time to process information and ensure an informed decision. A student may benefit from having clarity and the College encourages students to decide before Semester 1 reports are due but no later than Monday 15 June 2026. In some circumstances, the decision to complete VCE units without calculating a study score can be made at a later point during the study of Units 3 and 4, for example when an apprenticeship is confirmed and an ATAR is not required.

To determine individual student suitability for completing VCE units without the calculation of a study score, Nazareth College collaborates with the student, their parents/carers, and school staff through a supportive and informed decision-making process. Other options to support the student to complete the VCE will be considered, such as accessing Special Provision including deferral of studies, if appropriate. Students and their parents/carers/guardians are required to provide informed written consent and encouraged to read the Student and Parent/Carer Fact Sheet.

The following flow chart sets out the steps the College will take to address an individual student’s suitability for completing VCE units without the calculation of a study score:

A student initiates a conversation with the Head of House to discuss their progress. The Head of House informs the Senior Studies Coordinator (SSC).

The SSC provides the Student and Parent Carer Fact Sheet to the student and their parents/ guardians.

Consult with educational support staff and relevant student teachers (for relevant subjects) regarding the student’s progress and achievement. Inform relevant Instructional Leaders.

Options for Special Provision, including deferral of studies, are discussed with the appropriate staff and the student.

Appropriate support is put in place (learning support or wellbeing support).

Consult the VCE Vocational

and Vocational Education and Training (VET) coordinators.

Map the individual student’s options for completing the VCE, including VCE and Vocational Education and Training (VET) and VCE Vocational Major (VM) pathways.

Ensure the student’s program of VCE studies aligns with their post-school goals and aspirations.

Explain what a student must achieve to demonstrate satisfactory completion of the outcomes in their units for each study.

Explain the requirements of the General Achievement Test (GAT).

The student and parents/guardians sign the consent form and submit the form to the SSC.

The SSC checks that all signatures are in place and passes the form to the Learning support team, which informs the student, their parents/guardians, and staff of the final decision, including teachers, the pastoral teacher, the Head of House, the Senior Student Management Coordinator, the relevant Instructional Leader, Senior Studies Coordinator, Director of Operations, Director of Wellbeing, the Learning Diversity Leader, the Counsellor, and the Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning.

The Director of Operations adjusts the student records in VASS to reflect ‘NA’ instead of scores, to be checked and signed off by the relevant subject teacher.

The Senior Studies Coordinator in collaboration with the Learning Diversity Leader, the Counsellor, and the subject teacher discuss the most appropriate conditions under which school-based assessments are to be completed for individual students. Relevant subject teachers will collate evidence to support a satisfactory or non-satisfactory achievement of outcomes.

Ongoing support is provided to support the student through follow-up discussions and review of support needs.

WITHDRAWAL OR TRANSFER FROM A UNIT/SUBJECT UNIT 3 & 4 EXAMINATIONS

N.B. This is different from changing a subject.

Withdrawal from subjects is possible only under very special circumstances. Consultation must take place with parents, students, subject teacher(s), Head of House and the Senior Studies Coordinator. Students must see the Senior Studies Coordinator to complete and sign the appropriate form to withdraw from a unit. This also applies to units studied elsewhere. Failure to do so will result in an ‘N’ or equivalent result being recorded on the VCE or VCE VM certificate, as the information will not have reached the VCAA.

A student, leaving school or transferring to another school, must also see the Senior Studies Coordinator to complete and sign a VCE/VCE-VM Withdrawal Form.

The final day for withdrawal from or amendment to VCE including VCE VM Unit 3 – 4 sequences and VCE VET scored is Friday 24 April 2026

The final day for withdrawal from second semester VCE including VCE VM Unit 4 or VCE VET scored Unit 3 and Unit 4 units of competency is Friday 17 July 2026.

Students who have been granted permission to withdraw from a unit will be given a form with their VCE enrolment details to check. It is vital that students carefully check their VCE Enrolment Forms to ensure that all units being undertaken are listed, and that all other information is correct, prior to signing this form and returning it to the Senior Studies Coordinator.

Examination

Policy - For the Senior School (Years 10-11)

The focus of assessment at these year levels is outcome-based, internal testing and external examinations. Year 11 students will have an examination period at the end of each VCAA unit. This helps in the preparation for Year 12. Examination performance is not to be used as the sole method for determining promotion. However, students who perform at a level which is deemed to be significantly below their capabilities may be asked to explain their performance to the Promotions Board, consisting of the Senior Studies Coordinator and Head of House and/or College Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning.

Year 11 Examinations

Examinations will take place both mid-year and end-of-year for Year 11 students. A timetable will be forwarded to parents and students in Term 2 and Term 4, and will be made available via SiMON/PAM. Students must sit an examination when scheduled (misreading the timetable is not a legitimate reason for rescheduling an examination).

Where a student has two examinations scheduled at the same time, the student must complete the Examination Clash Form which will be available on SiMON (Knowledge Banks > Learning Handbooks & Forms > Examinations Letter). Most rescheduled examinations will take place during the Examination Reschedule session made available in the examination timetable.

Should a student be ill for an examination, the student must supply a medical certificate and see the Senior Studies Coordinator upon their return to school to arrange a rescheduling of the missed examination. No examinations will be rescheduled outside of the examination period, nor before the scheduled examination time for the relevant subject.

Trial Examinations

All students undertaking Year 12 (Unit 3 - 4) VCE studies will be required to attend Trial Examinations from the end of Term 3 (17 - 18 September), 1 - 2 October (last two days of the school holidays) and 5 October (first day of Term 4 2026). Updates to these dates will be published in SiMON/PAM.

VCE Written Examinations and the GAT

Rules for the conduct of VCE Unit 3-4 examinations are published on the VCAA website and in the “VCE Examinations Navigator” (released in June each year). It is the student’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with these regulations (VCAA VCE examination rules).

Written examinations will take place at the end of the year; however, all students undertaking VCE, scored VET Unit 3 & 4 Subjects or VCE VM must complete the General Achievement Test (GAT), which will be held on Tuesday 16 June 2026. Additional details regarding Unit 3 & 4 examinations and the GAT will be provided to parents and students at the appropriate times during the school year.

Each written examination commences with a reading period that is included in the times shown in the timetable. Students must check the starting time of each examination and arrive well before the commencement time. Students must familiarise themselves with the rules about late admission to examinations. The VCAA reserves the right in all cases where a student is late to determine whether or not a student’s response materials/script books will be accepted.

All responses must be written in English, unless otherwise instructed, in the question/task book. Further details about the Unit 3 & 4 Examinations Timetable for 2026 can be found on page 26.

Oral and Performance Examinations

The following studies have an oral or performance examination scheduled from Monday 5 October to Sunday 1 November 2026:

• Performance examinations

• Language (all): oral examination

• Music Performance: performance examination

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

All VCE students must check relevant personal details for each academic year they enrol. To confirm enrolment, students must sign an agreement to abide by the rules and instructions relating to external and school-based assessments and general school rules.

Study Periods

A small number of Year 11 students may have study periods assigned as part of their regular timetable. During these periods, students are required to sign in to the Silent Study Centre or the Resource Centre (the room is allocated to the study period in the student’s timetable). Attendance will be counted towards their VCE requirement of at least 90% attendance. Students are to be seated at the tables closest to the staff offices, or on the computers in Area 1 (at the front of the Resource Centre). The Silent Study Centre and Resource Centre rules must be respected to ensure a silent and supportive learning environment.

Year 12 VCE students have regular study periods built into the timetable (see Table 1) and these times are available for students to undertake private study, either in the Silent Study Centre or in the Resource Centre (assigned in the student’s timetable).

Table 1: Year 12 Silent Study Periods (2026)

These students have been individually informed and are expected to sign in at the Silent Study Centre or the Resource Centre.

If a Year 12 Unit 3 & 4 teacher is absent

If a Year 12 Unit 3-4 VCE teacher is absent, students are assigned to the Silent Study Centre or the Resource Centre for silent study. The teacher will leave a lesson on SiMON for students to complete in their absence. Students are expected to arrive on time (as for a normal class period), have their attendance recorded, and be seated near the front of the room. Students are always supervised and must adhere to the Silent Study Centre and Resource Centre rules.

VCE VM Unit 3 – 4 students are assigned a separate room and a teacher will supervise the students completing work sent from their subject teacher via SiMON. VCE VM students will have their attendance recorded and counted to their minimum of 90% attendance requirement.

Failure to attend the Silent Study Centre or the Resource Centre during allocated study periods will result in an absence being recorded in the student’s attendance record and an after-school community service issued.

VET At Risk Notifications

All students are expected to be at school during their study periods.

At times, study periods will be used to complete SACs, examinations, VCE Assemblies, guest lectures, School Assemblies or Masses. Notification of such activities will be forwarded in advance via SiMON Notices and/or email. Students are expected to participate in such activities as required. Attendance at assessments conducted during these periods is administered in the same way as assessments held during scheduled class time. Students should not plan appointments or employment during these times.

In addition, some students may have other study periods allocated in their timetable for the following reasons:

• Completing a VCE-VET subject

• Accelerating in two Unit 3 & 4 VCE subjects in Year 11

• Completing a reduced load in Year 12 (medically or pastorally approved).

Students in VCE with a VET, VCE VM and Year 10 LEAP are expected to attend all scheduled VET lessons for the full duration of the class. Studying a VET requires the use of a VET Portal, which like SiMON, contains all Learning Area details, resources, assessments and submission of work through document uploading. VET trainers communicate with students via the VET Portal and VET email address.

It is a VET student’s responsibility to keep track of their learning and submit all work on the Portal by the due date. When a student is at risk of failing their VET Certificate, the VET Trainer or VET Department will contact the student. This is not something Nazareth staff are in control of, as VET trainers will make a professional decision about a student meeting the standards and achieving the Units of Competencies based on what they observe of the student’s contributions and work habits in lessons, practical skills in the VET environment, and knowledge based on assessment task responses. Non-attendance at VET can preclude a student from an assessment, which in turn impacts their ability to pass the full qualification.

Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities

Students are encouraged to take part in the range of extra-curricular activities offered by the College. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to balance these activities with their study workload.

Please note that the PE/sport uniform is not allowed to be worn to and from school. Students are to wear normal school uniform, change for their lesson/ competition, shower and revert back to their full school uniform for the remainder of the day.

Teachers will endeavour to plan school-based assessments at times outside planned extra-curricular activities; however, if there is a clash, priority will be given to the integrity and authenticity of the school-based assessment or external examinations. Therefore, students will be required to complete the school-based assessment.

TAFE, VET and VM Courses & Structured Work Placement

Year 11 and Year 12 students who are undertaking a TAFE, VET or VCE-VM course must commit themselves to full-time attendance at the appropriate TAFE institute and/or Structured Work Placement.

As representatives of Nazareth College in the wider community, it is expected that students are punctual, hard-working, and polite at all times. Inappropriate conduct may result in the College withdrawing the student from the TAFE course or Structured Work Placement and insisting that extra VCE units be undertaken instead.

Students whose VCE-VM course requires them to miss classes must communicate with teachers to catch up on work missed before the next scheduled class. The college reserves the right to recommend or withdraw recommendations for students to participate in VM courses.

Excursions

Many subjects require student attendance at excursions, field trips and performances so that core areas of the curriculum can be covered. Often the satisfactory completion of work is dependent on students taking part in these activities, which means that failure to attend may affect a student’s satisfactory completion of that subject.

A medical certificate or other formal documentation must be produced if a student is absent on such an occasion. In such instances, students may be required to undertake the excursion or an approved alternative in their own time.

Promotions

Mid-Year Process

At mid-year, a student who has not performed well may have a letter sent home to parents expressing concern about their progress. Please note that the term “performance” incorporates all areas of a student’s progress, including satisfactory completion of work, attendance, behaviour etc. A meeting may be arranged between the parents, student, Head of House, Senior Student Management Coordinator, Senior Studies Coordinator, Assistant Principal, or the College Principal to discuss these issues. Students may be given an official warning about their progress and be required to commit to a detailed plan to ensure improved performance. In some cases, where performance is deemed to be seriously unsatisfactory, the College may reconsider enrolment in Semester Two.

Selection Process

During the Subject Selection process, students will be required to gain teacher recommendations for progress into VCE subjects for the next year. Should a teacher not be willing to sign a recommendation, the student may not choose that subject. This decision can only be reversed by the student achieving the minimum standard (average 60%) across Semester Two in the relevant subject unit.

End of Year Process

In early Term 4, subject teachers will be asked to compile a list of students whose progress is a concern. The Promotions Board will interview these students and then make recommendations to the Principal. These recommendations may include that the student:

• be allowed to progress as planned

• not be allowed to select a subject due to previous behaviour and/or results in the subject

• be allowed to select a subject on a probationary basis

• not be allowed to progress to the next year level

The Promotions Board

The Nazareth College Promotions Board consists of at least 3 of the following:

• Senior Studies Co-Ordinator

• Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning)

• Head of House

• Assistant Principal (Staff and Students)

The Pastoral Teacher, Pathways Coordinator, Instructional Leader or Subject Teacher will be consulted as required.

The Promotions Board will make final recommendations to the Principal.

Student Complaints

If a student or parent/guardian has a complaint about the College’s compliance with the requirements set out in VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook 2026, the complaints procedure of the school must be followed. The College will respond in writing to any complaints and inform the student or their parent(s)/ guardian(s) of the outcome of any investigation conducted in relation to the complaint. If a student or their parent(s)/guardian(s) are not satisfied with the outcome from the school, their next step is to appeal to the Victorian Catholic Education Authority. If a student or their parent(s)/guardian(s) are not satisfied with the outcome of the above processes, they may contact the VCAA. Complaints must be made to the CEO of the VCAA no later than 14 days after receiving written notice of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority.

Subject Conversations

Nazareth College supports students in their desired pathway and subject selections by providing careers counselling and subject selection information, and by reviewing their strengths and areas for support and improvement. Senior students who selected a pathway or subjects in Year 10 and VCE that have a high chance of resulting in a lack of success, may place their wellbeing at risk. If students are awarded less than 50% across Units 1 and 2 of a VCE subject, the subject teacher will seek to review the student’s suitability to the subject. The subject teacher will discuss their concerns with the student and their Head of House.

Initially, the Head of House will meet with the student to discuss:

• Student’s perspective and post school objectives

• Current subjects and the results obtained for each subject

• Other subjects available

The Head of House will follow the initial meeting up with:

• Organising a careers counselling session for workarounds to get to the desired objective successfully

• Presenting different options for subjects in consultations with the Director of Organisation

• Encouraging students to change subjects by completing and submitting the subject change form to the Senior Studies Coordinator

If a student still insists on doing the subject, a parent meeting will be organised with the Senior Studies Coordinator, Head of House, and the Careers Team to present information to parents, to explain the concerns and to suggest alternative pathways or subject solutions.

If a student persists in wanting to do the VCE subject after the parent meeting, the student and parents/ guardians are asked to sign a letter acknowledging that the College has advised against the student taking the subject.

The student, if supported by the parent, is allowed to change the subject, or attempt the VCE subject.

FLOWCHART SUBJECT CHANGE

Student wants to change subjects.

Student discusses change with current subject teacher.

Student starts to fill out the “Application to Change Subjects” form located in SIMON Knowledge Banks>Learning Handbooks and Forms.

Student consults with the Careers and Pathways Coordinator. This is recorded on the form “Application to Change Subjects”.

Student meets with the Director of Operations to see what other subjects are available.

Student completes “Application to Change Subjects” form and parents sign form.

Student submits the form and meets with the Senior Studies Coordinator.

Senior Studies Coordinator seeks approval of Instructional Leader/subject teacher based on past performance and/or prerequisites.

If permission is granted by the Senior Studies Coordinator, the Director of Operations changes the student’s timetable in Timetabler and SIMON.

The student, teachers and parents are emailed about the changes by the Deputy Principal’s Executive Assistant.

The student changes classes when his or her timetable changes on SIMON.

FLOWCHART PATHWAY CHANGES

Student wants to change pathways. (e.g. VCE to VCE VM or vice versa)

Student discusses change with Head of House.

Student discusses pathway change with the VCE VM Coordinator, the VET Coordinator and the Careers Counsellor.

VCE VM Coordinator interviews the student and parent/guardian to discuss requirements and commitments for VCE VM.

If the VCE VM Coordinator approves of the change, the student is given the form “Application to Change Pathways”.

Student completes the form “Application to Change Pathways” and parents sign the form.

The form is submitted to the Senior Studies Coordinator and it is decided whether or not the student is permitted to change pathways.

Senior Studies Coordinator gives the form to the Director of Operations who changes the pathway of the student on Timetabler and SIMON.

The student, teachers and parents/guardians are emailed about the changes by the Deputy Principal’s Executive Assistant.

The student changes classes when his or her timetable changes on SIMON.

and Parent Approval

• Completed form mus be returned via email to Marjoleine.Dekker@nazareth.vic.edu.au or Julie.Carlin@nazareth.vic.edu.au

• Completing this form s NO guarantee that your pathway will be changed.

• Incomplete application forms may not be accepted.

• Student s responsible in ensuring future course/pathway eligibility is still accessible with this pathway change request

• It is the student's responsibility to catch up on missed work in their own time.

I confirm that, based on the school’s discussion with us, I give informed consent for the student to study VCE or VM Pathway, with a full understanding of how this may limit post-secondary school pathways.

Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: _________________ Was an interpreter used? YES [ ] NO [ ]

Office Use Only

Senior Studies Coordinator: Careers Advisor: Reason if change was NOT made:

Date Initial Date Initial Head of House: School Psychologist: (if applicable) Notes: Date Initial Date Initial Director of College Operations: VASS Timetable Initial Notes:

SENIOR SCHOOL - APPLICATION TO COMPLETE MISSED WORK 2026

• The student must complete this application online within 24 hours of the absence or immediately upon return if the absence doesn't exceed one day. LATE or INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

• Please submit this form with supporting evidence to the Senior Studies Coordinator online (email marjoleine.dekker@nazareth.vic.edu.au or ulie.carlin@nazareth.vic.edu.au).

• It is the student's responsibility to attend the SAC reschedule on the first day of their return to school No notification reminder will be sent

Application for Special Provision for School-Based Assessment and Unit Completion

Collection Notice The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is a statutory authority established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. The collection of personal information on this form is required to facilitate your application for Special Provision with your school. The personal information you supply in this application may be required by the VCAA for internal use only and will not be disclosed to any third party unless required by law.

This form is to be used and retained by the school, together with the supporting

School Name: NAZARETH COLLEGE VCAA School Code: ________________ (office use only) SECTION A - This section is to be completed by the Student 1) Student Details N VCAA Student Number:___________________ Date of application:____________

3. Date of missed Class/SAC/Assessment: ___________________ Duration of SAC (in minutes): ____________________

4. Subject Teacher signature: _____________________________ Date: ___________________________

5. Were you involved in any school activity (e.g., excursion) during the missed class/SAC/Assessment? Yes No If YES, give details and then go directly to part 8: _______________________________________

6. Were you away due to illness or any other unavoidable circumstance? Yes / No If YES, you must notify the Senior Studies Coordinator (within 24 hours of the absence) in the space below, giving reasons for your absence from the SAC/Assessment with supporting evidence attached to this sheet (e.g. medical certificate). Applications submitted without appropriate evidence WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Day: _____________ Period: _________________

2) Application Details

2.1 I am applying for the following (more than one box may be marked): ] additional time to complete work [ use of an aid [ ] use of technology to complete and present work [ ] rest breaks other (please specify)

7. Do you have a Study Period Scheduled?

8. Signatures: Student

I understand that f this application is approved, I will be required to complete he SAC / Assessment on the day of return to school, at the next earliest opportunity – during a study period or on Tuesday afternoon unless otherwise informed. It is my responsibility to check that his application has been approved. I understand that the SAC/Assessment needs to be completed within seven days of my absence, and I know that I need o obtain a signature from the relevant Subject Teacher and attach supporting documentation before submitting this form. Completed forms with supporting documentation must be returned before or, a the atest, on he day of returning to the College.

Signature: __________________________________________ (the information I have given is rue and correct) Parent Name: Signature: ________ ______

understand and support the

The completed Application Form with supporting documentation attached MUST be returned to the Senior Studies Coordinator. Parent/Guardian

Does not satisfy

Period the application covers from: ___________________ to __________________ 3)Studies List the studies in this application.

SECTION B

Schools should first complete the Office Use Only section in the table on the previous page.

4)Number of days absent from school

Note: The absence is not reported to the VCAA

] Term 1 ] Term 2 [ ] Term 3 [ ] Term 4

OR [ ] Semester 1 [ ] Semester 2

Please comment on student’s condition and level of effect and ustification for your decision/s. Include any other additional information you believe is relevant.

2026

Authentication Record for School-assessed Tasks and the Externally-assessed Tasks

Please complete the PDF form electronically or print it out and write in clear CAPITAL LETTERS. This form must be completed by the class teacher. It provides a record of the monitoring of the student’s work in progress for authentication purposes.

Student Information

Study Subject:__________________________________ School Assessed Task: _ Student Name:

5)Has the student been advised of the application outcome? [ ] YES [ ] NO

6) Checklist of the student’s supporting documents

[ Confidential teacher/coordinator’s report

[ Student’s signed statement of reasons for application

[ Qualified medical practitioner report/letter (if necessary)

[ Psychologist report/letter (if necessary)

[ Other report/letter (if necessary)

Number of ‘other’ documents _____

Teacher/coordinator’s signature

Principal’s signature

Acceptance of topic/folio topic/ plan/statement of intention/ design/ exploration/ proposal/ folio ideas

Observation of individual work in class (spaced over the duration of the task)

Observation 1 ___ / ___ 20___ Observation 2 ___ / ___ 20___ Observation 3 ___ / ___ 20___

Receipt of draft* for written comment as required in the procedures and rules for School-assessed tasks ___ / ___ 20___

Final submission ___ / ___ 20___

I declare that all resource materials and assistance used have been acknowledged and that al unacknowledged work s my own.

Student signature _______________________________________

This sheet is to be retained by the school, sighted by the principal or principal’s nominee and filed (see page 76-82 of the 2026 VCAA VCE Administrative Handbook) It should be produced if requested by the VCAA.

*The term “draft” in the case of the School-assessed Task should be interpreted as the stage at which any formal comment is made on the task.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS FOR YEAR

12 VCE (UNITS 3 & 4) STUDIES 2026

VCE studies and revised assessment in 2026

The results of school-based assessments and external assessments (including examinations) contribute towards a student’s study score in each VCE study and towards their ATAR. All VCE studies, excluding VM studies, have 3 graded assessments in each Unit 3–4 sequence, and include at least one external assessment.

Languages (CCAFL):

Armenian LO44

Bengali LO35

Bosnian LO50

Chin Hakha LO53

Croatian LO05

Dutch LO07

Filipino LO45

Hebrew LO11

Hindi LO36

Hungarian LO12

Karen LO55

Khmer LO16

Macedonian LO20

Persian LO32

Polish LO23

Portuguese LO33

Punjabi LO49

Romanian LO42

Russian LO24

Serbian LO25

Sinhala LO34

Swedish LO28

Tamil LO43

Turkish LO29

Languages:

Chinese First Language LO04

Indonesian First Language LO13

Japanese First Language LO15

Korean First Language LO37

Vietnamese First Language LO54

ASSESSMENT DETAILS FOR YEAR 12 VCE VET (UNITS 3 & 4) STUDIES 2026

VCE VET programs with scored assessment in 2026

All VCE VET programs with scored assessment have 2 graded assessments. All examinations are held at the end of the academic year unless otherwise noted.

USEFUL RESOURCES

The following websites provide an invaluable range of resources for students, parents and teachers.

Nazareth College www.nazareth.vic.edu.au

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools: www.macs.vid.edu.au

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA): www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC): www.vtac.edu.au

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: www.vic.gov.au/education

Australian Catholic University: www.acu.edu.au

Box Hill Institute: boxhill.edu.au

Deakin University: www.deakin.edu.au

Federation University: www.federation.edu.au

Holmesglen TAFE: www.holmesglen.edu.au

Kangan Institute: www.kangan.edu.au

La Trobe University: www.latrobe.edu.au

Melbourne Polytechnic: www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Monash University: www.monash.edu.au

RMIT University: www.rmit.edu.au

Southern Cross University: www.scu.edu.au

Swinburne University: www.swinburne.edu.au

The University of Melbourne: www.unimelb.edu.au

Victoria University: www.vu.edu.au

William Angliss Institute: www.angliss.edu.au

My Future – Australia’s Careers Information Service: www.myfuture.edu.au/

Youth Central link: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/