General 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 General Years 11 and 12 English.

This workshop will focus on:

• developing quality course and assessment outlines
• developing quality assessment tasks and marking keys
• interpreting Externally Set Task data sets
• building a common understanding of course standards.

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.

It is requested that each school sends no more than one representative to the face-to-face Perth metropolitan workshops. Webex participants need to ensure their computer has a working camera, microphone and speaker or headset.

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

English ATAR Improving Student Performance Workshop – ATAR English: Composing Interpretive & Persuasive Texts

Contact
Anthony Phillips (08) 9273 6782
anthony.phillips@scsa.wa.edu.au

School leaders and English teachers are advised that the Authority will be conducting a series of workshops designed to support improving student performance in ATAR English related to writing interpretive and persuasive texts.

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.

This Improving Student Performance Workshop focuses on teachers sharing ideas and approaches to teaching students to write interpretive and persuasive texts. It will also examine sample interpretive and persuasive student responses from the 2022 ATAR English Examination.

The details for the workshop are set out below.

Face-to-face (Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse, 2 Marlston Drive, Bunbury)
Friday 17 November 2023: 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Face-to-face (Telethon Speech & Hearing, 36 Dodd St, Wembley)
Monday 27 November 2023: 8:45–11:45 am

Face-to-face (Bentley Technology Park, The Hub, 2 Brodie-Hall Drive, Bentley)
Thursday 30 November 2023: 8:45–11:30 am

Online, via Webex
Friday 1 December 2023: 8:45–11:45 am.

Registrations will close three days prior to the event. It is requested that each school sends no more than one representative to the face-to-face Perth metropolitan workshops. Teachers will also be provided an opportunity to share their approaches to teaching interpretive and persuasive writing. Register for the workshop online at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/improving-student-performance-workshop-atar-english,-interpretive-and-persuasive-writing.

ATAR Literature Improving Student Performance Workshops 2023

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

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority will present a workshop on content within the Literature curriculum. The focus of the workshop will be how to improve students’ analysis of language features and how to use their understanding of language features to improve their creation of literary texts. There will be a special emphasis on the analysis and use of metaphor.

The workshop is designed for teachers of ATAR Year 11 and 12 Literature, is free to attend and is not compulsory. Participants may choose the in person workshop or a WebEx version of the workshop the following day.

Schools are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of attendance (including teacher relief. The workshop will be presented in person on Wednesday 22 November and by WebEx on Thursday 23 November. Further details and registration are available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/literature-improving-student-performance-workshop.

Consultation session for the new 2025 General Year 11 and 12 Humanities and Social Sciences in Action syllabus

Contact
Meredith Beaton (08) 9273 6778
meredith.beaton@scsa.wa.edu.au

School Leaders and Heads of Learning Area – Humanities and Social Sciences are advised that the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) have authorised the development of a new General Humanities and Social Sciences course for implementation in Year 11 in 2025. The purpose of this consultation session is to provide School Leaders and Heads of Learning Areas with an opportunity to engage with the new syllabus to support schools to offer the course in 2025.

The workshop will focus on:

• providing school leaders with the opportunity to provide feedback on the course
• providing information to School Leaders and Heads of Learning Area with information they can use to inform parents of the new course via their school handbook
• the skills, knowledge and understandings of the Years 11 and 12 General Humanities and Social Sciences in Action syllabus
• the assessment types outlined in the assessment table of the Years 11 and 12 General Humanities and Social Sciences in Action syllabuses.

The details for the workshop are as follows:
Technology Park Function Centre – Seminar Room 2
Brodie-Hall Drive, Bentley
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 from 9.00–11.00 am.

The General Year 11 Humanities and Social Sciences in Action syllabus for teaching in 2025 will be available on the Humanities and Social Sciences in Action course page in 2024.

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 workshop. Register for the workshop online at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events.

Assessment workshop for new 2024 ATAR Year 12 Economics syllabus

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

Teachers of ATAR Year 12 Economics are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an Assessment workshop in Term 4 online, via Webex. The purpose of this workshop is to provide teachers with information on the Authority’s assessment requirements for the new ATAR Year 12 Economics Syllabus to be implemented in 2024. Please note that this workshop will be a repeat of the assessment workshop conducted in Term 3.

The workshop is intended for schools that are offering the ATAR Year 12 Economics course in 2024.

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

Each workshop will include:

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

The workshop is online, via Webex.

The date for this workshop is Monday 6 November 2023 from 12.30 to 3.00 pm.

The ATAR Year 12 Economics syllabus for teaching in 2024 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 workshop.

Register for the workshop online at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-new-2024-ATAR-Year-12-Economics-syllabus/.

Assessment workshop for the new 2024 General Year 12 Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies syllabus

Contact
Carolyn Fleischer (08) 9273 6725
carolyn.fleischer@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Humanities and Social Sciences and Teachers of Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies General are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an Assessment workshop in Term 4 for teachers. The purpose of the workshop is to provide teachers with information on the assessment requirements for the new General Year 12 Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies course.

The workshop is also highly recommended for all teachers who will be teaching the new General Year 11 Aboriginal and Intercultural studies in 2024 for the first time.

The workshop will focus on familiarising teachers with the new structure, organisation and content of the new syllabus, as well as developing course and assessment outlines, examining the new assessment types, constructing sample assessment questions, and applying and developing analytical marking keys. The workshop will also assist with teacher preparation for the 2024 Syllabus Delivery Audit (SDA) for Year 12 General Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies Course.

The details for the workshop are as follows:

Friday, 17 November 8:30 am–12:00 pm, online via Webex.

The workshop is compulsory for schools who are offering Year 12 General Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies in 2024. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) for attendance at the workshop. Register for the workshop online at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-the-new-2024-year-12-general-aboriginal-and-intercultural-studies-course

Teachers are asked to have available a hard copy or electronic copy of the General Year 12 Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies Syllabus for 2024, which is available to download from the Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies course page https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/aboriginal-and-intercultural-studies under General.

Assessment workshop for the new 2024 General Year 11 Human Biology syllabus

Contact
Julie Weber (08) 9273 6381
julie.weber@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Science and Teachers of Human Biology General are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an assessment workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to provide teachers with information on the Authority’s assessment requirements for the new General Year 11 Human Biology course to be implement in 2024.

The workshop is intended for schools that are offering the General Year 11 Human Biology course in 2024.

The workshops will focus on:

• developing a shared understanding of the assessment requirements
• unpacking sample support material provided by the Authority.

This workshop is a repeat of the workshops held during Term 3.

The details for the workshop are as follows:
Online, via WebEx
Wednesday 22 November 2023 3:30–5.30 pm.

The General Year 11 Human Biology syllabus for teaching in 2024 is available on the Human Biology course page under General.

The workshop is not compulsory and is free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) for attendance at the workshop. Register for the workshop online at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-new-2024-general-year-11-human-biology-syllabus.

Assessment workshop for the new 2024 General Year 11 Science in Practice syllabus

Contact
Julie Weber (08) 9273 6381
julie.weber@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Science and Teachers of Integrated Science General are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an assessment information session. The purpose of the workshop is to provide teachers with information on the Authority’s assessment requirements for the new General Year 11 Science in Practice course to be implement in 2024.

The workshop is intended for schools that are offering the General Year 11 Science in Practice course in 2024.

The workshop will focus on:

• developing a shared understanding of the assessment requirements
• unpacking sample support material provided by the Authority.

This workshop is a repeat of the workshops held during Term 3.

The details for the workshop are as follows:

Online, via WebEx

Tuesday 21 November 2023 3:30 pm – 5.30 pm.

The General Year 11 Science in Practice syllabus for teaching in 2024 is available on the Science in Practice course page.

The workshop is not compulsory and is free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) for attendance at the workshop. Register for the workshop online at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-new-2024-general-year-11-science-in-practice-course.

General Year 11 Science in Practice unit approval process for 2024 information session

Contact
Julie Weber (08) 9273 6381
julie.weber@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Science and Teachers of Integrated Science and Science in Practice General are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting an information session outlining the process and requirements for the approval of school-developed units for teaching in 2024.

The session is intended for schools that are offering the General Year 11 Science in Practice course in 2024.

The session will focus on:

• developing a shared understanding of the requirements for school-developed units
• outlining the process for unit approval.

This session is a repeat of the session held during Term 3.

The details for the information session are as follows:

Online, via Webex
Thursday 23 November 2023 3:30 pm – 5.30 pm.

The General Year 11 Science in Practice syllabus for teaching in 2024 is available on the Science in Practice course page.

The session is not compulsory and is free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) for attendance at the workshop. Register for the session online at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/assessment-workshop-for-the-new-2024-general-year-11-science-in-practice-unit-approval-process-for-2024-workshop.

2024 ATAR course examination dates

Contact
Gloria Richmond (08) 9273 6732
Gloria.Richmond@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2024 ATAR course written examinations are scheduled from Monday, 28 October to Friday,
15 November 2024.

The 2024 ATAR course practical examinations are scheduled from Saturday, 21 September to Sunday,
20 October 2024. The 2024 ATAR course practical examinations are scheduled as follows:

1. Saturday, 21 September to Sunday, 29 September (Saturday, Sunday and the public holiday included):  Aviation, Dance, Drama, Music and Physical Education Studies.
2. Saturday, 12 October to Sunday, 20 October (Saturday and Sunday included):
   Chinese: Second Language, French: Background Language, French: Second Language, German: Background Language, German: Second Language, Indonesian: Second Language, Hindi: Background Language, Hindi: Second Language, Italian: Background Language, Italian: Second Language, Japanese: Second Language, Korean: Background Language and Korean: Second Language.

Schools will not be able to specify particular day/s for the practical examinations to be held for any student. Students from a school must be randomly allocated to examination times throughout all of the days allotted for a course. This process ensures anonymity for all candidates.

Schools are advised to plan activities such as school examinations, final-day assembly, graduation, valedictory dinners and leavers’ breakfast on dates other than those listed above.

Schools are requested to communicate the written and practical examination dates to students, teachers and parents. No allowance in the timetable can be made for holidays, work or personal arrangements.

The date ranges for the future Year 12 ATAR course written examinations schedules are below. Note that the proposed end date may alter given the policy states, ‘The written examination period will be for a period of approximately 15 weekdays.’

2025       Monday, 3 November – Friday, 21 November

2026       Monday, 2 November – Friday, 20 November

2027       Monday, 1 November – Friday, 19 November.

Absence from ATAR course written examinations

Contact
Gloria Richmond (08) 9273 6732
gloria.richmond@scsa.wa.edu.au

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, 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.

Copies of 2023 examination papers available at the examination centre

Contact
Gloria Richmond (08) 9273 6732
gloria.richmond@scsa.wa.edu.au

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, 24 November 2023. Phone requests cannot be accepted.

For schools that do not have students sitting an ATAR course examination in 2023, a copy of examination papers can be downloaded from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website early in 2024. For examinations with an aural component, no copies of the audio recording are distributed.

2024 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 2024 Dance ATAR course practical (performance) examination has been sent to all schools for students enrolled in the Year 11 Dance ATAR course in 2023. 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 2024 practical (performance) examination.

Small group moderation 2024 – online registration

Contact
Robyn Whisson (08) 9273 6367 (partnership registration)
John Newman (08) 9273 6757 (moderation queries)

All schools are required to register their participation or non-participation in small group moderation with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) by Thursday, 8 February 2024.

Schools planning to run a class with fewer than six examination candidates in an ATAR Year 12 course are reminded of the need to establish a small group moderation partnership for 2024. Note: Year 12 ATAR courses with one student enrolled are still required to form a small group moderation partnership.

To ensure the required comparability of marks, a partnership should be made with another school early to ensure delivery of the course at the same time. Schools will register their 2024 small group moderation partnerships via the online registration link.

All schools in a partnership are required to:

• use an identical assessment outline
• establish and use identical assessment tasks and marking keys
• conduct all assessment tasks under the same agreed conditions (or conditions that are as similar as possible)
• co-develop and document agreed marking strategies to ensure comparability of marking, which can include:
  • one teacher marking a task from all students in all partner schools (i.e. rotating the marking of tasks between teachers)
  • double-marking a task from all students or from selected students across the range of grades (i.e. both teachers independently mark the whole task or particular sections/questions, then discuss comparability, review marks and make adjustments where required)
  • co-marking a task (i.e., each teacher marks particular sections/questions for all students).

Full details of the small group moderation procedures are available in Section 3.6 of the 2023 WACE Manual, available on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

All schools with one or more small group moderation partnerships must register their partnerships with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) by Thursday, 8 February 2024 using the link available on the Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/moderation/small-group-moderation. A Guide for online registration of Small Group Moderation partnerships is available for reference.

Seminars will be provided early in 2024 for those teachers who have not participated in a small group moderation partnership before, or for those who wish to refresh their understanding of the required procedures. Details about the seminars will be available under ‘Events’ on the Authority website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events in December 2023.

2024 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 2024 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.

Teachers should be aware that from year to year the marks allocated to each EST can change, as can the structure of questions. Teachers should refer to the EST design brief contained in each course syllabus for additional information regarding the format and content of ESTs.

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

2024 COAT mark allocation

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

Teachers are advised that the total marks allocated to the 2024 Common oral assessment task (COAT) for the ATAR Year 12 English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) course is now available. The document is located on the course page of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/english/english-as-an-additional-language-or-dialect under Common Oral Assessment Task (COAT) Materials.

Teachers are encouraged to refer to the Sample COAT marking key also published on the course page for reference in preparation for the COAT to be administered during Term 2, 2024.

Recording of DTWD funded skill sets on the WASSA during October 2023

VET Contact
Sarah King (08) 9273 6391
vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au

Uploading data in the Student Information Records System (SIRS)

To support schools in reporting this data via the Student Information Records System (SIRS), School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has liaised with school systems/sector and software developers of various school management systems to enable the collection of the required skill set data.

The following file formats for the recording of skill sets have been developed:

• Enrolments in DTWD funded VET skill set units of competency – ENSKILL
• Results in DTWD funded VET skill set units of competency – RSUSKILL
• Completed DTWD funded VET skill set results – RSSKILL.

SIRS has been available for the reporting of skill set data from 9 October to 26 October 2023 for Year 12 students. During this period, the skill set data for current Year 12 students who completed a skill set in 2022 can also be reported. Schools will be able to make changes to uploaded data until 21 November 2023.

Skill is for current Year 11 students can be reported by schools as per the VET due dates published in the 2023 Activities Schedule.

If you require assistance with the uploading of student skill set data into SIRS, please contact dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au.

For any questions in relation to Vocational Education and Training (VET) and/or skill set policy, please contact vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au.

Endorsed Programs update October 2023

Contact
Sarah King (08) 9273 6391
endorsed@scsa.wa.edu.au

New programs added to the 2023 Endorsed Programs list

The following programs were endorsed by the Authority’s Board on 4 July 2023 and are available to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 for WACE recognition from 2023.

School-developed endorsed programs

• Al-Ameen College – Faith & Life
• Derby District High School – Kimberley Cuisine
• The Studio School, powered by All Saints’ College – Personal Projects: Making a Positive Difference
• School of Alternative Learning Settings (SALS) – Social and Emotional Learning Program.

Provider-developed endorsed programs

• Pony Club WA – PCANCAS Foundation Coach
• Royal Life Saving Society WA Inc – Swim Teacher by Royal Life Saving
• The University of Western Australia – Agriculture, Economics and Nature: Towards 2050
• The University of Western Australia – Community Pharmacy Fundamentals
• The University of Western Australia – Social Media Marketing
• Curtin University – ANTH1000 Self, Culture and Society
• Curtin University – INDE1001 Engineering Foundations
• Curtin University – ECOM1000 Analytics for Decision Making
• Curtin University – GOL100 Understanding Regions
• Curtin University – GOL200 Sustainability and Innovation Foundations.

A description of each program, the provider’s contact details, the allocated unit equivalence and the period of endorsement are detailed on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website. The web link for endorsed programs is:
https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/endorsed-programs.

2024 Activities Schedule availability

Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2024 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 2024 Term Calendar will be available on Wednesday, 29 November 2023.

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, titled ‘Explanation of changes to the 2024 Activities Schedule’.

Collection of other than Year 12 students’ achievement data – 2023

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, 7 December 2023 as per the 2023 Activities Schedule.

Information about collecting achievement data will be received by schools by Wednesday, 25 October 2023.

Schools will need to provide the achievement data for:

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

Reminder: Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2025 (Year 8, 2023)

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 2025 (Year 8, 2023) must be received by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) no later than Thursday, 16 November 2023. 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 2023. This publication is available on the Authority website via the following link: https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

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. 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 9.6.5 of the Data Procedures Manual 2023. This publication is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

Links are provided to database-specific software programs in Section 13 of the Data Procedures Manual 2023 using the above link.

WASN Requests for 2024

Contact
Data Services (08) 9273 6352
numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au

dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au

All current students in Western Australia should have been allocated a Western Australian Student Number (WASN), and be registered with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). This number remains with the student throughout their school life. Schools need to recognise the importance of the WASN to avoid duplication of records and maintain continuity of student data.

From 16 October 2023, schools will only be able to request WASNs through the Student Information Record System (SIRS) for Kindergarten students commencing in 2024.

If a student other than Kindergarten arrives at your school from another WA school, please check to see if they have a WASN first using the ‘Search for WASN’ process – explained in ‘How to Search for WA Student Numbers in SIRS’ in this circular.  For new students commencing in 2024 that do not have a WASN, schools should request a new number beginning in January 2024.

Please note we do not issue numbers for Pre-Kindergarten students.

If you cannot locate a number, then contact numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au and give details of the student’s legal surname, legal first name, date of birth and academic year. It is also useful to include your school code in any correspondence. If schools request a WASN for a student who already has a number, the correct WASN number will be sent back to schools.

All secondary schools with a Year 7 intake can send a complete list (spreadsheet) of Year 7 students entering their school, including the student’s legal surname, legal first name and date of birth and the Authority will look up the numbers on their behalf.

A reminder that details of how to register students can be found in the Data Procedures Manual 2023 found at Data Procedures Manual with links to assist schools using Integris/Reporting to Parents (RTP), Civica Maze, SEQTA, Synergetic, Administration of Schools (AoS) and Excel.

How to Search for a WASN in SIRS

Contact
Data Services (08) 9273 6344
numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au

dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au

If a student arrives at your school from another school in Western Australia, or even from overseas/interstate, you have the ability to search in the Student Information Records System (SIRS) for that student’s Western Australian Student Number (WASN) using a family name, given name and date of birth.

All student registrations are recorded in SIRS by the end of Term 1. After this time, you will be able to search for students including the student’s previous school/s. You will know where to send a transfer note, if required.

1. Hover over Enrolments in the menu bar.
2. Click on Student Enrolment > Student Maintenance > Find Student Number (see image below).

The Find Student Number directory will appear (see image below). Enter the student’s Family Name, Given Name and Date of Birth.

3. Click Search.If the information you have entered exactly matches the information in SIRS, you will find a result even if the student is not at your school (see image below).

If the details you have requested are different from the information in SIRS (e.g. date of birth is different, Jackie is spelt as Jacky), no information will be found. In this case, please email numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au and provide the student’s:

• Family Name (Surname)
• Given Name (First Name)
• a Date of Birth
• Academic Year
• Previous School (if known).

Troubleshooting: Search WASN

1. What happens if the requested information does not show?
   Email numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au and provide student name, academic year and date of birth.
2. What happens when a single year (e.g. 2012 to 2012) is entered in the date range?
   Only a result for that year will be returned.
3. What does it mean when the Department of Education is shown as the student’s main provider?
   It means the student is likely to be under a Notice of Arrangements or may have been on the Whereabouts Unknown List (more likely with Years K-10).