Curriculum updates for HPE F-10 and VCE (HHD, PE and OES) | Term 1, 2024

Please read on for an update from Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) about some important pieces of work that have been completed/ongoing across HPE both F-10 and VCE (HHD, PE and OES).

F-10 HPE
  • The revision of the HPE Victorian Curriculum (VC 2.0) remains on track for a June publication. A comprehensive familiarisation program will follow, with each educational sector then determining when implementation will commence.
  • For those who have involvement with the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework (VEYLDF) (Birth – 8 years old), the VCAA is currently commencing work on revising the VEYLDF in conjunction with the work on the VC. As part of this process your expertise and insights are instrumental in shaping the future of early childhood education in Victoria. We welcome your completion of a consultation survey. More information about the revision of thew VEYLDF can be found here.
  • Work is also starting on revising the A-D and EAL component of the VC. This is a much needed an exciting opportunity to ensure all Victorian students can access the objectives of the Victorian Curriculum.
VCAA VCE Exam Assessment Opportunities

Assessment applications are now due for both lead team members and also written assessors. Please see below for further details on how to apply. Note applications for lead team members are due by 17 March.

Applying for a Leading Role
Leading Roles is now open on SSMS via: ssms.vic.edu.au.

NOTE: To be considered for a Leading Role you must also lodge an assessor application in that study. They are completely separate applications with different information required from applicants.

Information from both the Assessor application and the Leading Role application will be considered in the Leading role selection process. Hence, without an assessor application you are deemed not an applicant for assessing and therefore any Leading Role application lodged cannot be considered.

To apply:

  • Log into your SSMS user account
  • Go to menu item ‘Select Job’, choose ‘VCE’ option only and click ‘Search’.
  • The application is called ‘Leading role application’.

Applying to be an Assessor
Assessor application process for the 2024 VCE Unit 3&4 written examinations is open on SSMS via: ssms.vic.edu.au.

While you are in your SSMS account, lodge an assessor application. Make sure before you log out of SSMS that you have lodged both an Assessor application and/or Leading role application. Please take note of the closing date for each subject. You are advised to apply as soon as possible so you don’t miss the closing date.

To apply:

  • Log into your SSMS user account
  • Go to menu item ‘Select Job’, choose ‘VCE’ option only and click ‘Search’.
  • Then choose the study/studies you wish to apply for. You need to submit an application for each study you want to apply for.

Other information
The written applications are completely unrelated to and separate from applying to assess the Languages Oral and Performance examinations.

You will need to apply for Languages Oral and Performance assessing separately.

National Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC) requirement
All employees of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority are required to have current VIT registration or undergo the DET NCHRC Criminal records Check (NCHRC) before they commence working for the VCAA. Further information will be sent to you if you are appointed.

Child Safe Standards
The VCAA actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all VCAA staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school and corporate environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards.

VCAA Policy (download): Child safe policy and Child safe code of conduct.

VCE Health and Human Development (HHD)

Revised Study Design (U1 – U4 implemented from 2025)

  • VCE HHD study designs are now published on the VCAA website. Given these studies are not due to be implemented in classrooms until 2025, they are positioned at the bottom of the page under the tab ‘2025 implementation’.
  • Familiarisation resources and professional learning to come from Term 2, including on-demand introductory videos, support materials and live webinars in Terms 3 and 4.

Access the revised VCE HHD Study Design here (scroll down to bottom of page) >>

WHO Priorities – support resource (updated February 2024)

  • The previously published WHO Priorities support material document has been modified to simplify the expected focus related to the changes to WHO Priorities. The updated resource can be found here (beneath the SD).
  • The key message contained in the document is: The 3 WHO ‘core’ priorities (linked to the triple-billion targets) have been retained by WHO and will remain the focus of study in VCE HHD in 2024 (& into the revised SD from 2025). The labels ‘Provide health’, ‘Protect health’ and ‘Promote health’ have been added by the WHO to emphasise the focus of each priority. The 2 new priorities labelled ‘Power health’ and ‘Perform for health’ will not be examinable.

Reminder – Aus. Aid Program (U4 AOS 1)

  • The same advice applies from 2023 applies in 2024 when considering the key knowledge: features of Australia’s aid program including its priority areas and the types of partnerships involved. Teachers and students can choose to focus on and apply either previous development priorities or the updated (current) development priorities.
  • The updated aid priorities can be found here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/development/australias-development-program - For clarity, the priorities contained within the document are: Pacific, Southeast Asia, Climate Action & Climate Financing, Humanitarian, Expanding opportunities for everyone.
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies

VCE OES sample exam now available
VCAA's VCE OES sample examination is now available via the OES study page on the website. Click here to access >>

Reminder – amendment to U3 AOS 2

  • Prior to the end of 2023, an amendment (highlighted in yellow) was made to the following Key Knowledge point in U3 AOS 2 of the revised study now being implemented in schools: Indigenous peoples’ custodianship of outdoor environments including the formation of Land and Water Councils and Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP).
  • The inclusion of RAP’s, provides greater clarity of the intended scope of the study of Indigenous peoples’ custodianship. If an area being studied does not have a recognised Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) or a Land and Water Council, teachers are still required to teach the role of these groups, and how the establishment of a Land and Water Council or a RAP may influence your chosen outdoor environment into the future.
  • The support resources, particularly a joint PL session with Parks Victoria delivered last year will provide further assistance.

Professional Learning (PL) opportunities in 2024

  • The VCAA will run a PL session in T2 that will specifically focus on U4 AOS 3 from the perspective of developing the written report task. Further information to follow.
  • Take a look at ACHPER Victoria resources and Outdoors Victoria's PL opportunities to attend throughout 2024 designed to support teaching and learning associated with the new course.
VCE Physical Education (PE)

Revised Study Design (U1 – U4 implemented from 2025)

  • VCE PE study designs are now published on the VCAA website. Given these studies are not due to be implemented in classrooms until 2025, they are positioned at the bottom of the page under the tab ‘2025 implementation’.
  • Familiarisation resources and professional learning to come from Term 2, including on-demand introductory videos, support materials and live webinars in Terms 3 and 4.

Access the revised VCE PE Study Design here (scroll down to bottom of page) >>

VCE PE External assessment report now available
VCAA has advised the 2023 external assessment report is now available on the website. Click here to access >>

We'll be sure to pass on any additional curriculum updates from VCAA as they arise, watch this space! In the meantime, take a look at our curriculum-aligned resources and get in touch with further questions or advice.