STOP their own email address (not the students) should apply

Educational Measurement and School Accountability Directorate

All applicants with access to the internet, a printer and online by going to the Units website: http://www. schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement All other applicants must complete the commercially printed form.

Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Unit^

Information for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in

Important dates
Online application opens Application information and forms available in schools Parents return printed application forms to schools Online application closes Government school principals process applications online and send paper-based applications to the Unit Non-government school principals complete Part B and send paper-based applications to the Unit Test centre advice received by parents or carers Selective High School Placement Test Outcome advice
Contact details
Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Unit NSW Department of Education and Communities Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au Postal address: Locked Bag 5001 BANKSTOWN NSW 1885 Telephone: 02 9707 6262 Fax: 02 9707 6265 Units website: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement
Note:

2014
16 October 2012 23 October 2012 16 November 2012 19 November 2012 11 December 2012 11 December 2012 28 February 2013 14 March 2013 July 2013

Please read this information carefully before submitting the application.

^ In this document, Unit refers to the Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Unit. Parent is defined under the Education Act 1990 as a guardian or other person having custody or care of a child. A list of the selective high schools is shown at the end of this document. In this document selective includes fully selective high schools, partially selective high schools and selective agricultural high schools and a virtual selective class provision..

A student number for the selective high school placement process is provided by email when parents apply online. On printed application forms the student number is printed under the barcode. Please record the student number here for future reference. Please quote this number in all correspondence and enquiries regarding your application.

S 1 3

Selective high schools

Selective high schools cater for highly achieving, academically gifted students. These schools can provide intellectual stimulation by grouping together gifted and talented students who would otherwise be isolated from a suitable peer group. There are: Seventeen fully selective high schools where all classes are academically selective. Twenty-five high schools with selective classes (partially selective) in Years 7 and above. Partially selective high schools have both selective and community classes. (Note: Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus, although partially selective, has selective classes only in Years 11 and 12 and is therefore not included in this application process. Four agricultural high schools (three of which offer boarding places). Agricultural high schools are selective high schools that emphasise the study of agriculture. Boarding sections give some priority to isolated students. One virtual selective class provision. For the virtual selective class provision only students intending to enrol in a Western NSW Region government high school are eligible to apply. In 2014 Granville Boys High School, one of twenty five high schools with selective classes in Year 7, will take selective enrolments in Year 7 for the first time. Detailed information about selective high schools is available on the internet at the address shown on the cover of this document.

4. Parents receive test centre advice  The Unit will notify all applicants by mail and email (if relevant) in February of the name and location of the test centre their child will attend for the Selective High School Placement Test. If parents have not received this advice by Thursday 28 February 2013 they should contact the Unit or the childs government primary school. The test centre to which each primary school with candidates has been allocated will also be published on the Units website. 5.  Students attend the Selective High School Placement Test at 9 am on Thursday 14 March 2013  It is the parents responsibility to ensure that students are transported to and from the test centre on the test day. 6.  Selection committees meet in June 2013 to determine the outcome of applications. 7.  Parents receive the outcome of their application by early July 2013.

How to apply
Online applications
Go online to www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement Click on the link, How to Lodge the Application. Read the instructions carefully. Click on the link, Go to online application. Register your application by entering your email address. Click Submit. You will be sent an email from the Unit with a link to the correct website and your password. Go to the website and log on using your email address and password. Instructions on completing the form are provided at the website. Each page of the form will be presented to you in turn. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory and the program will not let you proceed to the next page unless they are completed. When you have completed all of the required fields on the page click the Next button to go to the next page. To return to the previous page click the Previous button. To leave your application before you have finished go to the next page then close your browser. You will need to log in again when you return. In providing your email address please do not supply a students address. When you have completed your application click Submit. Once you have submitted your form you will NOT be able to return to it to make further changes online. To do that you will need to contact the Unit in writing.

Important stages of the placement process

All applicants with access to the internet, a printer and their own email address (not the students) should apply online. All other applicants must complete the commercially printed form. 1.  Parents read the application information 2.  Parents complete an application. (see instructions below) 3.  Principals complete school processing ofapplications  Principals process applications after parents complete their section by providing school assessment scores in English and mathematics based on the students performance from Year 4 (if appropriate) up to the closing date for principals in Year 5. Where relevant, principals also confirm residency status, Aboriginal background or language background other than English as well as indicating a students designated local high school. Principals may make other comments. For the virtual selective class provision and for boarder placement the principals comment is mandatory.

After submitting your application you will receive a return email with: a confirmation of your application your childs student number which is required for all communication with the Unit a copy of the application form which you just lodged an Attachments Cover Sheet which you will need if you are required to forward other documents (See Attachments below) a page for the students school principal to complete (for students attending non-government schools and for late applications whether from government or non-government schools). Very important: If you discover that you have made an error after submitting your online application please do not complete another online application or a paper application for the same student. Just email or write to the Unit explaining the correction(s) you would like to make. All applications for students attending government primary schools will be made available to the students primary school principal who will complete the school section of the application online. No further action is required unless your application is late (see page 8). For applicants attending non-government primary schools, parents are required to: indicate whether or not they give consent for the school principal to be consulted about the school assessment scores and other related details. print a copy of the application form and the principals page just emailed to them by the Unit. They should hand both to the principal of the students nongovernment school. The principal is asked to complete the principals page and forward it to the Unit. Note: Applicants for students attending non-government primary schools should read the information under the heading, Exemption from providing school assessment scores, below for instructions about what to do in cases where the principal of the school will not process the application.

school by the due date. The principal will complete the school section and forward the completed application to the Unit. Note: Applicants for students attending non-government primary schools should read the information under the heading, Exemption from providing school assessment scores, below for instructions about what to do in cases where the principal of the school will not process the application. Parents will receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of their paper application in early February 2013.

Attachments
In making an application you may be required to provide copies of supporting documents such as birth certificates, medical certificates or other documentation as indicated in the application form. If applying with a paper application form, please fasten your attachments to the back of the form, taking care to allow the principal access to the school section of the form. Please provide photocopies only but note that originals may be required at a later date. If you are applying online you may forward these by post, fax or email. Please complete and include with your documents a copy of the Attachment Cover Sheet which will have been emailed to you when you submitted your application. When emailing please use the contact email account you provided in your application. Attachments that should be included information about a disability, medical condition or behavioural disorder and their effects on the academic performance of students and special test provisions that may be required the results of individual IQ tests if appropriate. Note that these must be provided as a complete IQ report supporting information where students are outside the normal age range copy of court orders if they apply (see below) supporting information where students are in Year 5 or Year 7 in 2013. DO NOT SEND attachments such as: school reports school-specific merit or behaviour certificates achievements in the performing arts or sports copies of State or national tests such as NAPLAN certificates from statewide competitions. Note: Attachments should be A4 one-sided copies. Where further information is necessary the selection committee may approach the current primary school or request further information from parents.

Paper applications
Parents without internet access must apply using the commercially printed application form. Since each form has a unique barcode, under no circumstances should a photocopied version of the form be used. Since the form will be processed using electronic scanning techniques, please print neatly within the boxes using black pen and BLOCK CAPITALS. Do NOT write not applicable, nil or draw a line through any of the boxes that are not relevant as this will interfere with the scanning process. If a section of the form is not relevant leave it blank. Please photocopy your application for later reference and hand the original to the principal of your childs primary

Exemption from providing school assessment scores (non-government schools only).

All applicants attending non-government primary schools must lodge their applications with their school principals for school assessment scores and comments. Where the principal is unwilling to process the application form parents must seek a formal exemption. To download exemption forms go to the Units webpage shown on the cover of this document then scroll down and click the link, Forms. Select Formal exemption (PDF) and print. Formal exemptions will NOT generally be granted by the selection committee to applicants who do not have school assessment scores when other students from the same school do. Note: If a formal exemption has been granted, applications will usually be considered on the basis of the Selective High School Placement Test only. Note: Applications for home schooled and interstate or overseas students do not require formal exemption as these school assessment scores cannot be moderated. No formal exemptions are required where government school principals are unable to provide school assessment scores. This occurs mostly in cases where the student has arrived late in the assessment period or after it has concluded.

Interstate and overseas students

Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia temporarily living interstate or overseas who are unable to take the Selective High School Placement Test will be considered by the selection committee through either the interstate/overseas procedures or the illness/misadventure procedures. To use the illness/misadventure procedure students must have attended a NSW primary school during Year 5 and must have school assessment scores which can be moderated i.e. there must be at least two candidates from the school who have been given school assessment scores and have completed the test. To use the interstate/overseas procedure you should contact the Unit or download from the Units website a Report of academic merit for use by interstate and overseas applicants and arrange, at your own expense, for individual and standardised testing of your child by a registered psychologist or other qualified practitioner. You need to complete both the Report of academic merit for use by interstate and overseas applicants and the standard application. To download the form go to the Units website, Click the link, Forms then click Report of academic merit: interstate and overseas applicant (PDF) .  You must apply online by 19 November 2012. The rest of the material should be forwarded to reach the Unit as soon as possible but no later than 14 March 2013.

Change of application details

Please inform the Unit by mail or email if there is a change in details such as your childs name or school, your postal or email address or if you want to withdraw your application. Changes of application details will not be accepted by phone.

Communication
All correspondence and telephone advice is provided to the primary parent(s) or carers indicated on the application. This parent or carer is usually the parent living with the child. Ensure you complete the Name or names for correspondence section on page 2. All correspondence will be sent using this information. Information cannot be provided to any person who is not listed on the application form as a parent, other concerned adult or special contact. Irrespective of whether or not a parent wishes to keep application information confidential from another parent or interested person, the Unit will provide the information wherever it has a legal obligation to do so or where the person requesting the information is entitled to access such information. A parent not listed as either Parent/Carer 1 or 2 (usually a parent not living with the child) who wishes to receive correspondence related to the application, must send a request in writing to the Unit so that arrangements can be made for copies of correspondence to be sent if appropriate.

Court orders
If there are any family law, apprehended violence orders or other relevant court orders in relation to such matters as the education of the student, restricting access to the students record or restricting the provision of information about the student, please complete the relevant section of the application and attach or forward a complete copy of the orders.

Virtual selective class provision

Applicants for the virtual selective class provision, known as xsel, need to submit the standard application. The students primary school principal will be required to complete the Virtual selective class: Report of academic merit. This additional information is intended to assist the selection committee to assess whether the student is suitable for this method of teaching and learning. Principals will be able to download this form from the Directorates intranet page and will attach it to the application once it is completed. Students currently enrolled in non-government schools will have to enrol in a government high school in the western region in Year 7 to participate in the virtual selective class provision.

Under normal circumstances, as parents make all applications for entry to selective high schools, no correspondence or telephone conversations will be conducted directly with students.

the discretion of the selection committee. For boarder placement in agricultural high schools, some priority is given to students living in isolated areas.

Emailing
The Unit will be sending correspondence by email wherever possible. Since all communication about the application is conducted with the parents, please do not supply a students email address. Email addresses found to belong to students will be removed and all correspondence will be conducted by mail. You must contact the Unit in writing if you change your email address or email provider or no longer have email access. If you email the Unit please use the email account provided with your application or one you subsequently updated in writing. It is the parents responsibility to monitor the receipt of emails at critical times such as the fortnight prior to the test and when outcome advice is due.

Disability, medical condition or behavioural disorder

The selection committee will give special consideration to applications for students with a disability, medical condition or behavioural disorder to determine whether they may have been disadvantaged in their ability to demonstrate academic merit.

Cultural background
The selection committee will give special consideration to students with a language background other than English who have been doing most school work in English for less than four years and to students of Aboriginal background. For these students, the general ability test will be considered only where it does not disadvantage the students. Extra consideration may also be given where warranted.

Enquiries
Advice about the suitability of selective high school enrolment for your child should be directed to your childs government school principal or teacher. Enquiries about entry procedures should be directed to the Unit at the address or numbers shown on the cover of this document. Enquiries about courses and programs offered by specific selective high schools should be addressed to the schools concerned. The website of each selective high school is shown at the end of this document. Parents will need to quote the student number or give other identifying information before officers of the Unit will discuss confidential student details on the telephone. Parents who cannot provide adequate identifying information on request will need to make written enquiries. The Units internet page is updated regularly throughout the placement process. The updates show what is happening at each stage of the process. If you have a question you may find the answer on the Units website. The Unit also employs a telephone system to assist you to keep in touch with what is happening at various stages of the process. The telephone system provides answers to commonly asked questions.

Age
Students entering Year 7 in selective high schools in 2014 will usually have been born between 1 January 2001 and 1 August 2002. Where applicants are already in Year 6 in 2013, but were born after 1 August 2002, they are younger than the majority of the cohort. Such students may be required to attend an interview to enable the school to assess their needs.

School Year
Students entering Year 7 in selective high schools in 2014 are normally in Year 6 in 2013. Students not yet in Year 6 in 2013 Where students have not reached Year 6 in 2013 and are seeking to accelerate to Year 7 in 2014 in a selective high school, this acceleration will need to be strongly supported. In determining a students suitability for accelerated progression to a selective high school, selection committees will be guided by the Policy and Implementation Strategies for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students (Revised 2004). This document is available from the Department of Education and Communities website: www.det.nsw.edu. au/policies/curriculum/schools/gats/PD20040051.shtml Selection committees will also be guided by the Guidelines for Accelerated Progression, published by the Board of Studies. This document states on page 21: Has the student demonstrated a comprehensive achievement well in advance of the enrolment cohort when performance is assessed against the outcomes for the current curriculum stage? AND ...on a statewide basis, it is probable that only one in 200 (0.5%) students would be capable of acceleration in all subjects. 5

Criteria for entry

Academic Merit
All students are placed on the basis of academic merit. Academic merit is determined mainly by the combination of the results of the Selective High School Placement Test in reading, writing, mathematics and general ability, together with the primary school assessments of student performance in English and mathematics. Additional evidence of academic merit may also be considered at

Students already in Year 7 in 2013 Students already in Year 7 in a NSW high school in 2013 are not normally accepted for Year 7 entry to a selective high school in 2014 unless there are extenuating circumstances, e.g. the student is very young. In such circumstances a detailed explanation should be attached to the application form. Sitting test previously Selection committees may consider whether or not students who took the Selective High School Placement Test in 2012 may have gained undue advantage from their previous experience with the test.

School principals are required to check claims of residential status and citizenship against school records. Applicants who do not meet the residency requirements at the time of applying, but expect to meet them in the near future, are allowed to apply provided they are already living in Australia. Such applicants will have to show evidence that they meet all residency requirements before being offered a place. Places will NOT be held for students who do not meet the residency requirements. Applicants who qualify for entry on academic grounds but do not meet the residency requirements, including those who hold diplomatic visas, will then have the opportunity to appeal for special consideration through the appeals process (see page 10). All successful applicants will be required to show original documentation such as certificates of evidence of Australian citizenship, birth certificates or visas before enrolment can be finalised by the school. Offers or enrolments will be terminated if placement is made on the basis of false or misleading information.

Family placement
You can make a family placement claim on the application if a brother, sister or parent/guardian currently attends or previously attended the school. Where two or more students have equal results, the students with family placement claims will be given priority. For most students this will have little effect on the outcome. For boarder placement, extra consideration may be given to students who have brothers or sisters currently attending the school.

NSW Residency
The family must be living in NSW by the beginning of the 2014 school year. If parents normally live in NSW but are temporarily out of the State, they should expect to return before the student is enrolled in a selective high school. Applications from parents who continue to live outside NSW after the 2014 school year begins will be considered only if there are vacancies after all suitable applicants from NSW have been placed.

Twins and other siblings

Because there is so much competition for entry to selective high schools you should not expect that, if one of your children has been successful, the other children in your family will be placed. The placement of one twin does not guarantee the placement of another.

Enrolment policy
The NSW Department of Education and Communities has a responsibility to assess and manage any risk of harm to its staff or students. This includes assessing and managing risks posed to students or staff at a school by any student. Where relevant, such situations will be dealt with in accordance with the NSW Department of Education and Communities enrolment policies and procedures. Information for parents regarding enrolment is available at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/enrolment/ parentsinfo.php

Points to consider
Travelling times
The selection committee does not consider distances, travelling times or transport arrangements from the students home to the selective high school. Before listing any school, you should consider available transport and the time your child will take to reach the school.

Order of choice
Please consider your choices and the order in which you list them carefully. You may make up to four choices. The order in which you list those choices matters if the student qualifies for more than one choice, in which case you will be offered only the school of highest choice for which the child qualifies. Suppose you made the following choices: 1. James Ruse Agricultural 2. North Sydney Girls 3. Hornsby Girls 4. Fort Street

Residency
Candidates must generally be Australian citizens or holders of a visa granting permanent resident status in Australia. Information on Australian citizenship is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at: www.citizenship.gov.au Official evidence of Australian citizenship may be obtained by the issue of a Certificate of Evidence of Australian Citizenship. Citizens of New Zealand are eligible for selective high school entry. Permanent residents of New Zealand are treated in the same manner as temporary residents of Australia and are not eligible.

Now: a) If your child qualified for both Hornsby Girls and Fort Street, you would receive an offer only for Hornsby Girls, the higher choice for which the student qualified. b) If your child qualified for Fort Street only, you would be offered a place at that school regardless of whether you placed that school first, second, third or fourth on your list. The entry score required for each school varies from year to year depending upon the demand for the school and the scores achieved by those students who have listed the school as a choice. The entry score for each selective high school for last years placement process can be seen at https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/documents/aboutus/statistics-and-research/key-statistics-and-reports/ selectivehs.pdf

Where students do not have school assessment scores which can be moderated they will be considered on the basis of their results in the Selective High School Placement Test. Further details about the processing of scores can be found on the Units website at http://www.schools. nsw.edu.au/learning/k-6assessments/shsplacement/ss_ marksexplain.php

The Selective High School Placement Test

Test date
The Selective High School Placement Test will be conducted statewide on Thursday 14 March 2013 in test centres, usually in government high schools. All applicants are required to sit for the test, unless there are extenuating circumstances. The test is conducted only on this day and only in designated test centres in NSW. Students who miss the test through illness or other unavoidable mishap may be considered through the illness/misadventure process detailed on page 8. Students unable to take the test because they are interstate or overseas at the time should contact the Unit to determine whether they should apply to be considered under the illness/misadventure or the interstate/overseas procedures. Further details of the interstate/overseas procedures are given on page 4.

Change of choice
If you wish to change your choice of schools before Thursday 2 May 2013 you should notify the Unit in writing of your request. This is the date by which all information starts to be prepared for selection committees. Changes of choice generally cannot be accepted after 4.00pm on Thursday 2 May 2013 as they cannot be processed in time for selection committees to be presented with the relevant information. However, if you have clearly demonstrable extenuating circumstances such as the purchase of a new residence in a suburb or town far from the previous residence, you may request a change of choice accompanied by a full explanation and supporting documents. The request for a change of choice will be subject to approval by the selection committee or delegate. Approval will not be given for a change of choice on the grounds that the student did not qualify for the original choices.

Test centre advice letter/email

All applicants will be advised of their designated test centre by mail and email (if they have provided an email address). Parents will be required to make appropriate transport arrangements for their children. If you have not been advised by Thursday 28 February 2013 about the test centre your child has been allocated to, contact the principal of your childs government primary school or contact the Unit on the number shown on the cover of this document. A full listing of the test centres will also be available from the Units website shown on the cover of this document. All candidates from the same primary school are usually sent to the same test centre. Variations to allocated test centres will be considered only in exceptional circumstances and will depend on space being available at the test centre. The test centre advice will include a Test Information Bulletin. This bulletin will detail the Selective High School Placement Test procedures, show how students should indicate their answers and list the equipment to bring. You are advised to use this information and the sample test papers found on the Units website to ensure your child becomes familiar with the test format and knows how to record his or her answers.

Transfers
Once students have begun attending one selective high school they cannot automatically transfer to another. However, parents may apply for their children to be enrolled in other selective high schools in Years 8 to 12 by using the Years 8 to 12 application process (see website for details).

School assessment scores

The school assessment scores in English and mathematics that were provided by the primary school principal are moderated (scaled) according to the performance of the candidates from your childs primary school in the reading, writing and mathematics sections of the Selective High School Placement Test. Moderating the school assessment scores makes them comparable statewide and gives school assessment scores and test scores in English and mathematics equal value.

Please note that assigning your child to a test centre does not signify that your application has been accepted. Note: Parents must not remain on the school premises during the test unless special permission has been granted as part of special test provisions (See details this page).

Special test provisions

Some applicants request special test provisions for their children because of a disability, medical condition or behavioural disorder, e.g. students with ADHD or Aspergers Syndrome can be seated at the front of the test centre; large print papers can be arranged for students with visual impairments; FM transmitters can be used to assist students with hearing impairments. Parents or school principals should request special test provisions in the application. The Unit evaluates the feasibility of the request and writes to both the applicant and the students current government primary school principal explaining whether or not the special test provisions can be granted.

Test components
The Selective High School Placement Test is designed to measure ability rather than mastery of the curriculum and does not contain any questions used in previous tests. It is rare for any student to score full marks in any of the test components. Students undergo multiple-choice tests in reading (45 questions), mathematics (40 questions) and general ability (60 questions). Each multiple-choice test is 40 minutes in duration with answers recorded on computermarked answer sheets. There is also a writing task which is 20 minutes in duration and is marked by trained markers using pre-determined criteria. The writing stimulus may be an image, a statement, a heading or a question to which students have to respond in writing. The writing will be judged on the quality of the thinking about a topic, the organisation of ideas and the control of language demonstrated in developing the piece of writing. It is expected that students will produce writing that is their own original work. Generally, no marks will be awarded for writing that does not specifically address the stimulus. Marks will also not be awarded where the writing of students is discovered to have elements in common with writing of other students or published works. Selection committees have the discretion to deduct some or all of the writing marks if they believe students have produced work memorised beforehand and adapted to respond to the stimulus. Students must be careful not to look at the work of others during the test. Students found to be cheating risk disqualification from the test. The test is developed by an external test development company under contract to the Department of Education and Communities. It is a secure test and papers are unavailable for scrutiny before or after the test session. Test answer sheets will be identified to markers by numbers and not by name to ensure anonymity in the marking process.

Illness or misadventure
If some problem such as sickness or an accident stops your child from taking the test or from doing his or her best, you should download an illness/misadventure form from the Units website or request one from the Unit. The completed form should be returned to the Unit by Thursday 28 March 2013. You should include evidence to support a misadventure claim where possible. If your child was sick you must include a medical certificate covering the day of the test and have the medical practitioner complete the Independent evidence of illness section of the illness/misadventure form. Generally it is better to take the test where possible and make an illness/ misadventure claim than to miss the test. All claims for consideration based on illness, should be made using the illness/misadventure process and not the appeals process. Although there is an appeals process which occurs later in the year after the outcome is known, appeals based on illness will be considered only in exceptional circumstances. Further details of the appeals process are given on page 10. Students who miss the test for unavoidable reasons may be considered on their moderated school assessment scores at the discretion of the selection committee. Where neither test scores nor moderated school assessment scores are available, applicants may be considered on the basis of alternative evidence. In some cases applicants will be invited to use the interstate/overseas application procedure. This procedure is outlined on page 4.

Late applications
Late applications will not generally be considered except where there are extenuating circumstances. If you have a good reason for making an application after the closing date, you must apply online and forward a written explanation and a supporting statement from the school principal or other appropriate person where applicable. If no explanation is provided the late application cannot be considered. The selection committee will decide whether or not the late application will be accepted. If the selection committee accepts the reason for the late application

Sample tests
Sample tests are published on the Units website at http:// www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/k-6assessments/ shsplacement/ss_sampletest.php They assist applicants to become more familiar with the Selective High School Placement Test. Selection committees and appeals panels will not make placement decisions based on students performance in the sample tests.

but the student is unable to take the Selective High School Placement Test, the student might be considered on moderated school assessment scores. Where neither test scores nor moderated school assessment scores are available, applicants might be able to use the interstate/ overseas application procedure or may be considered on the basis of any alternative evidence presented. If your application is received after 8 February 2013 your child will generally not be tested and your application will be considered only if there is a shortage of suitable applicants. While there is normally no such shortage, some regional schools and those which take boarders may have some places available for late applicants.

Acknowledgement of response
Whether you accept or decline an offer, you will be sent a confirmation of your decision. If this confirmation is not received within 21 days you should contact the Unit.

Reminder advice
In November 2013, parents who have accepted a place or whose children are on reserve lists will be sent reminders that if they no longer want the place they should advise the Unit, so that an offer can be made to the next eligible applicant.

Authority to attend
Once you have accepted an offer you might be asked to fill in enrolment forms for your child during the schools orientation program. Even if you have completed enrolment papers at the school, the Unit will also send you an Authority to Attend in January 2014. The student must present this authority to the school on the first day of Term 1, 2014. This authority is also intended to serve as a reminder to people who no longer wish to take up their offer that they should notify the Unit so that the place can be offered to the next eligible applicant. To completely finalise enrolment at a selective high school you must have: received an Authority to attend from the Unit satisfied all NSW Department of Education and Communities enrolment requirements.

Selection committees
All placement decisions are made by selection committees using the Criteria for Entry as described on page 5. There is a separate selection committee for each selective high school and each committee makes its decisions independently of the other committees. Each selection committee will consist of at least three people usually including the school education director or nominee, the selective high school principal or nominee and a parent or community representative.

Outcome of application
Outcome advice
The Unit will send you advice by either mail or email in early July 2013 telling you whether your child: is being offered a place and/or has been placed on a reserve list and/or has been unsuccessful for one or more choices.

Holiday arrangements
If you will be away when offers are being made, you should notify the Unit of a contact address, telephone number or email address and the length of time you will be away. In some circumstances the Unit may contact the special contact person listed on the application. If your child is on a reserve list you may accept in advance any offer that may be made while you are away, as long as it is in writing.

Applications on Hold
In some cases students might not be sent outcome advice at the same time as the rest of the candidates. These students applications could be placed on hold while the selection committee carries out further investigation and enquiries usually related to residency status, age or any extenuating circumstances.

Early advice
Outcome advice is sent as soon as the information is available and checked. However, if you have a good reason for needing to know the possible outcome early, e.g. having to pay a non-refundable deposit exceeding $800 to secure a place at an alternative school, you should contact the Unit for an Early advice request form, check the conditions outlined on the form, complete the required information and forward it to the Unit. No information is available before early June and, generally, the only information the Unit can be reasonably certain about before outcome letters and emails are sent is whether a student is unsuccessful for all choices. Early advice is provided only once and is as close as possible to the deadline for accepting the alternative offer.

Response to offers
If you receive an offer you must fill out a response form and return it by the date shown on the form (generally 14 days after the date of the offer). Some late offers will be made by telephone and these will usually require responses within 24 hours. The Unit may assume that the offer has been declined if you do not respond by the due date. If you accept an offer and later change your mind you should let the Unit know immediately in writing, so that the next eligible applicant can be offered the place.

Later round and subsequent offers

Parents whose children are on reserve lists will be offered a place if their position on a reserve list is reached. Such offers may continue to be made until the end of June, 2014 when the Years 8 to 12 application process begins. Students who have been offered a place and are also on reserve lists for higher choices will be sent a subsequent offer if their reserve list position is reached. Up until 3pm on Wednesday 18 December 2013 offers will be made whether or not previous offers have been accepted or declined. After 3pm on Wednesday 18 December 2013, unless there are extenuating circumstances, no further offers will be made to applicants who have offers they have accepted and not subsequently declined. Extenuating circumstances for an applicant who has accepted an offer to one selective high school and now wants to be placed at a different selective high school would have to involve an unforeseen and considerably distant change of residence. In cases such as these attempts will be made to relocate the student if there is a vacancy at the new selective high school, the student qualifies academically for that school and both selective high school principals approve.

Offers or enrolments may be terminated if placement is made on the basis of false or misleading information. Any deferment must be negotiated with the selective high school principal or with the Unit (in cases where offers are being made over the school holidays) before enrolling the student. You cannot defer enrolment beyond the first day of Term 2, 2014. Even if a student has been offered a place and the offer has been accepted, the applicant must still show, through procedures such as those described in this document, that all criteria have been met before enrolment can be finalised.

Appeals
You may appeal against the decision of the selection committee if you feel there were special factors which may have prevented the student from gaining higher school assessment scores or test scores, or if there were other factors which may not have been considered by the selection committee. Documentary evidence should accompany the appeal wherever relevant. All appeals must be made on an appeal form which can be downloaded from the Units website or by contacting the Unit. You should complete the parents section of the appeal form and pass it on to your childs primary school principal by Friday 19 July 2013. The principal should complete the principals section and return the form to the Unit by Friday 26 July 2013. If the students school or test performance was likely to have been affected by illness, the Unit should have been notified by Thursday 28 March 2013 as part of the illness/misadventure process (see page 8). Appeals based on illness will therefore be considered only in exceptional circumstances and all such appeals must include a medical certificate covering the day of the test. If your appeal is based on the students school performance, the panel will consider only evidence concerning performance up to 11 December 2012. If you are appealing on other grounds you should include evidence to support your appeal if applicable. The appeals panel may consult with the primary school principal to seek further information if applicable. You will be notified of the outcome of your appeal in October 2013.

Reports for schools

The Unit will send reports to government primary schools listing the outcome for each of their candidates. The Unit may, upon request, send reports to nongovernment schools listing the outcome for only those applicants whose application forms provide school assessment scores and where the parent has given approval for the Unit to contact the school.

Assessment scores and other results

Candidates will receive in their outcome advice the score out of 300 they achieved in the selective high school placement process, provided that they sat the Selective High School Placement Test. Further details of the scores achieved by your child will be available on request using the Request for scores form available on the internet. Requests will be processed together at the end of July and each subsequent month until December. Details of scores will not be provided over the phone.

Withdrawal of offers
Offers will be withdrawn if it is found that students do not satisfy all the requirements, such as permanent residency, or if students do not enrol at the school at the beginning of the school year without providing a satisfactory explanation. Offers will lapse if the Unit, after at least three attempts, is unable to contact the applicant to make the offer or determine the response.

Material contributions
As with all government schools, tuition at selective high schools is free, but schools may ask for a voluntary contribution to cover services such as library, textbooks and curriculum-related resources. Schools may also ask for contributions to cover the purchase of materials in certain subjects and to cover costs associated with sport or excursions. Boarding fees for residential agricultural high schools are outlined on pages 11 and 12.

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Residential agricultural high schools

There are three residential agricultural high schools: Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Tamworth (boarding and day students; boys only) Hurlstone Agricultural High School, Glenfield (boarding and day students; co-educational) Yanco Agricultural High School, Yanco (boarding only; co-educational) Students who are successful in gaining a boarding place at these schools are required to board (live) at the school. Agriculture is a compulsory subject from Years 7 to 10 and for students entering the school in Year 11 in each of these schools. Where an application is made for any of the residential agricultural high schools, applicants should ensure that the details of the geographically isolated claim and the reason for choosing to study agriculture are shown on the application.

previous years for either the student, a sibling or a neighbouring student. 2. Country students (those living outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong) with a demonstrated commitment to agriculture and science who would have to travel at least 3 hours a day (return) to attend a government high school offering agriculture in Years 8 to 10. 3.  Other country students with a demonstrated commitment to agriculture and science. These will be considered on the same basis as applicants for day places based on academic merit. 4. City students (those living in Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong) with a demonstrated commitment to agriculture and science who would have to travel at least 3 hours a day (return) to attend a government high school offering agriculture in Years 8 to 10. 5.  Other city students will be considered on the same basis as applicants for day places based on academic merit. Note: The students ability to cope in a boarder situation will be taken into consideration. The selection committee may seek information from the students primary school principal. Within categories 1, 2 and 4, students will be prioritised according to the length of travel time (excluding time spent waiting for transport) and academic merit. If applying for a boarding place you should complete all of the residential agricultural school section on the application including: isolation factors interest in agriculture. In addition to satisfying residency requirements and other conditions for entry, enrolment as a boarding student is subject to the provision of a medical report for the student and the submission of a signed residential agreement. Note: For Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and Hurlstone Agricultural High School, a student successful in gaining a boarder placement cannot later be automatically transferred to a day student place, as the placement process is different for boarder and day places.

Priority for boarder placement

Priority for boarder placement is decided in the following categories: 1.  Those students considered geographically isolated according to the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme. Further information is available from http://www.humanservices.gov.au/ customer/services/centrelink/assistance-for-isolatedchildren  These include students who satisfy any ONE of the following rules:  The 16 kilometre rule: The student is eligible if the distance from the principal family home to the nearest appropriate public school is at least 16 kilometres and the distance to the nearest available transport service to this school is at least 4.5 kilometres OR  The 56 kilometre rule: The student is eligible if the distance from the principal family home to the nearest appropriate public school is at least 56 kilometres via the shortest practical route OR if there is a school transport service available within 4.5 kilometres of the family home, the distance to the transport pick-up point and then to the school via the transport service must be at least 56 kilometres OR  Three hour rule: The student is eligible if the travel time for the return journey between home and school is at least 3 hours OR  Special conditions: The student is eligible if any of the above rules or any other special conditions such as impassable roads prevents the student from attending school on at least 20 school days in the year. To qualify for this criterion the applicant must provide a statement from the school showing dates of absences caused by such conditions in

Boarding fees
The boarding fees for 2014 are yet to be determined. Fees payable should be confirmed with the school. As a guide, in recent years the boarding fee for Years 7 to 10 was between $6600 and $8500, payable in instalments of around $2100 at the beginning of each term. The boarding fee for Years 11 and 12 has been approximately $15 000 to $18 000, payable in seven instalments over two years (four in Year 11 and three in Year 12). Residential agricultural high schools can levy an application fee, payable on acceptance of a residential place. This amount is deducted from the fees when the

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student enrols but is forfeited if the student is withdrawn after a place has been accepted. Note: Parents must sign a residential student agreement undertaking to pay the boarding fees on the first day of each term. Offers may be withdrawn and enrolments terminated if parents fail to honour their commitment to pay their fees in full and on time.

Students may also be able to obtain assistance from Youth Allowance http://www.humanservices.gov.au/ customer/services/centrelink/youth-allowance or ABSTUDY http://www.humanservices.gov.au/ customer/services/centrelink/abstudy administered by the Commonwealth

Frequently asked questions

1. Must I list four schools? Consider your choices carefully. You should list only those schools you are prepared to accept. You may list from one to four choices. 2.  Does the order in which I list my choices matter? Yes. If your child qualifies for more than one of your choices, you will be offered a place only at the school of highest choice for which your child qualifies. 3.  What provision is made for students from non-government schools? The selection procedures are exactly the same for all students. Principals of non-government primary schools have been asked to accept your application, add school assessment scores and comments, and send it to the Unit. In circumstances where this is not possible you should seek formal exemption (See Exemption from providing school assessment scores on page 4). 4.  What can I do to prepare my child for the Selective High School Placement Test? Children should be encouraged to familiarise themselves with the kinds of questions they will be asked. Students can practise answering the questions in the sample test papers available on the Units website. Students will also be given practice questions before the test begins. 5.  What happens if my child gets sick on the day of the test? You should immediately obtain an Illness/misadventure form which includes an Independent evidence of illness page which needs to be completed by your medical practitioner. You should complete the form, whether or not the student attempted the test, enclose a medical certificate which covers the day of the test, and return the completed form to the Unit by Thursday 28 March 2013. The selection committee will then consider the students illness/misadventure claim as part of the selection process. Remember, it is generally better to attempt the test than to miss it. You will not be able to appeal on the grounds of illness after the outcome is known. 6.  If my outcome advice indicates that my child is unsuccessful, can his or her name be placed on a reserve list? No. Three key expressions are used in outcome advice: offer, reserve list and unsuccessful. The selection committees decide the students who will receive offers and those who will be placed on the reserve list. These students have higher scores than those who are

Schemes providing financial assistance for boarding students

A.  NSW Secondary students living away from home allowance (LAFHA) This allowance is a NSW State Government allowance administered by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. The allowance is reviewed yearly. In 2012 the allowance is valued at $1,320 per annum, paid in two semester payments of $660 each, with an additional $309 per year available if the student is in Year 11 or 12 and is geographically isolated. LAFHA is subject to a means test; the adjusted family taxable income for the year ending 30 June 2012 cannot exceed $58,372. New applications are available from early December each year to apply for the following year. Application forms are available from residential agricultural high schools and the Allowances Officer, Secondary Students Living Away From Home Allowance, Rural and Distance Education, PO Box 717, Bathurst NSW 2795. Telephone 02 6334 8075 or email: leigh.luxford@ det.nsw.edu.au B.  Boarding Scholarships for Isolated Students (BSIS) These scholarships are available to eligible families who meet strict criteria related to isolation and economic circumstances. The scholarship amount for 2014 is yet to be set but it was valued at $4,410 for each student in 2012. Further information about the BSIS is available at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/rde/ scholarships/bsisapp.pdf C. Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AIC) AIC is a Commonwealth Government scheme that targets students who do not have reasonable daily access to an appropriate government school because the family home is geographically isolated. Information about this scheme is contained in a brochure published by Centrelink. The brochure and application forms are available from all Centrelink offices or you may wish to telephone 132 318. Further information is available on the internet at: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/ centrelink/assistance-for-isolated-children Intending applicants are also reminded that in addition to geographic isolation, the brochure lists special circumstances which might contribute to the students isolation.

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unsuccessful. Students placed on the reserve list will be given a number indicating their position on the reserve list. Progress on the reserve list varies from year to year. When offers begin to be made from the reserve list, the progress of each schools reserve list is available on the Units website shown on the front of this document.

7.  What does the Selective High School Placement Test tell me about my childs performance? The Selective High School Placement Test is designed to help identify students for entry into selective high schools on the basis of academic ability. It is not meant to be a diagnostic test to identify the students strengths and weaknesses in English or mathematics performance. The students primary school is in a far better position to advise you on your childs performance in these areas. 8.  If my child was unsuccessful for opportunity class placement, does it mean he or she will be unsuccessful for selective high school entry? Not necessarily. The entry requirements for opportunity classes and selective high school placement can vary quite significantly. Moreover, there is scope for improvement in the ability and performance of students over the time since they applied for opportunity class placement. Conversely, not all students from opportunity classes are successful for selective high school entry. 9.  If I receive an offer to one of my lower choices as well as being on the reserve list for one of my higher choices, do I have to give up the offer to stay on the reserve list? You can accept an offer to one school while remaining on the reserve list for one or more of your higher choices until the end of the school year in 2013. After that time no further offers will be made to applicants who have offers that they have accepted and not subsequently declined. 10.  If my child is one of the last to be made an offer, does that mean he or she will struggle at a selective high school? The selection committee offers places or reserve list positions only to those students considered capable of doing well at that school. There are many things which can affect student performance, including your childs willingness to learn, his or her response to teachers, and interaction with other students. While some students who receive late offers might have problems, the majority have no difficulties. 11.  What should I do if my child does not get into a selective high school? As there is one place for approximately every three people applying, not all students can be placed. Be supportive and explain to your child that he or she can be very successful at a comprehensive high school. Students from comprehensive high schools can achieve results which are as good as, or even better than, results gained by selective high school students.

12.  What score does a student have to gain to be successful for selective high school placement? There is no pre-determined score that a student has to achieve to be successful for selective high school placement. The minimum entry score for each selective high school depends on the score achieved by the candidates applying for that school and can vary from school to school and from year to year. The greater the demand for the school the higher the entry score is likely to be. For example, in a school with 150 places, the entry score achieved for the 150th ranked student offered a place at that school becomes the entry score. The entry scores required for the previous year are available on the Units website as a guide. 13.  How is the profile score derived if my child is the only one applying from his or her school? Students who do not have school assessment scores or those who are the only candidates from the school will be considered on test marks only. 14. How can I find out my childs score? Most applicants will receive their childs profile score at the bottom of their outcome advice in July 2013. To receive further details of your childs scores in the selective high school placement process, after you have received your outcome advice, you will need to complete and forward to the Unit a Request for scores form which is available from the internet. 15. How does the reserve list work? If the student is on a reserve list for a selective high school the number on the outcome advice shows the students position on the list. The progress of the reserve list depends on whether students accept or decline an offer and whether other students receive subsequent offers to a school of higher choice. If a students position is reached on the reserve list, parents will be contacted by the Unit with an offer. From early August 2013 you can track the progress of the reserve lists on the Units website. 16.  Can I change my choice of schools after submitting the application? Parents are advised to consider carefully their choices when submitting the application. Before Thursday 2 May 2013, when selection committee lists are created, parents can submit a change of choice without explanation. After this date changes are subject to approval and must be accompanied by documentary evidence of the reason for the change at this stage. See Change of Choice on page 7. 17.  Why do some partially selective high schools combine selective and comprehensive students in the senior years? It allows the school to better organise the timetable and offer more electives than would be possible if the selective students were kept as a separate group. This organisation advantages selective students as the school can offer a wider range of electives. 13

Selective high schools with Year 7 vacancies in 2014 You may choose up to four selective high schools. Please consider your choices carefully.

Fully selective
School code
BHH CAR FOR GIR GOS MAN

School details Co-educational

Baulkham Hills High School Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills 2153 Caringbah High School Willarong Road, Caringbah 2229 Fort Street High School Parramatta Road, Petersham 2049 Girraween High School Gilba Road, Girraween 2145 Gosford High School Racecourse Road, Gosford 2250 Manly Campus Northern Beaches Secondary College Abbott Road, North Curl Curl 2099 Merewether High School Chatham Street, Broadmeadow 2292 Penrith High School High Street, Penrith 2750 Smiths Hill High School Gipps Street, Wollongong 2500

Web site
http://www.baulkhamhillshighschool.com.au http://www.caringbah.nsw.edu.au http://www.fortstreet.nsw.edu.au http://www.girraween-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.gosfordhigh.com.au http://www.manlyselective.nsw.edu.au

MER PEN SMH

http://www.merewether-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.penrithhighschool.nsw.edu.au http://www.smithshill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Male
NBH NSB SBH STH Normanhurst Boys High School Pennant Hills Road, Normanhurst 2076 North Sydney Boys High School Falcon Street, Crows Nest 2065 Sydney Boys High School Moore Park, Anzac Parade, Surry Hills 2010 Sydney Technical High School Forest Road, Bexley 2207 http://www.normanhurb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.nsbhs.nsw.edu.au http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com http://www.sths.nsw.edu.au

Female
HGH NSG SGG SGH Hornsby Girls High School Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby 2077 North Sydney Girls High School Pacific Highway, Crows Nest 2065 St George Girls High School Victoria Street, Kogarah 2217 Sydney Girls High School Moore Park, Anzac Parade, Surry Hills 2010 http://www.hornsbygir-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.northsydgi-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.stgeorgegi-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.sghs.nsw.edu.au

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Selective high schools with Year 7 vacancies in 2014

Partially selective
School code ALX
ARM AUB BAL

BLB BLG BON CHA DUV EMH GOR GRA GBH KAR KOO LEI

MFH MOO PAR PHS PRA ROS RYD SEF TEM

School details Alexandria Park Community School^ Park Road, Alexandria 2015 Armidale High School Butler Street, Armidale 2350 Auburn Girls High School Hunter Street and Braemar Ave, Auburn 2144 Balmain Campus# Sydney Secondary College (Years 7 to 10) Terry Street, Rozelle 2039 Blacktown Boys High School Sunnyholt Road & Fifth Ave, Blacktown 2148 Blacktown Girls High School Fifth Avenue, Blacktown 2148 Bonnyrigg High School Elizabeth Drive, Bonnyrigg 2177 Chatswood High School Centennial Avenue, Chatswood 2067 Duval High School Crest Road, Armidale 2350 Elizabeth Macarthur High School Waterworth Drive, Narellan 2567 Gorokan High School Goobarabah Ave, Gorokan 2263 Grafton High School Oliver & Mary Streets, Grafton 2460 Granville Boys High School 14 Mary Street, Granville 2142 Karabar High School Donald Road, Queanbeyan 2620 Kooringal High School Ziegler Avenue, Kooringal North 2650 Leichhardt Campus# Sydney Secondary College (Years 7 to 10) Balmain Road, Leichhardt 2040 Macquarie Fields High School Harold Street, Macquarie Fields 2564 Moorebank High School Bangalow Avenue, Moorebank 2170 Parramatta High School Great Western Hwy & Pitt St, Parramatta 2150 Peel High School Gunnedah Road, Tamworth 2340 Prairiewood High School Prairievale Road, Wetherill Park 2164 Rose Bay Secondary College^ Hardy Street, Dover Heights 2030 Ryde Secondary College Malvina Street, Ryde 2112 Sefton High School Hector Street, Sefton 2162 Tempe High School^ Unwins Bridge Road, Tempe 2044

Web site http://www.alexparkcs-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

http://www.armidale-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.auburng-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.balmain-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

http://www.blacktownb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.blacktowng-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.bonnyrigg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.chatswood-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.duval-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.elizabeth-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.grafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.granvilleb-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.karabarhigh.com.au http://www.kooringal-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.leichhardt-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

http://www.mfhs.nsw.edu.au http://www.moorebankhigh.nsw.edu.au http://www.parramatta-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.peel-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.prairiewoodhigh.com.au http://www.rosebay-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.rydesc-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.sefton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au http://www.tempe-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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Selective high schools with Year 7 vacancies in 2014

Selective agricultural
School code
JRA

School details
James Ruse Agricultural High School 1731 Felton Road, Carlingford 2118 Yanco Agricultural High School Yanco female boarder Yanco male boarder Euroley Road, Yanco 2703

Web site Day places only: co-educational

http://www.jamesruse.nsw.edu.au

Boarder places only: co-educational

http://www.yancoag-h.schools.nsw.edu.au YAF YAM

Boarder and day places: male only

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Farrer male boarder Farrer male day 585 Calala Lane, Tamworth 2340 http://www.farreragri-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

FAM FAD

Boarder and day places: co-educational

HAF HAM HAD Hurlstone Agricultural High School Hurlstone female boarder Hurlstone male boarder Hurlstone day Roy Watts Road, Glenfield 2167 http://www.hurlstone.com.au

xsel Virtual Selective Class Provision

VIR Virtual selective class provision ( xsel )* Western NSW Region http://www.xsel.schools.nsw.edu.au

Note: ^Alexandria Park, Rose Bay and Tempe have targeted places available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. #Sydney Secondary College Balmain and Leichhardt campuses offer places in Years 7 to 10. Students from these campuses will generally proceed to Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus for Years 11 and 12. *Only students from Western NSW Region may apply for xsel, the virtual selective class provision. Principals of students applying for the virtual selective class provision are required to submit a Virtual selective class: Report of academic merit with the standard application. IMPORTANT Use the three-letter school code and underlined section of the school name to indicate school choices on the application form. Example
1 2 L E I L E I C H H A R D T F E M A L E B O A R D E R H A F H U R L S T O N E

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