Being a Year 12 in 2016

A word from Vanessa Peters, Manager - Policy, Planning and Communications

If you’re in Year 12 you’ve probably been told more than once that this is an important year for you. There will have been the chats about staying on top of your work, dealing with stress, trying your best. I could go on, but you don’t need me to.

A word from Vanessa Peters, Manager - Policy, Planning and Communications

If you’re in Year 12 you’ve probably been told more than once that this is an important year for you. There will have been the chats about staying on top of your work, dealing with stress, trying your best. I could go on, but you don’t need me to.

You’re living this challenging, exciting time already. Yes, even if the assessments are coming in and you are starting to feel edgy about doing everything you want to do – but my ATAR! ... my portfolio for TAFE … I want my dream job – this is an exciting year. Year 12 can be amazing.

Knowing what you’re working towards and how to get there will help.

The WASSA

Whatever you do and however you go this year, you’re going to finish with a WASSA, properly known as the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement.

The WASSA lists everything you have done as a senior secondary student.

Achieved any of the WACE requirements? They will be listed. Completed WACE course units? Your school grades, school marks and – if you did ATAR units – your combined scores will be listed. Completed any endorsed programs or gained any VET qualifications? They’ll be there. You’ll find more details on the WACE requirements and certification page of our website.

The WASSA gives the detail of what you have achieved as a senior secondary student. You will be able to use it when applying for jobs, training and further study. It is an official record that you will be asked to provide well into the future.

The WACE

If you meet the requirements of the Western Australian Certificate of Education, you will receive a WACE. The WACE shows you have achieved – or exceeded – the required minimum standards in an educational program that has suitable breadth and depth.

The requirements for the WACE are listed in detail on our website (on the WACE requirements for students completing Year 12 in 2016 and beyond page) and in the Year 12 Information Handbook. In brief, they are:

• demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and a minimum standard of numeracy
• demonstrate breadth and depth of study through the number and level of units studied
• meet a minimum achievement standard through the number of level of C grades attained.

You should familiarise yourself with the detail of the requirements and know what you are working towards.

The Handbook

What is in the Year 12 Information Handbook? Why do you need to read it?

The Handbook brings together information you need to know. It explains information you need to provide and things you need to do. If you’re sitting ATAR course exams, the Handbook is a starting point. It has information about preparing for the exams but also what you are expected to do during an exam. There is information about school assessments, including the externally set tasks for General and Foundation courses.

It is for Year 12s but information will also be of interest to parents and teachers. The important dates listed in Appendix A are worth noting!

You’ll find the Handbook under the Publications tab on our website.

Social Media

I’m not suggesting you fill your time with social media. That said, the Authority has a Facebook page and Twitter feed for information related to students.

We use social media as a way to extend the reach of what the Authority posts in notices on our website and communicates to schools. You won’t miss out if you don’t follow or like us, but it is a convenient way to access timely information.

Facebook and Twitter are also places where you can ask questions if you need to.

Facebook https://facebook.com/SCSAWA
Twitter https://twitter.com/scsawa

If you need more information

If you need more information, a good place to start is with your teachers and year coordinator at school. Your teacher is the first person to speak with about course content.

If you have a question for the Authority about the WASSA or the WACE, you can ask us on Facebook or Twitter or via email. There are some dedicated email addresses you should know:

General queries info@scsa.wa.edu.au
Enrolment queries enrolments@scsa.wa.edu.au
Examination queries exams@scsa.wa.edu.au

A final note

In closing, I want to emphasise that even with all the work, milestones and challenges of Year 12 try to enjoy the year. Be at peace with the idea that this is your work for now. Work hard but remember to be kind to yourself.

Keywords: WACE, WASSA

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