2021 VCE results, university offers to be delayed

A date for the crucial General Achievement Test has been confirmed for stressed-out VCE students struggling amid Victoria’s Covid chaos.

Stressed VCE students will return to campus to sit the GAT on September 9, amid ongoing concerns about the mental health toll of 150 days of home schooling.

The state government has also confirmed students will return to school from August 30 to complete school-based assessments, including performance or practical assessments in groups of no more than ten students at a time.

But Education Minister James Merlino stopped short of bringing forward any early return of year 11 and 12s to campus, with all metro students only due to return to class-based learning when lockdown ends on September 2.

However, students, parents and teachers are expecting home learning could continue until the end of the term on September 17, or September 10 for some private schools.

Potential looming lockdowns in regional areas could also see country kids return to home schooling.

Mr Merlino announced VCE written and performance exam dates will remain as originally set – with performance and oral exams scheduled to begin on Monday, October 4, and written exams to run until Friday, November 17.

These timetables will allow results and the ATAR to be released on Thursday December, 16.

All examinations, on-site school-based assessments and the GAT, will be conducted with extra health precautions, including the use of face masks, enhanced cleaning of exam spaces and smaller than usual group sizes to allow students to be physically distanced.

Students will sit the GAT in groups of now more than ten at a time.

Students who are unwell at the time of an assessment will be required to get tested and return home to isolate and a Derived Examination Score will be calculated if a rescheduled assessment is not possible.

VCE students have been affected by Covid again. Picture: Nicole Cleary

The Herald Sun previously revealed special consideration would apply to every student completing one or more VCE or score VCE VET unit 3-4 subject in 2021.

Education Minister James Merlino said students had responded with resilience and positivity in the most difficult circumstances.

“We’re giving them the confidence they need to get through their final exams and enjoy the end of their schooling,” he said.

“We know so many kids have been impacted by the pandemic this year, and our Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process will make sure every student is assessed individually on their effort – not the disruptions.

“All of these dates are subject to the health advice at the time – which is why it’s so vital that every Victorian does the right thing. Stay at home, get tested, and get vaccinated if you can, so our students can finish the year strongly.”

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority said students would now receive their marks at 7am on December 16, not December 13, and would have until December 20 at 4pm to get their preferences in. First-round offers will be made on January 14.

A government spokeswoman said the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process, which led to the delay, would “ensure all students are assessed fairly and individually on their effort”.

Jenni Rickard, president of the Australian Parents Council, said it “would be good to get kids back to campus safely but the damage has been done, so we need other options like alternative pathways and early access to courses”.

The Australian Education Union and the Independent Education Union says any return to school should be in accordance with health advice, taking into account the safety of teachers and the need for staff to be vaccinated.