Higher School Certificate examinations: information regarding the certification of projects, submitted works and performances – For Principals and Head Teachers/Coordinators
The following important information relates to those HSC courses that include a project, submitted work or performance as part of the Higher School Certificate examination. These courses are:
- Dance
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- English Extension 2
- Industrial Technology
- Music (all courses)
- Society and Culture
- Textiles and Design
- Visual Arts.
Schools must ensure that their procedures allow effective supervision of their students’ work as they develop their projects and performances, especially in cases where work is done away from school. Note that, as it is intended that the syllabus content is taught through the development of submitted projects, most of the project is to be completed at school under the supervision of the supervising class teacher. Projects will only be marked away from school sites in exceptional circumstances and only with the express permission of the Board of Studies. Schools must be confident that this work can be effectively supervised and documented before giving students consent to begin such a project.
Students are not required to spend excessive amounts of time and/or resources on projects, submitted works or performances. They should be advised that it is their skills and talents that are being examined, not the quantity of materials nor the number of pages of their folios. Materials submitted as part of projects, submitted works and performances should have a purpose in relation to the project and its marking criteria.
Students are required to sign a statement that the project is their own original work, and that any material drawn from other sources or any outside assistance is acknowledged.
Teachers must certify that the work has been completed under their supervision, and that the Board’s rules for the project or performance have been followed. In all courses with projects or performances as part of the HSC examination, work on the project is integral to teaching and learning in the course. It is expected that supervising teachers will meet regularly with their students regarding the development of their projects, and will keep records of progress to date. A pro-forma has been developed for teachers to use for this purpose if they wish.
Principals must be able to endorse the teacher’s declaration. The Principal’s signature and that of the supervising teacher certify that the work:
- has been done under the teacher’s supervision
- is the student’s own work consistent with earlier drafts and other examples of the student’s work
- was completed by the due date.
Schools are also responsible for ensuring that projects and performances meet the course requirements for size, weight and duration. Please note that folio requirements for the projects submitted as part of the Design and Technology and Industrial Technology HSC examinations were amended, effective from 2011. These requirements include a page limit for folios. For further information, please refer to the Assessment and Reporting documents to be found in the Design and Technology and Industrial Technology HSC syllabus pages on the Board’s website.
Projects must not contain materials or processes that are dangerous to the health and safety of anyone involved. Prohibited weapons, replicas or related articles must not be used, produced or displayed. Please ensure that students understand the specific course requirements and that they can be penalised for projects and performances that do not comply. Please ensure that students understand that projects and performances will not be eligible for HSC public exhibitions and performances if they do not meet the Board’s requirements.
The following documents are available for download from Schools Online, in the ‘Memos and Documents’ section, and are also available via the links below. It is highly desirable that teachers supervising projects, submitted works and performances have a Schools Online profile, as communication with the Board shall, increasingly, take place on Schools Online rather than by hard copy.
- Information for Students, which reminds students of the requirement that their work must be certified, and of their responsibilities regarding their projects
- Information for Supervising Teachers, which provides guidance and advice on requirements for certification and best practice in monitoring and supervising work in progress
- a pro-forma (PDF) to assist in monitoring students’ work on their projects. The teacher may use this pro-forma to make notes on progress at various stages in the development of each student’s project.
For further information please refer to the sections in Assessment Certification Examination (ACE) Online regarding submitted works and practical examinations and also to HSC Performances and Submitted Works – Advice to Schools Regarding Content.
If you have questions about supervision and certification of projects, please contact Curriculum and Assessment Directorate at the Office of the Board of Studies on (02) 9367 8144 or (02) 9367 8191.