It is possible for students to study some HSC subjects externally. As a general rule students require permission from the Director of Studies to incorporate such studies as part of their Redfield curriculum. This will be forthcoming if it is felt that such studies are in the student’s best interest and that the he has sufficient motivation and self-discipline to persevere in the relevant undertaking. In general, students would be limited to one 2-unit course being studied externally. Exceptions to this rule will be considered with on a case by case basis. Over the years, the number of students taking on external studies has not amounted to more than about 10% of the relevant cohort, although the figure can vary from one year to another.
We judge whether a course of studies appears to be in a student’s interests if it is likely to be integral to the student’s preferred career path, or if it is likely to enhance the student’s HSC performance.
Note that some externally studied subjects are included in UAI calculations and others are not. There must be a clear career centred reason for attempting a subject that does not contribute to UAI. Such subjects restrict a candidate to 10 UAI units in Preliminary Year and so can seriously limit options at the end of Year 11, negatively affecting UAI at the end of Year 12.
Interested students should consult with their tutor and relevant academic staff prior to approaching the Curriculum Coordinator, preferably during the term prior to the commencement of the requested course.
The major avenues of external study are as follows:
The Saturday School of Community Languages.
This is available for students in junior high school as well as HSC studies. A prerequisite for admission is that the student have at least one parent who has fluency in the language. Each language generally has its own specific centre at which classes are held on Saturdays during term time. Regular attendance is compulsory. Among the languages successfully undertaken with the SSCL by Redfield students are Czech, Japanese and Maltese.
All applications must be processed by Redfield and the College has responsibility for entering the subject for the NSW School Certificate and HSC. HSC Assessments are forwarded directly to the BOS.
Open High School.
The Open High School is the correspondence arm of the NSW Department of Education, handling in general, Board of Studies languages other than ‘community’ ones. Most commonly at Redfield, this has involved French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin. Again, permission is required from the DOS before applying for a place at OHS. A ‘face-to-face’ day per term is required.
In most cases, students already have existing competencies in the language together with a proven ability to work with self-discipline. Study through the OHS has frequently enabled continuity of study in the case of newly enrolled students at Redfield. All student work passes through the hands of the Curriculum Coordinator or relevant delegate.
Language Study via ‘Private Tutor’
On occasion, the option of ‘Private Tutor’ has worked well at HSC level. A good example has been BOS Filipino, studied through a tutor attached to the Filipino Cultural Association of Sydney. It remains the responsibility of Redfield to ensure HSC enrolment together with the submission of ‘elective options’ and assessment details.
Sydney Secondary Distance Education
In practice, the SSDE is the correspondence arm of the NSW Dept of Education for BOS subjects other than languages. In practice, these enrolments have been confined to HSC students. Students must satisfy the DOS of their ability to persevere successfully with the course.
All applications must be processed by Redfield and the College has responsibility for entering the subject for the NSW School Certificate and HSC. All student work passes through the hands of the Curriculum Coordinator or relevant delegate.
OTEN
In general terms, OTEN is the correspondence arm of TAFE studies. Most of its courses are of a vocational nature, but it does handle some BOS Courses and Board Endorsed HSC Courses. In general, OTED prefers to deal directly with the student, and applications for placement in courses will be accepted directly from the student or his parents. Redfield would like to retain however, a strong advisory role in these cases, together with a coordinating role, in regard to HSC enrolments.
Work does not pass through the hands of the Curriculum Coordinator as OTEN deals directly with the student at his home address. Block ‘work placement’ is required. This can usually (but not always) be accommodated during vacation times.
Colleges of TAFE
Local TAFE Colleges handle both BOS HSC subjects and vocational TAFE courses (VET & JSSTAFE courses). These generally require weekly release times from school time. The impact of time-table clashes and ‘collateral damage’ will be assessed by the DOS on a case by case basis. Transport arrangements are the responsibility of the student.
It has been Redfield policy to retain responsibility for the HSC enrollment but not the submission of assessment data. In the case of TAFE delivered BOS subjects, Redfield requires students to sit with their cohort at the Redfield HSC Exam Centre.
The main TAFE Colleges with which Redfield liaises are Hornsby, Meadowbank, Ryde and Baulkham Hills. Centres further afield such as Richmond have been used for student living a considerable from the College.
Other Approved Centres of VET Study
The Hills Regional Centre is one such body. Experience thus far has been positive for less-academically gifted students. All applications are processed by the college, together with HSC enrollment. These courses are generally costly in terms of fees and equipment. They generally require weekly release times from school time. The impact of time-table clashes and ‘collateral damage’ will be assessed by the DOS on a case by case basis. Transport arrangements are the responsibility of the student.
General Expectations for all students
1 The costs (sometimes substantial) are to be borne by the student.
2 Students are to be attired in school uniform during OPEN High School ‘Face to face’ days, and HSC Oral & Aural examinations.
3 Likewise, weekly attendance at TAFE or other approved centres, requires school uniform and behaviour befitting a Redfield student on all occasions.
4 Where there are time-table clashed with Redfield classes, the student is expected to catch up with work that might have been missed. The perceived inability of a student to do this may mean that the College cannot proceed with a student’s enrollment in an external course of study.
5 The College retains the right to withdraw an unsatisfactory student from any of the above avenues of study. Study through OTEN is an exception to this rule, and may be continued beyond Redfield by a school leaver. TAFE delivered BOS subjects may also be continued beyond Redfield with minimal interruption.
6 It is the responsibility to the student to organise all off campus travel arrangements.
Further Inquiries
Dr John Williams, the College Curriculum Coordinator, coordinates External Studies and is happy to answer questions.