Year 12 2025 Subject Information Night
Tuesday 30 July 2024
Welcome and Overview
Prayer and Acknowledgement of Country
Some considerations around
• Making the most of the SACE
• Guidance of where to locate helpful resources
• Pathways: Universities, VET courses, Apprenticeships, Traineeships
Our presenters this evening
Jemima Nicholas– SACE Coordinator
Bill Deegan – Student Pathways Coordinator
Michael Francis – Head of Senior School
SACE Stage 2
Jemima
Nicholas SACE Coordinator
Overview
Building 200 Credits
• The SACE is designed to allow students to choose the subjects that suit their interests, skills, and career goals.
• Students build 200 credits of study across Stage 1 and 2
(10 credits = 1 semester of study in 1 subject)
• Stage 1 usually at Year 11.
• Stage 2 usually at Year 12
• 50 credits of compulsory SACE subjects
• 60 credits SACE Stage 2 or VET subjects
• At least 90 credits of other subjects at Stage 1 or Stage 2 (or equivalent)
Compulsory Requirements
Exploring Identities and Futures (Stage 1) – 10 credits
• Most students complete this in Year 10 (previously known as PLP)
Numeracy Requirement – 10 credits
• A mathematics subject in Stage 1 or Stage 2
Literacy Requirement – 20 credits
• An English subject in Stage 1 or Stage 2
Activating Identities and Futures (Stage 2) – 10 credits
• Completed over Year 11 (as Research Project or AIF in 2024)
ATAR calculations
Based on best 90 credits
Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) (10 credits)
+ 3 Stage 2 (Year 12) subjects (60 credits) + Other Recognised Learning
• 4th (or 5th ) SACE Stage 2 subject
Note: As of 2025, it is a College Policy requirement that Year 12 students undertake 4 full-year subjects in Year 12 to ensure breadth of learning and support student interests.
• VET Courses (ATAR contribution equivalent to the student’s best 60 credits).
• 1 IB subject (set conversion to SACE points e.g. 7 = 19.0; 8=18.2)
• University subjects (HD at university scores equal to A+ merit in SACE subjects)
Key Takeaways
The SACE gives students the flexibility to learn things that match their interests, skills, and career goals:
How will I use the SACE in Year 12 to grow into the person I want to become?
How will I challenge myself and improve my capabilities?
How will I set myself up for success in my future pathways?
(‘Through’ uni, not just ‘to’ uni) Learn more
SACE Website: www.sace.sa.edu.au
Mercedes College Curriculum Handbooks:
https://www.mercedes.catholic.edu.au/learning/senior-school/ The pathway to success is in the hands of the student
Year 12 Subject Choices & Tertiary Entrance
Bill Deegan
Student Pathways Coordinator
General points to keep in mind
Strengths and Interests
• Students have selected pre-requisite subjects for specific university courses in Year 11 as per the Tertiary Entrance Booklet. How well has it worked?
http://www.satac.edu.au/satac-publications
• Subjects in Semester 2 Year 11 in the SACE should be the basis for selection in Year 12.
• Grades in the ‘A’ and high ‘B’ range in Year 11 are good selections for Year 12 –lower than this range will have implications in terms of the ATAR students may be aiming for.
• Which subjects in the SACE are available for selection if I did not do them in Year 11? How can I prepare for them?
SACE website: https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/studying/subjects
Adjustment Factors
There are two schemes which provide adjustment factors to applicants
The 3 South Australian universities as well as Torrens University, Tabor College and Charles Darwin University in NT may add adjustment factors to a student’s university aggregate to calculate a selection rank for entry to their courses.
There are two schemes which provide adjustment factors to applicants
• Universities Equity Scheme and
• Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme
These schemes are described on
• Pages 36 & 37 in the SACE Tertiary Entrance Booklet (Orange)
• Pages 13 & 14 in the IB Tertiary Entrance Booklet (Green)
Adjustment Factors
Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme
This scheme encourages students to strengthen their preparation for undergraduate studies by undertaking a language other than English or specified English and Mathematics subjects.
Students will be awarded two points (up to a total maximum of four points) for successfully completing a subject in any one of 4 categories:
• Language other than English
• English, English Literary Studies or IB English A: Literature
• Mathematical Methods or IB Mathematics A&I HL
• Specialist Mathematics or IB Mathematics A&A (SL or HL)
https://www.satac.edu.au/adjustment-factors
Adjustment Factors
Universities Equity Scheme
This scheme provides adjustments in 2 ways: adjustment for students in certain specified schools and adjustment for individuals in other schools.
Mercedes College is not eligible for school-based adjustment but in relation to Individual adjustments, applicants will be eligible providing:
• they or their parents are in receipt of a Commonwealth means-tested income support payment or
• they or their parents are holders of a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card or
• they are the holder of a School Card under the Government of South Australia’s School Card Scheme.
Calculating the SACE Aggregate Score
Calculating the SACE Aggregate Score
Calculating the SACE Aggregate Score
Scaling and Moderation
Understanding SACE Moderation and its importance
• The effect of scaling is related to the achievement level of the student. That is, students who achieve results in the ‘A’ and high ‘B’ range are less affected by scaling than those who achieve lower grades.
• Our subject offerings are largely academic subjects which in the scaling process are usually treated quite well.
• Students can see Mr Deegan to view a table of the average scaling effect across the class at Mercedes in each subject.
For a full explanation of Scaling please refer to the SATAC website:
http://www.satac.edu.au/scaling
Pathways to University
• ATAR: most direct pathway to study at Bachelor level
• Subject-based entry – (3 best subjects) University of South Australia and University of Adelaide and now Flinders University– offer is conditional upon completion of Year 12 and an ATAR.
• STAT – Pages 40- 41 SATAC GUIDE - must be 18 years before 1st February 2025 https://satac.edu.au/stat
• Flinders University – UniTest - used in conjunction with the ATAR
• Foundation Studies options post-school
• SAIBT – Foundation Courses OR Diploma - entry to 2nd year university.
Myths and misunderstandings
• Adjustment factors are sometimes misunderstood, people have been confused over the years about when points are awarded and why.
• The adjustment factor scheme is now a common scheme for all 3 major universities in SA as well as Torrens University and Tabor College and Charles Darwin University in Darwin.
• Scaling Vs. Moderation – and “advice” from associates, friends or cyberspace about which subjects NOT to do at school and which universities and Degree courses never to do.
Myths and misunderstandings
• Predicting the ATAR and misleading websites, social media (Tik Tok).
• UCAT and UCAT preparation workshops – someone always has a story about ‘the inside track’.
• Companies offering workshops: ‘buyer beware’.
• Access the official website practice questions : https://www.ucat.edu.au/
• Which universities are best and why?
• There is a lot of advice – how much of it is based on credible research?
• Access this website: https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/
• The universities work very hard to provide information to Year 12 students about applying to university: access valid sources.
Pathways Other than University
• VET Courses & Qualifications
• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships
• The importance of industry placement/work experience
https://www.satac.edu.au/satac-publications
Subject Preference Process
Following this evening, the subject selection process is as follows:
Week ending Friday 9 August
• Students received an email with access to Edval Choice.
Friday 9 August - Career Insights Breakfast
• 7.30am – 9.40am (career mentoring from old scholars and volunteer parents)
Tuesday 13 August - Subject Preference Interviews
• 5.45pm – 7.15pm (Individual 15-minute appointments)
Monday 19 August
• Deadline for students to enter subject preferences (Edval Choice).
Note that preferences are not a guarantee. They will be used to construct a set of subject lines that best fit cohort nominations and College resources.
Students will receive ongoing counselling with the Student Pathways Coordinator for any changes within the final subject lines.
A Senior School Pastoral Perspective
Michael Francis Head of Senior School
5 elements to keep in mind through this process
Possibilities Preparation and Planning
Personal Pathways
Pressure Management Partnerships
Academic and Curriculum goals are well supported by our commitment to a strong Pastoral foundation
Our thanks...
…for your attendance here this evening and your ongoing partnership with us
We trust that this has been an informative and helpful presentation
Please do not hesitate to contact the College should there be any follow up questions
Thank you, good night