Parent Update

Year 11 News

Year 11 Predicted ATAR 

During SMART in Week 4, all Year 11 ATAR students will receive their Predicted ATAR, calculated using their Semester 1 academic results. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your child to reflect on current progress—identifying both areas of strength and those requiring further development.

 

As part of this process, students will engage in a structured reflection, reviewing their academic performance and the feedback they have received. They will be supported to set clear, actionable goals for Term 3 to enhance their learning outcomes.

 

Students who would benefit from a more in-depth discussion around their Predicted ATAR will receive targeted follow-up and support from members of the Senior School team.

 

Parents will also be emailed a copy of their child’s Predicted ATAR, along with an explanation of how to interpret the report. If you have any questions about the Predicted ATAR or how it is calculated, please do not hesitate to contact either:

  • Rebekah Smith, Acting Associate Principal Years 10–12, or
  • Ebony Morrison, Year 11 and 12 Program Coordinator

Year 11 ATAR Students Explore Future Pathways at Murdoch University

Over Weeks 2 and 3 of this term, our Year 11 ATAR students had the exciting opportunity to participate in an immersive excursion to Murdoch University. This visit formed part of our ongoing commitment to supporting students in exploring future study and career pathways, and it was met with great enthusiasm and engagement.

 

Students attended a variety of taster workshops across a diverse range of disciplines, designed to provide a hands-on insight into potential areas of interest. These workshops included:

  • Marine Biology – A fascinating deep dive into sharks and rays
  • Nursing – Exploring clinical practice and patient care
  • Virtual Reality – Interacting with cutting-edge technology
  • Creative Media – Engaging with game design and animation
  • Forensics – Cracking a cold case using real-world techniques
  • Law – Participating in mock trials and understanding legal processes
  • Allied Health – Investigating human anatomy through "muscle mastery"
  • Animal and Veterinary Science – Gaining insight into animal care and science

Following the workshops, students attended a panel session featuring current Murdoch students who shared their personal experiences navigating tertiary education. They spoke about choosing courses, adjusting to university life, accessing scholarship opportunities, and what it means to study at Murdoch in 2027 and beyond.

 

Our students were exceptional representatives of the school and embraced the experience with curiosity, energy, and a willingness to engage. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students expressing how the excursion helped clarify or spark interest in their future study and career aspirations.

 

We thank Murdoch University for hosting our students and providing such a valuable and inspiring experience. Events like these play an important role in shaping informed and motivated learners, and we look forward to more opportunities that support our students in envisioning their futures.

 

UniReady Program – An Alternative University Pathway for Year 12, 2026

We are pleased to share information regarding the UniReady Program, which will continue to be offered at Applecross Senior High School in 2026 for eligible Year 12 students.

 

UniReady is a Curtin University-endorsed alternative entry pathway designed for students currently studying ATAR courses who aspire to attend university but may not be on track to achieve the required ATAR for direct entry. Successful completion of the program provides students with a university entry rank equivalent to an ATAR of 70, opening access to a wide range of undergraduate degrees at Curtin University.

 

Please note:

  • UniReady does not allow access to courses requiring an ATAR above 70 or those with specific Maths or Science prerequisites.
  • While designed by Curtin, successful completion is also recognised by other institutions, including The University of Western Australia via the UWA Experience-Based Entry pathway.

The UniReady Program at Applecross has been running for the past four years and has proven highly successful, with up to 50 students participating each year. Feedback from past students has been overwhelmingly positive—many reported feeling significantly more prepared for the academic expectations of university thanks to the structure and content of UniReady.

 

Importantly, UniReady is not a ‘soft’ option. It still requires consistent academic effort, commitment, and strong work ethic. It is an alternative pathway—not an easier one.

 

As we have communicated previously, there is often a strong correlation between a student's Predicted ATAR in Year 11 and their final Year 12 result. Large increases in ATAR scores are rare, and while not impossible, relying on significant improvements can be risky. For some students, despite their academic potential, the structure of a traditional ATAR program may not be the right fit at this point in their educational journey.

 

The UniReady program provides a meaningful and supported option for these students, helping to relieve some academic pressure while still allowing them to pursue their university aspirations. Applecross SHS is proud to be one of a limited number of schools invited to deliver this program in partnership with Curtin University—reflecting the strong track record our students have with the institution. In fact, more Applecross students go on to study at Curtin than at all other WA universities combined.

 

We will be holding a Parent Information Evening in Week 6 on Wednesday 27 August for families of students who may be suitable for the UniReady pathway in 2026. The session will include presentations from school staff, as well as current and former UniReady students, who will share their experiences and outcomes, including the university courses they are now studying or have received offers for.

 

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the Senior School team.

 

Rebekah Smith, Associate Principal Years 10-12