1. Vermont Secondary College Yr9 into Yr10 6:00 – 6:45pm
Learning and Teaching Senior School & Pathways

2. Our success criteria will be:
Our intention is:
to provide an overview of Senior School at VSC, subject electives and pathways available
to provide families with the opportunity to ask questions at our subject booths about specific electives to clarify understanding
to empower our students to make informed choices about their future
Our success criteria will be:
At the end of the evening families will have a clear understanding of subjects and pathways available
Families will use the information to ask informed
questions to assist in decision making
Students will feel confident to make informed
choices about their future

3. Make the right choice for you!
What are you good at?
What do you enjoy?
Your future careers
Keep your options open -
what is your back up plan?
Your preferred learning style
Teacher recommendations
Prerequisites for VCE
Prerequisites for Further Education (University, TAFE, Apprenticeships/Traineeships)

4. Yr10 Subject Selection - Features of the VSC Model
Part of the Senior School - a shift towards increased rigour with a formal exam program
More choice for students
A breadth of subjects that will prepare students for transition into VCE
Opportunities for access to VCE units for suitable candidates (Advanced Placement)
Combined Year 10 / VCE / VET Courses

5. Yr10 Subject Selection Considerations
Pathways It is vital that students select subjects that best prepare them for the specific VCE subjects that allow them to access the tertiary course/s that are of interest to them
Course Breadth It is important at this stage of a student’s academic career to still have a range of subjects from across the Learning Areas to ensure a well rounded and sufficiently challenging program

6. Yr10 Subject Selection Considerations
Advice Students are encouraged to seek, listen to and consider the advice of the Pathways team, their current teachers and the teachers of the subjects they are interested in
Study Guides (Advanced Placement) These important VCE subject documents can be accessed from the VCAA website and contain detailed information about the course content and assessable skills and knowledge

7. Subject Selection Considerations – VCE Study Design
The Study Design of each subject is the guiding curriculum document that outlines the content to be covered.
It lists the specific knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated by students in order for them to indicate achievement of each of the outcomes.

8. Yr10 Course Structure
Students undertaking Yr10 are required to select a Maths and English subject that is best suited to their particular needs. Students then have 8 elective options. Four elective subjects are undertaken in each semester.
Students continuing with a Language subject will have 6 elective choices (three in each semester).
Maths
English
Language (replaces two electives)
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice

9. Yr10 Advanced Placement Course Structure
If students choose to accept the invitation for an Advanced Placement, they will select a VCE Unit 1 and 2 subject in addition to a Maths and English.
Students then have 6 elective options. Three elective subjects are undertaken in each semester.
Students continuing with a Language subject will have 4 elective choices (two in each semester).
VCE Unit 1
VCE Unit 2
Maths
English
Language (replaces two electives)
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice
Elective choice

10. Yr10 Success
Strategic & Consistent Home Study: Students who engage in targeted homestudy that is informed by a clear understanding of the assessable skills and knowledge have historically been successful. Two hours per night is recommended.
Attendance: It is vital for students to be in class in both body and mind to ensure that they can take advantage of every learning opportunity. Families need to be aware of the detrimental impact on the performance of students taking holidays in term time.
Implementation of Feedback: In senior school it is vital to take every opportunity to receive and clarify feedback and be pro-active in implementing the strategies for improvement suggested by subject teachers.
External Commitments: Whilst we encourage and advocate students be involved members of our wider community - families must consider the impact of part-time jobs, and other commitments that impact the students ability to rest and recover in preparation for learning.

11. Yr10 Advanced Placement
For suitable students, Advanced Placement is the opportunity to access VCE subjects as part of a student’s individual Yr10 course. Advanced Placement offers a range of benefits including:
Earlier exposure to external examination processes
The opportunity to maximise their ATAR
A more rigorous academic program
The refinement of Study Skills and exam technique

12. Careers Curriculum Framework
What’s in the Framework? 3 stages of Career Development
Self Development
Career Exploration
Career Management
6 strategies to progress career learning

13. Subject information & guidelines

15. VETiS - What is VET in Schools?
VET in Schools - A Nationally Recognised Qualification
Students moving into Yr10 or Yr11 may select a VET program as part of their curriculum
Learn practical skills and knowledge complementing VCE
Competency based learning
VET is a 2yr course - expectation of 1yr commitment
VET is generally studied on Wednesday’s either ½ day or full day
VET as part of your VCE will contribute to your ATAR Block Credit (10%) or through a study score
Enables students to complete Structured Work Placement (SWP) in industry reinforcing skills development & increasing employment opportunities
VETiS Information Evening – 14th 6:30pm

16. Steps to studying VET Step 1 - Find your passion
Step 2 - Pick a VET course or career that interests you
Step 3 - See what you can get with VET
Step 4 - Discover your VET program
Step 5 - Select VET on Web Preferences
Step 6 - Attend the VET information evening on the 14th 6:30pm
Step 7 - Complete an Expression of Interest form
Step 8 - Pathways will submit the application on the students behalf
Step 9 - Wait for confirmation of enrolment from Pathways
Step 10 - Complete the VET enrolment pack and return to Pathways

17. VET Studies Animal Studies Equine Studies Building & Construction
Furnishing
Business
Small Business
Automotive
Community Services
Hair & Beauty
Health
Laboratory Skills
Sport & Recreation
Information, Digital Media & Tech
Integrated Technologies
CISCO
Applied Fashion Design & Tech
Creative & Digital Media
Electrical Industry
Engineering
Dance
Music Industry
Agriculture & Horticulture
Hospitality

18. Selecting Subjects - Web Preferences
Log in with your individual Student Access Code received via school

19. Selecting Subjects

20. Selecting Subjects

21. Selecting Subjects

22. Web Preferences close Friday 2nd August @ 4pm
Selecting Subjects
You need your Web Preferences Access Code to login and select subjects.
Your Student Managers have ONE back up copy.
Web Preference Receipt must be signed by the Student, Parent/Guardian, Student Manager and Pathways.
A draft copy must be presented at the Yr9 into Yr10 Course Counselling session during P3 & P4 in the Fallon Centre on the following dates: Hotham - Tuesday 30th July
Macedon & Stirling - Wednesday 31st July
Web Preferences close Friday 2nd 4pm

24. Students need to start strategically managing their English pathway
All students need to consider English to be their most important subject!
A student’s performance in English will factor significantly in regard to their future study options. Students entering Year 11 need to be mindful of the role English plays in regard to the VCE and university placement.
All students must choose to take at least one English study for their VCE. However, increasingly students are selecting two English studies. The choices are from VCE English, VCE Literature and VCE English Language.

25. Why English is so important to your VCE
English is the only compulsory study in the VCE. Students choose to take at least one of English, Literature and English Language in VCE.
Students must pass a minimum of 3 Units of English two of which must be a Unit 3–4 sequence to be awarded their VCE Certificate. Furthermore, students must pass both Units 3 & 4 of English to receive an ATAR.
An English study must be included in the calculation of every student’s ATAR. This score will always be included first, so it will heavily influence your ATAR.
English is a prerequisite for every university course. Also, many university courses also have a prerequisite (minimum) English Study Score.

27. …therefore, due to the central importance of your VCE English, you need to choose your future English pathway carefully.
Students need to be making informed choices regarding their potential English pathway. By selecting the English study options that best suit their needs and strengths, students will maximise their potential to perform well in their VCE.
We do not want students changing their VCE English study mid-VCE, as it puts them at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, once students choose a particular English pathway they should stick to it. This way students can benefit from all 4 Units (both years) of coursework within that study.

28. Students can elect to take Literature and English Language units in Year 10 as a ‘taster’ of the English Studies offered in VCE

29. Advanced placement VCE Literature or VCE English Language
—To be taken as a whole year (advanced placement/early VCE option). To enrol in this subject students must be have the recommendation of their Year 9 English teacher. Students will also need to have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in their prior English studies.
Recommended only for those students performing “Above” the expected Vic Curriculum standard. (Bs and above)

30. What’s Next?
Carefully consider which English subjects and pathways best suits your strengths and needs.
Talk to your English teacher about your performance (ask for additional constructive feedback) and make a real effort to work with the staff to improve your English grades now (while you still have the opportunity).
Consider how your current performance (grades) in English relate to the requirements of your future aspirations. If you are currently underperforming, plan strategies to improve your performance, so that you can achieve your goals. For example, undertaking more than one English study, asking for extra homework to consolidate skills, setting a study schedule, employing a tutor, etc.