Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer

An important aspect of any successful organisation is being able to celebrate success and recognise individual excellence. On Monday night, as a learning community, we were able to celebrate and recognise the academic excellence of our student body. I congratulate every student who was awarded an academic honour on Monday night. Attaining an academic excellence award, a first in subject or most improved award takes hard work and dedication. I believe, most importantly, by very publicly recognising academic success and improvement, we send a strong message to our students that at Terrace, academic success is valued. This recognition of the core value of learning and striving to be the best you can be, is one of the drivers of Terrace’s academic culture. Congratulations to all award winners and also all who performed, organised and took part in a wonderful evening.

Our Year 12 students have commenced their final exam block. As well as the academic challenge this exam block will bring, there is the additional challenge of maintaining focus. I encourage all Year 12 students to narrow their focus to each exam. The final exam will arrive, that is certain. However, the important study and preparation that occurs now will contribute hugely to each individual’s academic success. There are a number of key dates for Year 12 students coming up. Firstly, individual QCS results will be available from Student Connect on 13 November. Students will need their LUI number to access the site. If a student has forgotten his LUI number, please contact Mrs Watson in the Studies Office. Secondly, QCAA will release OP results and senior statements on Saturday 14 December, again via the student connect site.

The new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system, for which our Year 11 cohort have commenced their summative work this term, has mandated new academic assessment policy guidelines. These guidelines can be found on the QCAA website. As such, the College Academic Policy has been updated to reflect the QCAA guidelines. The College Policy, which comes into effect for Year 11 students in 2019 and then Years 10-12 in 2020, can be found in the Year 11-12 section of Parent Lounge. Year 11 students have been made aware of this policy, and the key aspects regarding non-submission and plagiarism, since Term 2 this year. If you have any questions regarding aspects of the policy, please contact me at the College.