11to12 Circulars - Edition 8 August 2021
Examinations
Front covers for the 2021 ATAR course examinations available to schools
Contact
Gabby Raggio (08) 9273 6787
Gabby.Raggio@scsa.wa.edu.au
Front covers for the 2021 ATAR course examinations will be available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website on Friday, 27 August 2021 under the ‘Examination Materials’ heading on the relevant course page at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials.
The examination front covers should be distributed by teachers of the relevant courses to help prepare students for the examinations. Feedback from students last year suggests that some teachers did not make copies of the front covers available to their students, nor did they discuss the significance of the information in them.
The front covers contain details of the structure of each examination, the allocation of marks and the rules governing the conduct of the examination. Teachers are strongly encouraged to familiarise students with the front covers of both the written and practical examinations.
Front covers are not included for those Language examinations that are set by curriculum authorities in other states.
Single use earbuds and personal listening device for Music ATAR course written examination
Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au
In 2021, candidates participating in the Music ATAR course written examination will be provided with single-use earbuds for use with the personal listening devices during the aural section of the written examination.
At the conclusion of the examination, candidates may keep or dispose of the earbuds.
In addition, the personal listening device has been replaced with the latest Sony E series model with the same functions as the previous model. Students will be provided with updated user guide instructions in the relevant ATAR course that use personal listening devices.
Courses
Chinese: First Language Notification of New Syllabus for ATAR Year 11
Contact
Adriana Douglas (08) 9273 6784
Adriana.Douglas@scsa.wa.edu.au
Nadia Civa (08) 9273 6355
Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au
School Leaders, Heads of Learning Area – Languages, and Teachers of ATAR Chinese First Language are advised that the new syllabus for Chinese: First Language ATAR Year 11 is now available on the course page on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website. The syllabus is for implementation from 2022. Supporting materials will be made available in Semester 2 2021.
2022 ATAR Year 12 Drama Syllabus Additional Texts
Contact
Max Leech (08) 9273 6740
Max.Leech@scsa.wa.edu.au
Teachers are advised additional texts will be added in 2022 to the Set Text list for ATAR Year 12 Drama under the headings of Australian texts and World texts for Units 3 and 4.
None of the current set texts in the syllabus have been removed.
New Set Texts are:
Australian texts for Unit 3 | World Texts for Unit 3 |
|---|---|
Matt Cameron: Ruby Moon | Simon Stephens: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time |
Australian texts for Unit 4 | World Texts for Unit 4 |
Donna Abela: Jump for Jordan | William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night |
Major syllabus changes for 2022 and 2023 – ATAR Geography
Contact
Carolyn Fleischer (08) 9273 6735
Carolyn.Fleischer@scsa.wa.edu.au
School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Humanities and Social Sciences and Teachers of Geography ATAR are requested to note that the new syllabuses for Year 11 and 12 ATAR Geography have now been endorsed for teaching by the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). The Year 11 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2022’ and the Year 12 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2023’.
The new syllabuses, including a summary of the key changes are now available on the Geography course page on the Authority website https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/geography
Teachers are advised that support materials will be progressively published; Year 11 later this term, and Year 12 samples in Term 4.
The samples will include:
- course outlines
- assessment outlines
- tasks and marking keys
- a sample external examination for Year 12.
Professional development sessions examining the structure and content of the new syllabuses will be offered in Term 4, 2021. These sessions will be available in both face-to-face and via Webex. Schools will be advised of the timing of these sessions through the Authority 11to12 Circular.
New syllabus for 2022 and 2023 – ATAR Drama
Contact
Max Leech (08) 9273 6740
Max.Leech@scsa.wa.edu.au
School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – the Arts and Teachers of ATAR Drama are requested to note that the new syllabuses for Year 11 and 12 ATAR Drama have now been endorsed for teaching by the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). The Year 11 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2022’ and the Year 12 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2023’.
The new syllabuses, including a summary of the key changes are now available on the Drama course page on the Authority website https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/arts/drama
Teachers are advised that support materials will be progressively published; Year 11 later in this term, and Year 12 samples in Term 4.
The samples will include:
- course outlines
- assessment outlines
- tasks and marking keys
- a sample external examination for Year 12.
Professional development sessions examining the structure and content of the new syllabuses will be offered in Term 4, 2021. These sessions will be available in both face-to-face and via Webex. Schools will be advised of the timing of these sessions through the Authority 11to12 Circular.
New syllabuses for 2022 and 2023 – ATAR Media Production and Analysis
Contact
Gemma Wright (08) 9273 6783
Gemma.Wright@scsa.wa.edu.au
School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – the Arts and Teachers of ATAR Media Production and Analysis are requested to note that the new syllabuses for Year 11 and 12 ATAR Media Production and Analysis have now been endorsed for teaching by the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). The Year 11 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2022’ and the Year 12 syllabus is endorsed ‘For teaching from 2023’.
The new syllabuses, including a summary of the key changes are now available on the Media Production and Analysis course page on the Authority website https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/arts/media-production-and-analysis
Teachers are advised that support materials will be progressively published; Year 11 samples later this term, and Year 12 samples in Term 4.
The samples will include:
- course outlines
- assessment outlines
- tasks and marking keys
- a sample external examination for Year 12.
Professional development sessions examining the structure and content of the new syllabuses will be offered in Term 4, 2021. These sessions will be available in both face-to-face and via Webex. Schools will be advised of the timing of these sessions through the Authority 11to12 Circular.
New syllabuses for 2022 and 2023 ATAR EAL/D
Contact
Louise Dodman (08) 9273 6785
Louise.Dodman@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) has accredited new syllabuses for Years 11 and 12 ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). The syllabus review process has been informed by the Authority’s EAL/D Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC), public consultation and a working party comprised of practising ATAR Year 11 and 12 EAL/D teachers from across the school systems and education sector.
The new ATAR Year 11 EAL/D syllabus will be implemented for teaching from 1 January, 2022 and the new Year 12 ATAR EAL/D syllabus will be implemented for teaching from January 1, 2023. The new syllabuses have now been published on the Authority website (https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/english/english-as-an-additional-language-or-dialect). For Year 11, please use the syllabus labelled ‘for teaching from January 1, 2022’.
New teacher support materials, including course outlines, assessment outlines, assessment tasks, a sample examination and a sample Common Oral Assessment Task (COAT) have been written and will be available on the Authority website in late August 2021.
Professional learning will also be offered toward the end of this year and at the beginning of next year to support teachers with the implementation of the new syllabuses. Information about when these sessions will be held will be published in the Authority 11to12 Circular.
Should you or your staff have any questions regarding the new syllabuses, please contact Louise Dodman at Louise.Dodman@scsa.wa.edu.au or Angelique Smith Angelique.Smith@scsa.wa.edu.au, Principal Consultants, EAL/D.
Moderation
Proposed grade distributions for 2021 WACE courses – supporting advice
Contact
John Newman (08) 9273 6757
John.Newman@scsa.wa.edu.au
School administrators and Heads of Learning Areas are reminded that when schools submit their proposed grades through the Student Information Records System (SIRS) that a brief comment can be entered for each course unit with additional supporting information to assist the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) review the school’s grade distribution. The comments field is on the right of the proposed grades screen. Please note each comment is limited to 1000 characters.
Schools are strongly encouraged to provide this supporting information when the school distribution is unusual or dissimilar to the school’s historical distribution pattern. The supporting information could for example, include:
- clarification about the impact of COVID-19 related issues on student cohort performance
- explanation that the student profile for the cohort is quite different to that of previous years
- other details that support the distribution pattern for the proposed grades.
Provision of this information within the report will, in most cases, remove the need for the Authority to contact Heads of Learning Areas to request explanatory information related to the submitted course unit proposed grade distribution.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
2021 Awards for Outstanding Achievement in VET
Contact
Arti Dogra (08) 9273 6751
Arti.Dogra@scsa.wa.edu.au
A reminder to schools that the last date to submit Vocational Education and Training (VET) Awards nominations via Student Information Record System (SIRS) is Monday, 30 August 2021 (4:30 PM). The online SIRS VET Awards nomination form can be accessed via the following link: https://sirs.scsa.wa.edu.au/scsaform/vetnominationform opens in new window using your username and password for SIRS.
For a detailed description on eligibility criteria and advice on the application and selection processes, download the 2021 VET Awards Nomination Kit from the following link: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/certification/exhibitions-and-awards under Awards for outstanding achievements in VET.
The online SIRS VET Awards nomination form will only display students who meet the initial eligibility criteria. Therefore, it is a requirement that VET and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority developed Workplace Learning (ADWPL) enrolments for the student being nominated have been successfully uploaded in SIRS prior to commencing the online nomination process.
SIRS, Enrolments and General Information
Recognition of student achievement in ATAR course Units 1 and 2 for Year 10 students in 2023 (Year 8, 2021)
Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au
Schools are required to identify potential students in Year 8 (2021) and to submit the amended application form demonstrating how the Western Australian Curriculum in Year 9 and Year 10 will be compacted and how student achievement will be reported.
Schools should apply only if the studies are part of a longer term program for students who are:
- gifted and talented or
- accelerated language students.
To apply for recognition and recording of student achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for Year 10 students in 2023, 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 2023 (Year 8, 2021) form, available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms under Enrolments.
For further information please refer to Section 7 in the WACE Manual 2021. 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, 18 November 2021.
Reminder: Applications for exemption from enrolment eligibility criteria for Foundation units 2021 for Semester 1, 2022
Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au
Principals are reminded that Applications for exemption from enrolment eligibility criteria for Foundation units for Semester 1, 2022 will be considered after the September Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) results are released in October.
Online applications are available on the Authority website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms/application-for-exemption-from-enrolment-eligibility-criteria-for-foundation-units and must be received by the Authority no later than Thursday, 18 November 2021.
In completing the application please refer to Section 1.8 of the WACE Manual 2021. https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.
2021 – Collection of Year 12 students’ achievement data
Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au
This is an early reminder that the Year 12 achievement data is due to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority by Thursday, 28 October 2021 as per the 2021 Activities Schedule.
Information about collecting achievement data will be received by schools by Monday, 11 October 2021.
Schools will need to provide the achievement data for:
- Year 12 students for courses (ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific), VET qualifications, VET units of competency and endorsed programs
- non-Year 12 students sitting one or more ATAR course examinations.