The Senior Years Program at Kyneton High School

Senior Secondary Certificate Reform

Students will be enrolled in either the VCE Program or the new VCE Vocational Major Program which was introduced in 2023 to replace the previous VCAL Program. The VCE Program remains unchanged.  The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is a new two-year program which sits within the VCE and replaces Intermediate and Senior VCAL. It will prepare students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (through non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

In the VCE Program, students enrol in a compulsory English subject and then select a program of study from a wide variety of other subjects that we offer. A comprehensive list of these subjects can be found be clicking on the left hand menu links. Kyneton High School pride ourselves on maintaining a diverse senior curriculum from year to year, ensuring that students can enrol in university pre-requisite subjects such as Chemistry and folio subjects such as Art: Creative Practice. We also support students to widen their choice of learning program by facilitating enrolment in Distance Education subjects and University Extension subjects.

Eligibility 

In order to be awarded their VCE a student needs to satisfactorily complete at least 16 units including:

•  At least three units from the English Group (English or English EAL), two of which must be a Unit 3-4 sequence.

•  An additional three Unit 3-4 sequences of studies.  This includes VET Unit 3-4 sequences.

Calculation of the ATAR

The ATAR ranking is developed from an aggregate produced by adding the results for up to six studies as follows:-

• The scaled study score in one of English, English (EAL) or Literature.

• The next best three scaled study scores permissible (which together with the English study make the “primary four”)

• 10% of any fifth and/or sixth permissible scores that are available (these are called increments).

If the student has more than six results, the six permissible results that give the highest ATAR are used. Further information regarding assessment can be located at www.vtac.edu.au.

VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)

The VCE Vocational Major (VCE-VM) was introduced into Victorian schools in 2023 and is a vocational and applied learning program which sits within the VCE, and is designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM replaces the VCAL Program and will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life. It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

• equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and

• empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences.

The VCE VM course is structured for students as follows:

• Four core VCE VM subjects – Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development.

• One VET subject to be selected from the range available – Building and Construction, Cookery and Sport & Recreation. 

• In some instances, where the timetable allows, students are able to complete VCE subjects as part of the VCE-VM Program

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the VCE VM Certificate, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

• 3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)

• 2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units

• 2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units

• 2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and

• 2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)

• Students MUST complete at least four Unit 3-4 sequences to be eligible for the VCE VM Certificate.

• Students who participate in the VCE VM Program are not awarded an ATAR score.

Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC)

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) was also introduced in 2023 to replace Foundation VCAL. The VPC is designed to support students to transition either to the VCE Vocational Major or to entry level VET or employment. The VPC is suitable for students whose previous schooling experience may have been disrupted for a variety of reasons, including students with additional needs, students who have missed significant periods of learning and vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from their education. We are hoping to run a VPC class in 2024.  Students should discuss this option with their Course Counsellor.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the VPC, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 units, including:

• at least two units of VPC Literacy (or units from the VCE English group including VCE Vocational Major Literacy)

• at least two units of VPC Numeracy (or units from the VCE Mathematics group including VCE Vocational Major Numeracy)

• at least two VPC Personal Development Skills units

• at least two VPC Work Related Skills units.

VCE Vocational Education and Training (VET)

VCE VET Programs are designed to reinforce classroom learning with hands on training and practice in industry. A VET program enables Year 10-12 students to complete a nationally recognised vocational qualification whilst completing either their VCE or VCE VM.  VCE VET programs help students become ‘job ready’ with a high standard of general education, broad vocational skills and the ability to take on further study as skill requirements change.

VCE VET programs enable students to obtain direct experience of business and industry. They enable students to explore their interests and build on part-time work experiences. They assist in the development of confidence and self-esteem.   

Kyneton High School currently runs the following VCE VET Programs

• Certificate II Building and Construction

• Certificate II Cookery

• Certificate III Sport and Recreation