VCE and WACE Certifications in Australia:

• What They Are:
  • VCE: Victorian Certificate of Education.
  • WACE: Western Australian Certificate of Education.
  • Both are certificates given to students finishing high school in Victoria and Western Australia.
• VCE Details:
  • Administered by VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority).
  • Takes two years in Years 11 and 12.
  • Students get an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) based on their performance, helping for university entry.
• WACE Details:
  • Administered by SCSA (School Curriculum and Standards Authority).
  • Also two years in Years 11 and 12.
  • WACE candidates must meet literacy and numeracy requirements and do at least one senior secondary course exam.
  • Students receive an ATAR for university entry.

Australian Curriculum 9.0:

• Background: Since 2008, Australian governments and ACARA have collaborated to create a national curriculum that meets the needs of all Australian students.
• Approval of New Curriculum: The Education Ministers have approved the latest version, Version 9, of the Australian Curriculum.
• Understanding Changes: After taking some time to understand it, we’ve gathered different perspectives and information sources to look at the changes.
• Implications for Teachers and Resources: It’s essential for teachers to understand how these changes affect their teaching methods, textbooks, resources, and curriculum planning.
• Implementation Timeline: The new curriculum (Version 9) is set for implementation starting from the school year 2023.

Key Changes in the New Curriculum:

• Less to Learn:
  • 21% less stuff to study, so we can really understand things well.
• Better English Focus:
  • We pay more attention to phonics in English, making it stronger.
• Improved Math Lessons:
  • Math lessons are now just right for our age, with clear and easy-to-understand content.
• Clearer Social Studies:
  • Social studies (HASS) got clearer and simpler. We know exactly what to learn.
• Learning About Australia:
  • We now learn more about the history and culture of the First Nations Australians. We understand their perspective on British settlers and their role in building modern Australia.
• Health Lessons Got Important Topics:
  • Now, we learn about consent and how to have respectful relationships in health lessons.
• Science That Makes Sense:
  • Science lessons are now adjusted to our age, so it’s easier to understand.

Road Ahead

In the coming years—specifically, throughout 2023, 2024, and 2025—students and teachers in Australia will be encountering various adjustments to the Australian Curriculum across all learning areas. The implementation of these changes is happening gradually across different schools in the country.

To facilitate this transition, content creators, textbook publishers, online learning platforms, and providers of curriculum support resources are diligently working to ensure that their materials will be readily available for teachers when needed. This collaborative effort aims to provide educators with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of the Australian Curriculum.

As educators embark on this journey, it becomes crucial for them and their respective schools to assess the relevance of the resources currently employed in the classroom. The impending changes prompt important considerations: How will these modifications impact lesson plans? Are the existing textbooks and resources adequate, or is there a need to seek or develop new materials and supplementary resources?

These questions underscore the significance of careful evaluation and planning as teachers and schools make decisions regarding their classroom priorities for the upcoming terms in 2023 and 2024. It is a period of reflection and adaptation, as the education community prepares to embrace the evolving landscape of the Australian Curriculum.