General

WACE Year 11 equivalence – 2016

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

To gain recognition of a student’s prior studies, schools are to complete the Year 11 equivalent studies for a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) form that is available on the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Application_Order_Forms.

The form should be returned to the Authority by Friday, 17 May 2016.

If the student successfully meets the WACE requirements, recognition will be given for having achieved the equivalent of one year or one semester of senior secondary studies (Year 11) overseas, interstate or through training.

Details about subsequent achievement in Year 12 that is required to achieve the WACE are available on pages 97 and 98 of the WACE Manual 2015–16 [Revised edition]. Themanual is available on the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/WACE_Manual.

Schools can access the School Information Records System (SIRS) to identify students who have been awarded block credit for Year 11 studies at: https://sirs.scsa.wa.edu.au.

Schools are encouraged to submit applications for Year 11 equivalence at the start of the school year, for students in Year 12, 2016.

Some students were at risk of not achieving the WACE in 2015 because their schools did not request Year 11 equivalent studies. This caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience for the students affected.

The cost of reprinting the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA) is the responsibility of the school.

If a school determines that studies completed elsewhere by a student indicate the potential to achieve the WACE, the student may be enrolled in Year 12.

Year 12 student enrolments in course units for 2016 – timeline

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

Last dates for changes and withdrawals
Schools are reminded that the last date for changes to enrolments in ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific courses for Year 12 students is Wednesday, 6 April 2016. After this date:

  • SIRS will be locked and no further changes (except withdrawals) will be accepted
  • Year 12 students are able to withdraw from ATAR courses with practical examination components until Friday, 29 July 2016
  • Year 12 students are able to withdraw from ATAR courses which do not have practical examination components until Friday, 26 August 2016
  • Year 12 students are able to withdraw from General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific courses until Friday, 26 August 2016.

Non-school candidate enrolments
Enrolments as non-school candidates in ATAR course examinations must be received at the Authority byWednesday, 6 April 2016. No further applications will be accepted after this date.

The Non-school candidate enrolment form - 2016 can be found on the Authority website at:
http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Application_Order_Forms.

Other enrolment-related forms
The following enrolment-related forms are due on Friday, 17 May 2016:

  • Year 11 equivalent studies for a WACE
  • Year 12 Overseas full fee-paying student declaration form – 2016 with payment (for schools in Western Australia only).

These forms can be found on the Authority website at:
http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Application_Order_Forms.

Recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR units – Year 10 students, 2016

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

Permission must be obtained from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for Year 10 students to enrol and have achievements in ATAR course units contribute towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education.

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

  • either gifted and talented; or
  • accelerated language students.

An application form for permission to record enrolment and achievement in ATAR units for Year 10 students, 2016 is available on the Authority website at:
http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Application_Order_Forms.

The completed application form is to be returned to the Authority by Thursday, 24 March 2016.

Registration of secondary students in 2016

Contact
Lynn Galbraith (08) 9273 6702
lynn.galbraith@scsa.wa.edu.au

While it was a requirement to register Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students with the Authority by Thursday, 18 February 2016, schools are reminded that Year 7, 8 and 9 students must be registered by Friday, 18 March 2016.

Details of the process for registering students are provided in Section 3 of the updated Data Procedures Manual 2016. The manual is available from the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/Data_Procedures_Manual. Links to information that will assist schools using Reporting to Parents, MAZE, Synergetic and SEQTA as well as Excel instructions are also provided.

School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) student numbers
For information about SCSA student numbers, see the item Requests for SCSA student numbers in this Circular.

Warning messagesIt is important that schools note warning messages that may be received when uploading the Student Registration and Demographic (SRGDG) file to SIRS. If these warnings become errors when enrolments are uploaded to SIRS, schools should contact the Authority to address the issues and avoid uploading errors in the future.

The following warning message may be displayed:
Warning occurred on record: 24 (Student: 12345678: Smith, Sally Ann Of Birth 08/09/1995). The following errors were found in the record:
- This record has been ignored as you are not defined in SIRS as the Main Provider of the Student. Only the Main Provider can update Student Registration details. If you are the Main Provider of the Student, you will need to contact the School Curriculum and Standards Authority to get this changed.

This warning indicates that the student is either registered at another school or is under a Notice of Arrangements, and should be on your school’s former roll.

If the student is currently attending your school, please contact the Data Services team at the Authority by emaildataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au and request the student is transferred to your school.

The following warning message may also be displayed:
Warning occurred on record: 95 (Student: 12345678: Smith, Sally Ann Of Birth 08/09/1995). The following errors were found in the record:
- This record has been ignored as the academic year of student with student number 12345678 does not match with the current record. Ple ase contact the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for further assistance.

This warning may indicate one or more of the following:

  • the student has come from another school and has been enrolled in a different academic year
  • you are attempting to move the student into a different academic year at your school
  • the student has left your school and moved into a different academic year at another school. The new school has already requested a transfer and academic year change.

Please contact the Authority’s Data Services team on 9273 6344 or dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au for advice on how to address this warning.

Please contact lynn.galbraith@scsa.wa.edu.au for further information or assistance with student registrations.

Requests for SCSA student numbers in 2016

Contact
Lynn Galbraith (08) 9273 6702
lynn.galbraith@scsa.wa.edu.au

SCSA student numbers info line (08) 9273 6344
numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools can request School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) student numbers for Year 7 students automatically through the Student Information Records System (SIRS) starting in 2016. Information about how to request SCSA student numbers can be found in the Data Procedures Manual 2016, 3.2 - Request SCSA student number – Year 7. The manual can be downloaded from the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/Data_Procedures_Manual.

For students other than Year 7, schools are encouraged to do an initial search for student numbers in SIRS via Enrolment > Student Enrolment > Find Student Number. (See separate instructions in this eCircular). If no record is found, schools can email numbers@scsa.wa.edu.au and advise the following:

  • your school code
  • student first name
  • student surname
  • date of birth
  • academic year
  • if the student has arrived in Western Australia from overseas or interstate.

This process will enable schools to identify student numbers that have already been allocated prior to a more comprehensive search being undertaken by the Authority before a new number is issued.

Revised 2016 Activities Schedule (formerly WACE activities schedule) available online

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

The 2016 Activities Schedule (formerly known as the WACE Activities Schedule*) has been revised to include the confirmed dates of the externally set tasks. The updated schedule is now available on the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/WACE_Activities_Schedule.

The 2016 Term Calendar and a revised electronic calendar for Outlook is also available at this address in ICS (iCalendar) format. The revised electronic calendar includes the dates for Externally Set Tasks (EST). These dates were not included in the initial calendar download for Outlook.

If you have previously downloaded the 2016 electronic calendar, this can be deleted and replaced with the revised calendar.

*The name of the schedule has been changed to reflect the inclusion of Pre-primary to Year 10 activities.

New SIRS upload process in 2016: VET qualification estimates (ESQUAL) – Important information

Contact
Nicole Gazey (08) 9442 9401
nicole.gazey@scsa.wa.edu.au

Angela Kiely (08) 9273 6751
angela.kiely@scsa.wa.edu.au

The VET Qualification Estimates (ESQUAL) is a mandatory WACE reporting activity required by the Authority by6 April 2016.

Schools are required to report the qualifications being undertaken by students (including students who access training from offsite external providers) and the student details, for each qualification. Details of the units of competence within each qualification are not required to be reported. Schools are only required to update the ESQUAL file after the 6 April deadline if there is a significant change in VET offerings.

Schools will also need to indicate the delivery arrangement (e.g. auspice, profile, fee for service) for each VET qualification that will be delivered. For more information about the reporting process, the full list of delivery arrangement definitions and the SIRS ESQUAL file format, refer to the 2016 Data Procedures Manual, Section 4.3 VET qualification estimates (ESQUAL). The manual can be downloaded from the Authority website at:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/Data_Procedures_Manual.

Important information

Uploading an ESQUAL file to SIRS causes the previous file to be completely erased. To correctly update the information in your ESQUAL upload file, all students should be included in each upload. This ensures that information on your school record in SIRS is maintained correctly.

Recording of enrolment and achievement of VET units of competency (delivered through VET credit transfer)/VET qualifications – Year 8 and Year 9 students, 2016

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

Permission must be obtained from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for Year 8 and/or 9 students to enrol and have achievements in VET units of competency (achieved through VET credit transfer)/VET qualifications contribute towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education.

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

  • students are in remote community schools where learning programs relate directly to the local industry, or
  • students are accessing VET as part of an individual education program (IEP), or
  • a valid opportunity has been presented which supports an ongoing and coherent training pathway.

An application form for permission of recording of enrolment and achievement of VET units of competency (delivered through VET credit transfer)/VET qualifications – Year 8 and Year 9 students, 2016 is available on the Authority website at: http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Application_Order_Forms.

The completed application form must be returned to the Authority by Thursday, 24 March 2016.

Applications for reviewing the Externally Set Tasks (EST)

Contact
Cristina Caruso (08) 9273 6317
cristina.caruso@scsa.wa.edu.au

Melanie Jasper (08) 9273 6732
melanie.jasper@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority is seeking applications from suitably qualified people interested in marking/reviewing the 2016 Externally Set Tasks (EST). ESTs are completed by all students enrolled in Year 12 General or Foundation courses.

ESTs are assessment tasks which are set by the Authority and distributed to schools for administering to students. The ESTs are marked by teachers in each school using a marking key provided by the Authority. In 2016, the Authority will review the ESTs for all General and Foundation courses by independently marking a sample of EST scripts from each school delivering the course.

The reviews will be completed in the July school holidays and reviewers must be available for the duration of the two week review period. Successful applicants will be notified about the marking requirements and the days when they will be required.

Marking provides excellent professional development, offering an ideal opportunity to work with colleagues and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the General and Foundation course standards.

Qualified people who are interested in reviewing must complete the application form available from the Authority website at: http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/About_Us/Employment.

Applicants will receive a receipt of their submission via email once the application has been processed. Selection of reviewers is based on three criteria:

  • the number of reviewers required
  • previous marking experience
  • teaching experience with the course or similar at Year 11 or Year 12 level.

You are not eligible to be a reviewer if you have taken a voluntary redundancy in the past 12 months.

Further information about ESTs can be found on the Authority website at:
http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Senior_Secondary/Externally_Set_Tasks.

Please note that applications must be received no later than Tuesday, 26 April 2016.

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications after Monday, 20 June 2016. Successful applicants will be required to accept the offer of employment no later than Monday, 27 June 2016.

2016 Externally Set Task (EST) for all Year 12 General and Foundation courses

Contact
Kerry Cribb (08) 9273 6787
kerry.cribb@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers are advised that all students enrolled in a General Year 12 course and/or a Foundation Year 12 course, are required to complete the Externally Set Task (EST) developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) for that course. The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment.

Information about ESTs and the administration of ESTs can be found in the EST Handbook 2016 that is available on the Authority website at: http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Senior_Secondary/Externally_Set_Tasks.

Further information can be accessed via 'Frequently asked questions' at:
http://wace1516.scsa.wa.edu.au/further-resources/faq.

Schools are required to nominate an EST contact person. In the absence of a nominee the Authority will use each school's enrolment contact person.

Applications for writing the Externally Set Tasks (EST) 2017 – General information

Contact
Kerry Cribb (08) 9273 6787
kerry.cribb@scsa.wa.edu.au

Buddhini Daluwatta (08) 9273 6761
buddhini.daluwatta@scsa.wa.edu.au

About the EST

All students enrolled in a Year 12 General or Foundation course are required to complete an EST for that course.

The ESTs are administered in schools during designated weeks in Term 2 under standard test conditions. The EST will take 50 minutes. The Authority informs schools of the Unit 3 syllabus content on which the task will be based during Term 3, in the previous year. This notification will enable schools to ensure that the identified content is taught prior to the administration of the EST.

The ESTs are assessment tasks for each General and Foundation course which are set by the Authority and distributed to schools for administering to students. They are marked by teachers in each school using a marking key provided by the Authority.

Information about ESTs can be found in the EST Handbook 2016. The handbook is available on the Authority website at:
http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Senior_Secondary/Externally_Set_Tasks.

Duties of the writer

The writer is to:

  • attend an initial briefing as required by the Authority
  • produce the EST materials including the task, marking key and any source booklet (if applicable)
  • ensure all third-party content receives full citation
  • ensure that the materials are submitted by the due date set by the Authority
  • be involved in a review of the edited copy of materials
  • adjust any or all of the materials post the review.

Payment for the duties performed by the writer is $1,000.

Application process
Applicants must be able to supply a copy of their National Police History Check or current registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia. If these documents have been previously provided to the Authority, and they are still valid, they are not required to do be provided with the application.

Applicants are required to complete an online application form. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged via email that will include a reference number. Submission of an application does not guarantee appointment. Applicants will be advised by email whether they have been selected to write. The online application form is available at: http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/About_Us/Employment/Application_for_writing_ESTs.

Applications close on Thursday, 31 March 2016.

Successful applicants will be notified after Thursday, 14 April 2016.

Please note that faxed, emailed, posted and hand delivered applications cannot be accepted.

You are not eligible to be a writer if you have taken a voluntary redundancy in the past 12 months.

2016 Key messages – school leader briefings

Contact
Vanessa Peters (08) 9273 6779
vanessa.peters@scsa.wa.edu.au

Secondary school principals and deputy principals are invited to register to attend a briefing about the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s 2016 Key Messages.

The briefings will be organised to provide updates on the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outlinefor Years 7 - 10 and the WACE 2016.

The briefings will be presented across the State, in February and March, by the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Blagaich and senior members of his executive team.

Register for the briefings via our website:http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Events_and_Forms/Events/2016_briefings.

2016 Year 12 Information Handbook available online

Contact
Trish Dunnett (08) 9273 6794
patricia.dunnett@scsa.wa.edu.au

The Authority’s 2016 Year 12 Information Handbook is now available online via the publications tab athttp://www.scsa.wa.edu.au

The handbook is essential reading for Year 12s, their families and teachers. Students can save the handbook on a favourite device and type notes into the notes section.

Schools should encourage students to read this information handbook carefully. It contains information for students on:

  • how to achieve the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA)
  • checking or changing enrolments in subjects/course units
  • school-based assessments
  • externally set tasks (ESTs)
  • examinations, including special examination arrangements and preparing for examinations
  • exhibitions and awards.

Courses

Computer Science ATAR Year 11 and 12: Chen’s Notation

Contact
Ian Gaynor (08) 9273 6350
ian.gaynor@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of Computer Science ATAR Year 11 and Year 12 are advised that a paper providing clarity and advice regarding the use of foreign key fields and attributes when using Chen’s notation to represent Entity Relationship diagrams is available on the Authority’s website.

The paper is available on the Computer Science course page on the Authority website at:http://wace1516.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/technologies/computer-science.

A copy of this advice paper has been distributed to all schools offering Computer Science.

Minor correction to Business Management and Enterprise ATAR Unit 4 syllabus

Contact
Gabby Raggio (08) 9273 6306
gabby.raggio@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of Business Management and Enterprise are advised that the following content has been corrected in the syllabus for teaching and examination in 2016.

Unit 4

BME_table

The updated syllabus is identified with the following footnote 2013/37318v3.

The sample course outline and sample tasks have been updated accordingly.