- Important Info
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St Margaret Mary's College Careers
What is an OP?
An "Overall Position" or OP is your position in a statewide rank order based on your overall achievement in Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) approved subjects.
It is used only for the purpose of allocating tertiary study places and you will be placed, based on your performance, into one of 25 OP bands from 1 (the highest) to 25 (the lowest).
How to I get an OP?
To get an OP you must study a certain number of Authority subjects and satisfy other requirements including completion of Year 12 and the Queensland Core Skills test (for details on the QCS click here). The basic eligibility requirement is 20 semester units of credit in Authority subjects with at least 3 subjects taken for 4 semesters. Authority subjects are based on syllabuses that have been approved and issued by the Queensland Studies Authority.
You can download a brochure that answers all the commonly asked questions about the OP here.
How is my OP calculated?
The calculation of your OP begins with the results you get in the subjects you study in Yr 12. These results are reported on your Senior Statement in terms of 5 levels of achievement - Very High Achievement, High Achievement, Sound Achievement, Limited Achievement and Very Limited Achievement. But results are also compared using Subject Achievement Indicators (SAI's) - these show your achievement compared with other students studying that subject at your school.
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority has produced a very good brochure that explains the OP calculation process and you can download it here.
Welcome to 2018What a busy start to the year we have had. Year 12 students have engaged in their Review Interviews with either myself or a member of the College Leadership Team. These interviews are a great way to start the year and involve reflecting on the previous year and setting goals to ensure that the final schooling year is a productive and successful one. Op eligible students are advised of their possible OP range based on their Year 11 results. This gives them an opportunity to come up with some strategies to improve or at least maintain their OP range. Strategies may include setting personal goals, changing their study habits or ensuring they have a balanced lifestyle - study, work, sport, extracurricular activities etc in the right proportions. Many Year 12 students have visited me in the Career Room after their interviews to talk about options for their future pathways.
The Year 10 students have been revisiting information on the New QCE system which will commence in 2019. There are lots of changes in store including introduction of the ATAR instead of the OP, External exams for year 12 students and revised subject syllabuses and some new subjects as well. Year 10 students are also preparing for their mandatory work experience week which takes place 25 - 29 June.
Over 40 Year 11 & 12 students are participting in the flexi Wednesday system. This enables the VET students to participate in their programs without missing any timetabled lessons. Many students are attending TAFE on Wednesdays and this year we have students studying Certificates in Health Support Services, Tourism, Salon Practices and Kitchen Operations. As well as this we have many students studying through other RTO's (Registered Training Organisations) such as CQU, ARF, and Open Learning Centres. These students study in the Library and are completing courses in Tourism, Animal Studies, Education Support and Makeup Artistry.
Remember my door is always open so pop in and have a chat or email me on lmurdoch@smmc.catholic.edu.au
Regards
Linda Murdoch
Career Education Development Coordinator