Foundation English – Improving Student Performance Workshops

Contact
Francoise Purdue (08) 9273 6374
Francoise.Purdue@scsa.wa.edu.au

School leaders and English teachers are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting a series of workshops designed to support improving student performance in Foundation Years 11 and 12 English.

This workshop will focus on:

• developing modules of work that address the four Foundation contexts – work, community participation, everyday personal contexts, and learning
• providing opportunities for the development of the literacy and numeracy capabilities
• developing students' skills in reading, producing and speaking and listening.

The workshops are free to attend and are not compulsory. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred (for example, teacher relief) as a result of attendance at the workshops.

Details of all workshops can be accessed when the teacher registers online from the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/foundation-english-improving-student-performance-workshops.

ATAR Year 12 EAL/D New Syllabus Workshop

Contact
Angelique Smith (08) 9273 6776
Angelique.Smith@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of ATAR Year 12 English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting a New Syllabus Workshop in Term 4.

This workshop will focus on:

• developing a shared understanding of the assessment requirements
• planning for changes to the assessment structure
• planning for the Common Oral Assessment Task (COAT)
• collaborating to modify teachers' existing course outlines, assessment outlines and assessment tasks in order to meet compliance of the new course.

Face-to-face Meeting: Friday, 11 November, 9:00 am – 2:45 pm or

WebEx Meeting (online): Monday, 14 November, 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

The workshop will be an invaluable opportunity to assist teachers in the planning for, and delivery of, the new syllabus.

The sessions are not compulsory and are free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) as a result of attendance. Register for either session at this link:

https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/eald-atar-year-12-new-syllabus-workshop.

ATAR Literature Improving Student Performance Workshop 2022

Contact
Gerard Morris (08) 9273 6742
Gerard.Morris@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority will present a workshop focused on approaches to close reading within coursework and within Section 1 of the ATAR Literature ATAR examination. It is designed for teachers of ATAR Year 11 and 12 Literature, is free to attend and is not compulsory.

Schools are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of attendance (including teacher relief). The workshop will be presented in person on Tuesday 29 November and by Webex on Thursday 1 December. Further details and registration are available at
https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/improving-student-performance-workshop-literature.

Assessment workshop for new 2023 ATAR Year 11 Economics syllabus - Webex

Contact
Nick Ognenis (08) 9273 6354
Nick.Ognenis@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of ATAR Year 11 Economics are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an Assessment workshop in Term 4 via Webex. The purpose of this workshop is to provide teachers with information on the Authority’s assessment requirements for the new ATAR Year 11 Economics Syllabus to be implemented in 2023.

The workshop is intended for schools that are offering the ATAR Year 11 Economics course in 2023.

The workshop will focus on developing a course and assessment outline, constructing sample assessment questions and developing analytic marking keys.

Each workshop will include:

• unpacking sample support material provided by the Authority
• developing an assessment outline.

The date for this Webex workshop is as follows:

Wednesday, 2 November 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

The ATAR Year 11 Economics syllabus for teaching in 2023 is available on the Economics course page.

The workshop is not compulsory and is free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) as a result of attendance at the workshops. Register for the workshops online at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-new-2023-atar-year-11-economics-syllabus

New syllabuses for ATAR Year 11 and Year 12 Computer Science

Contact
David Donnelly (08) 9273 350
David.Donnelly@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers are advised that the new syllabuses for ATAR Year 11 and Year 12 Computer Science are now available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website. These new syllabuses have been endorsed for teaching from 2023 for Year 11 and 2024 for Year 12.

The finalised syllabus documents, along with a summary of changes document, are available now on the Computer Science course page of the Authority website:

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/technologies/computer-science under ATAR.

Publication of the support documents will take place in Term 4.

ATAR Year 12 English Syllabus Update

Contact
Gerard Morris (08) 9273 6742
Gerard.Morris@scsa.wa.edu.au

Francoise Purdue (08) 9273 6742
Francoise.Purdue@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of ATAR Year 12 English are advised of the following syllabus change to Section One of the Examination Design Brief from 2023 onwards.

Section One of the Examination Design Brief (Syllabus, page 15) from 2023 onwards will read as follows:

There are no changes to Sections Two and Three of the ATAR English Examination Design Brief.

ATAR Year 12 Drama Set Monologue List (For teaching from 2023)

Contact
Max Leech (08) 9273 6740
Max.Leech@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of ATAR Year 12 Drama are advised the following two monologues from the Monologue Set List (For teaching from 2023) have been removed:

The following monologues have been added to the Monologue Set List (For teaching from 2023):

The updated Set Monologue List (For teaching from 2023) reflecting these changes is available on the Drama course page under ATAR Support Materials https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/arts/drama.

Copies of 2022 examination papers available at the examination centre

Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309

Schools with candidates presenting for an ATAR course examination are permitted only one copy of an ATAR course examination paper. Multiple copies of examination papers will not be given to a school.

Approximately one hour after the examination has commenced, a school representative can collect their school’s copy of the examination paper from the reception of the examination centre at which their students are sitting the examination. Teachers must not enter the examination room to request a copy of an examination paper.

If a school does not have students sitting an examination at their school examination centre and a school representative is unable to collect the examination paper from another examination centre, a copy can be obtained by sending an email request to Tim.Chiew@scsa.wa.edu.au by Friday, 25 November 2022. Phone requests cannot be accepted.

For schools that do not have students sitting an ATAR course examination in 2022, a copy of examination papers can be downloaded from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website early in 2023. For examinations with an aural component, no copies of the audio recording are distributed.

2023 Dance practical (performance) examination set solo material in schools

Contact
Terry Pirlo (08) 9273 6722
Terry.Pirlo@scsa.wa.edu.au

Max Leech (08) 9273 6740
Max.Leech@scsa.wa.edu.au

The set solo material for the 2023 ATAR Dance course practical (performance) examination has been sent to all schools for students enrolled in the ATAR Year 11 Dance course in 2022. The package, comprising of a USB, was addressed to the teacher-in-charge of Dance.

The USB contains the set solo video footage (full performance, breakdown of phrases with music and breakdown of phrases with notes), music track for the set solo, detailed breakdown notes of each phrase and technical notes, which includes the choreographer’s intent. Candidates will be required to learn the set solo for Performance two of the 2023 ATAR Dance practical (performance) examination.

Absence from ATAR course written examinations

Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6377
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au

With the changes in the State’s advice related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has reverted to pre-COVID arrangements for students who are absent from an ATAR course written examination due to illness.

Should a student be absent from a written examination due to illness, then a Sickness/Misadventure application form must be submitted to the Authority with Section D of the application completed by a medical practitioner.

Should a student be unwell with COVID like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or sense of smell), they should not attend the examination venue and must submit a Sickness/Misadventure application form with Section D of the application completed by a medical practitioner as soon as possible.

2023 EST mark allocation and course specific requirements (where applicable)

Contact
Gabby Raggio (08) 9273 6787
Gabby.Raggio@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers are advised that the marks allocated to each General and Foundation Externally set task (EST) in 2023 is provided in a document located on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/externally-set-tasks.

In addition, the document listing specific course requirements (where applicable) for each General and Foundation EST is also available on this page.

Meeting WACE Requirements Seminar 2022

Contact
John Newman (08) 9273 6757
John.Newman@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering a Meeting WACE Requirements seminar on Monday 21, November 2022 from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm.

The generic Meeting WACE Requirements seminars are designed for new school administrators and leaders.

The purpose of these seminars is to provide school administrators and leaders with information on the Authority’s assessment and moderation requirements that schools need to follow when delivering senior secondary courses.

Schools are advised that information related to Meeting WACE Requirements seminars to be provided in Term 1, 2023 will be provided in early 2023. These seminars will include both specific Learning Area seminars, as well as a generic seminar for school administrators and leaders.

Registration and further information related to the November 2022 seminar can be located on the Authority website using the link below:

https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/meeting-wace-requirements-2022-november-seminar.

2023 Activities Schedule availability

Contact
Jenny Offer(08) 9273 6313
Jenny.Offer@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2023 Activities Schedule is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website at three locations:

• https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/activities-schedule
• https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/resources/activities-schedule
• https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/further-resources/activities-schedule.

The 2023 Term Calendar will be available on Monday, 14 November 2022.

The Outlook calendar will be available to download on a term-by-term basis. Any updates to the Activities Schedule will be noted in the Circular and replicated in new versions of the calendar.

The dates in this schedule are coded by coloured icons:

• Pink  activity relates to or includes primary schools
• Orange  updates are for items to be received by the Authority
• Blue  updates are for items to be available to or received by schools/providers
• Green  updates are significant to schools and the Authority.

Please see the PDF, on the Activities Schedule page, with an explanation of changes to the Activities Schedule for 2023.

Curriculum Advisory Committees 2023

Contact
Maureen Lorimer (08) 9273 6397 [Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday]
Maureen.Lorimer@scsa.wa.edu.au

Practising teachers, and representatives of the following organisations: professional associations, universities, training, industry and community, are invited to nominate for the Curriculum Advisory Committees in the following phases of learning:

• Late Adolescence and Early Adulthood (Years 11 and 12)
• Early and Middle Adolescence (Years 7 – 10)
• Middle and Late Childhood (Years 3 – 6)
• Early Childhood (Years K – 2).

These committees are responsible for providing expert advice to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority on a range of matters, including, but not limited to:

• the Western Australian Curriculum – Kindergarten to Year 10
• the Principles of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• the Pre-primary to Year 10: Teaching, Assessing and Reporting Policy and Policy Standards for Pre-primary to Year 10: Teaching, Assessing and Reporting
• external assessments (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA), Externally Set Tasks (ESTs) and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examinations)
• assessment and moderation – Pre-primary to Year 2, Years 3 to 6, Years 7 to 10, Years 11 and 12
• the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) syllabus requirements.

The Nomination Form is accessible via the following link:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7063673/Curriculum-Advisory-Committee-Nomination-Form-2023

As part of the nomination process you will be required to attach a 3 page curriculum vitae and an endorsement form (available to download from first page of the Nomination Form).

The Terms of Reference are available via the above link and describe the structure and composition of the committees.

Applications close on Monday, 7 November 2022.

Please contact Ms Maureen Lorimer, Principal Consultant – Strategic Projects, by email (maureen.lorimer@scsa.wa.edu.au) if you require further information.

Assisting schools to monitor the effect of not providing a VET USI for Year 12 students in 2022

Contacts
Lisa Honczarenko (08) 9273 6763
Lisa.Honczarenko@scsa.wa.edu.au

Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au

For units of competency and qualifications to contribute towards meeting the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) requirements, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required.

Consequences of not having a USI

Students who achieve VET units of competency or VET qualifications without a VET USI will:

• not have the results reported on the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement
• not have the achievements allocated unit equivalence and may not meet the requirements to receive a WACE
• not have the achievements recognised in the completion requirement for VET Industry Specific courses.

Monitoring the effect of not having a USI

Schools are able to identify whether or not a Year 12 student enrolled in VET in 2022, without a USI, would achieve the WACE if he/she had a USI, by running the report CSE201 in the Student Information Records System (SIRS).

This report lists, for Year 12 students enrolled in at least one VET unit of competency, whether or not they would achieve the WACE if a USI was provided to the Authority. It is suggested that once a school has uploaded all of its Year 12 students’ achievements (course units, VET and endorsed programs) into SIRS, schools run the report via the following pathway:

Reports > Other reports > Report type: Certification, Report: CSE201 – Year 12 Students With VET Enrolments.

The report would alert schools to those Year 12 students who could possibly achieve the WACE if they had a USI.

Caution when using the report

Data contained in the report accurately reflects the status of students at the time of the last upload of information to SIRS from schools. Caution needs to be used when interpreting the data for the following reasons:

• the WACE cannot be calculated for a student until all achievement data has been uploaded into SIRS
• the data has not taken into account those students who have not sat an ATAR course examination and do not have an approved sickness/misadventure application for that course
• the achievement of the WACE could change if a school uploads changes to students’ achievements.

Assistance relating to USI

If assistance is required regarding the USI, it is suggested that schools contact the USI Office on

1300 857 536.

The importance of uploading the RSQUAL file for WACE certification

Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are reminded of the importance of ensuring the VET Qualification Results (RSQUAL) file is uploaded to the Student Information Records System (SIRS) database at the end of each calendar year. The information in the RSQUAL file is used to allocate unit credit towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and to determine that a student has met the Certificate II or higher requirement.

Please note: The RSQUAL file must only be uploaded once the school has received written verification from the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that the student has achieved the qualification.

It is also important for schools to ensure that the RSQUAL file processes successfully to SIRS and any error messages are resolved before due dates, as outlined in the 2022 Activities Schedule. This publication is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/activities-schedule. If a student does not have the correct number of units of competency linked to a qualification in SIRS the RSQUAL will not upload successfully.

Failure to upload this file may result in students not achieving their WACE and may therefore be considered not eligible for first round offers for entry into university and TAFE courses.

If there are errors in student achievement data after the deadlines that are a result of the school providing incorrect or incomplete data, the school will be charged a fee for updating the data.

Schools are also reminded that if the RSQUAL is not uploaded at the end of that year for Year 11 students who have completed a qualification this may also prevent students from achieving their WACE in the following year.

The RSQUAL file should be uploaded at the conclusion of the year that the student completes the full qualification (whether that be Year 10, 11 or 12).

Schools should check that the qualification has been recorded correctly by running the report
CSE007 – VET qualifications achieved in full. The pathway to this report is: Reports > Other Reports > Report type: Achievements > Report: CSE007.

More detailed information about the RSQUAL file is provided in Section 8.6.5 of the Data Procedures Manual 2022. This publication is available on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual.

Links are provided to database-specific software programs in Section 12 of the Data Procedures Manual 2022 using the above link.

Reminder: Applications for exemption from enrolment eligibility criteria for Foundation units for Semester 1, 2023

Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au

Principals are reminded that Applications for exemption from enrolment eligibility criteria for Foundation units for Semester 1, 2023 will be considered after the September Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) results are released on Monday, 17 October 2022.

Online applications are available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms/application-for-exemption-from-enrolment-eligibility-criteria-for-foundation-units and must be received by the Authority no later than Thursday, 17 November 2022.

In completing the application please refer to Section 1.8 of the WACE Manual 2022. https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

Reminder: Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2024 (Year 8, 2022)

Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au

Principals are reminded that Applications for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2024 (Year 8, 2022)must be received by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) no later than Thursday, 17 November 2022. The completed application form is to be emailed to certification@scsa.wa.edu.au.

An application form can be downloaded from the Authority website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms under the Enrolments tab.

Schools should only apply if the studies are part of a longer-term program for students who are:

• either gifted and talented or
• accelerated language students.

For further information please refer to Section 7 in the WACE Manual 2022. This publication is available on the Authority website via the following link: https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

Collection of other than Year 12 students’ achievement data – 2022

Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au

This is an early reminder that the other than Year 12 achievement data is due to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority by Thursday, 8 December 2022 as per the 2022 Activities Schedule.

Information about collecting achievement data will be received by schools by

Wednesday, 26 October 2022.

Schools will need to provide the achievement data for:

• Year 11 students enrolled in ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET Industry specific courses
• Year 10 and Year 11 students studying VET qualifications, VET units of competency and endorsed programs.