SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATES
Victorian Certificate of
Education (VCE)
Victorian Certificate of
Applied Learning (VCAL)
Vocational Education
And Training (VET)
Including:
School Based
Apprenticeships
(SBA’s)
Primary Pathway
To obtain an ATAR
For University and
TAFE Courses
Primary Pathway
Apprenticeships
Traineeships
Employment
TAFE or Further
Education
Victorian Certificate of Applied
Learning (VCAL) Strands






Literacy (English)
Numeracy (Mathematics)
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
Industry Specific Skills (VET or SBA)
Students may select an additional VCE
study in an area of interest.
VCAL Levels
 Foundation
 Intermediate
 Senior
Why do VCAL?






Suits students who have an applied learning
preference (prefer to do things by doing).
VCE does not suit a student’s learning style.
Pathway to an Apprenticeship or
Traineeship.
Many VCAL students successfully obtain
apprenticeships.
Focus on work and employability rather
than academic studies.
Students may be able to gain the VCE and
the VCAL.
VET (Vocational Education and
Training)
VET programs may be taken as part of VCE or
VCAL.
VCE students obtain:
Units 1 & 2 after 1st year and 3 & 4 after 2nd year. VET
contributes to a student’s ATAR either as Scored
Assessment or an increment.
VCAL students:
Satisfies Industry Specific Skills strand.
Students taking part in VET receive their VCE or VCAL
Certificate plus a nationally recognized qualification. Some
examples:







Certificate II in Automotive
Certificate III in Music
Certificate III in Media
Certificate II in Hospitality
Certificate II in Engineering
Certificate II in Dance
Certificate III in Information
Technology





Certificate II in Electrical
Certificate II in Building and
Construction
Certificate II in Outdoor
Recreation
Certificate II in Hairdressing
Certificate II in Animal
Studies
Full list of programs can be obtained from the Careers Centre
Belmont High School is an RTO for
the delivery of:
Certificate III in Music
Certificate III in Media
Certificate II in Outdoor Education
Certificate III in Information Technology
Why do VET?







Offers breadth and diversity to a VCE program, satisfying
VCE requirements and contributing to a student’s ATAR.
Satisfies VCAL requirements.
Opportunity to pursue a vocational area of interest.
Has pathways to further education.
Employers consider VET favourably. Many VET students
have improved employment outcomes.
Numbers of students taking part in VET increasing
annually. In 2012 approximately 250. Students enjoy VET.
VET contributes to a student’s ATAR as a scored
assessment or increment.
School Based Apprenticeships
Combination of:
 School
 Part-time Apprenticeship
 Industry Specific Training
May be integrated into a student’s schooling
or non-integrated.
Note: Skills Victoria – after a student reaches 20 if completing a qualification at
the same level as one already completed if not on the Skills Victoria
Apprenticeship list, the course will not be subsidized. See Peter McKenzie for
further information.
Some examples of SBA’s students taking
part in at Belmont High School
Non-Integrated:
 Retail
 Hospitality
Integrated:
 Logistics
 Building
 Automotive
 Children’s Services
 Meetings and Events
 Cabinet making
 Information Technology
Approximately 35 students taking part in integrated school based
apprenticeships in 2012.
SEALP students
Students in Nine SEALP may complete a two or three year
VCE
Why?
 Students have yet to make up their mind about a career
path.
 Perception students to young for University.
 Students wish to include things like VET, School Based
Apprenticeships or University Extension programs as part
of VCE.
 Some students have taken part in exchange programs.
 Students want to take part in a broad range of VCE studies.
Time to Choose.
VCE or VCAL?
 Do I do VET?
 Am I interested in an SBA?
 What subjects will I select if doing
VCE?

Gaining entrance into University or
TAFE
•Satisfactorily
completed the VCE
•Ensure that you have met any University
prerequisite study requirements
•Obtain a competitive ATAR
•Have met any special requirements i.e. Folio,
tests, interviews
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)



Most students at Belmont High School do
VCE because many students aspire to go
onto University or TAFE.
Approximately 75% of students at Belmont
High School continued onto University,
Independent Private Colleges or TAFE.
Doing VCE will keep your options open
because VCE will give you an ATAR.
2011 On Track data
The On Track data tells us:
•59%
of students are enrolled in University or deferred
•14% of students are enrolled in TAFE or
Independent Tertiary Colleges
•9% of students taking part in apprenticeships &
traineeships
•14% of students employed







VCAL does not guarantee an apprenticeship but there are
advantages. VCE does not guarantee a place in University,
students need the necessary ATAR.
If you do believe you have an “applied” learning style and are at
School for the purpose of obtaining an Apprenticeship consider
VCAL.
TAFE accepts VCAL and VCE students.
If students do not think they are suited to the academic rigor of
the VCE consider VCAL.
Consider VET as part of VCE or VCAL.
VCAL works best if students know what they wish to do after
leaving school as VET needs to be part of the program.
SBA’s tend to work best for students doing VCAL.
I don’t know what I want to do when I leave School.









Don’t worry, many students don’t. Students are all different.
Student’s do need to be aware of their strengths, weakness and
passions. Do subjects you enjoy and do well. This may lead to a career.
The better a student does at school the greater the opportunities.
You may be able to change pathways next year. VCE subjects, VCAL or
VCE
The University of Melbourne new model.
Don’t get overly concerned about a name for a career, technology is
moving rapidly. You may be applying for jobs that have not yet been
invented.
New Government legislation – students cannot leave school until they
are 17, unless completed Year 10 and moving into full time employment
or training (at least 25 hours per week).
Enjoy the journey.
Universities are aware of this and develop courses with breadth and
often work experience. They want students that do well at Science doing
Science, students that do well at Humanities doing Humanities, etc.
Having a goal however can be very motivating.
Some facts
•
•
•
•
The longer students stay at school the better their
opportunities.
Students chances of accessing University, TAFE,
an apprenticeship or job are enhanced the better
the students results.
Regardless of pathways students getting the jobs
have a good set of reports, can communicate and
present well.
Outcomes for girls in particular who have not
completed year 12 are not good, boys a bit different
as still can access a traditional trade.
Pathway Planning
•Student’s
are beginning to develop individual
pathways to a career. This pathway will be different
for different individual students.
•There are often many pathways to a particular career.
•Students need to develop their own self awareness
and awareness of career opportunities.
•Students need to follow their passions whether they
be in school or out of school.
•Students will change careers a number of times.
•Technology is changing rapidly, students will work
in careers not yet invented.
•Students need “employability skills”.
Students need to do their best
Regardless of whether students know what you want to do after
year 12 doing well opens up opportunities and the quickest
pathway to a well paying career is by doing your best in year 11
& 12.
ACER Research
A Bachelor Degree qualification on average increases average
earnings by about 30%. The effects slightly higher amongst
women
Apprenticeships increase average earnings by 20%, slightly
higher amongst men
A TAFE Diploma increases average earnings by about 14%
A Traineeship increases earnings by about 8%
A TAFE certificate increases earnings by about 5%.
VCE - What Studies will I choose?







University Prerequisites.
Look for studies in Middle-Band.
Subjects that compliment a course of study.
What studies do I do well at?
What studies do I enjoy?
Studies that will develop my skills and
talents.
What studies will assist me in my future
course or career?
Pathways
Pathways to University continue to expand.



Many TAFE courses have pathways into
University and give students credit towards a
University course.
There are a number of Independent Tertiary
Colleges providing pathways to University e.g.
MIBT, Monash College.
Some Universities have bridging programs into
University for students who do not quite get the
ATAR e.g. University of Ballarat “fast program”.
Access and Equity
Do not let adversity whether it be financial, illness,
etc put students off going to University.
Government and Universities are putting
significant financial resources into providing
University accessibility for all. Examples are:
 VTAC SEAS program
 Government scholarships for students on
Centrelink benefits.
Mathematics
My advice is for students to do the highest level of Mathematics they can for as long as
they can, the higher the level of Mathematics the more opportunities, also students do
change their minds. However not all students are good at Mathematics, those students
probably will not pursue a career where Mathematics is required.
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
General Maths A
Specialist Maths
Advanced
Maths Methods
Maths Methods
General
General Maths B
Further Maths
Practical
Foundation Maths
LOTE
If students have taken part in LOTE
in Year Ten think carefully about
doing the subject in Year Eleven.
•LOTE adds more to your ATAR
•LOTE is well regarded by Universities
•LOTE is well regarded by employers
•Australia is operating in a global
economy
An example
VCE pathway
Note: the student does not have to accelerate
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 11 Legal
Studies
English
English
Maths Methods
Further Maths
Biology
Health
Health
Psychology
Psychology
Business
Management
Year 12 Legal
Studies
An example
VCE pathway
Note: the student does not have to accelerate.
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 11 History
English
English
Maths Methods
Maths Methods
Chemistry
Chemistry
Physics
Physics
Indonesian
Indonesian
Year 12 History
An example
VCAL pathway
Note: the student does not have to accelerate.
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
VET or SBA Year 1
VET or SBA Year 2
Literacy
Literacy
Personal
Development
Numeracy
Work Related Skills
Personal
Development
Some students do an
additional VCE
study
Work Related Skills
Some students do an
additional VCE
study
Prerequisites






Prerequisite studies are studies a student must do
to gain a place in particular university courses.
All university courses ask for
English/Literature/ESL.
Next most asked for study is Mathematics.
Next is a Science.
Followed by Arts, PE/Outdoor Ed. and a range of
other studies.
Students need to consult VICTER 2015.
If wanting to keep options open in addition to
English do the Mathematics you are capable of
and think about a Science.
How is the ATAR calculated?





Your study score out of 50 in English plus
best 3 Unit 3 and 4 studies.
Students gain a 10% increment for their 5th
and/or 6th study.
These studies may include VET and SBA’s
Study scores are scaled.
Students across Victoria are ranked i.e. the
ATAR. It is very competitive for University,
TAFE places and good jobs.
Prerequisites and Middle Band – an
example.
University of Ballarat – Nursing.
Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 English, Units 1 and 2 of Maths
(any) and any two of Biology, Chemistry, Health & Human
Development, Legal Studies, Physics, Mathematics (any) or
Psychology.
Selection process: ATAR and two-stage process with a middle
band of at least 20%. A study score of at least 33 in two of
Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development,
Physics, Psychology or Mathematics (any) = an ATAR 2
points higher.
SEAS applications considered as part of the middle band.
Students do get into University through choosing middle-band studies. Look
to the middle band for subjects to select and subject areas that maybe
useful for University.
Acceleration
Many students have completed a Unit 1 and 2
study in Year 10.
If progress has been good complete Unit 3 and 4
in Year 11.
If you did not accelerate you still can do a Unit 3
and 4 study in Year 11.
Opportunity to gain an increment to your
ATAR.
All students need to complete an acceleration form.
Extension or Enhancement Studies





Highly capable students may access first year
University studies as part of their Year 12 year.
A/A+ in area of study and B average across Year 11
studies.
Students generally have accelerated at Year 11.
There are prerequisite studies.
Opportunity for an enhanced ATAR.
May only be taken as a 6th subject.
What next?







I am spending time in class with students.
Students will receive publications: Where to Now, VICTER
2015.
I aim to see each student individually.
Year 10 student, parent, House Leader interviews,
Thursday 16th August 1.00 to 7.00 pm. Students to book
appointment with House Leader.
Students need to be thinking about programs and subjects
for next year and talking to parents, teachers, VCE, VCAL
and VET Coordinators.
Parents are welcome to book an appointment to see me.
Visit the Student Pathways Centre.
Selection process.






All students will receive a subject selection form for
VCE or VCAL.
Students will also enter subjects on line and
complete a hard copy.
Students will need to complete an additional
application form if wishing to take part in VET,
acceleration or express interest in an SBA.
VCE, VCAL and acceleration forms to be handed
into Careers Centre at a date TBA.
VET application forms and SBA expressions of
interest to be returned nearer the end of term 3.
Later years handbook online at the Belmont High
web site and student portal.
Contacts








Ms Margot Milne – VCE Manager.
Mr. Darren Lynch – VCAL Manager.
Ms Lesley Goode – Acceleration and Enrichment
Manager.
Mr. Peter McKenzie – VET, SBA’s, Career and
Pathway advice.
House Leaders
Subject Teachers.
The careers blog: belmontcareers.wordpress.com
Later Years Handbook: www.bhs.vic.edu.au
Curriculum Handbooks tab and the student portal