Private school headmaster sounds warning on ATAR decline

The headmaster of Perth's prestigious Scotch College has warned that more Year 12 students are not pushing themselves.

The proportion of Year 12s doing four or more ATAR exams fell from 38.1 per cent last year to just 36.9 per cent this year — down from 58 per cent a decade ago.

Alec O'Connell said he supported different pathways to university, but is concerned the decline was a symptom of a bigger problem.

The headmaster of one of Perth's most prestigious private schools has raised concerns that Year 12s may not be challenging themselves, as a growing number of WA students opt out of ATAR exams.

New data from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) shows a decline in Year 12 students enrolling in four or more ATAR course exams.

It fell from 38.1 per cent last year to 36.9 per cent of the cohort this year.

Ten years ago, 58 per cent of Year 12s across the state completed four or more ATAR courses.

Scotch College Headmaster Alec O'Connell said he supported the different Year 12 pathways, but was concerned the decline statewide in ATAR engagement was a symptom of a bigger problem.

"A lot of students now have been given advanced entries to university and some of the universities, that ATAR prerequisite has dropped," he said.

Dr O'Connell questioned how students using different pathways into university were performing once they arrived.

"Is there enough empirical proof that those pathways lead to successful completion of the courses they've chosen?" he said.

In 16 years as headmaster, Dr O'Connell said he had seen many changes to ATAR.

He was worried that not enough students were pushing themselves in their final year.

"That's more of my concern is that we want to be the best part of who we can be," he said.

"Sometimes that means … taking on challenges, which may not be easy, but the end product is a far better outcome for me personally and professionally."

Dr O'Connell said stress was not always a bad thing, depending on the individual and if it was measured.

"I want to make it clear here that if it's detrimental to somebody's wellbeing, then I wouldn't recommend it," he said.

"However, on the flip side to that, I think that's used as a bit of a catch-all for somebody's stress."

Policy director at the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success, Ian Li, said the decline was due to students "making informed choices on the pathway … they feel will lead to the best outcomes for themselves".

Professor Li said around 30 per cent of government school students take at least four ATAR subjects in year 12, compared to 40-50 per cent at independent and Catholic Schools.

"There does seem to be sort of a difference and divide by the type of school sector that they are coming from," he said.

"Then I think it becomes an issue because it suggests that the same options might not be available to all students and that's why they are making the choices that they are."

Professor Li said it was important to have different pathways to university.

From 2027, the SCSA said students using a tertiary preparation endorsed program would be required to complete of at least one ATAR course in year 12.

"This change followed consultation with students, principals, school systems and sector bodies, and university representatives," the authority said.

"It is intended to strengthen students' preparation for university by exposing them to the content, teaching, learning, and assessment rigour of the ATAR courses."

The SCSA's executive director, Juanita Healy, said the Western Australian Certificate of Education participation rate has remained relatively stable in recent years.

"While we encourage students to take up the challenge of ATAR, every student should have the opportunity to reach their potential and pursue a pathway that best aligns with their goals and aspirations," she said.

"For example, vocational education and training continues to remain popular for students seeking a practical, hands-on pathway to achieve their future career aspirations."