Dear The Hon James Merlino, MP

The Year 12 class of 2020 had an extremely challenging year, however the Year 12 class of 2021 has suffered even more.

This year's year 12 students have had 4 lockdowns (6 throughout the whole course of their VCE studies) during the most crucial periods of curriculum delivery in both units 3 and 4, which has caused irreparable damage to their learning as they continuously switch between on-site and online learning. The schools across the state have done a great job of supporting our children – some more than others; however, not all schools have an equitable provision of facilities and equipment. Some students don’t even have laptops, despite the attempts from the government to provide the necessary equipment. 

This perfect storm has put increased stress on their mental health and has sabotaged their ability to learn and retain information.

With only weeks to go of schooling, we implore the VCAA and the Department of Education to help our distressed children as action needs to take place quickly. Decisions need to be made – decisions that we as parents expect our politicians to make in the best interest of the young people. 

The uncertainty, hardship and everchanging climate of this VCE year has affected students' ability to study and prepare for both School Assessed Coursework and exams. By comparison, the 2020 VCE cohort received wholesale reductions to Unit 4 Study designs and their exams were also abridged. Additionally the whole exam period was shifted to allow the students more time to prepare.

Unfortunately, revisions to the study design are no longer an option as unit 4 has essentially been delivered.

Therefore, we implore the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to consider the following;

1. Understanding that it's too late to remove content, consider students taking in notes, calculators, books, novels etc.  to assist during exams

2. Cancelling End of year exams all together and use SAC scores, coupled with the GAT to determine a derived ATAR

The UK did this in 2020 and the university entry requirements were satisfied by the governments algorithm to determine a derived ATAR (equivalent).

The mental health concerns we have, as parents, are very real. The Victorian Government must act to safeguard the wellbeing of our children.

Please consider the suggestions outlined.

Yours Sincerely,

Concerned Parents of Year 12 Students - 2021