Seton Catholic College: Year 11 & 12 Pathways

YEAR 11 & 12 PATHWAYS

Pathways provided and information for Parents, Students and the Community

At Seton Catholic College we aim to provide a pathway for each individual student based on their needs, future plans and the current reality of where they are in their development. The beauty of the pathways offered is that they are flexible. There are always options available, and we aim to make sure our students have access to good advice and counselling in making decisions.

PATHWAYS

BREAKDOWN OF AVAILABLE PATHWAYS

They are broadly separated into two pathways:

The ATAR pathway is the traditional approach to university entrance It suits students who meet subject prerequisites (provided later in this document), perform well in exams and have good study habits in place

A student on this pathway would choose at least 5 ATAR level subjects and one other. The end point of this pathway is the ATAR exam. This one exam is worth 50% of a student’s final mark A student’s top 4 scores are then added together to generate a TEA (tertiary entrance aggregate) which is used to rank them against their peers in this school and beyond in the same graduation year This selection rank is used by universities to offer places in their courses At ATAR level a student should be aiming for 65% plus in course work across their top 4 subjects to achieve an ATAR rank above 70 This is the minimum rank for most university courses A predicted ATAR rank can be generated in Year 11 and based on this prediction it will be recommended for a student to continue in the ATAR pathway or look at other options

However, ATAR is not the only route to university Students who may wish to go to university but do not meet subject prerequisites or find exams challenging

The Future Qualified Pathway is an innovative pathway model that offers Seton Catholic College students an industrysupported pipeline to qualifications, skill development and learning experiences that will set them up for the future

The objective of the Future Qualified Pathway is to ensure our students are ‘Set for Life’ and the pathway aims to bridge the gap between the education system and the world beyond high school making sure our students can meet the needs of industry The FQ Pathway enables local industries to play an active role in a student’s learning pathway assisting them in their transition from the College to the future workforce Workplace Learning, TAFE and university bridging courses are all part of this pathway

Seton works with several industry and tertiary education partners to provide our students with opportunities both at school and beyond school These partnerships allow the students to connect with the world of work and further education and they help support them to plan for their future

Further information on the pathways we offer can be found on the College website The website is updated at the end of Term 2 each year for the next Year 10 cohort

FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS

ATAR PATHWAY

YEAR 10 SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS

This process begins for Year 9 students and families in Term 4 of Year 9. The Deputy of Teaching and Learning and Head of Careers and VET both provide further information on the pathways available at Seton Catholic College at a parent information evening. Both parents and students are strongly encouraged to attend this evening as it covers, in detail, the important aspects students and parents should know. As a part of the evening, students also deliver a presentation to their parents on potential career pathways they are interested in.

The overall process is outlined below:

Pathways Information Evening (Term 4 Year 9)

Year 10

Semester One Exams and Reports

Q&A Evening (Term 3)

Faculty recommendations

Reflection and planning via College website and beyond

Conversation at home

Individual counselling and course selection

Timetable created

Semester Two follow up and review

Selection changes if required

Following the initial evening in Term 4 of Year 9 a follow-up evening is held in Term 3 of Year 10. This evening is primarily for students and families to visit learning area tables and discuss possible Upper School choices.

Each student is then invited to an individual counselling session to choose courses/pathways for Year 11. At these sessions further questions are answered and more information is provided on possible pathways Students can then have a follow-up meeting with their course counsellor or the Head of Careers and VET

Student, parent and teacher feedback indicates that our process is comprehensive and easy to understand, with multiple opportunities for parents and students to ask questions so they have all the information required to support their choices

ATAR PATHWAY

To select the ATAR Pathway in upper school a student must be enrolled in the ATAR Ready stream in Year 10. All ATAR courses have pre-requisite grades or marks that a student should attain if they wish to choose a subject at ATAR level. These cut-offs are based on data analysis from student performance from Year 10, to predicted ATAR rank and final ATAR rank in Year 12.

Whilst it is possible for a student to choose a subject where they have not met the cut-off, they cannot do this for every course and their current mark would have to be within 5%. A student cannot choose ATAR options at subject selection if they do not meet prerequisite conditions; however, they can note down preferences and then set goals for improvement in Semester Two. A follow-up meeting will then be scheduled after the Semester Two report.

This process provides students with the motivation to improve their approach and work towards the goals they have set. If they can do this its sets them up for success in Upper School.

SUBJECT SELECTION ATAR SCENARIOS

The following examples highlight some possible subject selection scenarios which should help illustrate the information provided above. Our guidance is always given on a case-by-case basis given the individual nature of each student's position and future plans.

Example scenarios are below (prerequisites referred to are on the next page):

Scenario 1

Molly is enrolled in the ATAR Ready stream in Year 10 She meets the prerequisite marks for all the courses she wishes to study in Upper School She selects English ATAR, Religion & Life, Mathematics Methods ATAR, Physics ATAR and Visual Art ATAR

Scenario 2

James is in the ATAR Ready stream in Year 10 He meets the prerequisites for three ATAR level subjects, English Religion & Life and Drama He has a score of 55% in ATAR Ready Mathematics so does not meet the cut off, but is within 5% for Applications He also wishes to study History ATAR His HASS score in ATAR Ready is 51% He does not meet the cut off but is within 5% He can choose Maths Applications and History ATAR as his 4th and 5th ATAR subjects

Scenario 3

Gianni meets the prerequisite for two courses, Drama ATAR and History ATAR. His English score is 51% in English ATAR Ready (9% below the cut-off) which means he is unable to choose English ATAR or RE ATAR. He also wishes to study Mathematics Applications, but his score is 52% in ATAR Ready Mathematics (85 below the cut-off). At this stage Gianni cannot choose the ATAR subjects he would like. He is asked to reflect on the reasons for him not meeting the prerequisites in English and Mathematics and he sets goals for improvement in Semester 2. He will be scheduled with a follow up meeting at the end of the year to review progress. If his habits have changed and progress has been made his choices can change.

ATAR COURSE PRE-REQUISITES

Pre-requisites are updated each year at the end of Term 2

ATAR COURSE PRE-REQUISITES

PREDICTED ATAR SCENARIOS

Seton Catholic College uses the ATAR predictor engine which makes predictions based on the last 5 years of Seton data. Its takes into consideration how Seton students' scores have been moderated and scaled in the last 5 years across the courses we offer. Moderation is the process whereby a student’s mark from school is compared with their mark from the SCSA ATAR exam and with the rest of the students doing that course in their school and beyond. Their final combined score (school mark & ATAR exam mark) can be adjusted up or down. Different courses are then scaled as not all courses are seen as equal (70 in Outdoor Education is not seen as the same as a 70 in Physics). The example below shows how final scores might be moderated and scaled (adjusted score).

The table below shows the final predicted ATAR rank with scores of 55% across all courses

At ATAR level a pass is not enough in each course to achieve a useful ATAR rank In more challenging courses it may be acceptable, however, not in some of the most popular and widely chosen courses An ATAR rank of 55 would mean a student does not gain direct entry into university In this case, the student would need to complete a bridging course in Year 13 (the year post school)

Our analysis of years of data on student performance and student counselling has shown a student tracking at a predicted ATAR of 70 or below needs to improve or consider another option at the end of Year 11 These predictions do not include the impact of the ATAR exam If a predicted ATAR of 70 or below is coupled with below average exam results the final ATAR rank could be much lower

FUTURE QUALIFIED PATHWAY

This pathway has a number of options within it to cater to a wide range of students These options are flexible and complementary Students can move from one option to another (e g Workplace Learning in Year 11 then Murdoch Flexitrack in Year 12) or take two options at once (Workplace Learning and TAFE in Year 11)

Workplace Learning option

Vocational option (TAFE)

Course work option

Murdoch Flexitrack option

Notre Dame UniPath

WORKPLACE LEARNING

If a student is interested in gaining experience in a certain industry or with work in general, they may choose the Workplace Learning option. They can either source an opportunity themselves or our Workplace Learning team can help support them A Workplace Learning position should not be seen as a final decision a student is making on their future, but more of an opportunity to experience the world of work and find out if a certain industry is right for them A number of our Workplace Learning students are offered ongoing positions through the program This option would include one day out of school per week

‘Since starting workplace I have taken great enjoyment in the opportunities allowing me to step into the industry of Naval Ship Building. During my time at workplace, I have developed further knowledge into the system and made important contacts within it’.

YEAR 11 WORKPLACE LEARNING STUDENT

Seton Catholic College 2021

VOCATIONAL (TAFE)

A student may have an interest in a particular industry and may have seen a TAFE Certificate course which applies to that industry. These courses would not be offered at school but at TAFE where they would have access to specialist teachers and equipment. These courses could lead onto further study post school or the workplace. South Metro TAFE, one of our industry partners, has 12 different campuses and offers a range of courses. This option would include one day out of school per week

‘Going to TAFE each week has really made me feel more prepared and ready for next year when I’m out of school. At TAFE, we are given responsibilities and opportunities so that we are more ready when we get out into the workforce’.

YEAR 11 TAFE STUDENT

Seton Catholic College 2021

COURSEWORK

This option would mean a student is at school 5 days a week in Upper school In Year 11 this may be in preparation for Murdoch Flexitrack and Notre Dame UniPath in Year 12 or to provide a student with more time and space to make decisions on their future A student taking this option may choose a mixture of ATAR, General, Foundation or Certificate courses ATAR courses would only be chosen if a student meets the prerequisites

‘At Year 10 subject selection I decided I wanted to take the Flexitrack option in Year 12. I am studying ATAR English and 5 other general courses. I went to the Murdoch Open Day and I am looking forward to starting Flexitrack next year.

YEAR 12 COURSEWORK STUDENT

Seton Catholic College 2021

MURDOCH FLEXITRACK HIGH

FlexiTrack is a university enabling course that qualifies students to apply directly for any undergraduate degree at Murdoch University that requires a Selection Rank of 70 It can be chosen as a one-period-a-day standalone course in Year 12 To choose this course a student should have a desire to go to University and have attained a B grade in General English in Year 11 The course is also an option for students who complete the ATAR pathway in Year 11 but decide on a change based on workload, predicated ATAR or exams

NOTRE DAME UNIPATH

UniPath is an enabling course that qualifies students to apply directly to Notre Dame for a range of undergraduate degrees that require a selection rank of 70 It does not provide access to every 70 ATAR course (excludes courses like nursing or high school teaching) It is chosen for Year 12 only and each student must first be approved by the school to apply The course is run one day per week on Notre Dame campus for 12 weeks This course is an option for students who complete the ATAR pathway in Year 11 or who are in the Future Qualified pathway but obtain at least a B grade in General English

‘Flexitrack definitely helped me in more ways than one. Many kids in my class who came from ATAR had no idea how to Chicago reference, intext reference or simply write in the Murdoch structure’.

SETON GRADUATE AND MURDOCH STUDENT, 2020

Seton Catholic College 2020