Echuca College
Teaching & learning > Year 10-12 Curriculum
VCE Information (Victorian Certificate of Education)
VCE stands for the Victorian Certificate of Education. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) administers this certificate. Details of the rules and procedures are available in a range of documents and can be obtained from the school or from the VCAA¡¯s website www.vcaa.vic.edu.au The VCE is intended as a two year course of study although it can be completed over a longer period of time. Students at Echuca College study 12 units in year 11 (6 units per semester) and 10 units in year 12 (5 units per semester).
VCE Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the VCE the following requirements must be met:
- A minimum of 16 units must be satisfactorily completed, including:
- Three units for the English Group, 2 of which must be from units 3 and 4. The English Group consists of Foundation?English, English, English Language and Literature.
- Three 3 & 4 sequences (other than English).
Units 1& 2 can be completed as single units and Units 3 & 4 must be undertaken as a sequence.
Tertiary Entrance Requirements
To satisfy VTAC requirements the following must be completed:
- A minimum of 16 units must be satisfactorily completed, including a sequence of Unit 3 & 4 from the English group.
- A sequence of VCE/VET Units 3 & 4 in three studies apart from the English requirement.
- Prerequisite requirements set by each Tertiary Institute.
Learning Outcomes
Each VCE unit has a set of two to four outcomes, these outcomes must be achieved for the satisfactory completion of
the unit. Achievement of the outcomes is based on the teacher¡¯s assessment of the student¡¯s performance on
assessment tasks designed for the unit.
A student may be granted satisfactory completion of a unit if:
- The work meets the required standard.
- College deadlines have been met (extensions may be applied for in certain circumstances).
- The work can be authenticated.
- Rules have not been breached, including attendance rules.
Assessment
Failure to meet deadlines set by the school may result in an ¡®N¡¯ (not satisfactory) for the unit regardless of whether the
outcomes have been satisfactorily met. Satisfactory completion of each unit is based on a decision that the student has
demonstrated achievement of a set of outcomes specified for the unit.
On this page –
VCE Information
VCAL Information
VETiS Information
ASBS
Extra Curricula Programs For Students In Years 10-12
Course Selection Handbooks
VCEVM Information (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning)
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning [VCVEM] is an applied learning option for senior students. The VCEVM provides the opportunity to build personal skills important for life and work, including literacy and numeracy skills, as well as practical work related experience via structured workplace learning for employability skills. It has a vocational focus.
Students who choose to do VCEVM are more likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE, an apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing school. VCEVM does NOT mean a student cannot go to University. VCEVM completed at the Senior level is accepted by some universities for admission¡ªbut there is no guarantee.
All students:
- are to do Work Placement
- must do at least one VCVEM Personal Development unit at the Certificate level
- must do a VET Certificate or be enrolled in an ASBA (by the end of March)
- must complete a Literacy unit at the certificate level in which they are enrolled
- must complete a unit in Numeracy or Mathematics
VETiS Information (Vocational Education And Training In Schools)
Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) provides students with the opportunity to gain practical skills and industry-recognised qualifications while completing their senior secondary studies.
VETiS programs complement traditional academic pathways and can be undertaken as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM). These programs allow students to work towards a nationally recognised qualification, with many courses contributing credit towards VCE Units 1¨C4.
Through VETiS, students develop skills and knowledge in a specific industry area, helping them make informed decisions about their future career pathways.
Pathways and Outcomes
Successful completion of a VETiS program contributes to the completion of a student¡¯s VCE or VCE VM and results in a nationally recognised qualification.
VETiS can:
- Provide pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships
- Support entry into further study, such as TAFE courses
- Improve employment opportunities after school
Some programs are pre-apprenticeships, which give students a head start by providing credit and foundational skills for future trade training.
Explore Our Courses
Click here to view the VETiS certificate courses currently on offer
Why Choose VETiS?
- Graduate with dual qualifications (VET certificate and VCE or VCE VM)
- Opportunity to undertake scored Unit 3¨C4 sequences in selected courses (contributing to ATAR)
- Gain hands-on industry experience through workplace learning
- Develop job-ready skills valued by employers
- Explore career pathways before leaving school
- Access programs delivered both on and off campus
Further Information
Students are encouraged to speak with our VET & Vocational Coordinator to discuss suitable VETiS options.
Fees
There are currently no additional course fees for Echuca College students undertaking VETiS programs.
ASBA (Australian School Based Apprenticeship)
Some students know what they would like to do in the way of a career after leaving school. A student can apply for an Australian School Based Apprenticeship program as part of their subject selection in Years 10, 11 & 12. As ASBA¡¯s are completed over 2 years it is preferred that students start in Years 10 or 11.
A School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship offers students enrolled in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) the option of combining part-time employment, school and training. The program is undertaken under a training contract with an employer, has a training plan signed by the school and RTO which is formally registered with Skills Victoria and leads to a nationally recognised qualification at Certificate II, III or IV level.
A Registered Training Organisation provides learning modules, the employer provides 1000 hour of work placement over 2 years which usually means one day per week on the job (students must undertake at least 7 hours of employment and 6 hours of training per week) and the remaining four days are at the College completing VCE/VCAL units.
School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship programs generally provide the same contribution to the VCE as their related VET in the VCE programs. Many school based apprentices and trainees move on to a full-time contract with their employer after leaving school, while others choose to continue their education and training at TAFE or university.
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in the following industry areas have been approved by industry bodies and the VCAA for students undertaking VCE:
Agriculture; Automotive; Business; Community Services; Engineering; Food Processing (Wine); Horticulture; Hospitality; Information Technology; Sport and Recreation.
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in other approved industry areas, may also contribute to the VCE through Block Credit Recognition.
An ASBA:
- Means flexible training and experience in the workforce and a nationally recognised qualification while still studying at school.
- Enables students to finish Years 11 and 12 while starting their apprenticeship.
- Means students are paid a training wage or apprentice wage for the time they spend ¡®on-the-job¡¯ with their employer.
- Ensures students are covered by a training contract, which links to an industrial award or agreement.
- Improves educational and vocational pathways beyond school.
Extra Curricula Programs For Students In Years 10-12
The College offers a range of extra curricula activities that aim to meet students¡¯ interest as well as adding additional breadth to their experience at Echuca College. Some of the extra curricula activities available to Year 10, 11 and 12 students include:
- Debating competitions
- Camps ¨C?Year level
- Student Representative Council
- Instrumental Music Program
- After School Maths Program
- Student Exchange programs
- Equestrian Team
- Mathematics and Science Competitions
- Theatre Sports competition
- Dance performances
- Energy Breakthrough
- A Gifted and Talented Program
- A vast number of sporting teams
- Varied lunch time activities
Course Selection Handbooks
Our handbooks provide a comprehensive overview of the range of curriculum programs available at the college for students to select, from Year 9 to Year 12. Detailed information on every subject offered by the college is provided to assist students choose the subjects that best suit their needs.
