The Queensland Certificate of Education
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), which replaced the Senior Certificate in 2008, is awarded providing certain criteria are met including:
20 credits of sound achievement, pass or equivalent at a set standard. Twelve credits must be from Core courses studied for all 4 semesters.
Literacy and numeracy requirements
If students have not met the full criteria at the end of Year 12 their ‘learning account’ towards the QCE remains open and they may continue to work towards their QCE for a number of years. Students receive detailed information about courses and the QCE in Years 10 and 11. More information about the QCE can be obtained at Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) or by speaking with the school’s Guidance Officer.
Senior Secondary Curriculum
Students finishing Year 12 all receive:
A Senior Statement showing all studies and results achieved by the end of Year 12. Students will be awarded an overall numerical score and a level of achievement (A – E) for each General subject. Applied subjects will be reported using a level of achievement only.
Students finishing Year 12 may be eligible to receive:
- a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
- an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
An ATAR is a number between 0.00 and 99.95. ATARs increase in increments of 0.05. An ATAR will be calculated from an eligible student’s best five subject results, one of which may be an Applied subject or a competency-based VET Certificate III or above.
Students must satisfactorily complete a QCAA English subject (C or better) to be eligible for an ATAR. However, a student’s result in English will only contribute to their ATAR if it is one of their five best scaled subject results.
- a vocational education qualification depending on certificates completed.
- a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA), if applicable.
Subjects Available in Year 10
Preparation for Years 11 and 12 occurs in Year 10, the first year of Senior Secondary. Students are encouraged to explore the options available and to consider what subject areas they want to experience in preparation for their final two years.
Students in Years 10 receive detailed information about Year 11 and 12 subjects and are invited to participate in information nights about course availability and choices.
Subjects Available in Years 11 and 12
Subjects are available in the following curriculum areas: Languages, Business, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, The Arts, Health and Physical Education and Technology.
Other Courses of Study
Accredited through external agencies are other courses of study including school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, Certificate III in Fitness, some TAFE courses and courses offered through the School of Distance Education.