*******HELP!!! N-AWARD..ineligible for RoSA******* (1 Viewer)

[kiwifruit83]

Hi Everyone,

I feel a bit spastic, but I really need some advice or ideas. This is going to be a long one, but I seriously (will) appreciate any and/or all help offered.

So, my dad had a major stroke last week and is subsequently in hospital. My brothers high school called to set up an interview with the Vice Principal and Year adviser for next week, but found a slot for Friday. In my dads place, I attended and basically my brother has received 7 warning letters (4 for English, 3 for Science) and has thus received 2 n-awards and so they say he will not receive a RoSA. His 3 options are: 1. Repeat year 10.
2. Work with Transitioning Officer to get his "poor grade" as good looking as possible to "maybe" get into Tafe. (Literally word for word what the teacher said)
3. Go to a private college/institution, however, those are expensive.

They said he had until Monday to make his decision and inform them, as year 10 is almost full and the transitioning officer will need all the time he can get if he has to help my brother and probably don't tell your dad since he's just had a stroke. I feel like they've basically pushed him into a corner, as my dad is in hospital and cannot defend or appeal their decision.

I left the interview gobsmacked because this is literally the first interview/verbal contact that has been made regarding his situation and they're basically saying, "we're just finally informing you, that your son is stuffed. Kthxbai". We received 2 warning letters out of 7. However, my brother admitted to taking 2 but did not find anymore in the mail. And no phone calls or texts or emails or basically any effort was made on their part until it was too late. (You can't put the responsibility of giving a 15 year old a letter that will ground them for a month, and expect them to follow through..it's common sense.) and they're also always sending texts about absences, reminders when fees are due but can't call about this?! Gah, so frustrated.

Also, my brother began tutoring last year at Kip McGrath as they assessed him and it turned out he was scoring at a Grade 5/6 level in Year 9 in both English and Math. The problem is $110 a week in tutoring for a single working parent is really hard, so my dad made the choice to take tutoring for Math first ($55 p/w) and then we'll do English once he's performing satisfactorily in Math. I also wonder what the teachers have been doing if he's doesn't know English past year 5/6 surely his reports/homework and performance in class would reflect this.

He did complete all assessments and tests, however, they were handed in late. I also feel like he may have gotten lesser marks because the teacher feels like he wasn't performing to "the best of his ability" of which, he actually is. His English is at a Grade 5/6 level -.-

Just a final point, myself and my 2 sisters all went to this school and his year advisor is someone I knew at school and who is now also married to my brother's English teacher and the Head of the English Dept. (Who was also his year advisors English teacher at school #petty) so I feel like there is a conflict of interest there.

TL;DR

My brother isn't eligible for RoSA. I'm disappointed that the school has not done enough, however I acknowledge mine and my fathers negligence in terms of our roles and responsibilities and my brother also acknowledges his lack of effort in terms of asking for help. I don't want to go in defensive because that won't help the cause. I'm not expecting him to go on to Year 11/12, I just would like him to receive a RoSA. So, is it possible to do extra credit tests/assignments to bring him back up to being eligible? What are some steps I need to take in regards to presenting my case to his school?
How do I go about approaching this solution together with his teachers?


Please helpppppp

 

[si2136]

Get your parents on this, they have the authority to make the situation better. Get them to talk to the vice-principal and principal about this.

And what is the reason for your brother not handing in the work? If it's the lack of effort, then it's really hard to get out of this situation. But if you haven't received the warning letters, then you could argue that.

As shown here: http://ace.bostes.nsw.edu.au/ace-4020

request from the student/parent/guardian a written acknowledgement of the warning

AND

retain copies of all relevant documents

So get them to prove it to you.

Remember to be honest at all times.

 

[Flop21]

Hello,

Yeah you've all probably realised by now year 10 is important. They're strict af when it comes to it, and you're almost screwed if you don't get your ROSA (you can't move onto year 11). I've also been told that if you get your ROSA at TAFE, you still cannot use that to move onto to do your HSC.

I don't think they're taking advantage of the fact your dad can't fight back this decision, because it's simply a rule that's been in place for fairly long time now - you don't meet the conditions to get your ROSA... you don't get a ROSA.

I know at my school they warned us MANY times of this fact and the conditions to get the ROSA, like no n-awards etc. There's a possibility they didn't warn your brother, or they did (and like you said, the 15 year old ignored them). I agree it sucks. They should have informed the parents as well, if they didn't.

-

So basically I think there's no way around this. You could ask them and the BOS if there's ANY way to get the ROSA without repeating or TAFE. But I can't think of any way off my head.

So I think the best option is to simply repeat year 10. Maybe he needs to, so he can better prepare himself for year 11 (learning how to study properly, handing things on time etc.), basically so he can get into some good habits. Especially since (I heard, double check on this) you can't go to year 11/12 with a ROSA from TAFE.

I think you really need to get to the bottom of things, why didn't he work hard to get his ROSA? Will he do something different the second time around?? Make sure he will. He needs to learn that he needs to follow the rules of all assignments (and that means handing them in on the DUE DATE).

Also realise that schools don't give a shit about the kids being left behind. So sadly don't expect them to help too much. Try to make your brother want this for himself and work for it.

-

I will also say I don't believe Kip McGrath do a great job. Kids like your brother probably need actual 1 on 1 time with a personal tutor. And Kip McGrath is way to generalised and not personalised. But they do help highlight issues, like your brother lacking a good year 6 english/math foundation. But see I wouldn't recommend a kid in year 9 to practice year 6 problems (which is what Kip does), I'd just try to get them to do year 9 problems, and maybe briefly going over the year 7-8 things needed.

 

[kiwifruit83]

Hello,

Yeah you've all probably realised by now year 10 is important. They're strict af when it comes to it, and you're almost screwed if you don't get your ROSA (you can't move onto year 11). I've also been told that if you get your ROSA at TAFE, you still cannot use that to move onto to do your HSC.

I don't think they're taking advantage of the fact your dad can't fight back this decision, because it's simply a rule that's been in place for fairly long time now - you don't meet the conditions to get your ROSA... you don't get a ROSA.

I know at my school they warned us MANY times of this fact and the conditions to get the ROSA, like no n-awards etc. There's a possibility they didn't warn your brother, or they did (and like you said, the 15 year old ignored them). I agree it sucks. They should have informed the parents as well, if they didn't.

-

So basically I think there's no way around this. You could ask them and the BOS if there's ANY way to get the ROSA without repeating or TAFE. But I can't think of any way off my head.

So I think the best option is to simply repeat year 10. Maybe he needs to, so he can better prepare himself for year 11 (learning how to study properly, handing things on time etc.), basically so he can get into some good habits. Especially since (I heard, double check on this) you can't go to year 11/12 with a ROSA from TAFE.

I think you really need to get to the bottom of things, why didn't he work hard to get his ROSA? Will he do something different the second time around?? Make sure he will. He needs to learn that he needs to follow the rules of all assignments (and that means handing them in on the DUE DATE).

Also realise that schools don't give a shit about the kids being left behind. So sadly don't expect them to help too much. Try to make your brother want this for himself and work for it.

-

I will also say I don't believe Kip McGrath do a great job. Kids like your brother probably need actual 1 on 1 time with a personal tutor. And Kip McGrath is way to generalised and not personalised. But they do help highlight issues, like your brother lacking a good year 6 english/math foundation. But see I wouldn't recommend a kid in year 9 to practice year 6 problems (which is what Kip does), I'd just try to get them to do year 9 problems, and maybe briefly going over the year 7-8 things needed.

Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it.

What I'm thinking as a possible solution is maybe he can do extra credit assignments/tests to bring his RoSA into the eligible category. And I know, if he can't do normal assignments, why would he do extra credit assignments? Well because now we're aware of the situation. As I said, because we received 2 letters in the beginning of the year, we immediately took steps to ensure he was getting his work done. And then we never received anymore, so we just assumed he was doing fine. The first and only verbal contact we received was the interview saying he's done, which I think is unfair.

Hard one though because like you say, teachers don't give a shit. It almost seems like they're just trying to tag and bag him, yano? So I suppose a teacher would have to be willing to make up an extra assignment just for him, which I know is unfair on them when they already have to do enough work. I checked on the BOS website for cut-off dates and it isn't until mid-November where they have to submit final RoSA grades, so this is why I don't understand how they can say there's no chance for him to redeem himself, when there's 2 months to at least let us try?

Also, I can see your point about Kip McGrath. In terms specifically of my brother, he probably does need just 1-on-1 tutoring, but he does really enjoy Math and we have seen a huge improvement. I think perhaps if it was English they could start from Year 9 work, but in regards to Math, he didn't understand the basic foundations of math which you need to then understand Year 7,8,9 work etc. So I believe they've taken the right course of action for this instance. Perhaps we'll look at a private tutor for English, regardless, if he receives his RoSA or not.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot about replying to your comment on repeating. As much as I agree he's mentally not ready to go into Year 11 (however, this is not his goal. He would just like to go to TAFE and study a trade). Repeating I believe has adverse effects on most kids. Especially at an age where they are aware. That is, the shame, the embarrassment, the "I'm not good enough" and ultimately the depression and resentment. He could do Year 10 again, but ultimately the foundations of English and Math aren't there so he still won't understand/do the work. Maybe. I don't know. Gah, so much stress right now haha.

 

[kiwifruit83]

Get your parents on this, they have the authority to make the situation better. Get them to talk to the vice-principal and principal about this.

And what is the reason for your brother not handing in the work? If it's the lack of effort, then it's really hard to get out of this situation. But if you haven't received the warning letters, then you could argue that.

As shown here: http://ace.bostes.nsw.edu.au/ace-4020

request from the student/parent/guardian a written acknowledgement of the warning

AND

retain copies of all relevant documents

So get them to prove it to you.

Remember to be honest at all times.

Thanks for your reply and the link!

I don't believe it's lack of effort so much, more that he doesn't understand the work and is too embarrassed to ask for help ie. Family or a teacher. And this, also, is his fault. And I do understand that. After talking to him in great length, he was under the assumption (according to his teacher) that once he handed in the assessment, the n-award would be withdrawn. And also, I thought N-awards were non-completion? He's completed them. Semantics I suppose.

I'm his older sister, (almost 10 years his senior) and I've basically parented him since he was born. So, due to the fact that my dad is debilitated its up to me to sort this out (hopefully).

 

[Flop21]

Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it.

What I'm thinking as a possible solution is maybe he can do extra credit assignments/tests to bring his RoSA into the eligible category. And I know, if he can't do normal assignments, why would he do extra credit assignments? Well because now we're aware of the situation. As I said, because we received 2 letters in the beginning of the year, we immediately took steps to ensure he was getting his work done. And then we never received anymore, so we just assumed he was doing fine. The first and only verbal contact we received was the interview saying he's done, which I think is unfair.

Hard one though because like you say, teachers don't give a shit. It almost seems like they're just trying to tag and bag him, yano? So I suppose a teacher would have to be willing to make up an extra assignment just for him, which I know is unfair on them when they already have to do enough work. I checked on the BOS website for cut-off dates and it isn't until mid-November where they have to submit final RoSA grades, so this is why I don't understand how they can say there's no chance for him to redeem himself, when there's 2 months to at least let us try?

Also, I can see your point about Kip McGrath. In terms specifically of my brother, he probably does need just 1-on-1 tutoring, but he does really enjoy Math and we have seen a huge improvement. I think perhaps if it was English they could start from Year 9 work, but in regards to Math, he didn't understand the basic foundations of math which you need to then understand Year 7,8,9 work etc. So I believe they've taken the right course of action for this instance. Perhaps we'll look at a private tutor for English, regardless, if he receives his RoSA or not.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot about replying to your comment on repeating. As much as I agree he's mentally not ready to go into Year 11 (however, this is not his goal. He would just like to go to TAFE and study a trade). Repeating I believe has adverse effects on most kids. Especially at an age where they are aware. That is, the shame, the embarrassment, the "I'm not good enough" and ultimately the depression and resentment. He could do Year 10 again, but ultimately the foundations of English and Math aren't there so he still won't understand/do the work. Maybe. I don't know. Gah, so much stress right now haha.

Hm okay, well if he doesn't want to do year 11/12, then I guess it's fine if he does his ROSA at TAFE. But yeah you're kind of stuck if there really is nothing they will do and he has to pick those options AND wants to go to year 11. I understand the social embarrassment of repeating, and I think it'd be better to change schools if repeating. BUT school's don't have to accept students out of area and he probably won't be accepted anywhere else (trust me, we had a catholic school tell my sibling "why would we want to accept a problem?", not even joking).

He does needs to realise he made a mistake and his mistakes have consequences (he probably does now though). But most of us recognise that even though kids make mistakes, we should try our best for it not to ruin their future.

But good luck, yeah you'll have to contact everyone you can about this, wondering what can be done. BOS maybe too (maybe they'll give you insight on whether the teachers CAN actually change the options they've given you). Then if you know things can be done, try to pressure the teachers into doing something other than not giving him a ROSA.

And I don't think it's that unfair on the teachers (due to my experiences with them not giving a crap about those who are being left behind) to go out of their way to do something about this. They should have a bit of compassion, especially if your brother has realised his mistake and REALLY wants to do whatever to get his ROSA this year.

Also it's interesting to hear about your Kip McGrath experience, if you've seen a big improvement then perfect!