Orientation Handbook

Subjects

SUBJECT SELECTION & MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR SUBJECTS

 

If you need assistance in relation to your subject selection please see your Year Level Leader or Assistant Year Level Leader. You can also visit the Careers Manager to discuss any pre-requisite subjects for courses you are planning on studying after leaving MGC.

 

Every effort will be made to accommodate your requests but this is not always possible.  Please be advised that closing dates for changes apply.

 

Please refer to your Senior School Handbook for more information.  A copy of the Handbook is also available under the Year Level Sites on the Intranet and MGC Website.

 

 ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) & YOU

 

Students who are unfamiliar with the English language because they are from non-English-speaking backgrounds or who are hearing impaired may have access to English as an Additional Language (EAL) status.

 

To apply for EAL status, each student is required to submit an Application for Enrolment in English as an Additional Language Units 3 and 4 form to the school, please see the link below.

 

A student may be eligible for EAL status if they meet both of the following conditions:

  • You have been a resident in Australia or New Zealand or another predominantly English-speaking country for not more than seven years over the period of their education NOTE: The period of seven years is to be calculated cumulatively over the student's whole life.
  • English has been the student's major language of instruction for a total period of not more than seven years over the period of their education.

OR:

  • you are a student of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent whose first language is not English.

OR:

  • you have a hearing impairment (must produce evidence of hearing loss of 60 decibels or greater in their better ear.)

EAL applications for students whose country of origin is Singapore or India must be submitted to the VCAA for assessment with supporting documentation.

Schools cannot approve these students.

 

Other special circumstances for EAL status that may be considered by the VCAA in determining a student's eligibility for EAL status include:

  • minimal or no primary school education
  • material interruptions to schooling during primary years, particularly if there were changes to the language of instruction
  • material interruptions to schooling after arrival in Australia.

 

 ACCESSING A VCE SUBJECT ABOVE YOUR YEAR LEVEL

 

 Students are able to apply to study a unit 1/2 VCE subject (at Melbourne Girls’ College) whilst in Year 10 and a unit 3/4 subject whilst in year 11. 

 

University extension programs are also offered. Students should see the Careers & VET leaders to discuss these programs. Please refer to the Senior School Handbook for further details or contact your Year Level Leader or Assistant Year Level Leader.

 

 DISTANCE EDUCATION & 

STUDYING A LANGUAGE AT THE VICTORIAN SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES (VSL)

 

 Students require permission from the Principal to study a subject via Distance Education, through the Victorian School of Languages or the University extension program. Students must inform their Year Level Leader when they are selecting subjects for the following year. Approval will only be given to students wishing to study subjects that are essential to their pathway planning and not available at Melbourne Girls’ College.