Background of the incident
One of Queensland’s leading state high schools, Brisbane State High School, has issued a formal apology to students and parents after admitting it taught the incorrect topic for the Year 12 external Ancient History examination. The error, revealed just days before the exam, concerns the unit about Augustus rather than Julius Caesar, a critical distinction in a unit that is meant to be studied and assessed in depth.
What went wrong
Education officials confirmed that the school realised on Monday that the topic taught did not align with the prescribed Ancient History unit. Instead of Julius Caesar, students were prepared on Augustus. This is significant because the external examination is designed to test knowledge and analytical skills on the approved curriculum for Year 12.
School response and assurances
In correspondence to families, Brisbane State High School expressed sincere regret for the error, noting it would collaborate with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) to determine a way forward. The school acknowledged the challenge posed by the timing of examinations and the fact that the QCAA could not provide an additional paper. It emphasized that the exam remains skills-based and reassured students that they could still perform well on the day.
Planned accommodations
The school has applied for an Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) with the QCAA to account for the misalignment between taught content and the official topic. This process aims to ensure fairness in marking and consideration of the broader circumstances surrounding the error.
<h2Support for students
Recognising the potential distress for students, the school announced enhanced support through its Student Services team on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition to the immediate support, emergency study sessions were organised to review Julius Caesar-related content and practice potential exam questions, in an effort to align student preparation with the correct topic as much as possible under the circumstances.
<h2Impact on the examination timetable
The Ancient History exam accounts for 25% of the final grade, with internal assessments comprising the remaining 75%. The error prompted quick action as two Year 12 classes prepared for Wednesday’s exam, while other assessments for the week continued as scheduled, including English, Visual Arts, Economics, and other subjects. Power outages affecting several Brisbane schools led to additional disruption, including the cancellation of some exams; however, authorities indicated external examinations would not be rescheduled to maintain security and fairness.
<h2Official response and next steps
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) confirmed it would work with the school to ensure no student is disadvantaged. Chief executive Claude Jones stated the school would submit a whole-cohort misadventure application to apply special consideration when results are finalised, with assessment experts implementing enhanced quality assurance during marking.
<h2Context and reassurance
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek stressed that external exams are structured to mitigate high-stakes risks and that this incident will be investigated to prevent future occurrences. The broader intent is to uphold fairness and accuracy in student results while offering necessary support to those affected.
<h2Closing note
While this episode highlights the challenges of curriculum delivery, it also underscores the commitment of educators, administrators, and officials to safeguard student interests and ensure a fair, transparent adjudication of results.
