Years 7–10: Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies online curriculum familiarisation workshops for regional and remote schools

Contact
Chris Kelley (08) 9273 6750
Chris.Kelley@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering online workshops to support regional and remote schools with familiarisation with the Western Australian Curriculum for Years 7–10 Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies.

These online professional learning opportunities are designed for teachers who were unable to attend the in-person curriculum familiarisation workshops scheduled earlier in the year.

The Authority will use Webex as the delivery platform and registrants will need to have downloaded the application prior to the meeting to participate.

The purpose of the online workshop is to:

• familiarise schools with the support materials on the Authority website
• outline key curriculum changes
• provide guidance to enable schools to become familiar with the revised curriculum and align programs accordingly
• engage in activities that will explore the curriculum revisions and strategies for sharing this information within a school context.

The Authority is providing teacher relief payments for schools across the systems/sector for up to two teachers for each half-day workshop in each learning area. A digital presentation pack, which can be used to facilitate professional learning at the school level, will also be sent to participants after the workshop.

Register at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/events/curriculum-familiarisation-online-webex-workshops.

More information is available at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/resources/revised-western-australian-curriculum-familiarisation.

Updated ATAR Year 11 Physics formulae and data sheet

Contact
Ian Wilson (08) 9273 6788
Ian.Wilson@scsa.wa.edu.au

Teachers of the ATAR Physics course are advised that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority has updated the formulae and data sheet for the Year 11 syllabus.

The following equation for time difference has been added: Δt = t_f – t_i.

The periodic table has been updated to present data clearly. This will allow students to readily access information during assessments.

The updated formulae and data sheet is available on the Physics course page at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/science/physics.

Year 12 Physical Education Studies: School-based practical external assessment (SPEA)

Contact
Melanie McKeaig (08) 9273 6320
spea@scsa.wa.edu.au

The Year 12 ATAR Physical Education Studies School-based practical external assessment (SPEA) period begins in Week 2 on Monday, 28 July and concludes at the end of Week 8 on Friday, 12 September.

School leaders and teachers must ensure they are familiar with the requirements for running a SPEA, as outlined in the sport-specific Assessment guides available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/health-and-physical-education/physical-education-studies.

Particular attention should be given to game requirements (including referees/umpires, numbered bibs, net heights, ball sizes etc.) and to field/court size and markings.

Timetables and information about Alternative format SPEAs have been disseminated to schools. If your school has not received these documents, please contact spea@scsa.wa.edu.au.

Marks collection forms will be released to schools from the start of Week 2.

The Authority thanks all ATAR Physical Education Studies teachers and schools for their continued support of the SPEA.

Please direct any queries regarding the SPEA to spea@scsa.wa.edu.au.

Applications for Chief Supervisor and Supervisors for 2025 ATAR course written examinations

Contact
Roslyn Parnham (08) 9273 6308
Roslyn.Parnham@scsa.wa.edu.au

Bronwyn O'Reilly (08) 9273 6767
examsupervisors@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking suitable and reliable people to fulfil the positions of Chief Supervisor and Supervisor for the 2025 ATAR course written examinations.

The ATAR course written examinations will be conducted from Wednesday, 29 October to Thursday, 20 November 2025.

A Chief Supervisor needs to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail and ensure examinations are conducted fairly and in accordance with the Authority’s policies and procedures. Strong leadership and organisation skills are essential in this role to direct, support and ensure the integrity and security of the examination process.

Supervisors work under the supervision of the Chief Supervisor and support them with the set-up of examination centres and day-to-day operation of examinations, ensuring a high standard of service is provided to candidates undertaking the ATAR course examinations.

Information regarding Chief Supervisor and Supervisor applications for the 2025 ATAR course written examinations is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment.

Chief Supervisors need to apply by Friday, 1 August 2025 to be considered for the first round of offers on Friday, 22 August 2025. Chief Supervisor applications will remain open until all positions are filled.

Supervisors need to apply by Friday, 22 August 2025 to be considered for the first round of offers on Friday, 5 September 2025. Supervisor applications will remain open until the commencement of the examinations.

2025 Interstate Languages ATAR course examinations

Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au

Students enrolled in interstate language ATAR courses should refer to the course materials available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/languages/interstate-languages.

Interstate Languages practical (oral) examinations

For Chinese: Background Language and Japanese: Background Language, the external practical (oral) examination design brief has changed and now includes preparation time of eight minutes to answer two questions. The questions are written in the course language (i.e. Chinese and Japanese). An interview of up to seven minutes follows the preparation time.

A sample of the question sheet can be found at the links below. Please note, the sample questions are written in English, but the questions will be written in the relevant course language for the examination.

Chinese: Background Language
https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/curriculum/languages/in-context/chinese-stage-6-2023.

Japanese: Background Language
https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/curriculum/languages/in-context/japanese-stage-6-2023.

The Hungarian, Khmer, Polish, Bengali, Bosnian, Chin Hakha, Dutch, Hebrew, Karen, Macedonian, Nepali, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, and Turkish ATAR course examinations have a practical (oral) examination that requires candidates to complete and submit a Discussion outline and supportive visual material sheet by 4.00 pm AWST Monday, 15 September 2025. The study outline is available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/languages/interstate-languages. Candidates must take a copy of their supporting visual material to their practical (oral) examination.

The Arabic and Vietnamese ATAR course examinations have a practical (oral) examination that requires candidates to complete and submit a Supporting visual material document by 4.00 pm AWST Monday, 15 September 2025. The visual material document is available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/languages/interstate-languages.Candidates must take their supporting visual material to their practical (oral) examination.

All other interstate language ATAR course examinations do not require the completion or submission of documents prior to the practical (oral) examination.

Interstate Languages ATAR course practical (oral) examinations will be conducted over the months of September to November 2025.

Interstate Languages written examinations

The 2025 Year 12 ATAR course written examinations timetable provides the date and time for the conduct of all written ATAR course examinations. The timetable is available and can be downloaded from https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/examination-timetables.

Personalised practical and written examinations timetables

From Tuesday, 9 September 2025, candidates will be able to download a copy of their Personalised practical examinations timetable and Personalised written examinations timetable from https://studentportal.scsa.wa.edu.au, showing the date, time and location of each examination in which they are enrolled.

Vocational education and training (VET) integrity check – Term 3, 2025

Contact
Sarah King (08) 9273 6391
Tammy Kent (08) 9273 6316
VETinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) will conduct an integrity check of the delivery and resulting for vocational education and training (VET) reported to the Authority in 2024.

As part of the integrity check process, selected sample schools will be required to provide evidence of Year 10 and Year 11 student achievements for VET units of competency, qualifications and/or accredited courses delivered in 2024. The acceptable form of evidence may include:

• a copy of the statement of attainment, record of results and/or qualification certificate issued by the registered training organisation/s (RTO/s)
• evidence of work placement for qualifications that have mandatory work placement, e.g. VET industry specific courses with Authority-developed workplace learning (ADWPL), Certificate III in Education Support (100 hours).

For the ADWPL component of a VET industry specific course, the following information will be required:

• Company/Business
• Supervisor name and contact
• Job role
• Start date – Completion date (if applicable)
• Work placement arrangement (block release, daily/weekly)
• Scheduled work placement (during the semester, holidays, combination)
• Delivery arrangement.

The evidence must be submitted to the Authority using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

Schools are advised to retain a record of the details of any VET qualifications undertaken by students to assist them when responding to integrity checks conducted by the Authority.

2025 Student enrolments in VET units of competency and endorsed programs

Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au

Year 10 and Year 11 student enrolments in vocational education and training (VET) and Year 10 to Year 12 student enrolments in endorsed programs must be uploaded into the Student Information Records System (SIRS) as soon as possible, but not later than Thursday, 14 August 2025.

It is important that schools work closely with registered training organisations (RTOs) to ensure information relating to their students’ enrolments in units of competency and qualifications is correct. It is strongly recommended that schools acquire the appropriate documentation from the RTO to confirm enrolments before submitting the data to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). This will ensure that accurate information is uploaded in SIRS to avoid issues at the time of providing student achievement reports.

Provision of VET and endorsed program enrolments

The Data Procedures Manual 2025 provides instructions relating to required actions (extracting data of students enrolled in VET units of competency and endorsed programs, uploading the enrolments into SIRS and verifying these enrolments in SIRS) for the following:

• 14.2 Civica – MAZE
• 14.3 Administration of Schools (AoS)
• 14.4 Reporting to Parents (RTP)
• 14.5 SEQTA
• 14.6 Synergetic.

Other useful sections in the Data Procedures Manual 2025 include:

• 6.6 Excel instructions for creating a .CSV file for student enrolments in:
  • units of competency delivered as VET credit transfer (ENVET)
  • units of competency where the competencies have been integrated into VET industry specific courses (ENCOS)
  • Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) funded VET skill set unit of competency (ENSKILL)
  • endorsed programs (ENEND).
• 6.8 SIRS instructions for uploading student enrolments
• 12 SIRS reports available to schools.

This information is available on the Authority website at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual.

Note:

• The VET Unique Student Identifier (USI) is optional in the VET enrolment file (ENVET). However, it is required for units of competency and qualifications that contribute towards meeting the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) requirements when reporting achievements through the RSVET and RSQUAL. If assistance is required regarding the USI, schools are advised to contact the USI Office on 1300 857 536 or via email admin@usi.gov.au.
• Only DTWD funded VET skill sets can be uploaded to SIRS. The inclusion of VET USI is optional for VET skill sets enrolments but is a requirement for recording of VET skill sets and related units of competency on the Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA). VET skill sets do not contribute to the achievement of the WACE.
• Schools delivering VET that is integrated into a VET industry specific course must enrol the students in the units of competency as VET integrated in the ENVET file. Students who meet VET industry specific course requirements can achieve course unit credit towards the WACE. Further information relating to course credit allocation and WACE credit allocation can be found at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/vet/vet-industry-specific.

Final date for students to withdraw from Year 12 courses, 2025

Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au

The final date for students to withdraw from Year 12 courses is Monday, 11 August. This includes withdrawing from:

• Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) courses without practical examination components
• General, Foundation, Preliminary and vocational education and training (VET) industry specific courses.

No changes can be made to student enrolments in these courses after this date.

Note: the final date to withdraw students from Year 12 ATAR courses with a practical examination component or a School-based practical external assessment (SPEA) was Thursday, 24 July.

See the May edition of the Circular at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/7to12-circulars/edition-4-may-2025, for further details about the consequences of withdrawing from courses with regards to course completion and the Western Australian Achievement Certificate (WACE) requirements.

Consequences of not sitting ATAR course examinations in 2025

Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au

It is important to ensure students are aware of the consequences of not sitting Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examinations.

Students who are enrolled in a Year 12 ATAR course and who do not sit the ATAR course examination will not have their school grades for that ATAR course count towards meeting any of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) requirements.

If the ATAR course has a practical component, both the written and practical examinations must be completed.

Note: from 2025, the Physical Education Studies Year 12 ATAR course includes a School-based practical assessment (SPEA) that students must complete to satisfy the completion requirement for the course. To learn more, see sub-section 3.4.4. in the WACE Manual 2025 at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

For students who do not sit an ATAR course examination or SPEA, and do not have an approved Sickness/Misadventure Application for that course, or an Application for an Approved Absence for the SPEA, the pair of units completed in that year will not:

• contribute towards any of the WACE requirements,
• have a course mark or grade recorded on their Western Australian Student Statement of Achievement (WASSA),
• receive a report for that ATAR course.

When a student is considering not sitting an ATAR course examination or SPEA because they do not ‘need’ it to contribute to an ATAR, they should be aware of the contribution of the course completion towards the WACE requirements.

The WACE requirements can be found in Section 7.2.1 in the WACE Manual 2025, available at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.

Collection of mobile phone numbers for students sitting 2025 ATAR course examinations

Contact
Daniel Creusot (08) 9273 6343
Daniel.Creusot@scsa.wa.edu.au

Students sitting 2025 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examinations are asked to provide their mobile phone numbers via the student portal https://studentportal.scsa.wa.edu.au.

Should the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) need to contact students during the ATAR examination period to advise about any changes to the examination timetable/s or venue/s, this will be done via a bulk Short Message Service (SMS).

To log in to the student portal, students will need their eight-digit Western Australian student number (WASN). For further information, students can refer to the Student login and navigation guide available on the Authority website at https://student.scsa.wa.edu.au/student-portal.

When students log in to the student portal to download their personalised examination timetables for the written and practical ATAR course examinations, they will be prompted to provide a mobile number. Providing a mobile number is strongly advised but not compulsory.

Student mobile numbers can only be updated by each student through the student portal and cannot be updated through the Student Information Records System (SIRS).

ABLES Assessment Tool

Contact
Maureen Lorimer (08) 9273 6397 [Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday]
Maureen.Lorimer@scsa.wa.edu.au

The ABLES assessment tool is included in the Abilities Based Learning Education, Western Australia (ABLEWA) resources for teachers to support their work with students with disability and additional needs who are unable to access the Pre‑primary to Year 10 curriculum. The ABLES assessment tool is available to all Western Australian schools at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/resources/ablewa/getting-started-with-ablewa.

The assessment tool is made up of nine assessments that are completed online by a teacher. Together, the assessments give a comprehensive picture of a student’s strengths and abilities and capture important indicators of student proficiency and understanding, providing explicit guidance material and resources that will support teachers to effectively plan and teach students based on their individual learning needs. The assessments have been designed to describe skills and abilities that teachers can observe in everyday school and classroom contexts and interactions with students.

Administrators are advised that minor updates have been made to the recommended protocols when using the ABLES assessment tool. The updates are indicated in bold below.

• Keep a record of the password used for the generic school email username, for ongoing access by users, e.g. a school leader leaves the school.
• When creating a teacher listing, use their education email address as the username,
  e.g. @education, @cewa, @ais.
• When creating classes, use year groups rather than room numbers or names, e.g. Year 1, Year 2.
• Do not add sub-groups to the year levels.
• When adding a student, include their legal given name and surname and their Western Australian student number (WASN).
  (Note: generally, the WASN will match the year group, e.g. in 2025 the WASN for Kindergarten is 44, Pre-primary is 43, Year 1 is 42 etc.)
• Do not add the calendar year to the naming protocol as this will result in a large number of classes over time, plus the possible duplication of student names.

Further information is available in Circular 2, published in February 2025 at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/kto6-circulars/edition-2-february-2025, regarding the manual update of classes. Additionally, if only a small number of students are registered in the assessment tool for your school, you may choose to move each individual student up to the next year level.

Contact ablewa@scsa.wa.edu.au if you have any questions regarding this process.