Senior School News
Year 10 to 12
VCE Vocational Specialisation
Changes to the VCAL Program from 2022/2023
Victoria is transforming the delivery of senior secondary education with the introduction of a single senior secondary certificate that will offer greater access to quality vocational and applied learning pathways for all students. The new “VCE Vocational Specialisation” will replace both the VCAL Intermediate and VCAL Senior qualifications from 2023 – bringing all secondary qualifications under the VCE umbrella. Please note, the name of this certificate is being finalised – but will feature VCE.
The VCE Vocational Specialisation, like the current VCAL, features a VET requirement (generally at a Cert II or III level), as well as a minimum number of credits attained from school-delivered subjects. The new course structure will align more closely to that of the VCE. However the structure and features of the new VCE Vocational Specialisation subjects will be very similar to the existing VCAL curriculum, which is a reflection of the success of the current design of the VCAL.
The rigour of a VCE (either the original or the new VCE Vocational Specialisation) won’t suit the needs of all students. A second certificate is also being designed to be an option for students who need more flexibility. The name of this certificate is also being finalised, but has a working title of the Foundation Pathways Certificate.
Students in Year 11 who are currently completing a VCAL, (or transfer from VCE to VCAL at Year 12 in 2022) will receive the existing VCAL certificate at the end of 2022 on completion of all the requirements . The VCAL certificate will remain a recognised high school certificate. These students will be in no way disadvantaged.
What does this mean at East Doncaster Secondary College?
Students entering the VCAL program at Year 11 in 2022 will be eligible to receive the new “VCE Vocational Specialisation” on completion of all the required Yr 11 and 12 units in 2023.
As the transition takes place over the next couple of years, existing VCAL subjects will be delivered and credited towards the new certificate. This means that the information distributed around VCAL subjects is still valid. Any students interested in this certificate are urged to look over the information that has been published so they understand the rigour that the VCAL (and new VCE Vocational Specialisation) demands.
The existing application process will continue for all VCAL students, as well as VCE HeadStart students. Students interested in learning more about the VCAL/VCE Vocational Specialisation or HeadStart VCE SBAT will need to attend the upcoming information session that will be advertised on Compass Newsfeed. Information about the structure and requirements are in the Loom video produced for the course selection videos, which can be accessed through the Newsfeed item titled “2022 Course Selection and Resources” – published on July 21.
An information session for our VCAL and VCE HeadStart programs will be held of August 5. Time will be confirmed via the Compass Newsfeed. All students currently in Year 10 (or in Year 11 and intending to transfer to VCAL in 2022) must complete a full VCE subject selection for Course Counselling, as not all students can be offered a VCAL program. This ensures they reserve their place in VCE subjects, and ensure they maximise their chance of doing their preferred VCE subjects.
Kelly Kingham
VCAL/Headstart Coordinator
Breakfast Club
Every Tuesday morning in The John Landy Centre, there will be free food for ALL students.
Foodbank Victoria are providing nutritious food items for students to eat before they start their day. There will be cereal, fruit, toast, baked beans & spaghetti, fruit cups and muesli – no need to order, just rock up.
Amy Nettelbeck
Student Lunches
Just a reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time. If your child has forgotten lunch, it can be left at the General Office but it is the student’s responsibility to come and collect it.
Hot food is not suitable to be left at the office. PLEASE NOTE:- Take-away food is not allowed during school hours.
Under no circumstances are students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.
College Charges 2021
East Doncaster Secondary College Council would like to thank you for your support of the College as we endeavour to provide the best possible education for your child.
In order to provide quality programs and a comfortable and efficient learning environment for our students, the College relies on strong support from the College community. The College Charges are designed to supplement the Government’s allocation to schools to provide materials and services. These charges enable us to enrich and extend the learning experiences of our students in each subject. Please find attached the explanatory Parent Payments Parent Letter and Parent Payment Policy. 2021 College Charges are now available for parents to pay on Compass.
Please note that there is no additional charge incurred if paying online via Compass.
For further information regarding our Parent Payments Policy, please refer to the attached documents.
1 to 1 Digital Learning Program 2021
In 2021 we will continue with our whole school 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students.
Our Year 7 and 10 students will be required to purchase a laptop, Year 8, 9, 11 and 12 students will continue with their laptop from 2020. The purchase of these devices is crucial to the learning program as students will access eBooks rather than an extensive number of expensive textbooks.
Details of the 1 to 1 Digital Learning Program for all students and important information regarding suitable devices are detailed in the attached policy.
Student Compass ID/Library/PTV Cards
Please remind all students that they must carry their Student Compass ID/Library/PTV Cards with them at all times.
ALL students must sign in/out with their card at the General Office when they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason. A reminder that Year 12 students are required to sign in/out at The John Landy Centre Compass Kiosk.
The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library/PTV is also the student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) cards. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.
If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.
