SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATES Victorian Certificate of Education VCE

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) n Numeracy (Mathematics) n Personal Development Skills n Work Related Skills n Industry Specific Skills (VET or SBA) n Students may select an additional VCE study in an area of interest. n

VCAL Levels n Foundation n Intermediate n Senior

Why do VCAL? Suits students who have an applied learning preference (prefer to do things by doing). n VCE does not suit a student’s learning style. n Pathway to an Apprenticeship or Traineeship. n Many VCAL students successfully obtain apprenticeships. n Focus on work and employability rather than academic studies. n

VET (Vocational Education and Training) VET programs may be taken as part of VCE or VCAL. VCE students obtain: Units 1 & 2 after 1 st year and 3 & 4 after 2 nd 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: n n n n 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 n n n 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? n n n n 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 contributes to a student’s ATAR as a scored assessment or increment.

School Based Apprenticeships Combination of: n School n Part-time Apprenticeship n 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 Mc. Kenzie for further information.

Some examples of SBA’s students taking part in at Belmont High School Non-Integrated: n Retail n Hospitality Integrated: n Logistics n Building n Automotive n Children’s Services n Meetings and Events n Cabinet making n 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? n Students have yet to make up their mind about a career path. n Perception students to young for University. n Students wish to include things like VET, School Based Apprenticeships or University Extension programs as part of VCE. n Some students have taken part in exchange programs. n Students want to take part in a broad range of VCE studies.

Time to Choose. n VCE or VCAL? n Do I do VET? n Am I interested in an SBA? n 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. n Approximately 75% of students at Belmont High School continued onto University, Independent Private Colleges or TAFE. n Doing VCE will keep your options open because VCE will give you an ATAR. n

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

n n n n VCAL does not guarantee an apprenticeship but there 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 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. n n n n 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

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 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. n Look for studies in Middle-Band. n Subjects that compliment a course of study. n What studies do I do well at? n What studies do I enjoy? n Studies that will develop my skills and talents. n What studies will assist me in my future n

Pathways to University continue to expand. Many TAFE courses have pathways into University and give students credit towards a University course. n There a number of Independent Tertiary Colleges providing pathways to University e. g. MIBT, Monash College. n Some Universities have bridging programs into University for students who do not quite get the ATAR e. g. University of Ballarat “fast program”. n

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: n VTAC SEAS program n 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 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 Maths Methods Further Maths Biology Health 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 Maths Methods Chemistry Physics 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 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. n All university courses ask for English/Literature/ESL. n Next most asked for study is Mathematics. n Next is a Science. n Followed by Arts, PE/Outdoor Ed. and a range of other studies. n 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. n

How is the ATAR calculated? Your study score out of 50 in English plus best 3 Unit 3 and 4 studies. n Students gain a 10% increment for their 5 th and/or 6 th study. n These studies may include VET and SBA’s n Study scores are scaled. n Students across Victoria are ranked i. e. the ATAR. It is very competitive for University, TAFE places and good jobs. n

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 n n n 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 6 th subject.

What next? n n n n 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 16 th 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. n n n 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

Contacts n n n n Ms Margot Milne – VCE Manager. Mr. Darren Lynch – VCAL Manager. Ms Lesley Goode – Acceleration and Enrichment Manager. Mr. Peter Mc. Kenzie – 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