Year
10
The Victorian Curriculum F–10 has been developed to ensure that curriculum content and achievement standards enable continuous learning for all students, including:
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Students with disabilities and additional learning needs
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English as an additional language
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Gifted and talented students
The focus is on the five curriculum areas of English, Mathematics, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, and Personal and Social capability.
At PCSSC a full Year 10 program comprises a year-long study of both English and Mathematics. Students are then able to select semester-long electives from the following curriculum areas: The Arts, Health and PE, Science and History.
Students may select to accelerate in a yearlong Unit 1 + 2 VCE study or select a VET. In this instance, the Unit 1+2 VCE study or VET would take the place of two of the students’ elective studies.
ASPIRE
Select Entry
Aspire is a select entry program exclusive to PCSSC. The program aims to explicitly teach students metacognitive strategies necessary to be successful in VCE and university.
In this learning space, students learn how to study effectively by implementing note-taking strategies that they utilise in their studies. They also learn how to work collaboratively with other students in order to solve common challenges from their classes. Aspire students view teachers as ‘discussion leaders’ and are taught to take charge of their learning by challenging ideas and sharing learning with their peers.
Successful Aspire applicants are required to undertake an accelerated VCE subject of their choice.
Aspirational students performing at the standard AusVELS level are encouraged to apply. Selection is based on a written application and interview.
ASPIRE attracts a subject fee of $20.
VCE
VM
The VCE has expanded to include the Vocational Major, meaning you can study a new 2-year vocational and applied learning program within the VCE.
The VCE Vocational Major will develop your personal and practical life skills. It will help to prepare you for the next important stage of your life.
To get your VCE Vocational Major, you must successfully finish at least 16 units. These will include units in:
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VCE VM Literacy or VCE English
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VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics
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VCE VM Work Related Skills
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VCE VM Personal Development Skills
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VET at a Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)
Many VCE Vocational Major students also add other VCE studies to their program.
Your teacher or careers counsellor will help you plan your program. Most students will finish their VCE Vocational Major over 2 years.
You will apply knowledge and skills in practical settings such as workplaces. You’ll do community-based activities and projects that involve working in a team. You can also receive credit for on-the-job learning.
Your teachers will assess your progress through a range of activities. You won’t receive a study score for the VCE Vocational Major subjects, which means these subjects won’t count towards an ATAR. This is because there are no exams or other external assessments, apart from the General Achievement Test and in some scored VCE VET programs.
When you’ve completed your course, you will receive a Victorian Certificate of Education with the additional words ‘Vocational Major’.
VCE
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is Victoria’s senior secondary qualification. It opens pathways to university, higher-level TAFE or VET certificate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and the workforce. VCE can provide you with an ATAR.
To get your VCE, you must successfully complete at least 16 units, including:
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3 units from the English group, including a unit 3 and 4 sequence
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at least 3 other sequences of unit 3 and 4 studies.
Over years 11 and 12, students at PCSSC study 20 units; 5 studies in year 11 and 5 in year 12.
You can only take the new studies of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills if you are enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major.
Talk to your teacher or careers counsellor about how to build your VCE program to best suit you.
VET
Vocational education and training (VET) is learning where you develop targeted and practical skills. The skills you learn relate to a career pathway, so can apply them at work or in further education and training.
You can add a VET course or certificate to your studies while you're in year 11 or 12. You may even start VET in year 10.
VET adds another level of learning to your senior secondary schooling. You get practical skills in an industry you’re interested in, improving your employability.
Talk to your teacher or careers counsellor about adding VET to your VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) program.
VET courses:
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provide a nationally recognised qualification in a specific industry, or provide credit towards one
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contribute towards the completion of your VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC
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give you the option to study through a paid school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
