Will Year 12 Exams Go Ahead in WA? Maybe Not…

It’s up in the air.

Earlier in the week, it was confirmed that the 2020 HSC in New South Wales will go ahead, despite coronavirus disruptions. However, it was unclear whether other states across Australia will follow suit with end-of-year exams for Year 12 students.

Well, for Western Australian students, it looks like there is a chance that Year 12 WACE exams could be cancelled.

On Thursday, Education Minister Sue Ellery announced changes to the public school system in WA, asking parents to keep school-aged children at home from Monday 30 March in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, she revealed that the school term will officially end on Friday 3 April, with schools providing supervision only from Monday 6 April. This is to cater for students whose parents have to work, and for those in vulnerable circumstance.

"Education, in Term 2 is most likely to look different," she said.

"I think it will be a combination of physical attendance at schools. Maybe some schools, maybe all schools, plus a combination of distance education which will be hard copy packs and online."

I know the situation around our public schools has been causing angst for parents, teachers, staff and students.

I understand that it may be confusing, but we’ve kept them open, consistent with the best medical advice at hand through the National Cabinet process. pic.twitter.com/Db4rXQ1fTF

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) March 26, 2020

These measures are being implemented in public schools, so Catholic schools and other private schools will be introducing their own arrangements. Your school will be able to explain exactly what’s going on.

Ms Ellery then highlighted that Year 12 ATAR students are the main priority, reiterating that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority have assured that no student will be disadvantaged.

"So far no decision has been made on cancelling exams, but that is under consideration," she said.

Basically, without getting ahead of ourselves, there is a possibility that WACE exams will not go ahead this year.

Of course, that raises the question: How will Year 12 students in WA be assessed?

Ms Ellery explained that the ATAR ranking could be based on the tests and assignments students complete before the usual examination period rolls around.

"It is the case that schools could do an assessment of the work that students complete, up until the normal time for exams and grant students an ATAR ranking based on that," she said.

"All of those variations are being considered."

It is crucial for us to strike the right balance between keeping the community safe, allowing essential services to continue and provide a quality education to our students in this difficult time.

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) March 26, 2020

As for Victoria, rather than cancelling exams, the state is looking at pushing back the 2020 VCE. Victoria's Education Minister James Merlino told the ABC that Year 12 students might not finish their schooling this calendar year. 

"It is possible that we'll need to move exams at a later point, but it's too early to say if we will need to and it's too early to say when that will be," he said. 

Ms Ellery also pointed out that education experts have developed a learning at home website, which has a bunch of helpful resources for all year levels and tips for studying at home.

We’ve also compiled a list of the 10 best tools and resources you can use to help you while you learn remotely.

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