Mentone Girls’ Secondary College Course Information 2017-18

Program Introduction: Ms Bronwyn Moline Acting Principal Course Structure, VCAA Requirements & Selection Process : Ms Sylvia Christopoulos Director of Senior School Considerations in Choosing a Program: Mrs Rebecca Poulos Career & Pathways Manager Expo in the VCE Centre

Handbook 2018 VCE Handbook is online on the MGSC Website. Forms from the Handbook and available tonight: Year 11 VCE Student Program Acceleration Studies Application form VET Application form The Webpreference log on details and instructions for on-line course selection A copy of this presentation

Undertaking years 11& 12 at MGSC means you will be studying the Victorian Certificate of Education

What is the VCE? The VCE is a certificate that recognises the successful completion of secondary education. The VCE provides pathways to further study at university, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and to the world of work.

How To successfully complete the VCE To obtain your VCE, you must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units. A unit is a semester of work in a study(subject). In Year 11 students choose six studies, so by the end of Year 11 they may have already completed 12 units, 14 if they passed a VCE subject in Year 10. The 16 units can include VET, School-based apprenticeships and some certificate studies completed at work.

How To successfully complete the VCE Regardless of how many units done altogether, a student must satisfactorily complete: At least three units from the English Group which includes: Foundation English Units 1 and 2 (not offered at MGSC) English or English as a Second Language (EAL) Units 1 - 4 English Language Units 1 - 4 Literature Units 1 - 4 No more than two Units at 1 and 2 level may count towards the English requirement. …….AND…

How To successfully complete the VCE At least three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to the 3-4 sequence chosen from the English group. These sequences can be from VCE studies and/or VET programs.

THE ATAR – australian tertiary admission rank Most universities and many TAFE courses require successful completion of the VCE for entry. A higher ATAR generally means a student is more likely to be accepted into the tertiary course of choice. Four Unit 3-4 results (one being from the English group) are necessary to determine an ATAR. A 5th and 6th Unit 3-4 result will also contribute to a final ATAR.

VCE (Baccalaureate) – additional recognition Eligibility requirements To be eligible to receive the VCE (Baccalaureate) you must satisfactorily complete the VCE and receive a study score for five prescribed study components.   a Units 3 and 4 sequence in English or Literature or English Language with a study score of 30 or above; or a Units 3 and 4 sequence in EAL with a study score of 33 or above a Units 3 and 4 sequence in either Mathematics Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics a Units 3 and 4 sequence in a VCE Language at least two other Units 3 and 4 sequences

How to satisfactorily complete a unit Each Unit of study has two or three Outcomes described in the Unit’s study design. Teachers set a number of tasks throughout the semester to give the student opportunities to learn and successfully demonstrate achievement of the Outcome. Students must satisfactorily demonstrate achievement of all Outcomes of a Unit to ‘pass’ the Unit.

How to satisfactorily complete a unit Throughout the handbook you will read a summary description of each Unit of a study. The Outcomes that need to be demonstrated are included. They appear as a brief sentence or two. The teacher is trained to provide learning experiences and assessment relating to these Outcomes.

A word about EXAMS Unit 1 & 2 exams provide valuable experience and feedback to the student, teacher and parent about the student’s level of performance. Exams are not used to determine whether a student has satisfactorily demonstrated the required skills and knowledge of Outcomes. It is the assessment tasks completed throughout the semester that allow the teacher to make the judgement about satisfactory demonstration of Outcomes.

Unit 3 & 4 assessment tasks The assessment tasks are called SACs or SATs and contribute to the final study score of the subject Teachers make judgements about satisfactory completion using a variety of assessment tools. Unit 3 & 4 exams contribute significantly to the final study score and hence ATAR.

ACCELERATION At MGSC we refer to a Year 12 subject (unit 3-4 sequence) studied in Year 11 as an acceleration subject. Acceleration subjects allow students to experience SACs and external VCAA exams and allows an opportunity to complete 6 Unit 3-4 sequences by the end of 2019, maximising the final ATAR score.

ACCELERATION In considering your program you may apply for ONE acceleration subject in your first 6 preferences. With your application you must complete the Accelerated Studies Application form, (including a teacher recommendation) You must include a printout of your Unit 1 report from mid year, the complete report if you have not studied the Unit 1 in the subject.

ACCELERATION Students who did not accelerate in Year 10 may apply for acceleration in Year 11. Students who did accelerate in Year 10 may choose to accelerate in the same or a different study. You must, of course, have discussed the subject with the relevant teacher and obtained a recommendation. Students who have done the Unit 1-2 of the study previously, and Year 12 students, have priority for placements in classes.

ACCELERATION – Unit 3-4 Outdoor Education This subject is offered to 2018 Year 11 students. It is not offered to Year 12s due to the extended times required out of school. You may consider this as a possible acceleration option. As with all other acceleration applications you must have a teacher recommendation and include a second option in case the class does not run or there is a clash.

VET Several of the subjects available next year are VET studies. They allow us to offer a greater diversity of curriculum to our students. Students can explore areas of particular interest and with a practical, vocational emphasis. The VET studies are completed at venues other than MGSC and with students from other schools. All VET subjects have additional fees which must be paid in advance of the academic year to confirm the enrolment. Make sure you submit the VET APPLICATION form if applying for a VET subject.

External subjects Some students may be considering continuing a VCE subject external to the school. An example is students who complete a language subject external to the school. If you are anticipating doing an external subject please see Ms Christopoulos before course counselling day which will be on 4th August.

Choosing Your Program Your Handbook has a description of each of the studies offered at MGSC. Units 1 & 2 are generally completed in Year 11. They do prepare to some extent the students with knowledge and skills for Units 3 & 4 in the study. While it is considered preferable to complete Units 1 & 2 in the subjects you intend to take in Year 12 it is not necessary for most subjects.

Choosing Your Program If you have career aspirations and/or tertiary courses in mind you should determine the Year 12 subjects that are prerequisites for entry to the course by checking VTAC Prerequisites for 2020 at http://www.vtac.edu.au/files/pdf/publications/prerequisites-2020.pdf Year 10 guide to the VCE subject selection book (yellow) Make sure you plan to include the prerequisites in your Year 12 course and hence plan your Year 11 course. Read the handbook carefully to determine which studies interest you, including looking forward to the Year 12 subject descriptions.

Choosing Your Program Take your program selection form to both your English and Maths teachers. They will make a recommendation about the different types of English you may be suited to and the level of Maths you may reasonably be expected to have success with. Remember these are opinions to help you make your decisions. Whilst it is important to consider the advice you are not bound by it

A word about English Please refer to the English handout offered at the expo and ensure you select the intended English subject when doing your on-line preferences. The subject English remains the mainstay of the three subjects. The skills learnt in this subject are broadly applicable to any future course and for life. English develops the skills of writing, communicating with an audience and analysing how others write and how they use words to influence. Literature is a specialised subject requiring mature analytical skills and an interest in plays, poetry and novels. Excellent writing is assumed. English Language is about linguists.

Now order your preferences Having thought through your possible year 12 course, consider the subjects you wish to choose for Year 11 Determine the preference order. You must choose a subject from the English group in the first 6 preferences. Test the order of preferences by asking - ‘what if I missed out on doing this subject because I put it lower on the list?’

webpreferences Once you have determined your course use the webpreference guide to enter your preferences on-line. Be very careful to choose Unit 1 for most preferences and Unit 3 only if you are choosing an acceleration. Order your acceleration choice in your preference list in the same manner as your other studies, i.e. how important it is for you to do.

your preferences You can have up to 20 changes to your course on-line The portal closes on 4th August when course are due in. Make sure your Student Program form has the same subjects and the same order. Print off your webpreference receipt, and staple it along with all other required forms, behind your complete blue Student Program form for submission. The Timetabling program will sort everyone’s preferences and tries hard to get everyone in their first 6 preferences.

Why you could miss out on getting your initial first 6 preferences The College has to make decisions about which classes can run. If there is insufficient demand for the subject it may not run. There may be a clash where two subjects you want to do are blocked together i.e. they will be timetabled at the same time. We will assume you want to do the one that is your higher preference. The class may be overfull, so those who have it as a lower preference may be required to do another subject

IF YOU MISS out on any of your 1st 6 Preferences I will be requesting to see students if any of the previous mentioned situations arise Most times I will assume the student will want to get her reserve (7th or 8th) preference. Sometimes there needs to be a review of choices as the balance of the course may be affected by missing particular subjects.

Course notification, attendance & headstart Successful completion of any VCE study allows for a maximum of 5 unapproved absences per subject. Attendance for the 2 week Headstart program starting on the 27th November will count towards 2018 first semester’s attendance data. It is anticipated the students’ courses will be posted for checking early in term 4. Students who have poor attendance for unapproved reasons will have their course notification withheld.

Support MGSC staff & tertiary institution reps available this evening Subject teachers Course counselling interviews Student Pathways Coordinator, Rebecca Poulos Meeting tomorrow period 1 for all Year 10s in the Lecture Theatre. Lunchtime meetings in Room 9 to answer any questions: 27th July 1st August 3rd August

STUDENT PATHWAYS AND CAREERS Rebecca Poulos STUDENT PATHWAYS AND CAREERS

Destination Data – Year 12, 2016 137 students received 1st round VTAC offers (96.5% of applicants, 91.3% of all students) 128 students received a university offer: Monash-45, Deakin-26, RMIT-25, Vic Uni-11, Swinburne-7, Melbourne-6, LaTrobe-5, ACU-1, Federation Uni-1, Austn. Maritime College-1 8 students received a TAFE offer: Holmesglen-7, Melbourne Polytechnic-1 1 student received an Independent Tertiary Institution offer 5 students did not receive an offer 8 students did not apply to VTAC

Course Categories Offered Agriculture, Environmental - 3 Architecture and Building – 1 Creative Arts – 24 Education – 15 Engineering – 5 Food, Hospitality Management, and Personal Services – 1 Health – 31 Information Technology - 4 Management and Commerce – 16 Natural and Physical Sciences – 18 Society and Culture (includes courses such as arts, children’s services, legal related, psychology, social science, exercise and sport science) – 43 * Note that students who were offered a double degree have been included in two of the above categories

Course Names Accounting, Architecture, Arts, Aviation, Beauty Therapy, Biomedical Science, Building Design, Business, Children’s Services, Chiropractic, Commerce, Communication, Communication Design, Creative Arts, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Dental Technology, Design (Communication Design)/Business, Digital Media Design, Drama, Education, Emergency Health (Paramedic), Engineering, Event Management, Exercise and Sport Science, Fine Art, Food and Nutrition Sciences, Health and Community Care, Health Science, Hospitality, Information Technology, Interior Design, International Studies, Journalism, Law, Management, Media and Communication, Music Industry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Osteopathy, Paramedicine, Photography, Physiotherapy, Property and Real Estate, Psychology, Public Health Promotion, Public Relations, Science, Screen and Media Social Science, Sound Production, Specialist Make-up Services, Urban and Regional Planning, Visual Merchandising, Visual Communication Design, Youth Work.

Tertiary Study – Course Selection Approximately 50% of courses select applicants solely using the ATAR (English study plus next best three Unit 3 & 4 studies, plus 10% of 5th and 6th studies) Approximately 50% of courses select applicants using one or more of the following – interview, folio, audition, test, ATAR Open Days in term 3

Careers and Pathways Manager’s Role to encourage and assist career exploration to provide information on courses and careers to provide advice regarding implications of VCE subject choices/changes

A Career Advisor takes a hand, opens a mind and creates a future.

Workplace Opportunities Work Experience - Term holidays this year and in December (Dec 11- 22) which is after the completion of Year 11/12 Headstart (November 27 - December 8) Casual/Part-time employment Volunteer work

Communication Career News – every fortnight emailed to parents and students College Career website (www.mgsccareers.com) College Newsletter Ensure the school has your correct email address

Shift Happens Did You Know ……. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u06BXgWbGvAhttps (4.36 minutes)