Minimum Standards for Selection of Post Compulsory Courses

Entry to either VCE or VCE VM is not automatic at De La Salle College. Students seeking entry to either pathway need to demonstrate levels of performance that show readiness to undertake the learning required.

1.1. VCE Entry

1.1.1. To enter a VCE course of study, a student must meet sufficient subject entry requirements to be able to meet VCE course requirements. If it becomes apparent to the school that a student is unable or unlikely to meet the requirements to enter or continue a VCE course of study, the student will be required to undertake a Progression Review. The outcomes of this review can involve changing the intended subjects or pathway.

1.1.2. Subject entry requirements: each VCE subject will require teacher endorsement for selection at Unit 1 and 2 level and Unit 3 and 4 level.

1.1.3. Course requirements: VCAA requirements for VCE completion specify a minimum of sixteen Units completed including three Units of an English subject (two of which must be Units 3-4) and three other Unit 3-4 sequences. A full course of study at De La Salle College includes the following which give all students the opportunity to satisfy the minimum sixteen Units required by VCAA for the award of the VCE certificate. All VET subjects count towards the VCE as the Unit 1-2 and 3-4 sequences. In order to study at 3-4 level, students must have completed a VET at Unit 1 and 2 to gain entry into the Unit 3 and 4 level VET.

Unit 1-2 level

• English and/or Literature (2 Units)

• Religious Education (1 Unit)

• 5 other Unit 1-2 sequences

Unit 3-4 level

• English and/or Literature (2 Units)

• 4 other Unit 3-4 sequences

These Units can be acquired over more than two years and can be mixed. A student needs to meet the ongoing progression requirements to assemble a full VCE course.

1.2. VCE VM Entry

To be eligible for the VCE VM pathway, students must demonstrate a commitment to a learning pathway that includes school-based studies, work placements, and a VET Study in their chosen area of interest. To enter the VCE VM pathway students must meet the necessary entry requirements as specified by the College.

1.2.1. Units 1-2 VCE VM

For entry into the Year 11 VCE VM pathway students need to satisfy all of the following:

• Undertaken Year 10, be enrolled in a VET Study and have an Industry Work Placement (one day per week).

• A referral from the VCE VM Coordinator and the Director of Learning and Development –Student Progression.

• Evidence of student’s commitment to commencing an applied learning program.

• Parental consent.

1.2.2. Units 3-4 VCE VM

For entry into the Year 12 VCE VM pathway, students need to have either:

• Successfully undertaken Year 11 VCE VM or VCE, completed a minimum of 90 hours VET Study and have an Industry Work Placement (one day per week).

• Evidence of student’s commitment to continuing or commencing an applied learning program.

• Parental consent.

VCE – Structure of a Program

The VCE program structure and details of Studies (subjects) are the responsibility of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). You may wish to visit the VCAA’s website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au where you can see each VCE and VCE VM Study Design in detail.

VCE – Studies and Units

The VCE is awarded based on the satisfactory completion of Units. Each Unit is designed to be completed typically over one semester or two school terms. Most Studies (subjects) have four Units. Units 1 and 2 are normally completed in Year 11. Units 3 and 4 are normally completed in Year 12 and need to be taken together as a sequence. Units in most Studies are designed to allow entry at Unit 1 or Unit 2 or Unit 3. Generally, it is best to have done Units 1 and 2 or at least Unit 1 or Unit 2 of the Study, before attempting Units 3 and 4. Where it is essential that Units 1 and 2 be taken before attempting Units 3 and 4, this has been noted in the course descriptions.

Building a VCE Program

Some Year 10 Students may apply to do one VCE Study in addition to their Year 10 program as part of the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). Where a student satisfactorily completes a VCE Study outside of the College, he will gain credit towards his VCE. This Study is considered an addition to his De La Salle VCE program.

In Year 11 students will normally undertake seven Unit 1-2 studies, including one English study (English or Literature) and one Unit of Religion Education. Year 12 students will normally take five Unit 3-4 Studies including one English study (English or Literature).

Satisfactory Completion of a Program – Award of the VCE Certificate

To gain their VCE, students are required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 Units over two years. This must include:

• At least three Units of English. This requirement can be met by gaining an “S” for at least one Unit from English Units 1 and 2, and both Units 3 and 4 of either English or Literature.

• An additional three Unit 3-4 sequences of studies other than English, which may include other English sequences once the English requirement has been met.

[NB: The VCE/VET Studies count for four Units if taken in Years 11 and 12 (like any other VCE Study).]

To gain their VCE VM, students are required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 Units over two years including:

• 3 VCE Vocational Major Literacy or VCE English Units (including a Unit 3-4 sequence).

• 2 VCE Vocational Major Numeracy or VCE Mathematics Units.

• 2 VCE Vocational Major Work-Related Skills Units.

• 2 VCE Vocational Major Personal Development Skills Units.

• 2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours). Students must complete a minimum of three Unit 3–4 sequences (other than VCE VM Literacy) as part of their program.