Teaching and Learning
MR STEWART PEACOCK, HEAD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING In 2020 we embarked on several firsts; the first time that students across Years 10–12 completed their study under the new QCE system, and the first time since 1972 that a large proportion of Queensland Year 12 students sat subject-based external assessments. Yet the most significant ‘first’ was the global pandemic.
possibilities to do things differently and with greater flexibility, resulting in potential benefits. Staying united and learning together, regardless of opinions on the degree of how positive versus negative potential outcomes are, one can argue that throughout 2020 we were all able to see how truly adaptable life can be.
Perhaps one of the most perplexing characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it presented us with a challenge with no fixed end point. At the time of writing we still have no idea how long this might last. We learnt that online learning places increased demands on students to become more independent learners, but therein lies the opportunity to develop resilience. They say that conflict breeds innovation, that adversity creates change. So, while ‘Learning from Holme’ produced some inspirational moments, some irritating moments, some fun moments and some frustrating moments, like many teachers, parents and students across the world we experienced new
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is now the ‘main game’. For our girls, achieving their best results in their subjects and courses is the key to maximising their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). Yet, balancing their studies with nonacademic pursuits, for most, remains in context.
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The single biggest change in the new QCE system is the way students are now assessed in General subjects. Three school-based assessments and an external assessment means fewer assessments overall — an emphasis on quality over quantity. Thankfully, in response to the pandemic,
the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) reduced the number of internal assessments for Queensland Year 12s by one, to alleviate the pressure on students. Fairholme College received very positive feedback from the QCAA with regards to our Endorsement and subsequent Confirmation submissions for 2020. Under the new system, Queensland schools are required to develop internal assessments according to the parameters outlined in the syllabus. These assessment items are then submitted to the QCAA for endorsement before they are used in the classroom. This process ensures that all assessments provide sufficient opportunities for students to demonstrate syllabus requirements and to build teachers’ capacity to develop high-quality assessments. Confirmation, on the other hand, is the annual quality assurance process for ensuring the comparability of student results for summative internal
