Illness or Misadventure

Students who may have been disadvantaged because of temporary impairment or non-permanent disability close to or during an examination that has affected, or will affect performance are able to apply for a derived grade based exclusively on pre-existing standard-specific evidence of achievement such as mock exams, formal tests etc.

Significant conditions or events in the week or so prior to an examination that could interfere with the preparation for the examination could be accepted, as well as impairment occurring during the actual examination.

Students are encouraged to sit the examination if possible and apply for derived grade if they consider their performance was impaired.

Where a student does not sit the examination, derived grade can be granted where evidence is produced showing that a serious situation on the day of the examination and beyond the student’s control made it impossible to sit the examination.

The situation must be of a serious nature. Applications will not normally be granted on grounds such as minor ailments, stress due to examination, parents being on holiday, or day-to-day family disturbances.

Events occurring on the day of the examination must be verified and reasons for their alleged impact on performance described. Events in the week or so prior to examination can be relevant if they impaired the student’s ability to prepare adequately or left significant residual on the day of examination.

The following conditions are not normally grounds for compassionate consideration:

However, there maybe impairment due to medicine changes, a seizure on the day of the examination or significant personal event. In these cases, the impairment is considered temporary and can be applied for in the normal way.

Results for a compassionate consideration must reflect the student’s performance during the year. Students suffering from long-term or recurring conditions may have to accept that their results will be affected. In some cases, application for special assessment conditions is more appropriate.

All applications for a derived grade should, in the first instance, contact the Principal ’s Nominee to obtain the required forms. If the application is for medical reasons then a Doctors certificate is required, and the student must have seen the doctor at the time they were unwell. Students and their parent or guardian can discuss the proposed application with the Principal ’s Nominee and in some case, the parent or guardian may complete the necessary application on the student’s behalf.