Year 11 and 12

Victoria University Secondary College offers a diverse range of opportunities, experiences and programs of study for students in Years 11 and 12.

Students are encouraged to be brave and creative when thinking about their future and bring it to reality through education. Our senior staff will assist students to plan a rewarding study program that will help them achieve their personal goals, and our Careers and Pathways team works with students to develop and manage each student’s individual pathway to a great future. Pathway options are many and varied, and students are encouraged to look for ways to keep their options open and enjoy the journey.

Studying for VCE and VCE Vocational Major certificates present what is often the biggest challenge students have yet faced in their lives. As a college we aim to see all of our students succeed; to reach the goals they set for themselves; to develop their academic and creative talents and to be well prepared to live happy and fulfilled lives in an ever-changing world. Achievement of this goal is most likely when the school, the teachers, the student and the family work closely together.

Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

We want our students to achieve excellence. Our staff are highly talented and committed to using their skills to help students achieve just that. As a college we urge all students to take advantage of this during their final years of secondary schooling, set their goals and reach great heights.

Victoria University Secondary College offers two Senior Certificate courses:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Victorian Certificate of Education – Vocational Major (VCE VM)

Within these two courses students may undertake:

Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects
Apprenticeships/Traineeships known as Australian School based Apprenticeships (ASbA)
HEADSTART

At VUSC we offer an extensive range of subject choices for students within both Certificates. Full details of the VCE, VET and VCE VM subjects offered are outlined in the Senior Secondary Handbook.

VCE

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a two year course of study.

Students must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units in order to be awarded the Certificate. Included in these 16 units must be:

At least three English related units from:

English Units 1-4
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Units 1-4
English Literature Units 1-4

To satisfactorily complete a unit, students must satisfactorily complete all of the assessment tasks above 40% and work requirements, and attend at least 90% of timetabled classes for the unit.

Upon successful completion of the VCE, students may go on to tertiary study at university or TAFE, begin an apprenticeship or traineeship, or enter the workforce.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

Students who complete VCE and satisfy the requirements receive an ATAR score which may be used for entry into a range of tertiary courses.

Details about how the ATAR is calculated are included in the Senior Secondary Handbook.

VCE VM

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong
learners and confident and creative individuals; and
empowering them.

VCE Vocational Major is normally a two-year course of study.

Satisfactory Completion of the VCE Vocational Major

Students must satisfactorily complete the following units to be awarded the VCE Vocational Major. These units include:

Literacy
Numeracy
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
VET
Structured Workplace Learning

VET

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses provide an opportunity for students to gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification as part of either their VCE or VCE VM Certificate.

VET is a two year program combining general VCE or VCE VM studies and accredited vocational education and training. It enables students to complete a nationally recognised vocational qualification and senior certificate at the same time. VET focuses on students developing industry specific and workplace skills, and is designed to meet the needs of industry.

VET courses are delivered by a Registered Training Organisation, such as a TAFE, and may include a Structured Workplace Learning Placement component, where students demonstrate acquired skills and knowledge in an industry setting. The VET course may be delivered at a TAFE or a host secondary school.

VET programs can contribute to the student’s ATAR score, either as a 10% increment or as a Study Score derived from course work tasks and an end of year exam. VET programs articulate directly into further education and training at TAFE.

VCE students may undertake VET programs offered at VUSC only. VCE VM students may enrol in any VET course offered in the Brimbank VET Cluster. The Brimbank VET Cluster comprises 10 secondary schools and as a whole, offers a full range of VET courses. Please see the Senior Secondary Handbook for more information.

VUSC currently offers the following VET courses:

Certificate II in Building and Construction – Trade Training Centre
Certificate II in Electrotechnology – Trade Training Centre
Certificate III in Business – VUSC Senior Campus
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance – VUSC Senior Campus
Certificate III in Sport and Recreation – VUSC Senior Campus

HEADSTART

HEADSTART is placing a student into the workforce while they are still in school by starting a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship.

Students can choose Apprenticeship and Traineeship courses in key industries such as building & construction, community services & health, business and primary industries.

How HEADSTART works with schools

Depending on what the employer needs, students will go to school some days and work on other days. As a minimum, students will undertake paid employment for:

One day a week in Year 10
Two days a week in Year 11 and 12

What do students get?

A HEADSTART Pathway Plan tailored to the specific needs of the student and the employer
One-to-one support from a HEADSTART Coordinator to keep students on the right track
Quality assured training through TAFEs and Skills First contracted providers
A VCE Vocational Major Certificate
Significant progress towards, or completion of a Certificate III trade qualification
Payment of a fair training wage
A tailored pathway into a priority industry career
Transition to a full time apprenticeship on completion of their VCE Vocational Major.

Fees may apply to cover the costs of tuition and service fees, equipment, clothing and tools.

Students are invited to speak to the Careers Team to find out what programs are available and how to apply for HEADSTART.