Advanced Studies Pathway Requirements  

All students have access to a standard curriculum across Years 7 to 10, with access to a preference-based system from year 9 onwards. In addition, students may express interest in extension pathways that are accessed by invitation only. 

Invitational extension classes include: 

Year 9 Advanced Mathematics 

Year 10 Advanced Mathematics 

VCE Psychology Units 1-4 

VCE Business Management Units 1-4 

VCE Health & Human Development Units 1-4 

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships  

In addition, year 9 and 10 students may choose to express interest in VCE advancement courses, allowing them to access a select number of VCE courses 1 year ahead of their regular year level. In these cases, placements will be allocated on a preference basis as follows: 

Students already enrolled in a prior sequence of units (EG, satisfactory completion of Units 1-2, grants first preference into Units 3-4) 

Students of the designated year level for the subject. 

Students who have expressed interest in, and been invited to join an accelerated VCE pathway. 

Accessing an extension pathway 

There are four steps to enrolment in an extension pathway. They include; 

• Invitation 

• Course Selection 

• Course Confirmation 

Expression of interest 

All students are welcome to express interest in an accelerated pathway when prompted and are not formally committed or obligated at this time. Expressions of interest open at the beginning of term 2, to allow our pathways team adequate time to support students who might not meet entrance requirements. 

Invitation 

All students (regardless of whether or not they have expressed interest) will be considered for entry into accelerated pathways, based on the following criteria: 

Academic Potential: 

NAPLAN results (Reading, Numeracy or both, depending on the subject) 

PAT results (Reading, Maths or both, depending on the subject) 

Academic Performance: 

CAT results 

Semester examination results 

Academic Engagement: 

GPA (attendance is part of GPA) 

Attendance (minimum attendance requirement of 90%, subject to principals’ assessment of extenuating circumstances) 

Course Selection 

All students will participate in course selection. Students who have received an invitation to apply for an extension pathway will be endorsed to enter the extension option as one of their course preferences. From this point, the standard course counselling and selection process will continue, with priority given to students based on their course preferences. Students who apply without invitation may have the selection removed from their preferences automatically. Complex timetabling constraints may result in an extension pathway clashing with a desired course. In these instances, priority will be given to the higher preference selected by the student.  

Course Confirmation 

The standard course confirmation process should be reflective of the courses selected by all students. At the time of course confirmation, students may request subject changes. In addition, updated academic results and GPA may be used to issue new invitations for extension where space permits, or revoke invitations in the case of declining outcomes or misconduct. 

Entrance Requirements: 

Invitations to extension pathway options will be based on student rank across a range of criteria. Minimum requirements for entrance are reviewed annually and are subject to statistical moderation at the discretion of the Student Achievement Team. An approximate guide is provided below to assist students in understanding approximate minimum requirements for entrance into extension courses. 

Achievement of minimum standards may not always result in the award of an invitation. Likewise, students who fall short of approximate minimum standards may still be eligible for invitation in special circumstances, at the discretion of the Student Achievement Team. 

Approximate Minimum Standards for invitation: 

Mathematics 

Year 9 Advanced Mathematics: 

Year 7 NAPLAN: Strong or Exceeding: Numeracy 

Year 7 PAT: above 132 

Year 8 PAT: above 135 

CAT Results: 70% or higher (Year 8 Elevate), 80% or higher (Year 8 Core) 

Exam Results: 70% or higher (Year 8 Elevate), 75% or higher (Year 8 Core) 

GPA: 3 or higher 

Attendance: 90% or above 

Year 10 Advanced Mathematics: 

Year 9 NAPLAN: Strong or Exceeding: Numeracy 

Year 8 PAT: 135 

Year 9 PAT: 137 

CAT Results: 75% or higher (Year 9 Advanced), 85% or higher (Year 9 Core) 

Exam Results: 70% or higher (Year 9 Advanced), 75% or higher (Year 9 Core) 

GPA: 3 or higher 

Attendance: 90% or above 

VCE Mathematical Methods – Units 1-2 

Year 9 NAPLAN: Strong or Exceeding: Numeracy 

Year 9 PAT: 150 

CAT Results: 75% or higher (Year 10 Advanced)

Exam Results: 70% or higher (Year 10 Advanced)

GPA: 3 or higher 

Attendance: 90% or above 

* Year 10 Pre Mathematical Methods results are not available at the time of invitation, but may be used as an additional measure in extenuating circumstances) 

VCE Specialist Mathematics – Units 1-2 

Year 9 NAPLAN: Exceeding: Numeracy 

Year 9 PAT: 150+ 

CAT Results: 80% or higher (Year 10 Advanced), 70% or higher (Year 10 Specialist)* 

Exam Results: 80% or higher (Year 10 Advanced), 70% or higher (Year 10 Specialist)* 

GPA: 3 or higher 

Attendance: 95% or above 

* Year 10 Pre Mathematical Methods results are not available at the time of invitation, but may be used as an additional measure in extenuating circumstances) 

VCE Advanced studies

VCE Access Units 1-4 (Psychology, Business Management, Health & Human Development) 

Year 9 NAPLAN: Strong or Exceeding: Reading 

Year 9 PAT Reading: 138 

CAT Results: 70% or higher (Year 10 English), 70% or higher (Year 10 English) 

Exam Results: 70% or higher (Year 10 English – Sem 1) 

GPA: 3 or higher 

Attendance: 90% or above 

SBAT: School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

When considering SBAT as a pathway option, students must meet the following criteria:

• College Standing (GPA):
  Students must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance.

• Work Experience:
  A positive reference from a prior work experience placement is required.

• Vocational Study:
  Completion of at least 180 hours of satisfactory vocational study.

• Headstart Application:

Submission and approval of a Headstart Expression of Interest (EOI).

Attendance at a Headstart interview.

• Availability:
  The SBAT must be scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• Additional Considerations:
  These may include:

Family business involvement or personal connections relevant to the SBAT.
Individual student competencies.
Overall college standing and student readiness.