Students, Parents/Carers Handbook

Senior School - Pathway to Your Future

How to Study in the Senior School

Senior School students are managers of their individual study programs. Your week will include timetabled classes for each of your subjects and a number of personal study sessions. Assemblies will also be included.

 

For each of your subjects you will be expected to attend classes, complete preparation reading, work tasks and assignments. Much of this work will be individual (there is not as much group work in Senior School).

 

You will need to be organised!

Effective time management is a life and leadership skill that all students should aim to develop. By learning to organise your time and your scheduled study sessions, you can achieve great things.

 

Study sessions are available to provide time for you to organise and manage your learning needs (you have the daily planner to help you).

  • Complete work assignments
  • Seek out help or conference with teachers, Senior School Team Members and the Careers Counsellor
  • Develop and participate in study groups with students taking the same subjects as yourself
  • Work towards completing MACLEOD COLLEGE Graduation Certificate requirements
  • Research, develop and extend your study programs
  • Explore career pathways

It is up to you to maximise your personal and academic success. You are encouraged to make decisions, accept responsibility and direct your own learning. This will help equip you for life beyond school.

Senior School Explained

Flexibility within the Senior School -  

 

Macleod College Core and Elective subjects - At Year 10 these offer the opportunity to consolidate skills and explore new subject areas. They are also often regarded as prerequisites for VCE studies in equivalent areas. They are accredited by the College.

 

VCE units - VCE Units are programs of study developed and managed by an external body, the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority). These cover a wide range of subjects and study styles.

 

VET units - These are vocational subjects. They provide the opportunity to develop work-related competencies and skills. There is often a Work Placement requirement. Students obtain credit for VCE units and also receive a nationally recognised VET Certificate.

Macleod College is part of the Northern Metropolitan VET Cluster and a wide range of VET subjects are available. Students are advised to refer to the Northern Metropolitan VET Cluster Handbook for more specific information. See page 12 for more details.

 

University Enhancement - Enhancement studies are first year university studies available to VCE students who are very able academically. There are strict entrance requirements set by the University. Upon satisfactory completion, these studies can be used as a sixth study bonus in the calculation of the ATAR.

ASBA

Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) - These are available in a wide range of vocational areas. Students are advised to meet with the Transitions & Pathways Coordinator for more information. Students study a relevant VET/VCE subject and pursue paid employment for one day a week in their chosen field whilst studying for their VCE. It is important to choose a program which is challenging and stimulating, that you will enjoy, and which will utilise your interests, skills and abilities. See page 14 for more details.

 

First Year – Year 10 - Year 10 students study six core areas for the whole year (English, Maths, Science, Humanities, PE & Health). There are also 3 Elective Blocks, from which the students can choose one full-year subject, or a combination of shorter courses. Some students with exemplary academic results may choose to undertake a VCE Unit 1/2 subject.

 

Second Year – Year 11 - Year 11 students begin to focus their program, studying at least 10 semester-length units of study.

VCE 1/2 +/or VCE 3/4 +/or VET or VCE(VM)

 

Third Year – Year 12 - Year 12 students concentrate on 5 subjects, studying each one for 2 units, known as a 3/4 sequence. Information specific to each year level is provided later in this booklet.

 

What do These Terms Mean?

 

What is the VCE?

The VCE is a course of study, which is accredited by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). VCAA ensures a standardised, common curriculum and is taught and assessed throughout the state.

 

Most subjects offer four units of study. Units I and 2 provide background knowledge preparation for Units 3 and 4. To gain a study score credit for a subject, both Units 3 and 4 must be studied. It is not necessary for you to have studied all four units in a subject. However, some subjects are sequential, and it is recommended all four units be studied, for example Sciences, Maths and Languages.

 

VCE Requirements - To meet the graduation requirement of the VCE, each student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of at least 16 VCE units (across their total VCE course of study).

These units must include:

  • at least 3 units of English/ESL/Literature/Language (including a sequence at the Unit 3 or 4 level)
  • at least 3 other sequences of Units 3/4 studies

Subject areas include:

  • The Arts
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Mathematics
  • English/Literature/Language/ESL
  • Business Studies
  • Humanities
  • Science
  • Languages
  • Technology

A maximum of three VET in the VCE subjects can be studied, two of which can be included in the student's primary four and the other as a bonus subject.

 

Students can study more VET subjects if they are not seeking an ATAR.

 

A University Enhancement subject can be counted as a 6th bonus and offers other advantages. Students receive a statement of results from VCAA at the end of each year of VCE study.

 

Each VCE and most VET in the VCE subjects receive a study score out of 50.