Teaching and Learning

Western Australian Certificate of Education

Curriculum

Western Australian Certificate of Education

Cara Fugill
Director of Teaching and Learning

Western Australian Certificate of Education

Brad Tyrrell

The WACE or Western Australian Certificate of Education is administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) is determined by the Western Australian Certificate of Education courses a student completes.

The VET (Vocational, Education and Training) programme that :

‘…enables students to acquire workplace skills through nationally recognised training described within an industry-developed training package or an accredited course. A VET qualification is issued by an RTO. The achievement of a VET qualification signifies that a student has demonstrated competency against the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the workplace.’

Please read our FAQ to find out more about your son will be learning in the ATAR and/or VET pathway.

FAQs

What courses are available in the WACE?

ATAR Courses General Courses VET Courses including Certificate II and Certificate IV Courses Endorsed Programmes

What do students need to do to achieve the WACE?
  1. The literacy and numeracy standard
  2. Depth and Breadth (Selecting a range of subjects)
  3. The achievement standard
How do students meet the literacy and numeracy standard?

Students will need to achieve a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy. This can be achieved by demonstrating a Band 8 or higher in the Year 9 NAPLAN or through the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA).

If students do not meet the literacy and numeracy standard through OLNA by the time they exit secondary school, they may apply to the Authority to resit the assessment at any age.

What is the depth and breadth requirement?

Completion of a minimum of 10 courses or the equivalent over the two years. This must include at least:

  • Completion of 20 units (10 courses) over Years 11 and 12
  • Five courses or the equivalent in Year 12
  • One course completed in Year 12 from each of List A (arts/language/social sciences) and List B (mathematics/science/technology)
  • Completion of at least four units of English in Years 11 and 12; two Year 11 units and one pair of Year 12 units from an English course 
What is the achievement standard?
  • Achieve at least seven C grades or higher in Year 11 and Year 12 courses with a minimum of three C grades in Year 12 courses (or equivalents)
  • Completion of at least four Year 12 ATAR courses or a Certificate II or higher in a VET qualification
What VET Certificates does Scotch College offer?

VET Credit Transfer courses

  • Certificate I in Hospitality
  • Certificate II in Business, Hospitality and Music
  • Certificate IV in Business (Year 12)

*Other courses can be arranged on request e.g. Automotive, Sound engineering https://home.scotch.wa.edu.au/courses/pathway/aap/  

What is an endorsed programme?
  • A recognised education programme that can contribute to the C grade requirement for WACE.
  • Workplace Learning is an authority‐developed endorsed programme that is managed by individual schools.
  • A student can only use endorsed programmes for two units of equivalence in Year 11 and two units in Year 12.
  • Some students already have endorsed programmes e.g. recreational skippers ticket, Duke of Edinburgh
  • A list is available through the subject selection site https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/endorsed-programs

 

 

Which courses/subjects can boys study at Scotch College?

All course information can be found by clicking here

Are there any rules about which subjects a boy can study?

Unacceptable: Only one score from the unacceptable combinations can be used in the calculation of the ATAR

  • English and Literature
  • Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Applications
  • Mathematics Specialist and Mathematics Applications
  • A student may not study more than four units with the same course title.

Compulsory:

  • Students must take Methods if they take Specialist
Which courses receive a bonus?

A 10% bonus will apply to the calculation of the TEA for the following subjects:

  • French
  • Indonesian
  • Mathematics Specialist
  • Mathematics Methods
Does the school have a Careers Adviser?

Mr Peter Frusher is the College’s Careers Adviser, his contact information can be found on the home page of this site.

Peter.Frusher@scotch.wa.edu.au

 

What are the admission requirements for Western Australian Universities?
  • Meet the WACE requirements
  • Achieve competence in English – a scaled mark of above 50 in English or English Literature
  • Obtain a sufficiently high ATAR for entry to a particular university (minimum 70 ATAR)
  • Satisfy any pre-requisites or special requirements necessary to be considered for entry to a particular course
Are there alternative ways to gain entry?
  • Certificate IV in Business. See an example here:
  • Portfolio Entry
  • Foundation Programme/Enabling Course
  • TAFE into University
  • Audition
How does my son get into TAFE?

Entry into TAFE may be based on the following:

  • Any prerequisite WACE courses as prescribed by individual TAFE campuses – generally Mathematics and English
  • A lower level TAFE course required as a prerequisite to a higher level course
  • Workplace experience/part-time employment

NOTE: TAFE provides many courses that offer alternative pathways to access university

Does the College offer assistance predicting ATARs?

The College has developed their own tool that allows students to predict their ATAR score using five years of accumulated Scotch data. There is a strong correlation (0.98) between the boy’s predicted and actual ATAR. The site allows boy’s to select the courses they are studying using their progressive average to calculate an ATAR. In addition the site offers a reliability indicator.    ATAR Predictor

 

Can my son change subjects once he commences a pathway?

Boys may decide that they need to switch subjects or pathways for any number of reasons. We encourage all boys to take the most rigorous academic pathway for them, and as such are counselled accordingly.

If  changes need to be made,  this is to happen sooner rather than later so that requirements of the new course can be met. The cut-off date for subject changes for Years 11 and 12 is Week 2, Summer Term.

How do I guide my son through his subject choices?

The College strongly encourages boys to select subjects that engage their passions and interests. This should be informed by skills, talents and aptitude. Each course contains a description of learning, assessment and pre-requisites required from Year 10 study. Time should be spent perusing their course selection site to get an understanding of the breadth of opportunities that are offered at the College. It will be important for you and your son to be aware of pre-requisites for University courses that your son may be interested in studying in the future.