YEAR 10 | Academic Program Overview

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

The VCE is a two-year senior secondary qualification that provides a pathway to tertiary studies, employment, apprenticeships and TAFE.

The VCE may also be combined with a Vocational Education and Training [VET] course where students will complete an accredited course of study in a vocational area of interest which is credited towards their VCE.

It is possible for Year 10 students to undertake a VCE Unit 1 and 2 subject as part of their course selections. This may lead to a Unit 3 and 4 study in Year 11, subject to approval.

Students considering an accelerated VCE study advice from their current teachers and consider the criteria for acceleration as described in the section VCE acceleration.

More information regarding the VCE program, the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) can be found in the Senior Subject information Booklet.

Subject Acceleration

A student “accelerates” when they have undertaken a Unit 1 and 2 VCE subject in Year 10. There are a number of advantages to undertaking a accelerated subject in Year 10 including;

• Helps students gain exposure to the academic expectations of the VCE.

• Provides students with two units that count toward successful completion of VCE.

• Increases pathway choices in Year 11 & 12.

• Allows for completion of a Unit 3-4 subject in Year 11 which can assist with tertiary entrance requirements (ATAR).

• May lead to an option of completing a University level class in Year 12.

Acceleration may be granted following consideration of a student’s capacity to successfully complete a VCE subject in Year 10, as well as availability of places in classes and timetabling constraints. It is also important that the choice of a accelerated subject fits a student’s current pathway planning. It should be noted that there can be increased demands upon the student in accelerated subjects. To accelerate, a current Year 9 student will therefore need to demonstrate:

• Attendance rate at 80% or higher.

• High levels of self-management, organisation, timemanagement and self-discipline.

• Consistently high achievement across core studies in the previous year and semester one, this includes an average of B+, 75% or higher across all subjects.

• A mature approach to learning and College life in general.

• Meet the subject specific criteria for the accelerated subject as indicated in the subject information booklet.

Acceleration applications require careful consideration from students and families and should be discussed with Careers Development Practitioners, subject teachers, Year 9 Year Level Coordinator and faculty Directors. Acceleration subjects can be identified throughout the Year 10 section of this booklet as those underlined. Further information regarding subject-specific criteria, application forms and acceleration options, will be made available prior to the Senior School subject information evenings.