Queensland Core Skills Test (QCS)

A group of our Year 12 students will be sitting the Queensland Core Skills Test next Tuesday and Wednesday. The test of core skills consists of two multiple choice papers, one short response paper and one writing task. The students have been participating in a number of preparatory activities throughout the last two years, including practice papers, intensive training days with a QCS consultant and specific skill activities in Year Level Connect lessons. Our thoughts are with our students as they ty their best across the two days. Best of luck students!

Drafting & Turnitin

All students in Years 9-12 were presented with a refresher on the College’s Drafting Guidelines and the use of the plagiarism-detector software, Turnitin.

The purpose of drafting is to maximise the given potential of the student. In saying this, our College’s guidelines have a direct focus on the development of the necessary editing skills for students to improve the quality of their writing. The following are key elements of the guidelines:

• Students in Years 7 to 12 will be provided with the opportunity to submit one draft per assessment task. In some subjects, students are required to submit at various checkpoints instead of one draft submission.
• The submission of a draft is compulsory for every assignment.
• Students are to submit drafts on the due date as stated by the class teacher by 3.30pm.
• The College has an edit line process in place whereby the teacher will indicate any errors and comment on areas in need of improvement (Edit Feedback) in a particular section of the draft (as nominated by the student). General feedback will be provided on the remainder of the draft outside of the editing section.
• The ultimate responsibility for the quality of the final submission rests with the student. This requires students to use the feedback from their draft and make any necessary adjustments.

Some teachers have already reported an improvement in the overall quality of drafts being submitted. Teachers will continue to support teachers in their use of Turnitin as a tool to improve academic writing.

Assessment Period

We are well and truly in the assessment period of Term 3. Students need to ensure that they have their assessment dates written in their dairies and are completing the necessary work and revision for their various forms of assessment.

A Head Start into University!

Congratulations to Breanna Tanks who has just graduated as part of the University of Southern Queensland’s Head Start program. Breanna’s completion of the Australian Legal System (a first year university subject) gains her guaranteed entry into USQ. Additionally, Breanna gains 2 credits towards her QCE. Well done Bree!

Any Year 10 and 11 students who are interested in completing a Head Start subject over the summer holidays are encouraged to see Mr Hodge as soon as possible.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years