The ATAR pathway is the traditional entry into university path where a student studies four or more ATAR courses and completes their final WACE exams at the end of Year 12 in order to generate an ATAR score.  

Students selecting these courses should understand the academic nature and challenge of content and assessment in ATAR courses, prepares them for the rigour of university success.

• To be considered for university as a school leaver using ATAR, students must:
• meet the requirements for the Western Australian Certificate of Education
• successfully met minimum literacy and numeracy standards (OLNA)
• obtain a sufficiently high ATAR for entry to a particular course, and 
• satisfy any prerequisites or special requirements for entry to a particular course

Course Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 ATAR Courses, including a List A and List B course
• Compliment the ATAR Pathway by selecting 5 ATAR Courses and 1 x Certificate Course (recommended)
• Year 10 Recommendations: B grades or higher in Year 10 (can vary from course to course)
• ATAR English is compulsory in Year 11/12

These courses do not have an external examination component however students are mandated to complete an 'Externally Set Task', which is standardised and set by the Authority. General courses are designed for students who are typically aiming to enter vocationally based training (TAFE, Apprenticeships, Traineeships) or employment directly after finishing school. General Course students aim to WACE and some achievements in these courses can be used for direct entry into some university courses. Information about alternative entry should be sought directly from universities. Students selecting courses, in a General Pathway, need to consider their interests and historical results in engaging with subjects previously in those associated learning areas. This will give you the best chance of success in order to achieve towards your WACE.

Course Requirements:

• 6 Year 11 General Courses, including a List A and List B course or;
• 5 Year 11 General Courses, including a List A and List B course and 1 x Certificate Course (highly recommended)
• General or Foundations English is compulsory in Year 11/12
• Students can select Uni Ready as one of their courses
  

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools enables students to obtain nationally recognised qualifications and industry skills alongside their secondary education. Integrated into the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), VET can play a crucial role in achieving WACE certification. A VET qualification provides students with vital, transferable skills that are valuable across numerous employment and educational pathways. Students in Year 11 and 12 can choose to complete a recognised qualification at a Certificate II level or higher as part of their senior school program.

VET at Hammond Park Secondary College is offered through two different platforms; Auspice, where a VET Qualification is delivered at school by a qualified teacher as a part of a normal timetable and VET Connect, where students have three days at school and two days for the VET Qualification through an external provider and the opportunity to participate in out endorsed Workplace Program.

Authority Developed Workplace Learning (ADWPL) - Endorsed Program

The Workplace Learning endorsed program (ADWPL) provides an opportunity for a student to demonstrate, and develop increasing competence in, the core skills for work, often referred to as generic, transferable or employability skills. A student learns to apply and adapt the workplace skills that are necessary to understand and carry out different types of work, and that play a key role in lifelong learning.

Workplace Learning (ADWPL) is an Authority-developed endorsed program that is managed by individual schools. To complete this endorsed program, a student works in one or more paid or unpaid workplace/s to develop a set of transferable workplace skills. The student must record the number of hours completed and the tasks undertaken in the workplace in the Authority’s Workplace Learning Logbook. The student must also provide evidence of their knowledge and understanding of the workplace skills by completing the Authority’s Workplace Learning Skills Journal after each 55 hours completed in the workplace.

Each 55 hours is allocated as a WACE Unit. The equivalence is allocated on the basis of one unit equivalent for each 55 hours completed in the workplace, to a maximum of four units. That is: Less than 55 hours = 0 unit equivalents 55–109 hours = 1 unit equivalent 110–164 hours = 2 unit equivalents 165–219 hours = 3 unit equivalents 220+ hours = 4 unit equivalents.

The VET Connect Program supports students pursuing TAFE entry, apprenticeships, employment, or an alternative pathway to university through a split school timetable. Students attend the college three days per week (Monday to Wednesday), studying General English, General Mathematics, General Health, and General Careers and Employability. On Thursdays and Fridays, students participate in TAFE or Workplace Learning (ADWPL). The program operates through a collaborative partnership between the school, industry, and training providers, enabling students to complete secondary graduation requirements while gaining valuable workplace experience.

The benefits include recognition and accreditation for school studies when enrolling in TAFE courses, opportunities to gain work experience while still attending school, and early access to future career pathways. Additionally, students have the unique opportunity to explore future career options in a practical manner while continuing to earn the necessary points for WACE achievement. Students can apply for the VET Connect program when selecting their Senior School pathway. As places are limited, applicants must be assessed for suitability. Eligibility for the program is determined by reviewing a student’s lower school behaviour, engagement, and attendance. Students should also be achieving a minimum of C grades across all subjects.

Detailed information regarding the above programs can be found in the Year 11 and Year 12 Course Handbook. Some of our Partnered RTO’s, include South Metropolitan TAFE (RTO Code: 52787) and North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO Code: 52786) where students enrol in Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) courses are fully funded by the WA Government and come at no cost to students, other RTO’s are called Fee For Service and come at a cost for students to participate in their courses.

School based VET programs are delivered on the college site as part of a student’s regular timetable. All school-based VET programs involve a partnership between Hammond Park Secondary College and Registered Training Organisations so that students can achieve a VET qualification that is delivered at the college by qualified schoolteachers, as part of a student’s Year 11 and/or 12 course selection:

Senior School Pathways Flyer