Economics ATAR Year 11 syllabus support materials – for 2023 implementation

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

Teachers of Economics ATAR Year 11 are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority has published syllabus support materials for the new Economics ATAR Year 11 Syllabus to be implemented in 2023.

These materials, along with the Economics ATAR Year 11 syllabus, can be located on the course page at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/economics.

Geography ATAR Year 12 Assessment workshops

Contact
Carolyn Fleischer (08) 9273 6735
Carolyn.Fleischer@scsa.wa.edu.au

Geography ATAR Year 12 teachers are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will be conducting Assessment workshops in Term 3 and 4. The purpose of the workshops is to provide teachers with information on the Authority’s assessment requirements for the new Geography ATAR Year 12 Syllabus to be implemented in 2023.

The workshop to be held in Term 3 is intended for schools that are offering the Geography ATAR Year 12 course in 2023 and plan to commence the Year 12 academic year in Term 4, 2022. Additional workshops will be held in Term 4, for those schools intending to commence the Geography ATAR Year 12 course in Term 1, 2023.

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

Each workshop will include:

• unpacking sample support material provided by the Authority
• developing an assessment outline
• interpreting the cognitive verbs in the syllabus.

The dates for the workshops are as follows:

• Term 3 online – Thursday, 8 September 8:30 am – 10:30 am
• Term 4 face-to-face – Friday, 18 November 8:30 am – 11:00 am
• Term 4 online – Monday, 21 November 8:30 am – 10:30 am.

The workshops are not compulsory and are free to attend. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred, (for example, teacher relief) as a result of attendance at the workshops. Register for the workshops at this link:

https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/year-12-geography-atar-workshop

Teachers are asked to bring their current Geography ATAR Year 12 Assessment Outline as well as to have available a copy of the 2023 Geography ATAR Year 12 syllabus, which is available to download from the Geography course page:  https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/humanities-and-social-sciences/geography.

Human Biology General Years 11 and 12 Syllabus Review Information Sessions

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

Teachers and stakeholders of the current Human Biology course are invited to register for the Human Biology General Years 11 and 12 syllabus review information sessions.

In 2020, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) Board agreed that the Human Biology General Years 11 and 12 course syllabuses would be reviewed.

Teachers and stakeholders are invited to register to attend a Webex meeting to:

• identify the main changes between the current and the draft course syllabuses
• learn about the draft revised syllabuses
• ask clarifying questions
• provide feedback through an online survey.

The consultation draft Year 11 and Year 12 syllabuses will be available to download from the syllabus review course page prior to the commencement of the consultation period on 9 September, 2022.

Teachers and stakeholders are requested to download their own copy of the draft materials for use during the information meeting.

Following the information meeting, teachers and stakeholders are encouraged to complete the syllabus review consultation survey.

The information sessions are free to attend.

The dates for these events are:

• Monday, 12 September 2022, 4.00pm – 6.00pm, online via the Webex platform
• Tuesday, 13 September 2022, 4.00pm – 6.00pm, online via the Webex platform.

Registrations are now open and can be found at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/human-biology-general-years-11-and-12-syllabus-review-information-session.

Syllabus Review Information Meeting for Agribusiness ATAR

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

Teachers and stakeholders are invited to attend a syllabus review information meeting and are advised that the proposed draft Agribusiness ATAR Year 11 and Year 12 consultation syllabuses will be available from the syllabus review webpage on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website during the September consultation period in Term 3, 2022.

The following draft consultation syllabuses will be ready for public consultation in September 2022:

• Agribusiness ATAR Year 11
• Agribusiness ATAR Year 12.

Consultation is an important part of the Authority’s curriculum and assessment development and review process.

The consultation draft Year 11 and Year 12 syllabuses will be available to download from the syllabus review course page prior to the commencement of the consultation period on 5 September, 2022.

Teachers and stakeholders are invited to register to participate in an information Webex (online) meeting on Monday, 5 September 2022 to:

• identify the main changes between the current Animal Production Systems (APS) and Plant Production Systems (PPS) syllabuses and the draft consultation syllabuses
• learn about the changes and the rationale for the construct and content of the consultation drafts
• ask questions
• provide feedback through an online survey.

Teachers and stakeholders are requested to download their own copy of the draft materials for use during the information meeting.

Following the information meeting, teachers and stakeholders are encouraged to complete the syllabus review consultation survey.

The workshops are free to attend and are not compulsory. Schools are responsible for any costs incurred (for example, teacher relief) as a result of attendance at the workshops.

Registrations are now open at:

https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/agribusiness-atar-syllabus-development-information-session-2022

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Arts learning area

Contact
John Newman (08) 9273 6757
John.Newman@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Arts are requested to note for 2023 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Health and Physical Education learning area

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

School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Health and Physical Education are requested to note for 2022 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Humanities and Social Sciences learning area

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

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Humanities and Social Sciences, and teachers are requested to note for 2023 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Languages learning area

Contact
Adriana Douglas (08) 9273 6784
Adriana.Douglas@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Languages are requested to note for 2023 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Mathematics learning area

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

School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Mathematics are requested to note for 2022 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Science learning area

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

School administrators, Heads of Learning Area – Science and teachers are requested to note for 2023 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Minor syllabus changes for 2023 – Technologies learning area

Contact
John Newman (08) 9273 6757
John.Newman@scsa.wa.edu.au

School administrators and Heads of Learning Area – Technologies are requested to note for 2023 the following courses that have minor syllabus changes. These syllabuses are now available on course pages and labelled as ‘For teaching from 2023’.

Front covers for the 2022 ATAR course examinations available to schools

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

Front covers for the 2022 ATAR course examinations will be available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website on Friday, 26 August 2022 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.

2022 Dance ATAR course written examination stimulus material distributed to schools

Contact
Terry Pirlo (08) 9273 6722
Terry.Pirlo@scsa.wa.edu.au

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

The stimulus material for the 2022 Dance ATAR course written examination has been distributed to schools.

Each teacher of the course and each candidate enrolled to sit the Dance ATAR course examination has been provided with a USB containing the stimulus material.

Candidates will be required to make reference to the stimulus material in their responses to Section One: Short answer in the written examination.

The USB will not be used during the ATAR course written examination. However, the examination materials will include a Source booklet with stills from the stimulus material.

2022 MPA ATAR course written examination stimulus material distributed to schools

Contact
Terry Pirlo (08) 9273 6722
Terry.Pirlo@scsa.wa.edu.au

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

The stimulus material for the 2022 Media Production and Analysis (MPA) ATAR course written examination has been distributed to schools.

Each teacher of the course and each candidate enrolled to sit the MPA ATAR course examination has been provided with a USB containing the stimulus material.

Candidates will be required to make reference to the stimulus material in their responses to Section One: Short answer in the written examination.

The USB will not be used during the ATAR course written examination. However, the examination materials will include a Source booklet with stills from the stimulus material.

2022 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, 29 August 2022 (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 using your username and password for SIRS.

For a detailed description on eligibility criteria and advice on the application and selection processes, download the 2022 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.

2022 – 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, 27 October 2022 as per the 2022 Activities Schedule.

Information about collecting achievement data will be received by schools by

Monday, 10 October 2022.

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.

Reminder – Online Student Declaration and Permission

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

Schools are reminded that the due date for completion of the online Student Declaration and Permission is Thursday, 8 September 2022.

Students will access their Personalised written examination timetable and, if studying a Year 12 ATAR course with a practical component, they will see their Personalised practical examination timetable from the student portal. It is important that they have logged in and completed the Student Declaration and Permission before then.

The following students are required to complete the online Student Declaration and Permission:

• all Year 12 students
• Year 11 students who are studying ATAR Units 3 and 4 and sitting the 2022 ATAR course examinations
• Year 10 students given approval by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) to study ATAR Units 3 and 4 and sit the 2022 ATAR course examinations.

Please note: students will be required to complete the online Student Declaration and Permission when they log in to the portal before they can gain access to other important information, such as their course enrolments, examination timetable/s and results.

Schools to ensure that students have received the necessary information in order to complete the online form correctly, such as:

• the purpose
• login instructions to the student portal: https://student.scsa.wa.edu.au/student-portal
• completion of the online form must be discussed with parents/guardians.

Further information about the online Student Declaration and Permission is available on the Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/the-wace/student-declaration.

Schools can monitor in SIRS which students have completed the online Student Declaration and Permission by generating the Report CSE058 – Student Release Choices by Provider.

The pathway to the report CSE058 is: Reports > Other reports > Report type: Students, Report: CSE058.

The Authority appreciates your assistance in obtaining this important information.

Reminder: Applications for exemption from enrolment eligibility criteria for Foundation units for Semester 1, 2023

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, 2023 will be considered after the September Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) results are released on Monday, 17 October.

Online applications are available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (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, 17 November 2022.

In completing the application please refer to Section 1.8 of the WACE Manual 2022. https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

Reminder: Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2024 (Year 8, 2022)

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

Principals are reminded that Applications for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2024 (Year 8, 2022)must be received by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) no later than Thursday, 17 November 2022. The completed application form is to be emailed to certification@scsa.wa.edu.au.

An application form can be downloaded from the Authority website at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms under the Enrolments tab.

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

• either gifted and talented or
• accelerated language students.

For further information please refer to Section 7 in the WACE Manual 2022. This publication is available on the Authority website via the following link: https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

The importance of uploading the RSQUAL file for WACE certification

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

Schools are reminded of the importance of ensuring the VET Qualification Results (RSQUAL) file is uploaded to the Student Information Records System (SIRS) database at the end of each calendar year. The information in the RSQUAL file is used to allocate unit credit towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and to determine that a student has met the Certificate II or higher requirement.

Please note: The RSQUAL file must only be uploaded once the school has received written verification from the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that the student has achieved the qualification.

It is also important for schools to ensure that the RSQUAL file processes successfully to SIRS and any error messages are resolved before due dates. If a student does not have the correct number of units of competency linked to a qualification in SIRS the RSQUAL will not upload successfully.

Failure to upload this file may result in students not achieving their WACE and may therefore be considered not eligible for first round offers for entry into university and TAFE courses.

If there are errors in student achievement data after the deadlines that are a result of the school providing incorrect or incomplete data, the school will be charged a fee for updating the data.

Schools are also reminded that if the RSQUAL is not uploaded at the end of that year for Year 11 students who have completed a qualification this may also prevent students from achieving their WACE in the following year.

The RSQUAL file should be uploaded at the conclusion of the year that the student completes the full qualification (whether that be Year 10, 11 or 12).

Schools should check that the qualification has been recorded correctly by running the report
CSE007 – VET qualifications achieved in full. The pathway to this report is: Reports > Other Reports > Report type: Achievements > Report: CSE007.

More detailed information about the RSQUAL file is provided in Section 8.6.5 of the Data Procedures Manual 2022. This publication is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual.

Links are provided to database-specific software programs in Section 12 of the Data Procedures Manual 2022 using the above link.

ACARA F–10 Australian Curriculum Review

Contact
Paula Beck (08) 9273 6331
Paula.Beck@scsa.wa.edu.au

On Friday, 1 April 2022, Commonwealth, state and territory Education Ministers endorsed Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) F–10 Australian Curriculum.

Western Australia has a long standing history of ‘adopting and/or adapting’ the Australian Curriculum and this will continue. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority will coordinate the collaboration between the school systems and sectors, as it has in the past, to ensure that any changes to the mandated Western Australian curriculum are well considered and consulted before being finalised.

Schools and teachers must continue to deliver the current Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline until advised otherwise. Teachers and school leaders should ensure they are subscribed to the Kto10 Circular to receive all updates regarding curriculum change and implementation timelines. Updates regarding implementation timelines will be posted on the Authority website once they are determined: https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/principles/background/implementation-requirements

Until further advised, the Western Australian curriculum, as published in the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/) is the mandated curriculum for Western Australia and must continue to be implemented in Western Australian schools.

While schools make decisions about the resources they use to support the teaching and learning program in their school it is important to ensure the resources use support the mandated Western Australian curriculum. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority do not accredit nor endorse curriculum materials or resources that are commercially published for use in Western Australia schools.