11to12 Circulars - February 2020

Courses

Year 12 ATAR EAL/D eligibility applications are due by 17 February 2020

Contact
Louise Dodman (08) 9273 6785 
[Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday]
Louise.Dodman@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are reminded that Year 12 ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) eligibility applications must be completed and submitted online by 17 February 2020. No late applications will be accepted.

Paper-based EAL/D eligibility applications are no longer processed by School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority), so students need to log in to the student portal to complete their application online. Teachers and Principals will also need to endorse their students’ applications through the Student Records Management System (SRMS) and the Authority will communicate with schools regarding the outcomes of applications via the SRMS and email.

A number of support materials about how to use the student portal and SRMS to submit EAL/D eligibility applications online are available on the Authority website. These include detailed user guides for students and schools, information sheets for students and families translated into over 13 languages, checklists and FAQs.

To be able to log in to the SRMS and use the EAL/D eligibility platform, an initial contact person at each school must first register. Please note that until registered in SRMS, schools will be unable to enrol any further students in Year 12 ATAR EAL/D. Please contact Louise Dodman, Principal Consultant for EAL/D, if further information is required.

Students who have already submitted a paper application before this date do not need to resubmit another application online.

For further details regarding the online Year 12 ATAR EAL/D eligibility process, please contact Louise Dodman.


Syllabus Delivery Audit 2020 of selected General Year 12 courses

Contact
Graeme Quelch 
(08) 9273 6758
Graeme.Quelch@scsa.wa.edu.au

In 2020, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will conduct a Syllabus Delivery Audit (SDA) for selected General Year 12 courses (see table below). This moderation activity is designed to ensure that all schools are teaching and assessing the current syllabus in accordance with the requirements of the WACE Manual 2020, available on the Authority website.

Schools must submit a separate course outline and assessment outline for each listed course delivered.

For courses with defined contexts, schools must upload a separate course outline and assessment outline for each defined context.

Schools are reminded that for Year 12 courses, the course outline and the assessment outline must cover both Unit 3 and Unit 4 (year-long).

The process will require the upload of documents to SIRS2.

The Syllabus Delivery Audit 2020 School Coordinator Handbook and the Syllabus Delivery Audit 2020 Handbook for the Teacher and HoLA are available on the Authority website:
https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/moderation/syllabus-delivery-audit.

Schools must complete the task of uploading documents by 4.00 pm Friday, 21 February 2020. The documents can be either in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Following the Authority's review of the documents in 2020, a report for each course will be available to schools. Schools will be informed if a document does not meet the requirements of the syllabus and/or the WACE Manual 2020. The report will specify the action/s that the school needs to take to ensure the document meets the requirements of the Authority.

Courses selected for the Syllabus Delivery Audit 2020 – all Year 12 General courses

Food Science and Technology Year 12 General

Business Management and Enterprise Year 12 General

English Year 12 General

Mathematics Essential Year 12 General

Accounting and Finance Year 12 General

Psychology Year 12 General

Marine and Maritime Studies Year 12 General

Physical Education Studies Year 12 General

Religion and Life Year 12 General



Year 12 ATAR Media Production and Analysis Practical (production) examination change

Contact
Gemma Wright 
(08) 9273 6783
Gemma.Wright@scsa.wa.edu.au

Naidina Avery (08) 92736334
Naidina.Avery@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers are reminded that the Year 12 ATAR Media Production and Analysis Practical (production) examination design brief has changed. The requirement of up to five pages for the Individual documentation of the production process has been replaced with a one page Practical production statement. The revised practical (production) examination design brief appears in the updated syllabus. Please see the link below to access the syllabus.

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/arts/media-production-and-analysis

The Media Production and Analysis ATAR course Practical (production) requirements booklet and revised marking key will be published in March 2020.


Syllabus Review 2020

Contact
Sven Sorenson 
(08) 9273 6390
Sven.Sorenson@scsa.wa.edu.au

In 2020, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority), with the expert advice of the Curriculum Advisory Committees (CACs), will continue the process of reviewing five senior secondary syllabuses, which began in 2019, with an additional 10 courses proposed for review this year.

Continuing in 2020

  • Years 11 and 12 Integrated Science (General)
  • Years 11 and 12 Animal Production Systems (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Plant Production Systems (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Media Production and Analysis (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Geography (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Drama (ATAR)
  • Years 12 Physical Education Studies (ATAR)
  • Years 12 English as an Additional Language/Dialect (ATAR)

Commencing in 2020

  • Years 11 and 12 Ancient History (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Computer Science (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Design (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Economics (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Engineering Studies (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Human Biology (General)
  • Years 11 and 12 Modern History (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Music (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Psychology (ATAR)
  • Years 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (ATAR, General)

As a result of information received to date from the CACs, the Authority invites stakeholders to provide feedback by completing a syllabus survey before 9 March 2020, as part of the review process, on the following syllabuses:

Updates about the review of these courses, including consultation opportunities, will be communicated via the Authority’s 11to12 Circular and on the Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/syllabus-review


Accounting and Finance Support Materials Published for the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting

Contact
Mandy Hudson 
(08) 9273 6755
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has published support materials outlining the impact on the Accounting and Finance ATAR and General courses by the introduction of the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (which replaces the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements effective from January 1, 2020).

The support materials can be accessed via the following link https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/accounting-and-finance.


Preparation for 2020 Full Day Consensus Moderation Meetings

Contact
Mandy Hudson 
(08) 9273 6755
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are reminded that the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has endorsed full day Consensus Moderation meetings for Year 11 and Year 12 ATAR Languages courses and Year 12 General courses in 2020.

In preparation for the consensus moderation meetings scheduled for Term 2 and Term 3, the school is required to:

  • notify existing and/or new teachers of courses in 2020 consensus moderation
  • select one teacher for each course in consensus moderation, where the school offers the course, to attend a consensus moderation meeting
  • alert the teachers to their responsibilities in preparing for consensus moderation meetings, specifically:
    • retain all student assessment tasks completed prior to the meeting
    • compile a student assessment file indicative of a mid ‘A’, a mid ‘B’ and a mid ‘C’ for the meeting (i.e. three files in total)
    • ensure the student assessment files meet with the specific course requirements as outlined during the registration period in March
    • include a copy of the assessment tasks and marking keys in each student assessment file
    • include a copy of the assessment outline in each student assessment file
  • prepare a proposed grade distribution for the course to submit at the meeting.

The meeting agenda will reflect the two parts to consensus moderation in 2020:

  • a focus on applying the grade descriptions to determine a grade through the review of student assessment files
  • a focus on assessment practice and the development and implementation of valid and appropriate school-based assessment tasks.

Information regarding the dates and courses selected for consensus moderation in 2020 can be located on the Authority’s website using the link below.

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/moderation/consensus-moderation


Small Group Moderation Seminars 2020

Contact
Mandy Hudson 
(08) 9273 6755
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering Small Group Moderation seminars in February to assist senior secondary teachers who are delivering Year 12 ATAR courses that require their school to take part in the small group moderation process.

Registration and further information can be located on the Authority’s website using the link below.

https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/small-group-moderation-seminar


Meeting WACE Requirements 2020 Seminars

Contact
Mandy Hudson 
(08) 9273 6755
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering Meeting WACE Requirements 2020 learning area specific seminars in February.

Meeting WACE Requirements 2020 seminars are designed for teachers in:

  • schools that are offering a course for the first time in 2020
  • schools that are reintroducing a course for the first time since 2015
  • teachers delivering one or more WACE courses for the first time in 2020 (e.g. graduate teachers, teachers who have not previously taught Year 11 or Year 12, teachers whose past experience has been interstate or overseas)
  • new school leaders (e.g. Heads of Learning Area).

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

An Online (WebEx) generic seminar will be conducted for teachers in regional, remote or international schools.

Registration and further information can be located on the Authority’s website using the link below.

https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/meeting-wace-requirements-2020


Enrolment process for WACE language courses – Application for permission to enrol in a WACE language course 2020

Contact
Hanneke Rekelhof 
(08) 9273 6724
Hanneke.Rekelhof@scsa.wa.edu.au

Shaan Hayes (08) 9273 6351
Shaan.Hayes@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are reminded that all students wishing to enrol in any of the WACE language courses listed below must have completed an Application for permission to enrol in a WACE language course in 2020:

  • Chinese: Second language, Background language, First language
  • French: Second language, Background language
  • German: Second language, Background language
  • Indonesian: Second language, First language
  • Italian: Second language, Background language
  • Japanese: Second language, Background language, First language.

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) advises schools to download the SIRS report CSE208 to check their students’ enrolment status as schools can only upload enrolments for students whose enrolment status has been confirmed.

Schools allowing students to attend language classes without having their enrolment status confirmed can put at risk their students’ achievement in the course and eligibility for the WACE.

New and resubmitted applications should be sent to:

Administrative Assistant – Languages
School Curriculum and Standards Authority
PO Box 816
CANNINGTON WA 6987
by 21 February 2020 at the latest.

The application form is available on the Authority’s website using the link below.

https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/77205/Application-for-permission-to-enrol-in-a-WACE-language-course-in-2020.pdf

Any queries should be directed to languagesenrolment@scsa.wa.edu.au.


Chinese: First Language Development of Examination and Syllabuses

Contact
Mandy Hudson
(08) 9273 6755
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Nadia Civa (08) 9273 6355
Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools are advised the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has approved the Authority to set and mark an ATAR written examination for Year 12 Chinese: First Language in 2020, and to commence the development of ATAR Year 11 and Year 12 syllabuses.

The Board has approved the Authority to develop:

  • an ATAR written examination for the Year 12 Chinese: First Language for 2020, 2021 and 2022 based on the current Year 11 and 12 ATAR syllabus for Chinese: First Language (adapted from the New South Wales Education and Standards Authority (NESA) syllabus for Chinese and Literature)
  • new ATAR syllabuses Year 11 Chinese: First Language (first year of implementation 2022) and Year 12 Chinese: First Language (first year of implementation 2023)
  • an ATAR examination for the ATAR Year 12 Chinese: First Language course from 2023.

Authority-developed ATAR written examination 2020 – 2022
The Authority-developed examination is to be based on a representative sampling of the course content from the current syllabus for Year 11 and 12 ATAR Chinese: First Language, published on the course page on the Authority’s website in January 2020 (https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/languages/chinese-first-language).

The course content is the same as that of the 2019 syllabus. During this period the examination in Chinese: First Language will continue to be available for non-school candidate enrolment.

Scheduling of the written examination
In past years the scheduling of the Chinese: First Language written examination has been determined by NESA and was included in the Authority’s examination timetable with other Interstate Language examinations. From 2020 the examination will be included in the Year 12 ATAR course written examinations timetable.

Marking of the written examination
From 2020, the marking of examination scripts will be organised by the Authority, and as such, will provide opportunity for teachers to apply to be part of the examination marking process.

Examination design brief
To align with other Authority-developed examinations, the 2020 ATAR examination in Chinese: First Language will have a working time of three hours, an increase of 10 minutes compared to the NESA examination. Five minutes, of the additional 10 minutes working time, has been allocated to:

  • Section Two – Reading and responding, which now has a suggested working time of 95 minutes, and
  • Section Three – Writing in Chinese, which now has a suggested working time of 35 minutes.

The Examination design brief on Page 14 of the 2020 syllabus reflects these changes in working time.

The wording of the supporting information of the Examination design brief has been edited to ensure clarity and consistency. These revisions do not impact the structure of the examination, design of questions or section weightings.

Format of the examination
For 2020 to 2022 the structure of the examination will be consistent with previous NESA accessed examinations; however, the format of the examination paper will reflect that of other Authority-developed examinations. A sample paper is available on the Authority’s website on the Chinese: First Language course page.

Schools are requested to ensure that teachers and students have access to the current syllabus and information about the 2020 examination. For further information, please contact Nadia Civa, Principal Consultant, at Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au.


Removal of the Indonesian: Background Language ATAR Course page

Contact
Lisa Djanegara 
(08) 9273 6382
Lisa.Djanegara@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers are reminded that the Indonesian: Background Language ATAR course will no longer be available from 2020.

Teachers are advised that the course page for the Indonesian: Background Language ATAR course has been removed from the Authority’s website.


Vocational Education and Training (VET)

VET Awards Selection Report 2019 now online

Contact
Arti Dogra 
(08) 9273 6751
Arti.Dogra@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) recommends that School Leaders and individuals delivering VET to secondary school students read the Awards Selection Report now available on the Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/certification/exhibitions-and-awards under Awards for outstanding achievement in VET.

The report provides valuable information for teachers who supported the nomination of students in 2019 and for those who plan to do so in 2020.

It presents statistics on the number of students involved in the awards selection process and detailed information on how students were selected for awards, including feedback and recommendations for teachers.

The names of award winners, published in the media on 20 December 2019, are listed on the Authority website.

The 2020 VET Awards for Outstanding Achievement Brochure and 2020 VET Awards Nomination Kit will be available on the website in March under Awards for outstanding achievement in VET.

Access to the online nomination process will be available to schools in Term 3. The last date for schools to submit VET award nominations via SIRS is Monday, 31 August 2020 at 4.30pm.


Recording of enrolment and achievement of VET units of competency (delivered through VET credit transfer)/VET qualifications – Year 8 and Year 9 students, 2020

Contact
Arti Dogra 
(08) 9273 6751
Arti.Dogra@scsa.wa.edu.au

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

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), and
  • a valid opportunity has been presented which supports an ongoing and coherent training pathway.

An application form for permission for the recording of enrolment and achievement of VET units of competency (delivered through VET credit transfer)/VET qualifications – Year 8 and Year 9 students, 2020 is available on the Authority website via the following link: https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms under Achievements.

The completed application form is to be returned to the Authority by Thursday, 5 March 2020.


Endorsed Programs update 2020

Contact
Arti Dogra 
(08) 9273 6751
Arti.Dogra@scsa.wa.edu.au

2020 Endorsed programs list
The revised list of endorsed programs available to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2020 is available now 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

(Scroll to the bottom of the web page and select the Excel document titled ‘2020 Endorsed program codes and achievement descriptors’).

Workplace Learning endorsed program seminar Thursday 20 February 2020 12.40 – 3.30 pm
Registrations for a seminar for new/inexperienced teachers of the Workplace Learning endorsed program, ADWPL, are now open.

Register here » https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/meeting-wace-requirements-2020

Applications for endorsement of School-developed programs
Schools are advised that applications for endorsement of School-developed programs must be emailed to Arti.Dogra@scsa.wa.edu.au by Tuesday 25 February 2020. The application form can be downloaded from the endorsed programs page of the Authority website at:

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/endorsed-programs.


Examinations

EST 2020 mark allocation for English General

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

Teachers are advised that the marks allocated to the English General Externally Set Task (EST) in 2020 have been changed from 25 to 20 marks.

For other course EST mark allocation and course specific advice please see the link below:

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/externally-set-tasks.


2020 ESTs 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 Externally Set Task Handbook 2020 that is available on the Authority website at: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/externally-set-tasks.

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.


Year 12 ATAR course specifications booklet, formula sheets and data booklets for teaching and examining in 2020

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

The following course booklets are available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at the links indicated under ‘ATAR’ and ‘Examination Materials’. Each booklet is for teaching and examining in 2020.

Accounting and Finance ATAR course

Contact
Mandy Hudson (08) 9273 6306
Mandy.Hudson@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Specifications booklet is now available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/accounting-and-finance.

Chemistry ATAR course

Contact
Allan Knight (08) 9273 6792
Allan.Knight@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Course Data booklet is now available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/science/chemistry.

Mathematics ATAR course

Contact
Suzie Harman (08) 9273 6768
Suzie.Harman@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Year 12 formula sheets are now available.

Mathematics Applications
https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/mathematics/mathematics-applications.

Mathematics Methods

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/mathematics/mathematics-methods.

Mathematics Specialist

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/mathematics/mathematics-specialist.

Engineering Studies ATAR course

Contact
Kim Outtrim (08) 9273 6380
Kim.Outtrim@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Data booklet used for examination is now available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/technologies/engineering-studies.

Physics ATAR course

Contact
Allan Knight (08) 9273 6792
Allan.Knight@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Data booklet used for examination is now available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/science/physics


Breaches of examination rules 2019

Contact
Kaylene Power
(08) 9273 6309
Kaylene.Power@scsa.wa.edu.au

In 2019, the Breach of Examination Rules Committee found that 51 candidates had breached examination rules. There were 27 breaches for the practical examinations and 24 breaches for the written examinations. Seven candidates appealed the Committee’s decision, with one appeal being upheld.

The breaches indicated that students did not follow relevant course practical examination requirements and that they had not followed the instructions provided in the Year 12 Information Handbook Part II: Examinations 2019.

The table below summarises the penalties for these breaches of examination rules, after the appeals process.

Number of candidates

Breach

Penalty

Twenty seven

Failure to follow examination instructions in the practical examinations:

  • Production validation form incomplete or not   submitted
  • Practical (production) cover sheet and photographs form not submitted
  • Third party content not referenced in the   Acknowledgements section of the Production submission cover sheet
  • References/acknowledgements form incomplete or not   submitted
  • artwork did not comply with category size or   weight
  • artwork framed
  • name of candidate or school identified.

Loss of 2–10 per cent of the practical examination mark.

Eight

Failure to follow instructions in the written examination:

  • writing during reading time.

Loss of 5 per cent of the written examination mark.

Fourteen

Possession of unauthorised materials

  • calculator covers
  • headphones
  • mobile telephones
  • notes not relevant to the examination
  • smart watches
  • wallets.

Loss of 5 per cent of the written examination mark.

One

Possession of unauthorised materials – notes relevant to the examination.

Loss of 100 per cent of the written examination mark.

Breaches of examination rules and maximum penalties that might apply in an examination can be found in section 6.4.1 of the WACE Manual 2020 at
https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual

Candidates will have the right of appeal against a penalty being imposed on the following grounds:

  • a breach of examination rules did not occur, or
  • the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) procedures used to determine if a breach occurred were not proper.

Such an appeal must be lodged at the Authority within eight (8) calendar days of the dispatch date of the penalty notification.


Rules of conduct for Year 12 ATAR course examinations 2020

Contact
Kaylene Power 
(08) 9273 6309
Kaylene.Power@scsa.wa.edu.au

The rules of conduct for the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) Year 12 ATAR course examinations will be published in the Year 12 Information Handbook Part II: Examinations 2020, which will be uploaded to the Authority website in July 2020. It is the responsibility of all candidates to ensure that they understand all instructions relating to the examinations. The examination centre supervisor (written examinations) and the chief marker (practical examinations) will report alleged breach of examination rules to the Manager, Examinations Logistics at the School Curriculum and Standards.

To ensure that all students understand the rules relating to the Year 12 ATAR course examinations and that, if they breach these rules penalties will apply, the generic instructions read aloud by supervisors to candidates prior to the commencement of examination reading time, have been provided below. It is strongly recommended that schools conduct school-based examinations using these instructions to ensure students are familiar with the rules prior to sitting the external examinations conducted by the Authority.

Given the challenge of identifying and determining the use of mobile technologies in the examination room, please note that a new rule will be implemented from 2020 for the Year 12 ATAR course examinations, no candidate will be permitted to wear or take a watch or wireless-enabled technology device e.g. Fitbit, into the examination room. These items will be considered unauthorised items. Please ensure that all students are made aware of this rule.

Advice for schools
Schools should work with their students to ensure that they understand the instructions relating to the examinations. In particular, schools are asked to:

  • ensure that where materials are permitted in the examination room, they are approved according to the relevant syllabus examination design brief/s outlining the Standard items and Special items to be provided by the candidate, as shown on the front cover of course examinations published on the Authority website in August; 11to12 Circular items and the Year 12 Information Handbook Part II: Examinations 2020
  • ensure that all students understand the rules relating to the Year 12 ATAR course examinations conducted by the Authority by using the generic instructions read aloud by supervisors provided below, to conduct school-based examinations
  • ensure that teachers and students follow the course practical examination requirements published on the Authority website in March
  • inform students that they cannot wear or take a watch or wireless-enabled technology device e.g. Fitbit, into the examination room. These items will be considered unauthorised items
  • inform their students that mobile technologies such as mobile telephones and other communication or storage devices must not be taken into the examination room
  • inform students that they are responsible for the calculator they take into an examination room, no calculators will be distributed to any candidate after they have entered the examination room and no spare calculator will be given to any candidate in the event that their calculator fails to operate
  • inform students that they should not write on their hands or other parts of the body before or during examinations as this may be perceived by supervisors to constitute unauthorised notes
  • inform students that they must not use their fingernail to mark the multiple choice questions during reading time
  • inform their students that, should they observe another candidate breaking the examination rules, they should report this action immediately to a supervisor
  • ensure that teachers are aware they cannot authorise materials to be used in an examination if the material is not approved by the Authority
  • check the Media Production and Analysis to ensure the work is within the submission Year 12 context. This means that it contains no images of people self-harming, using drugs or violence. The image should only be symbolic and not simulated.

YEAR 12 ATAR COURSE EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

(These generic instructions must be read verbatim to candidates by the supervisor prior to the commencement of an examination. Further course-specific instructions will follow.)

(When the candidates enter the room, the supervisor must say)

Please find your seats quietly. Leave all booklets closed for the present.

(When candidates are settled and quiet, the supervisor must say… [adjust this instruction for a school-based examination context])

Place your open Personalised Examination Timetable at the top right-hand corner of your desk below your candidate place card. Please check that the WA student number on your place card is the same as the WA student number on your Personalised Examination Timetable and identification label/s.

If you do not have your Personalised Examination Timetable, raise your hand.

(If a candidate does not have their Personalised Examination Timetable the supervisor must issue a Candidate Identification Check. Allow time for the completion of this form.)

(The supervisor must then say)

This is the <name of ATAR course> ATAR course examination.

Do not open the Question/Answer booklet or start work until told to do so.

The materials required for this examination are listed on the front cover of the Question/Answer booklet. Items to be provided by the supervisor have been provided for you. Items to be provided by you, the candidate, are as follows ...

(Read the Standard items and Special items to be provided by the candidate, as shown on the front of the Question/Answer booklet).

No other items can be brought into the examination room. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have any unauthorised material in the examination room.

Check your pockets and person now for unauthorised items such as:

  • mobile phone
  • analogue or smart watch or Fitbit or similar device
  • mobile device that has wifi and/or bluetooth capabilities
  • mobile storage device
  • non-approved calculator
  • calculator cover
  • non-transparent pencil case
  • non-approved notes or any other print material relevant or irrelevant to this examination, (for example, writing on the back of your hand or arm, or blank paper)
  • headphones, earplugs, earbuds or other unauthorised listening device
  • wallet, purse or bag
  • food, lollies or chewing gum
  • or any other unauthorised item.

Raise your hand if you have an unauthorised item in your possession. The item will be collected and placed at the front of the room. If you have a mobile phone, turn it off. If you have a watch, turn off any alarm that may be set. You can collect the unauthorised item when you leave the room on completion of the examination. Be aware that your pockets will be checked by a supervisor on leaving and re-entering the examination room for a toilet break or other approved break. Toilet cubicles will also be checked pre and post a toilet break.

If you are found to be in possession of an unauthorised item after the commencement of reading time, the item will be removed from you and you will be required to complete a Breach of examination rules form after the examination. If the Breach of Examination Rules Committee finds that you have breached examination rules, this could result in a penalty incurring a loss of examination marks.

You must not communicate with any other candidate or copy from the work of any other candidate. If anyone is found guilty of a dishonest act, his or her paper may be cancelled.

Do not tear any pages out of the Question/Answer booklet.

If you require extra space to complete an answer, please use the pages at the back of the Question/Answer booklet. If you still require extra space, raise your hand and an Additional Answer booklet will be provided. You must complete only one answer in each Additional Answer booklet. All examination answer booklets must be handed to the supervisor at the end of the examination.

If you spoil a question, request an Additional Answer booklet.

These instructions and instructions relating to specific Year 12 ATAR course examinations are included in the Year 12 information Handbook Part II: Examinations 2020, published on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website.

If at any time you feel ill or wish to speak to a supervisor, raise your hand. Are there any questions?

(Pause at this stage and deal with any questions.)


Year 12 ATAR course examinations 2020

Contact
Kaylene Power (08) 9273 6309
Kaylene.Power@scsa.wa.edu.au

The 2020 Year 12 ATAR course written examinations are scheduled from:
Monday, 2 November to Friday, 20 November 2020.

The 2020 Year 12 ATAR course practical examinations are scheduled from:
Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 18 October 2020. See the schedule below.

The 2020 Year 12 ATAR course examination timetables will be available on the Examination Timetables webpage of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website on Wednesday, 10 June 2020. No information regarding the date of specific written examinations is available prior to this date.

From Thursday, 10 September 2020, students will be able to download their Personalised written examinations timetable and Personalised practical examination timetable from the student portal at https://student.scsa.wa.edu.au/student-portal.

The Personalised written examinations timetable will contain the date, time and examination centre for the student’s written examinations. The Personalised practical examination timetable will contain the date, time, venue and location of the student’s practical examination.

Year 12 ATAR course practical examinations schedule 2020
Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 4 October (Saturday, Sunday and the public holiday included)
Aviation, Dance, Drama, Music and Physical Education Studies

  1. Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 11 October (Saturday, Sunday and the public holiday included)
    English as an Additional Language or Dialect (overseas schools)
  2. Saturday, 10 October
    Chinese: Second Language, Indonesian: Second Language
  3. Saturday, 10 October and Sunday, 11 October
    Japanese: Second Language
  4. Saturday, 10 October to Sunday, 18 October (Saturday and Sunday included)
    English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Western Australian schools), French: Second Language, French: Background Language, German: Second Language, German: Background Language, Italian: Second Language and Italian: Background 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 Year 12 ATAR course written examination scheduled date range for future years is:

  • 2021 Monday, 1 November – Friday, 19 November
  • 2022 Monday, 31 October – Friday, 18 November
  • 2023 Monday, 30 October – Friday, 17 November.

ATAR course examinations marked online 2020

Contact
Kaylene Power (08) 9273 6309
Kaylene.Power@scsa.wa.edu.au

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

In 2020, online marking of ATAR course examinations will continue for the following courses:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English
  • English as an Additional Language/Dialect
  • Geography
  • Human Biology
  • Literature
  • Mathematics Applications
  • Mathematics Methods
  • Mathematics Specialist
  • Modern History
  • Physical Education Studies
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Religion and Life.

For examination scripts to be scanned for online marking, the format of the paper includes the following features:

  • a barcode at the bottom of the front page
  • a solid 5 mm square in each corner of the front page
  • a unique identifying number printed on every page within the paper.

The margins of each page will be excluded from the area available for writing and will be marked with the wording ‘DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA AS IT WILL BE CUT OFF’.

It is highly recommended that you advise your students not to use erasable pens, gel pens or pencil. Pencil is acceptable for diagrams.

The front covers of each examination will be available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website in August.


Application for 2020 ATAR course examination Chief Markers

Contact
Kaylene Power
(08) 9273 6309
Kaylene.Power@scsa.wa.edu

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

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority is seeking applications for the role of Chief Marker for the written and practical components of the 2020 ATAR course examinations. For information regarding the application for 2020 ATAR course examination Chief Markers please refer to:

https://scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment.


Special arrangements for ATAR course examinations 2020

Contact
Gail Hardy 
(08) 9273 6316
Gail.Hardy@scsa.wa.edu.au

The Application for Special Examination Arrangements form for special arrangements in the 2020 ATAR course examinations will arrive in schools in time for the start of Term 1. This form is to be used for candidates with a permanent or temporary disability that may disadvantage them in accessing the ATAR course examinations under standard conditions. It is the responsibility of the school to complete the form and submit it to the Authority on behalf of each candidate. The form is not to be sent home with students for completion. Completed forms should be submitted to the Authority by Thursday, 2 April 2020.

For more information on the application process, please visit the following page: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/special-provisions.

There will be no sickness/misadventure consideration for candidates on the basis of an injury or illness existing at the start of Term 3.

Late applications for special format practical examinations will be accepted until
29 July 2020.


Alternative format practical examinations for ATAR course examination candidates with long-term injury or illness 2020

Contact
Gail Hardy 
(08) 9273 6316
Gail.Hardy@scsa.wa.edu.au

Candidates with an injury or illness existing at the start of Term 3 should apply to be examined in an alternative format, if the injury or illness will affect their participation in the standard practical examination of any course. There will be no sickness/misadventure consideration for candidates on the basis of an injury or illness existing at the start of Term 3.

For more information on the Alternative format practical examinations, please go to the following page: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/special-provisions.


Special examination arrangements assessors 2020 – expressions of interest

Contact
Gail Hardy
(08) 9273 6316
Gail.Hardy@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking expressions of interest by Monday, 24 February 2020 from suitably qualified and experienced persons to assist with the assessment of special examination arrangement applications for the 2020 ATAR course examinations. Applications to be assessed will relate to candidates within the specific learning disability, psychological/neurological or ADD/ADHD categories.

Assessors will work in pairs with a registered psychologist and a person with school management experience. Work will be outside business hours on a contract basis, with payment per application. As highly sensitive information will be accessed during the process, all assessors will be expected to sign a confidentiality declaration. Before commencing work, assessors must already have a current Department of Education Screening Clearance Number (SCN) or apply through the Department of Education to complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check to be issued with a SCN.

Assessing applications will present an excellent opportunity for valuable professional development related to the assessment of candidates with disabilities. The role is also well suited to those recently retired or on leave.

Interested school counsellors or educational psychologists should have experience assessing and diagnosing senior students with learning disabilities using current, relevant diagnostic tools.

Interested school representatives should have experience working in the school environment with senior students with learning disabilities in the ATAR pathway. Ideally, applicants would have
whole-of-school management experience.

Training, to be provided before the start of the assessment period, is expected to occur in the last week of March. Training will be conducted outside school hours.

Assessment of most applications will be completed within a tight timeframe in April, May and June 2020. Assessors should be available through Term 2, with the possibility of some work continuing into July.

An expression of interest does not guarantee appointment. Applicants will be advised in Term 1 if their services will be required. Assessors from previous years are encouraged to reapply for 2020.

The Expression of interest form is available on the Authority website at
https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/76185/Expressions-of-interest-special-examination-arrangements-assessors-2020.PDF


General Information, SIRS and Enrolments

2020 Areas of Emphasis – Letter to Principals from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority Board Chair

Contact
Jo Merrey 
(08) 9273 6348
Jo.Merrey@scsa.wa.edu.au

The Chair of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) Board, Emeritus Professor Patrick Garnett, has written to all school principals to outline the Authority’s activities planned to meet specific goals in relation to the Authority’s current Strategic Plan.

Professor Garnett’s letter covers

  • the December, 2019 release of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration
  • the agreement of the Education Council to bring forward a review of the Australian Curriculum for Foundation (Pre-primary) to Year 10
  • the development of the Authority’s new Strategic Plan 2021–2024
  • the importance of partnerships within, across and with schools, including moderation activities planned for 2020
  • the work of Curriculum Advisory Committees (CACs) for 2020
  • points of communication for the Authority’s stakeholders, including the Authority’s websites, circulars and publications
  • NAPLAN 2020.

The letter includes additional information sheets for Principals to share with staff: Primary Insight, Secondary Insight and NAPLAN Online.

A copy of the letter sent to principals may be viewed here under News: https://scsa.wa.edu.au and https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/news-items/2020-areas-of-emphasis.


WACE Manual 2020 has been updated

Contact
Jo Merrey 
(08) 9273 6348
Jo.Merrey@scsa.wa.edu.au

The WACE Manual 2020 has been updated and is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual and via the Further Resources tab in the Years 11 and 12 section at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/further-resources/wace-manual.

Principals should ensure that school policy documents for students who are in Year 11 and Year 12 in 2020 are consistent with information in the WACE Manual 2020. Teachers should ensure their teaching and assessment practices reflect those presented in the WACE Manual 2020 and that they refer to the latest version published on the website.

In addition to minor corrections to language, the following changes are indicated with a double line and/or date stamp in the margin and should be noted:

  • clarification of recording student performance (p. 17)
  • clarification of completion of assessment programs and commonly accepted practice for the use of a U notation (pp. 21–22)
  • requirement to provide materials for a grading review to five (5) working days prior to the scheduled review (p. 50)
  • information about enrolling as a non-school candidate in Chinese: First Language (pp. 85–86)
  • clarification of General Exhibitions (p. 115) and Subject Exhibitions (ATAR courses) (p. 116)
  • move of Chinese: First Language from Table 13: Interstate Language course offerings for 2020 to Table 11: ATAR, General and Foundation course offerings for 2020 (Appendix 3).

2020 Key Messages – Secondary School Leader Briefings

Contact
Sven Sorenson
(08) 9273 6390
Sven.Sorenson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Secondary school principals, deputy principals and heads of learning area are invited to register to attend a briefing about the School Curriculum and Standards Authority's 2020 Key Messages.

The briefings will be organised to provide updates on the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline for Years 7 – 10 and the WACE 2020.

The Authority’s Executive Director, Allan Blagaich and senior members of his executive team will present the briefings across the State, in February, March, April and May.

Date

Location

Times

Wednesday 26 February

Esperance Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Thursday 27 February

Karratha Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Tuesday 3 March

Albany Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Wednesday 4 March

Narrogin Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Monday 9 March

Geraldton Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Wednesday 11 March

Northam Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Thursday 12 March

Bunbury Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Friday 13 March

Cape Naturaliste College, Busselton

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Tuesday 17 March

Broome Senior High School

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Wednesday 25 March

South Metropolitan, Willow Pond

9.30 am – 11.30 am

Thursday 26 March

South Metropolitan, Willow Pond

9.30 am – 11.30 am

Friday 27 March

North Metropolitan, Bendat Centre

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Tuesday 31 March

North Metropolitan, Bendat Centre

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Wednesday 1 April

Kalgoorlie

Eastern Goldfields College

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Monday 4 May

International School Webinars

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Register now at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/events/2020-key-messages-secondary-school-leader-briefings.


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.

Please refer to the August-2 2019 circular item regarding registration and enrolment of P–10 students transferring between schools in Western Australia.  Schools are reminded that students in Western Australia transferring between schools midway through the calendar year must remain enrolled in their current academic year. By checking a student number the system will also give you a student’s current academic year.

students current academic year screenshot

Upon registration, schools should check SIRS for the student’s previous school details and ensure students are enrolled to continue in the same academic year as they were in at their previous school.  This ensures students continue with their current year-level studies within the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline.

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 EnrolmentStudent MaintenanceFind Student Number (see image below).

step 2 a screenshot

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

step 2 b screenshot

  1. 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).

step 3 screenshot

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)
  • 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 7, 8, 9 and 10).

Registration of students on SIRS in 2020

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

Schools and other education providers are asked to note the following important dates as the last date for the initial upload of student registration and demographic information to the Student Information Records System (SIRS) in 2020. Please do not leave it until the last date to upload your data.

Thursday, 13 February 2020
Initial 2020 registration and demographic information for Years 10–12 students (required for Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) student lists and password generation (via SRGDG file).

  • Initial 2020 registration and demographic information for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 (required for National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) (via SRGDG file).
  • Initial 2020 registration and demographic information for all Kindergarten – Year 6 students where these students attend schools using Brightpath (via SRGDG file).
  • Initial 2020 registration information for all teachers where students attend schools using Brightpath (via THREG file).

Thursday, 9 April 2020
Registration and demographic information for all remaining Kindergarten – Year 8 students other than those listed above is due to be uploaded by Thursday, 9 April 2020.

Updates to registration and demographic information should be uploaded into SIRS on a regular basis for the remainder of the year.

Details of how to register students are provided in the updated Data Procedures Manual 2020 with links to assist schools using Reporting to Parents, MAZE, and Excel. There is also a separate Student Registration Procedures Manual found at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/sirs-info/primary-schools to assist primary schools with creating and uploading their Student Registration and Demographic File (SRGDG).

Schools are requested to include their school code in any correspondence.


WASN requests for 2020

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

dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au

All current students in Western Australia (WA) 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.

In 2020 schools will only be able to request WASNs through the Student Information Record System (SIRS) for Kindergarten students commencing in 2020. 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.

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.

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 2020 with links to assist schools using Integris (RTP), Civica Maze, and Excel and for Primary Schools the Student Registration Procedures Manual found at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/sirs-info/primary-schools. There is also a Guide to uploading Student Registration and Demographic (SRGDG) file found at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/349636/GUIDE-TO-UPLOADING-STUDENT-REGISTRATION-AND-DEMOGRAPHIC-FILE.pdf and some online training videos found at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/sirs-info/primary-schools.


Year 11 2019 student result updates and default of U to an E grade

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

Schools are reminded that 2019 students allocated a ‘U’ for Year 11 courses need to have these results finalised in SIRS by Thursday, 20 February this year or the student’s U will default to an  E with a zero mark.

Schools can amend their 2019 Year 11 results and re-upload the amended RSCOS file.

After Thursday, 20 February 2020 the SIRS facility will be locked and no further changes can be made.


Social media 2020

Contact
Jo Merrey 
(08) 9273 6348
Jo.Merrey@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards (the Authority) will continue to use Facebook to provide information to its stakeholders in 2020. The Authority will no longer be using Twitter.

https://facebook.com/SCSAWA is for students in Years 10, 11 and 12, their parents, teachers and community stakeholders. The focus of the page is on providing information to students working towards the WACE.

https://facebook.com/SCSAWAteachers is for teachers and community stakeholders. The focus of the page is on providing information to teachers delivering the Western Australian curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12. Reminders about key dates as listed in the Activities Schedule are published on this page.

The Authority treats its social media spaces as ‘family friendly’ and has a zero tolerance approach to abusive and offensive posts. The Facebook pages operate as moderated forums.

Teachers, students and stakeholders are encouraged to use the Authority’s Facebook pages to access information and stay in touch with Authority. Information shared on the Facebook pages connects to the Authority’s publications, such as the Activities Schedule and Year 12 Information Handbooks.


2019 Student Achievements – Other than Year 12

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

Schools are reminded they have until Thursday, 20 February 2020 to verify and confirm the achievement data submitted to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) for students in other than Year 12.

The achievements required include:

  • Course units (ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET Industry Specific courses) for semester 1, 2 or full year
  • VET qualifications
  • VET units of competency
  • Endorsed programs.

The declaration forms for course units, VET and endorsed programs are to be completed and signed by the principal. The declaration forms were emailed to schools on 14 January 2020, as per the 2019 Activities Schedule.

Some schools had not finalised the transfer of their data by the end of the 2019 school year. If your school has not uploaded the appropriate data files to the Student Information Records System (SIRS), please do so as a matter of urgency.

Note: Students who were allocated a ‘U’ for Year 11 courses need to also have these results amended and re-uploaded into SIRS by Thursday, 20 February 2020 or the student’s U will default to an E with a zero mark.

A mark and a grade are required for all Year 11 students:

  • a student’s school based achievement for a Year 11 course may be recorded for each pair of units (i.e. one mark and one grade), OR
  • for each unit completed (i.e. two marks and two grades).

Additionally, the VET Unique Student Identifier is a requirement for VET achievement intended for contribution towards the WACE requirements.

The results for students who have left your school need to be finalised if they had enrolments. If the students should have been withdrawn from a course unit, this withdrawal will need to be uploaded through the ENCOS file to SIRS. If students have been withdrawn from VET units of competency and endorsed programs, this will need to be uploaded using the correct code through the RSVET and RSEND files respectively.


New Process: Recognition of student achievement in ATAR course units for Year 10 students in 2022 (Year 8, 2020)

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

The revised process requires schools to identify students in Year 8 (2020) and to submit the amended application form demonstrating how the Year 9 and Year 10 Western Australian curriculum, will be compacted and how student achievement within the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline will be reported.

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.

To apply for recognition and recording of student achievement in ATAR units for Year 10 students in 2022, the school needs to complete the Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2022 (Year 8, 2020) form, available on School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website at http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms.

For further information please refer to Section 7 in the WACE Manual 2020. This publication is available on the Authority website via the following link: https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

The completed application form is to be returned to the Senior Consultant – Certification, certification@scsa.wa.edu.au at the Authority, no later than Thursday, 19 November 2020.


Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2020

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

Permission must be obtained from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) for Year 10 students to enrol and have achievements in ATAR units 1 and 2 contribute towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Schools are reminded that the Authority requires all schools to implement the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline to meet the learning needs of all students.

The Pre-primary to Year 10: Teaching, Assessing and Reporting Policy and Policy Standards communicate the mandatory requirements for teaching and assessing the Western Australian (WA) curriculum and for reporting on student achievement.

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.

To apply for recognition and recording of student achievement in ATAR units for Year 10 students in 2020, the school needs to complete the Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2020 form, available on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms.

The completed application form is to be returned to the Authority by Thursday, 5 March 2020.


Application to study ATAR Units 3 and 4 and sit the 2020 ATAR course examinations for students in Year 10, 2020

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

Permission must be obtained from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) for a student who is in Year 10 to study a pair of Year 12 ATAR units (Units 3 and 4) and sit an ATAR course examination without having studied Units 1 and 2.

A student who sits an examination for a particular Year 12 ATAR course in Year 10 must be exiting the course and will not be permitted to enrol in the Year 12 ATAR course (Units 3 and 4) and sit the ATAR course examination in Year 11 or 12.

To apply for recognition and recording of student achievement in ATAR Year 12 course units for Year 10 students in 2020, the school needs to complete the Application to study ATAR Units 3 and 4 and sit the 2020 ATAR course examinations for students in Year 10, 2020 form, available on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms.

Applications close Thursday, 2 April 2020. No changes will be made to student enrolments to study a pair of Year 12 ATAR units (Units 3 and 4) and sit the 2020 ATAR course examinations after this date.

Please note the following:

  • to complete ATAR course Units 3 and 4, students are required to sit the ATAR course examination in that course. Students who do not sit the ATAR course examination will not have a course mark or grade recorded on their WASSA, nor will they receive an ATAR course report. Note: for ATAR courses with practical components, students must complete both the written and practical examinations
  • applications are limited to exceptional circumstances
  • this is only for students on accelerated pathways doing Units 3 and 4 of the course without having studied Units 1 and 2.

Request to change academic year Pre-primary to Year 10

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

Schools are advised of a new online form Request to change academic year Pre-Primary to Year 10.

At times, schools may identify a student to be at another academic year and may request a change. To request a change the new online form must be completed.

The form Request to change academic year P-10 and detailed information can be found on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms under Registrations.

Please refer to the Pre-primary to Year 10: Teaching, Assessing and Reporting Policy and Policy Standards which communicates the mandatory requirements for teaching the Western Australian curriculum and for assessing and reporting on student achievement before submitting an application.

P-10 students transferring between schools in Western Australia
Schools are reminded that students in Western Australia transferring between schools midway through the calendar year must remain enrolled in their current academic year.

Upon registration, schools should check SIRS for the student’s previous school details and ensure students are enrolled to continue in the same academic year as they were in at their previous school. This ensures students continue with their current year-level studies within the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline.

Any queries please email dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au.


Year 11 and Year 12 student enrolments in course units 2020

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

In 2020, Year 11 and Year 12 students can enrol in ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific courses.

Schools are reminded that Year 11 and Year 12 student enrolments in these courses must be uploaded to the Student Information Records System (SIRS) by Thursday, 27 February 2020.

Enrolments in course units
The instructions to assist schools to enrol their students in courses are detailed in the Data Procedures Manual 2020. The manual is available on the Authority website at the following address: https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual.

The specific sub-sections for information relating to extracting data of students enrolled in courses, uploading the enrolments into SIRS and verifying these enrolments in SIRS are listed below.

Section

Details relating to enrolments

12.1.2

RTP (Reporting to Parents) instructions for extracting data of students enrolled in courses

12.1.1

Civica (MAZE) instructions for extracting data of students enrolled in courses

5.6

Excel instructions for creating a CSV file for student enrolments in courses

12.1.4

Synergetic instructions for extracting data of students enrolled in courses

5.8

SIRS instructions for uploading student enrolments

10

SIRS reports available to schools.

Details relating to enrolments in course units
Further information relating to the study of courses can be found in Section 5: Enrolments of the Data Procedures Manual 2020.


Non-school candidate enrolments, 2020

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

In 2020, an individual may enrol to sit an ATAR course examination as a non-school candidate (formerly private candidate) in the event that the individual is:

  • seeking entry to university as a mature-age applicant, or
  • a student who has previously completed Year 12, or
  • a Year 12 student undertaking language course examinations through Interstate Language offerings where the course is not offered by the school, or
  • a Year 12 student undertaking French, German and Italian Background language examinations where the course is not offered by the school.

To enrol as a non-school candidate in an Interstate Languages course examination or in the French, German or Italian Background language course examination, the candidate must be enrolled to sit at least three other ATAR course examinations as a school candidate in 2020.

An individual may not enrol in:

  • an external examination for an Interstate Language at the same time as being enrolled in that course with the State that hosts the language, and
  • more than one Interstate Language examination.

An individual enrolled in an ATAR course examination as a non-school candidate is unable to use the mark from that examination to contribute towards the achievement of an exhibition or award. As a non-school candidate, that examination does not contribute towards meeting the requirements for the WACE.

Enrolments as non-school candidates in ATAR course examinations are due by Thursday, 2 April 2020. No further applications will be accepted after this date.


OLNA 2020 Round 1 – Preparations

Contact
OLNA helpdesk
(08) 9273 6726
olna@scsa.wa.edu.au

Schools with Years 10 to 12 students are reminded about the following important dates and information.

OLNA 2019 Round 1 testing window

Component

Dates

Writing

Tuesday 3 March – Thursday 5 March

Numeracy and Reading

Tuesday 3 March – Friday 27 March

Student and Staff preparations

Principals are reminded to complete the tasks in the Checklist for principals on page 27 of the OLNA Handbook. This includes:

Coordinators are reminded to complete the tasks in the Checklist for OLNA coordinators checklist on pages 30 – 31 of the OLNA Handbook. This includes

Technical preparations
IT staff/Coordinators are reminded to conduct system and network checks as contained in the OLNA Test-delivery website user guide available via https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/olna/schools under OLNA Test-Delivery Website User Guide.

OLNA publications and forms
All OLNA publications and forms are available from the Authority website at:

https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/olna/schools.