Pathways
At GSG, we offer the following pathways: an ATAR Pathway or a General/VET Pathway. The ATAR pathways offers a direct entrance pathway to University. The VET/General pathway offers a number of options for our students to support them to gain access to TAFE, the workplace or University. All pathways offer equally valid learning journeys for students towards the completion of schooling. It is important to figure out the right pathway for you. Now is the time to focus on what you want to achieve, taking into consideration your future plans and current capabilities. Students should choose six courses in Year Eleven.
ATAR Pathway
Who is it for?
Students who are looking for a direct route to University and have achieved strong results in Year Ten examinations.
What does it look like?
In Year Eleven, students study six ATAR courses or five ATAR courses plus a General or VET course. In Year Twelve, students continue with their Year Eleven program or may consider changing to five ATAR courses and a study line. All ATAR courses have compulsory external examinations set administered and marked by SCSA.
Only students studying five ATAR courses in Year Twelve are entitled to a study line.
TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre) calculate each student’s ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) based on marks achieved in the top four ATAR courses to determine eligibility for university entrance.
How to be successful on this pathway?
Successful students on this pathway are driven and committed to completing, on average, 15 hours of homework and study per week outside of the classroom. These are students who perform well in examinations.
General/VET: TAFE or work pathway
Who is it for?
Students who are looking to participate in further training or the workforce directly from school.
What does it look like?
Students choose at least four General courses which typically includes English and Mathematics Essentials. Some students may choose up to three ATAR courses, along with up to two VET courses, one of which might be delivered by SRTAFE. Workplace Learning may also be an option on this pathway.
Please note: this pathway may offer a direct pathway to University AND only two VET courses can be used to contribute to WACE.
All General courses require the completion of an EST (Externally Set Task) which is set by SCSA. This takes place in Term Two of Year Twelve.
Other courses available on this pathway include:
- Foundation courses which have been developed for students who have not been able to demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and/or numeracy before Year Twelve and are unlikely to do so before Year Twelve without significant levels of student support.
- Preliminary courses which have been developed for students who have been identified as having a learning difficulty and/or intellectual disability and may only be undertaken after consultation with the Learning Support Coordinator.
How to be successful on this pathway
Successful students on this pathway manage their time well, in and out of the classroom to complete assignments and tasks to a high standard. Students are self-motivated and manage deadlines. Students also take advantage of the many opportunities for short courses and extra qualifications offered to them. Students can leave school with a rich resume full of qualifications and work experience.
General/VET: Entry to University pathway
Who is it for?
This pathway allows students to apply to some Universities for some courses which require an ATAR of 70. Students looking for direct entry to University who struggle to gain strong marks in examinations (as indicated by their Year Ten examination results).
At GSG we have two blended pathway options that allow direct entry to University: Certificate IV Business pathway or Curtin UniReady pathway.
What does it look like?
Certificate IV Business and Certificate IV in Work Skills for Career Enhancement and Management (dual certification) Pathway:
In Year Eleven, students choose Certificate IV in Business and Certificate IV in Work Skills for Career Enhancement and Management (dual certification) and five other courses which may include up to three ATAR courses and one other VET course. The certificates will be completed as part of a two-year pathway. This is a unique opportunity available only at GSG.
In order to be competitive for entry to University on this pathway we recommend students take ATAR English.
Year Twelve Curtin UniReady Pathway:
In Year Eleven, students choose five or six ATAR courses. In Year Twelve, students choose up to three ATAR courses, UniReady and make up their suite of six courses from General/VET options. Students may not start a new VET course in Year Twelve.
NB: This pathway does incur a fee per unit of approximately $400.
How to be successful on this pathway
Successful students on this pathway make excellent use of their time in and out of the classroom to complete assignments and tasks to a high standard. Students are self-motivated and manage deadlines.
The Regional Enterprise Initiative is designed for selected students who display capability and commitment in a VET/General pathway.
This new initiative is in its early stages. Students may choose to develop a pathway which aligns with regional enterprise with the possible opportunity to complete an internship placement with a regional enterprise.
These areas include:
•Health care and allied services
•Agriculture
•Tourism and hospitality
•Engineering
•Logistics and plant operation
•Conservation and sustainability
•Creative industries
Marine industries