ATAR scores are calculated based on a maximum of SIX Unit 3 & 4 subjects. With this in mind, the most common arrangement for students is to complete:

• Year 11: 5 x Unit 1 & 2 Subjects with 1 x Early Access Unit 3 & 4 Subject

• Year 12: 5 x Unit 3 & 4 Subjects with 1 x Study Period Block

In rare cases, students may be approved to complete two Early Access Unit 3 & 4 subjects. This will be determined by the Director of Middle School Wellbeing taking account a student's Academic Results, Attendance and Behaviour & Study habits. Students who are eligible to do two Unit 3 & 4 subjects in Year 11 will complete either of the following options:

Option 1:

• Year 11: 4 x Unit 1 & 2 Subjects with 2 x Early Access Unit 3 & 4 Subject

• Year 12: 4 x Unit 3 & 4 Subjects with 1 x Study Period Block and 1 x Higher Education Studies (HES)

Option 2:

• Year 11: 4 x Unit 1 & 2 Subjects with 2 x Early Access Unit 3 & 4 Subject

• Year 12: 5 x Unit 3 & 4 Subjects with 1 x Study Period Block

Students selecting Option 2 should note that, per VCAA regulations, a maximum of six VCE Unit 3 & 4 subjects contribute to the final ATAR calculation. Therefore, for students undertaking seven subjects, the subject with the lowest scaled score will not be included in their final ATAR score.

In some cases, students may not yet have the necessary skills to complete a Unit 3 & 4 subject in Year 11. Non-approval for Early Access will be a holistic determination by the Director of Proactive Wellbeing (Middle School) based on the following indicators of concerns:

• Attendance concerns

• Academic concerns

• Academic integrity concerns

• Wellbeing concerns

Students who are not approved will be typically informed prior to subject selection (typically Term 2). These students will receive an Academic Behaviour Support Plan (ABSP). This decision is subject to review throughout the remainder of the year. If by Term 4 these students fulfill all of the requirements outlined with their ABSP, then they may qualify for the standard ONE Early Access Subject. However, if students do not fulfill these requirements, they will complete:

• Year 11: 6 x Unit 1 & 2 Subjects

• Year 12: 5 x Unit 3 & 4 Subjects with 1 x Study Period Block (i.e. you will need to drop a subject as you move into Year 12).

⚠️It is important to note that just because you don't receive a non-approval at the end of Term 2, it does not mean that you cannot receive a non-approval. Students can still receive an Early Access Non-Approval after Term 2.

The following subjects do not have any prerequisites that must be met in order to have Early Access to them:

• Unit 3 & 4 Accounting

• Unit 3 & 4 Biology

• Unit 3 & 4 Business Management

• Unit 3 & 4 Economics

• Unit 3 & 4 General Mathematics

• Unit 3 & 4 Health & Human Development

• Unit 3 & 4 History: Revolutions

• Unit 3 & 4 Legal Studies

• Unit 3 & 4 Physical Education

• Unit 3 & 4 Politics

• Unit 3 & 4 Psychology

For 2026 → 2027 only

Students who want to do an Early Access ADT subject that requires completion of the respective Level 2 ADT subject but who were unable to complete the Level 2 ADT study due to timetable constraints in 2026, will be able seek an exception to the Level 2 ADT study requirement through gaining teacher approval. After you talk to the respective teacher for that ADT subject, they will complete an approval form and you will be considered for Early Access in that subject. You must gain approval for this subject before you submit your subject preference forms. It is important to note that although you may be approved to do this subject as an Early Access subject, it does not guarantee that you will do that subject due to timetabling constraints. For clarification:

• Only Visual Communication & Design, Art Making and Exhibiting, and Music Performance subjects requires Level 2 completion to have Early Access.

• Only for 2027 is when the school will relax this rule, provided the student obtains approval from the appropriate subject teacher.

• Only students who have completed Level 1 but not Level 2 of a subject can request for this Early Access Approval for these 3 subjects.

• Students who have completed Level 2 do not need to seek approval and can automatically apply for Early Access for these 3 subjects

• Students who have not completed Level 1 cannot seek approval and therefore cannot get Early Access for these 3 subjects.

• It is the students responsibility to approach the appropriate subject teacher for approval. Teachers are not required nor expected to chase up students.

• The criteria that students must pass to get approval is completely up to the discretion of the appropriate subject teacher.

The following subjects cannot be completed for Early Access:

• Unit 3 & 4 Chemistry

• Unit 3 & 4 English

• Unit 3 & 4 English/EAL

• Unit 3 & 4 Literature

• Unit 3 & 4 Physics

• Unit 3 & 4 Specialist Mathematics