What to remember when choosing your pathway The best advice is to choose a pathway that: You are interested in and enjoy; Maximise your strengths; Reflect what might you like to do after you leave school; You can maintain a commitment to it over the next 2 years at Mount Erin College; Prepares you for future study & work – check the pre- requisites for your preferred career.

V.C.E. V.C.E. The Victorian Certificate of Education

So what is the VCE? VCE – The Victorian Certificate of Education It’s a qualification that is recognised across Australia and around the world. It’s a pathway to further study at university, TAFE and the world of work. It’s designed for Years 11 and 12 (a 2 year program). There are over 90 subjects in total (including many languages and over 30 VET programmes).

An example of a VCE course Students will normally complete 6 subjects in year 11 (12 units) and 5 subjects in year 12 (10 units). Typically 22 units across 2 years. Year Year English - units 1 & 2English - units 3 & 4 Legal Studies - units 1 & 2Legal Studies – units 3 & 4 History – units 1 &2History – units 3 & 4 Business Man.– units 1 & 2Business Man.– units 3 & 4 Gen. Maths – units 1 &Further Maths – units 3 & 4 Psychology – units 1 & 2

The ATAR At the end of year 12 VCE students will receive an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) An ATAR is based on the student’s performance in School Assessed Coursework (SACs) at school and external examinations.

University and TAFE The ATAR is a prerequisite for some courses. Universities have undergraduate courses called Bachelor degrees, usually 3 to 4 years. TAFEs offer 2 year Diplomas and 1 or 2 year Certificate courses. Some TAFEs are starting to offer Bachelor degree courses. Many TAFEs are accessing ATAR data to select students.

VCAL VCAL Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning

How VCAL is organised? The VCAL has four curriculum areas called strands. 1.Literacy & Numeracy skills 2.Industry Specific skills (VET) 3.Work Related skills 4.Personal Development skills Each strand has its own set of outcomes that students must meet to pass the strand. At Mount Erin, these are organised into an integrated project program, where students focus on a key project each term that also covers the required outcomes.

A typical VCAL week: Students completing VCAL have regular classes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday is normally when students complete their VET programme Work Placement is a component of the program and can be organised in different ways, but all require the approval of the College before they can be commenced. The usual day for Work Placement is Friday. Students are responsible for finding their own Work Placement, but the College will help where possible. Students without work placement MUST attend school during work placement days.

VCAL Selection Students who successfully complete Year 10 can apply to study the VCAL during the Year 11 course selection period over the next few weeks. Students will undergo an interview to assess their suitability for the VCAL programme at Mount Erin College.

What is a VET Pathway? Vocational Education and Training Hands on practical learning. Nationally recognised certificate. Gives students opportunity to develop employability skills. A recognised pathway in an industry specific skill. Questions to consider if you want to include a VET course in your program: How is this VET course contributing to my career path? Transport – If your preferred course/location is outside Mount Erin College, can you get there by the starting time? If you are doing VCE/VET, are you organised and self motivated enough to make up 4 periods of missed class time each week during your study periods?

Why choose a VET pathway? Nationally Accredited Courses recognised Australia wide, makes you more employable. May reduce the length of related TAFE tertiary courses. Some VET in schools courses are recognised as pre apprenticeship courses (Cert. II Building & Construction, Hairdressing).

VET in Schools programs are offered at MEC and at our neighbouring colleges and TAFEs Allied Health Automotive Business StudiesChildren’s Services Community ServicesDance Electo technologyEngineering Equine StudiesHorticulture Information TechnologyMultimedia MusicRetail

What is an SBAT? School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships School Based apprenticeships enable students to complete their VCE or VCAL certificate while undertaking paid off-site training and completing a nationally recognised qualification.

Advantages of an SBAT You are paid a training wage or apprentice wage for the time you spend 'on-the-job' with your employer. You are covered by a training contract, which links to an industrial award or agreement. Progress towards gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Work towards completing your Year 11 & 12 Certificates. Keep open the option of further education and training.

Year 10 Program Structure Year 10 is a 14 unit Core and Elective program Core subjects English, Maths, Humanities, Science and at least one semester of a Health/PE subject 5 semester length elective units A VCE study in Year 10 takes up 2 elective units

A Typical Year 10 Program Sem 1EnglishMathsHumanitiesScienceFitnessGeneral Art Info Tech. Sem 2EnglishMathsHumanitiesSciencePhilosophyVisual Com. Systems Eng.

A Typical Year 10 Program with a VCE subject Sem 1EnglishMathsHumanitiesScienceFitnessWood work VCE Psych. Sem 2EnglishMathsHumanitiesScienceMarine Biology Info Tech. VCE Psych.

Course Selection Process Read the Senior Pathways Guide for 2017 Students – on Compass and college website Log on to web choices using your unique Web Code (letter distributed to all students) – complete subject selection – print and sign Course Counseling interviews: 21 st June Year TH July Year Book online through Compass – Community – Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences 10 minute interview – bring printed and signed Web Choices form If applying for Accelerated Studies bring signed forms (last pages of Senior Pathways Guide)

Booking an interview in Compass

Select ONE time slot

Web Choices Year 10

Web Choices Year 11

Course Counseling Outcomes Student subject requests are analyzed and classes are created considering minimizing clashes, class size constraints, staffing capacity, room facilities Reserve selections are used as appropriate Where necessary, individuals may be re-counseled Final course allocations published by end of Term 3 Course Confirmation 3-7 October. All course payments made or payment plan in place.