Welcome to the Senior Phase of Learning, this encompasses Year 10, 11 and 12
Queensland's senior assessment system
(refer to related links QCAA parent/carer information document https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/parents-carers/senior-secondary )
The ATAR is a finer-grained rank order of students than the previous OP system. It's a number between 0.00 and 99.95 with increments of 0.05, whereas the previous OP system consisted of 25 bands (1 – 25). The ATAR is commonly used in other states and territories.
ATARs will be calculated by comparing student results and there will be a process of inter-subject scaling.
Scaling is necessary so that student results in different types of subjects can be compared. The method of inter-subject scaling to be used is still to be finalised by the Senior Secondary Assessment Taskforce.
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will be responsible for calculating students' ATARs.
University applications will be made through QTAC.
What certificates will students receive at the end of Year 12?
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior school qualification. Students who are eligible will be awarded one at the end of Year 12. Students will also receive a Senior Statement. It shows all studies and the results achieved that may contribute to the award of a QCE.
School Based Traineeships (SBT)
A SBT involves a student (15 yrs. and over) completing a Traineeship (Certificate II or III) or start a School-Based Apprenticeship (Certificate III/ IV) while at school. The student goes to work one day a week and completes 5 subjects while at school. The students' timetable is adjusted to accommodate the day at work; this is achieved in consultation with the Guidance Officer.
To find a SBT can involve:
- Checking school emails and for vacancies that come into the school from Group Training Companies.
- Cold canvassing for an employer willing to take on a SBT, work experience can help here as well.
TAFE Schools program
Students in Year 11 and 12 can undertake TAFE courses while at school. Students complete 5 school subjects; go to TAFE one day a week and school for four days. These courses cover many different areas and include Cert II, III and Diploma level.
Vocational Education & Training (VET)
Subjects offered by the school which have nationally recognised Certificate outcomes include:
Bray Park SHS - RTO # 30237
Year 10 -
- MSM10216 - Certificate I Manufacturing Pathways
- BSB10120 - Certificate I Workplace Skills
Year 11 & 12
- SIT20316 - Certificate II Hospitality
- AUR20720 - Certificate II Automotive Vocational Preparation
- MSF20313 - Certificate II Furniture Making
- CUA20720 - Certificate II Visual Arts
- FSK20119 - Certificate II Work Skills and Vocational Pathways
- BSB30120 - Certificate III Business
Qualifications delivered by external providers
Year 11 & 12
Blue dog Training RTO # 31193
- MEM20422 – Certificate II Engineering
Volunteering QLD Inc RTO # 6020
- CHC24015 - Certificate II Active Volunteering
Binnacle Training RTO # 31319
- SIS30321 – Certificate III Fitness
- SIS30115 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation + SIS20115 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
Work Placement
Students who select Vocational subjects, e.g. Cert II Hospitality, Cert III Business and Cert II Active Volunteering will be expected to take part in structured workplace learning in year 11 and 12 to ensure all competencies accredited with the program are met. Hospitality students are required to complete 15 days over the 2 years of senior whilst other students complete 10 days. Other students may elect to undertake voluntary work experience. Each industry placement complements training at school and can be completed either in a week block (as per school calendar) or negotiated day placement. Some placements will require negotiation to ensure all schooling commitments are met and do not interfere with assessments.
Year 10, 11 and 12 Lifeskills
Year 10 student focus is on career planning leading to SET Planning (Senior subject selection), Year 11 Lifeskills students complete Certificate II Work Skills and Vocational Pathways, 4 points towards the QCE. Year 12 students focus on academic achievement. All year 10, 11 and 12 Lifeskills students work through programs focusing on career pathways, health and wellbeing, sexual health and drug and alcohol education.
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
To achieve a QCE, students must meet the Literacy and Numeracy standard and achieve 20 credit points from achieving a Sound Achievement or better in their chosen subjects. Students who do not achieve a QCE will be awarded a Senior Statement.
The aim for students in the Senior Phase of Learning is to achieve to the best of their ability, to gain employment in their chosen field, whether that includes University, TAFE, and Traineeships, Apprenticeships or Full time/part time employment and to lead successful lives.
Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) (Year 11 & Year 12)
Purpose of AARA
During the course of their senior schooling, there are times when a student may need to seek support for their learning due to foreseen or unforeseen circumstances, such as a disability impairment, a medical condition, or from experiencing another serious circumstance that may be a barrier to their performance in assessment. In these circumstances, Bray Park SHS will work with the student and parent/carer to provide appropriate support through Access Arrangements and reasonable Adjustments (AARA) that are designed to assist students. Bray Park SHS is guided by the policy and procedures set out by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) in its provision of Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) or Illness/Misadventure support for students.
Eligibility for AARA
AARA are provided to minimise, as much as possible, barriers for a student whose disability, impairment, medical condition or other serious circumstances may affect their ability to read, respond to or participate in assessment.
PLEASE NOTE: Students are not eligible for AARA on the following grounds:
- unfamiliarity with the English language
- teacher absence or other teacher-related difficulties
- matters that the student could have avoided (e.g. misreading an examination timetable, misreading instructions in examinations)
- matters of the student's or parent's/carer's own choosing (e.g. family holidays)
- subject choice or placement
Reporting and approving AARA
The principal (or principal's delegate) is required to report AARA applications for special consideration on all summative assessment to the QCAA. In some cases, only the QCAA may approve AARA applications (e.g. additional time/rest breaks on internal summative examinations or adjustments to the senior external summative examination). When considering an AARA, the principal must be reasonably satisfied that a) the need for the AARA exists and b) be able to provide evidence to justify the decision to approve an AARA.
Upon receipt of an AARA application (and supporting documentation), the school will review and submit applications to the QCAA. Students will be advised as soon as possible of the outcome of their application.
Applying for AARA
An AARA application and supporting documentation are required for special consideration on all summative assessment in the following subject categories:
- Applied
- Applied (Essential)
- General
- General (Extension)
- General (Senior External Examination)
- Short Courses.
Students enrolled in these subjects who are seeking consideration of AARA or Illness /Misadventure, must provide supporting documentation to the school (via HOSES, Guidance Officer/s or HOD Senior Secondary). Where an illness or medical condition is foreseen (known before the assessment date), documentation must be provided in advance. This documentation will inform the decision by the principal and QCAA.
The following documentation is required when submitting an AARA application:
- medical report; and/or
- evidence of verified disability (must be current)
- other relevant evidence such as results from standardised academic testing
- where the condition is not medical other relevant official documentation, e.g. police reports, official notices.
- student statement (optional)
A school statement will also be completed and submitted by the school.
Early AARA applications are recommended to ensure timely decisions and confidence for students.
Please refer to the QCAA's website for further information
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/aara