On Tuesday Victorian Education Minister James Merlino announced the GAT, which was set to take place on Thursday, would be postponed again to keep students, teachers and broader school communities safe from COVID-19.
Greater Shepparton Secondary College VCE coordinator Felicia Cummins said students who were preparing for the test appeared glad to hear it would be delayed, given recent disruptions caused by multiple lockdowns.
“They seem relieved it's been postponed to give them the opportunity to get settled into the routine of school before being assessed,” she said.
The 2021 GAT was originally scheduled for June 9, then postponed to July 29, before being pushed back for a second time to August 12.
“It's been postponed twice, so this is our fourth go at it,” Ms Cummins said.
“This gives them a bit of time to readjust into school, and it means it's equitable to the Melbourne students as well.”
But Kyabram Secondary College Year 12 student Morgan Vella disagreed.
Mr Vella, who recently spoke up about the stress of lockdown-induced uncertainty, said he and his peers wanted to finish it this week.
“Myself, as well as my peers, were hoping for the GAT to be this Thursday so we can get it over and done with,” he said.
The Department of Health’s public health team recommended the GAT be rescheduled due to ongoing community transmission still occurring in metropolitan Melbourne.
It said large cohorts of students taking the test together posed a risk of a further outbreak.
A new date has not yet been chosen, and will be determined in the coming days, to give schools and students certainty that the rescheduled test will be safe to go ahead.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said he knew the GAT was an important part of young people’s education, and looked forward to it being rescheduled as soon as possible.
He said there were measures in place to support young people during this time.
“I’m sure that’s having an impact,” he said.
“But equally, I’m sure there’s more that needs to be done.”
Notre Dame College principal John Cortese said the safety of the school community was the highest priority and rescheduling the GAT would help ensure that safety.
“This news is disappointing for students who have put in the time and energy and prepared themselves academically and mentally for the GAT,” he said.
“We are so proud of our students as they have shown tremendous resilience throughout the year and we have every faith that they will stand up and prepare themselves for the new GAT date when announced.”
Mr Cortese said the school was focused on responding “as positively as we can to the changing landscape” and keeping the community informed.
Mr Merlino said Victorian students had done an “amazing job” adapting to another year of disruptions.
“But we can’t risk another outbreak in a school, so we’re rescheduling the GAT to keep every school community across Victoria safe,” he said.
“Whether it’s special consideration for every student in Year 12, or extra mental health and tutoring support in schools, we want any student who is struggling to know that we’re here to support them all the way.”
On the rescheduled date, students who are in quarantine as positive COVID-19 cases or primary close contacts will receive an exemption from the GAT.
Year 12s from any school listed as an exposure site on the rescheduled date will also be exempt from the test.
A Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process is in place for every VCE student in 2021, to ensure no graduates are disadvantaged.
Schools will work with authorities in the coming weeks to make appropriate COVID-19 safety plans to hold the GAT.
