VCE students fearful of a ‘witch hunt’ after exam bungle

VCE students are fearing a “witch hunt” to identify those who have higher marks than normal as a result of the leaking scandal, with one principal warning there was now no guarantee ATARs will reflect effort.

VCE students are fearing a “witch hunt” to identify those who have higher marks than normal as a result of the VCE leaks, with one principal warning there was now no guarantee ATARs will reflect effort.

As the last day of the 2024 exam period finally arrives, the The Victorian Curriculum And Assessment Authority admitted that the release of results might need to be delayed for them to carry out checks on results due to the bungle.

Leading educators also warned there would be a flurry of appeals to marks from unhappy students.

A letter from the new interim Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority chief Marcia Devlin sent to schools notes that the authority will use “statistical analyses” to analyse results.

“If any questions are identified as providing any student with an unfair advantage, appropriate adjustments to student marks will be made,” she said.

Dr Marcia Devlin says the authority will use “statistical analyses” to analyse results. Picture: 7NEWS

When questioned by the Herald Sun about delays to the release of exam results on December 12, the VCAA also said: “If complications in the analysis to be undertaken mean that an altered date for results release is required, this will be confirmed with VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) and schools as soon as possible”.

One student said: “Why are they using statistical analysis which has zero correlation to leaks to justify removing marks from people’s exams?”

Another said it was a “witch hunt designed to strip marks from people without any basis”.

The possibility of all students getting a full mark for affected questions has also been flagged, prompting one student to say it was “insulting” for those who worked hard but didn’t see the leaks.

Marcellin College principal Marco Di Cesare said people “have now lost confidence in the system”.

“The GAT (General Achievement Test) does not equally reflect all subjects so we are concerned by how much faith we can have in the whole system at the point,” he said.

“Kids will get an ATAR but will it be the one they deserve?”

Caulfield Grammar principal Ashleigh Martin sent a letter to parents provided to the Herald Sun, noting the breach has “caused frustration and disappointment across the education community”.

“At this stage, while various proposals for managing this situation have been discussed, we will reserve judgement on the proposed treatments until after the results have been released and their impact can be fully assessed,” he said.

Andy Muller, principal of Mentone Grammar, said he “understands the emotions of students, but it’s now a battle we can’t win so we need to have faith that the system will work fairly for them”.

Loretta Wholley, principal of Genazzano, said: “All we can do is trust in the system and have faith it will be in the best interests of students”.

Many students have been left “frustrated and disappointed” by the bungle.

But she also noted that VCAA “needs to be prepared for a whole lot of appeals”.

“It does question the reliance on one exam at the end of the year for the future,” she said.

Melbourne High School principal Dr Tony Mordini said he trusted the state government would properly investigate the matter.

“We put our faith in the system that everything is being done to support students and staff,” he said.

Derek Scott, principal of Haileybury, said the school has “full confidence in the expertise and integrity of the panel entrusted with assessing the VCE results”.

A VCAA spokesman said the authority “will use a robust and nationally-recognised assessment tool to address errors that occurred in the 2024 VCE exams – and to ensure every student is assessed fairly.”

“Students will this year be able to request a copy of their exam responses by applying for an Inspection of Examination Response Material.

“If a student is concerned by their mark, they can request to have it reviewed as part of the existing appeals processes,” he said.

Sky’s the limit for budding pilot

The sky’s the limit for De La Salle College graduate Josh Summers, who is among more than 48,000 students celebrating the end of a tumultuous year 12 VCE exam period on Wednesday.

After wrapping up his final exam, the year 12 student has put the stress of exams behind him and is now putting all his focus into his dream job.

Josh Summers is juggling his VCE exams with training to be a pilot at Moorabbin Airport. Picture: David Caird.

Josh studied a VET course in aviation at Tristar Aviation at Moorabbin airport during his year 11 and 12 studies, where he passed his recreational pilot’s course with flying colours.

Josh, 17, also sat exams for biology, English and general maths, and last year studied psychology.

“I think I went fairly well (with exams) … Biology was a fairly hard one but I think I did quite well,” he said.

The nervous wait for students’ results has now begun, with ATARs due to be released on December 12 while first round university offers are expected to come out on December 23.

But no matter the outcome, Josh has his heart set on finishing off his training at Tristar Aviation.

“My aim is to become a commercial pilot and my dream airline would be Qantas,” he said.

Originally published as VCE students fearful of a ‘witch hunt’ after exam bungle