UPPER SCHOOL INFORMATION EVENING

1. UPPER SCHOOL INFORMATION EVENING TUESDAY 11th MARCH 2014

3. OLHS PARENTS’ INFORMATION EVENING FOR UPPER SCHOOL • 8 Nationals • 7/6 Nationals and an SVQ/XL • 5 NQs/Nationals/Wider Achievement • Duke of Edinburgh/College Courses • Wider Achievement Awards • Advanced Highers • Other Schools

4. NATIONALS • This table shows which current qualifications the new National Qualifications will replace: • SCQF Level New National Qualifications Replaces Current National Qualifications • 1 and 2 National 1 and National 2 Access 1 and Access 2 • 3 National 3 Access 3 Standard Grade (Foundation level) • 4 National 4 Standard Grade (General level) Intermediate 1 • 5 National 5 Standard Grade (Credit level) Intermediate 2 • 6 Higher (new) Higher • 7 Advanced Higher (new) Advanced Higher

5. ASSESSMENT FOR NQs Units – 3 x 40 hours (some are only 2 units) End of Unit Assessments – NAB – 1 Resit Results submitted to SQA Given credit for Unit passes Course Award – only granted if all units passed and final exam also passed Folio/Practical work

6. Wider Achievement Qualifications SQA Awards are characterised by their flexible nature and are nationally recognised. These Awards are suitable for a wide range of people at different stages. They provide learners with opportunities to acquire skills, recognise achievement and promote confidence through independent thinking and positive attitudes, while motivating learners to be successful and participate positively in the wider community. The level of Award attained depends on the quality of response and the amount of support received by the learner. Here are some examples of the awards we may offer in OLHS :- 1. NPA Enterprise and Employability Awards (SCQF Levels 4 and 5) 2. Leadership Awards (SCQF Levels 5 and 6) 3. Modern Languages for Life and Work Awards (SCQF Levels 3 and 4) 4. Personal Development Awards (SCQF Levels 2 – 6) 5. Volunteering Skills Awards (SCQF Levels 3, 4 and 5) 6. Steps to Work Awards (SCQF Levels 3 and 4) 7. Wellbeing Awards (SCQF Levels 3 – 5) 8. Personal Finance Award (SCQF Level 4) 9. Scottish Studies Award (SCQF Level 4)

7. 2013 Presentations. • SG/NQ 5+ Level 5 - 43.2% • 2nd when compared with comparator schools • S5 3+Awards at Level 6 - 32.5% pupils • 3rd when compared with comparator schools • S5 5+ Awards at level 6 - 14% • 3rd when compared with comparator schools • S6 3+ Awards at Level 6 - 38% • 3rd when compared with comparator schools • S6 5+ Awards at Level 6 - 28.3% • 4th when compared with comparator schools • S6 5+Awards at Level 6 8/26 • Attendance OLHS NLC • S4 8.5 10.6 • S5 9.49 9.0 • S6 7.18 7.1

8. Importance of Attendance • Attendance OLHS NLC • S4 8.5 10.6 • S5 9.49 9.0 • S6 7.18 7.1 • If You are not in school you are not being supported in learning!

9. SQA's existing appeals service will be replaced by two new ‘Results Services’. These are: 1.   Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service: This service will run prior to results being published.  If a school or college believes that a candidate has suffered as a result of exceptional circumstances (for example bereavement or illness during an exam) staff can inform us of the circumstances and submit alternative evidence of attainment demonstrated by the candidate, which we will consider.  This ‘alternative evidence’ will be coursework, class assessments or mock exams. To take a holistic view on the appropriate result, our Examiners will also take account of how the other candidates at that school/college performed in the exam. 2.  Post Results Service: This service will run after candidates have received their certificates.  If a school or college is concerned by a candidate’s result, they can request a clerical check and/or a marking review of the script. The ‘script’ is the name we give to the candidate’s exam answer paper.  If this check/review of the marking of the script, leads to a change of grade (either up or down), this will be amended on our system and a new certificate will be issued to the candidate. There will be no consideration of ‘alternative evidence’ with this service. If the original grade remains unchanged after the check/review of the marking of the script, the school or college will be charged for this service Results Enquiry Service

10. IMPORTANT DATES • 23rd,24th,25th AprilSQAMass • Tuesday 29th April to Thursday 5th June Examination Period • Friday 27th June School closes for summer holidays • Tuesday 5th August Results Issued • Wednesday 6th August (Approx) S5/6 Final Choice Interviews • Thursday 14th August Session 2014/2015 Commences • Monday 25th August UCAS Process Commences • September 2014 University/College Open Days • Late September 2014 School Awards Ceremony • November 2014 S5/6 Interim Reports Issued • January/February 2015 Prelim Exams • February/March 2015 Full Reports Issued • May/June 2015 Examination Period

11. Important InformationForExam Candidates and Parents • Examination Timetables – notes for candidates taking exams • Important Facts – • The date and times for each exam • The exam room and seat number • Their candidate number • Necessary equipment • NO MOBILE PHONES/OR IPODS/MP3 Players • Some calculators are not permitted • Pupils MUST wear school uniform at all times. • Pupils must be well-behaved at all times.

12. UPPER SCHOOL • UCAS • Open Days • EMA • Easter School/Supported Study • Upper School Contracts • S6 Committees/School Captains/House Captains • Upper School Induction Days and other events – Retreat, Work Experience • Social Enterprise, Fundraising, Caritas, YASS, Lasallian/Alma, Peer Educators, Study Buddies

13. The Importance of Study • ‘Study is nothing else but a possession of the mind’ Thomas Hobbes, 1588 – 1679 English philosopher • ‘I will study and get ready,and perhapsmy chance will come.’ Abraham Lincoln, 1809 - 1865American President • Good Study Skills, Techniques and Strategies are essential for success • There are different styles of learning and ways to study • Learning and Teaching website • Skill4study website

14. Study • You can prepare yourself to succeed in your studies.Try to develop and appreciate the following habits: • Take responsibility for yourselfRecognize that in order to succeed you need to make decisions about your priorities, your time, and your resources • Center yourself around your values and principlesDon't let friends and acquaintances dictate what you consider important • Put first things firstFollow up on the priorities you have set for yourself, and don't let others, or other interests, distract you from your goals • Discover your key productivity periods and placesMorning, afternoon, or evening?Find spaces where you can be the most focused and productive.Prioritize these for your most difficult study challenges • Consider yourself in a win-win situationWhen you contribute your best to a class, you, your fellow students, and even your teacher will benefit. Your grade can then be one additional check on your performance • First understand others, then attempt to be understoodWhen you have an issue with an instructor (a questionable grade, an assignment deadline, etc.) put yourself in the instructor's place.Now ask yourself how you can best make your argument given his/her situation • Look for better solutions to problemsFor example, if you don't understand the course material, don't just re-read it. Try something else! Consult with the teacher, a tutor, a classmate, a study group. • Look to continually challenge yourself

15. Study • "A.S.P.I.R.E." A Study System • Text of the A.S.P.I.R.E. exercise: • A: Approach/attitude/arrange • Approach your studies with a positive attitude • Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions • S: Select/survey/scan • Select a reasonable chunk of material to study • Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post questions to get an overview • Scan the text for keywords and vocabulary: mark what you don’t understand • P: Piece together the parts: • Put aside your books and notes • Piece together what you've studied,either alone, with a study pal or group:summarize what you understand. • I: Investigate/inquire/inspect: • Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer to:other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc. • Inquire from support professionals (academic support, librarians, tutors, teachers, experts,) and other resources for assistance • Inspect what you did not understand. • R: Reexamine/reflect/relayReexamine the content | Reflect on the material | Relay understanding • Reexamine: What questions are there yet to ask? Is there something I am missing? • Reflect: How can I apply this to my project? Is there a new application for it? • Relay: Can I explain this to my fellow students? Will they understand it better if I do? • E: Evaluate/examine/explore: • Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks: look for a pattern • Examine your progress: toward achieving your goals • Explore options: with a teacher, support professional, tutor, parent if you are not satisfied.

16. Questions ?