VCE exams to begin in November

WRITTEN exams for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) will begin on November 9, following an announcement from the state government last week.

VCE students return to onsite learning on Tuesday (May 26) saw the dates brought forward, as it had previously been announced exams would not begin until December.

Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino said the new dates would offer some stability to students.

“The announcement gives students, teachers and parents certainty in what has been a very disrupted year.

“The revised dates mean students will get their results and an ATAR in 2020, giving them a clear pathway to further study or employment next year – and a break to celebrate the end of school.”

The new exam dates also ensure universities can make students offers in time for the 2021 academic year.

Surf Coast Senior Secondary School senior school assistant principal Kathryn O’Neill said the school would be taking various measures to help secondary school students during these difficult times.

“At the moment we’re really focusing on getting them back in and connecting to each other. Building that community is our first port of call, because that’s what they have been missing.

“There’s quite a lot of change to the unit four content, which is next semester, so we’re just making it really clear for them what the changes are.”

“We’re also doing individual check-ins. All of the students have had a mentor who has touched base with them every day.”

Ms O’Neill also said there were measures in place to ensure the difficulties caused by the virus do not effect students’ final results.

“VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) has guaranteed no student will be disadvantaged. Their individual circumstances will depend what they apply for.”

Students who have had issues such as unreliable internet connections or who have had to do extra shifts at work to help their family through financial difficulty will be able to apply for special consideration.

Surf Coast Senior Secondary School principal Erin Wright said the school would keep their school community informed of any further changes.

“We will continue to constantly update our community as we become aware of the plans that are put in place by the government and the plans we put in place as well.

“Clear and consistent communication so that parents, teachers and students are all aware of everything is really important.”