External Studies

College Policy

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 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.

Note that some externally studied subjects are included in ATAR calculations and others are not. There must be a clear career centred reason for attempting a subject that does not contribute to ATAR. Such subjects restrict a candidate to 10 ATAR units in Preliminary Year and so can seriously limit options at the end of Year 11, negatively affecting ATAR 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. 

All applications must be processed by Redfield and the College has responsibility for entering the subject for the NSW School Certificate and HSC. 

The Saturday School of Community Languages website can be found at:
http://www.sscl.schools.nsw.edu.au/how-to-enrol

Open High School

Open High School is a New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET) secondary distance education school. Amongst other subjects it offers Board of Studies languages other than 'community' ones. Permission is required from the DOS before applying for a place at OHS. A 'face-to face' day per term is required. The Open High School's website can be found at:

http://www.theopenhs-d.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Language Study via 'Private Tutor'

Pn 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 enrollment together with the submission of 'elective options' and assessment details.

Sydney Secondary Distance Education

The SSDE is the correspondence arm of the NSW Dept of Education for BOS subjects other than languages. SDEHS delivers individualised education programs to students in Years 7 to 12 whose special circumstances prevent them from attending school. It also provides curriculum delivery to students in Years 9 to 12 studying a single subject not available at their home school. The school caters for students who live in the Greater Sydney Region. 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.

Sydney Secondary Distance Education website can be found at:
http://www.sydneyh-d.schools.nsw.edu.au/

OTEN

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, OTEN 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 enrollments.

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.

More information is available on OTEN courses at:
http://oten.tafensw.edu.au/

Colleges of TAFE

Local TAFE Colleges handle both BOS HSC subjects and vocational TVET courses. TAFE delivered vocational education and training (TVET) courses allow school students to gain workplace skills and experience to get a head-start on their career. 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.

More information is available on TVET courses at:
https://www.tafensw.edu.au/courses/types/tvet.htm#.UpPzQtIW2YR

Other Approved Centres of TVET 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.

More information is available on the Hills Regional Centre at:
http://www.wrap.edu.au/2_About_WRAP/thrsc.html