It is essential that students in their senior years plan carefully and make informed decisions that enable them to fulfil both their academic and personal goals.

The aim of FHS is to provide all of its senior students with the appropriate environment, facilities and support conducive to each student achieving their intended vocational and personal goals through academic success.

We have very high expectations of our senior students. They are required to work conscientiously and cooperatively with their teachers and other students, complete set work and strive to do their best.

They are expected to abide by all school rules as outlined in the Student Engagement Policy and to follow Footscray High School senior school policies and procedures as well as those of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) that administers both the VCE and VCE VM. 

The college is acutely aware of the importance of regular communication with parents / guardians during the senior years of their child’s education. Regular formal and informal communication between the college and parents /guardians is a key priority of Footscray High School. 

Communication with parents may take a range of forms:

• The college uses the internet based Compass School Portal, where student timetables, absences, news items, newsletters and academic reports are uploaded for parent viewing. 

• Parent / Teacher Progress Report Days. These will occur in late Terms One and Three. Exact confirmation of the days will be available in college newsletters placed onto the Compass Portal.

• Formal written reports will be made available at the conclusion of each semester and placed onto the Compass Portal.

• All teachers in mid Terms 1, 2 and 3, make progress reports and Year Level Managers will follow up students who have reports indicating areas of concern. Again, all mid-term reports are placed onto the Compass Portal. 

• Contact will be made with parents /guardians of students who have an unexplained absence. Direct SMS messaging of absences will occur, as well as telephone contact from coordinators. 

• Attendance letters are sent home on a fortnightly basis, indicating any recording of unexplained student absence.

Parents / guardians are encouraged to contact staff with any concerns or inquiries they may have.

Pathways Coordinators. The college has designated Pathways Coordinators to assist students with subject selection, career exploration, work experience, tertiary course options and applications. The Pathways Office contains internet resources, tertiary handbooks and course brochures, employment guides and career counselling guides. Students are encouraged to make use of the facilities and all Year 12 students will be individually counselled through the VTAC tertiary application process.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator (SWC). Support and counselling is offered to students who may be experiencing personal difficulties at school, at home, with finances, with heath issues, accommodation, or who may need referral to community agencies for assistance. Students should not delay in making an appointment with the SWC should the need arise. 

International Students Coordinator. International students have a designated Coordinator available to them, to deal with all matters to ensure ease of transition to our educational system and life in Australia whilst they are here as students. All students are met upon arrival, accommodation is organised and ongoing constant care and assistance is provided. 

VM Coordinator. The VM Coordinator actively teaches in the course and takes responsibility for the ongoing development and implementation of the VM course, as well as being a readily accessible contact point for the VM students. 

Senior Study Centre. Senior students have available to them a newly renovated and extended Study Centre adjacent to the college library. Year 12 students can utilise it during spare lessons and all senior students can access it during recess and lunchtimes. The Study Centre is used for study purposes, the completion of set work and examinations. It is only available to senior students. 

VCE Unfinished work and Catch-Up Sessions. Every Monday from 3.15 pm to 4.30 pm there will be after school unfinished work and catch-up sessions. These will be held in the senior study centre and students who have failed to complete classroom tasks or homework will be added to the next available session on compass. The session is also open to students who would like a space to catch up on work or receive some guided study. Many of our teachers attend these sessions to help out those students who are seeking support.

VCE tutoring program. FHS is dedicated to academic excellence and student support. Our VCE Tutoring Program leverages the experience of past high-performing students to help current students excel. Tutors are available on a variety of days after school, providing individual and small-group support.

Hospitality Skills Centre. The Centre comprises industry standard kitchen, restaurant, study centre, computer access and a Hospitality specific library. This will be mainly available to VET Hospitality students. 

FHS Library. Our college library is available for use by senior students between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and until 3:30pm on Fridays. Here, students are provided with a vast range of digital and print resources and professional support to help them meet their academic and recreational needs. For more information about the library’s services see the library page on the FHS website. Visit our Library website at: library.footscray.vic.edu.au/

Victoria University Library. Footscray High School senior students are also allowed to utilise the main library of our neighbouring university at the Footscray Park campus. Presentation of the college ID will allow access and borrowing rights. 

Student Lockers. All Students receive a locker and a lock to maintain the safe storage of their personal belongings.

Senior Sport. The school recognises the importance of sporting participation and competes in the full range of sporting programs. Students need to keep abreast of information about sporting competitions and information is readily accessible from staff in the college Gymnasium. Interschool sport offers a wide variety of competitions throughout the year in football, cricket, baseball, basketball, swimming, softball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, golf, hockey, netball, soccer, squash, lawn bowls, athletics, volleyball and lacrosse.

Course Commencement Programs. Each November after the conclusion of Years 10 and 11, course commencement programs are run for introduction to studies at Years 11 and 12. 

Upon completion of Year 10 examinations, all Year 10 students will undertake course commencement into the Year 11 subjects they have chosen for their next year, and Year 11 students will do likewise and be introduced to the Year 12 subjects they have chosen. They will get an opportunity to meet their teachers, gain an insight into both their course contents and requirements and receive introductory course work to complete. 

Year 12 Orientation Program. At the beginning of the Year 12 school year before the commencement of Year 12 classes, an orientation day is conducted. It is an excellent commencement to the final year of school and there are sessions on study and time management, essay writing techniques, tertiary course selections, personal motivation and goal setting. 

Victoria University Sporting Facilities. Presentation of the Footscray High School ID card will gain access to both the Swimming Pool and world-class gymnasium facilities at Victoria University Footscray Park campus. Student discount prices apply. 

Interpreters. At each parent / teacher day, interpreters are hired to assist parent communication with teachers from a variety of community languages. The languages typically available include: Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Amharic and Tigrinya. Others are available upon request. 

Second Hand Book Sale. In early December the Friends of Footscray High School parent group will conduct the school second hand book sale. Students and families will receive information regarding both the selling and purchasing of books through the newsletter and special bulletins closer to the actual date. 

Students entering Year 11 may apply to undertake one Unit 3 and 4 sequence as a replacement for one of their Unit 1 and 2 studies. Put simply, a student can apply to do a Year 12 subject whilst in Year 11. The prerequisite to take a Unit 3 & 4 study is a completion of the equivalent Unit 1 & 2 studies at Year 10.

Students may apply and will need a recommendation from their relevant Year 10 teachers for the enhancement study. For example if a student wishes to study Year 12 History whilst in Year 11, recommendations will be required from the Year 10 teachers of English and Humanities. 

There is no guarantee that all applicants for enhancement will be successful. Priority for placements in a Year 12 study will go to Year 12 students.

Some students may wish to undertake an additional VCE Language study that is not offered by Footscray High School. Typically these will be undertaken at a Victorian School of Languages (VSL) centre on a Saturday morning. Students who do this will need to immediately alert the Senior Program Manager and arrange for the VSL Language study to be officially added to their Footscray High School VCE enrolment. Failure to do so will not allow the VSL Language to be counted as part of the VCE program for any student. 

Our school is an inclusive community built upon values of unity, respect, creativity and endeavour. We believe in working hard and working together in a positive environment, where each individual is engaged and empowered to discover purpose and develop skills for life

Senior students at Footscray High School will need to abide by two sets of clearly established guidelines:

1. The Footscray High School Student Engagement Policy.

2. The regulations as set by the VCAA for the administration and completion of the VCE/VCE VM. 

The Senior Student Management Team includes:

The Assistant Principal Kinnear Campus - Elizabeth Simpson

Head of Engagement & Programs 10-12 - Malcolm Fretz

Year 10 Learning Community Leader - Riste Kalajdziovski

Year 11 Learning Community Leader - Leni Vamvesos

Year 12 Learning Community Leader - Sun-Mee Railton

Vocational Major Coordinator - Adrian Panckhurst

As a team they are responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to manage students towards the successful completion of their studies. Some of the strategies and procedures used by the Student Management Team include:

• Regular monitoring of student attendance

• Regular monitoring of student performance

• Interviews with students about their performance

• Interviews and conferencing with parents / guardians

• Case Management of selected individual students

• Implementation and regulation of college uniform policy

• Direct contact with parents / guardians via telephone, e-mail 

• Regular progress checks for students experiencing difficulties

• The changing of studies undertaken by students

• Enforcement of the Student Engagement Policy

• Referral to Student Support staff

The rules for attendance in VCE/VCE VM are those as outlined by the VCAA and apply across all of Victoria. They will therefore apply to all students enrolled at Footscray High School. 

All students are required to attend for a minimum of 90% of scheduled classes. 

Any absences covered by medical certificates and appropriate professional evidence are not included. The VCAA states that students must attend in order to be able to properly authenticate their work, and that assessment is continuous and is based upon completion of set tasks throughout the year. The VCAA states that authentication involves participation in introductory activities, discussion of initial ideas, working on tasks in the presence of the teacher and conferring with the teacher on work in progress. 

• It must be clear that students can fail by a lack of attendance alone. Producing work, but not meeting attendance requirements is deemed as a fail. 

• If a student begins to demonstrate an unsatisfactory level of attendance, parent/ guardian contact will be made in order to improve attendance to acceptable standards.

• Students who do not improve attendance rates after such contact will have their on-going enrolment subject to review.

Footscray High School will actively promote our four pillars: Unity, Creativity, Respect and Endeavour. These four pillars are published in our Student Engagement Policy. The Student Engagement Policy outlines clearly the expectations we have of students so that the Footscray High School promotes learning for all and this is conducted in an environment that is harmonious and safe. The Student Engagement Policy also includes disciplinary procedures for breaches and it is the obligation of each student to be aware of what is contained in the Student Engagement Policy.

Some particular relevant areas to note are:

• Teacher Instructions. Students are expected to cooperate with teachers at all times and to follow instructions concerning behaviour. This includes being punctual and well prepared with equipment for all classes.

• Relationships with others. We have high expectations of tolerance, safety and friendliness. Bullying, Harassment and Violence of any kind is not acceptable and will be dealt with following the Student Engagement Policy Discipline Procedures. 

• Classroom Behaviour. Students should at all times respect the rights of others to learn and classroom behaviour should reflect this.

• Local Community. Footscray High School is located in a residential area. All students are therefore to remain on school grounds once they have arrived. If a senior student has a late start or early finish, they are permitted to arrive / depart accordingly. Students are not allowed to leave Footscray High School's grounds during recess, lunch or any study periods once they have arrived. Whilst students are on their way to school we do not tolerate any behaviour that reflects poorly on Footscray High School in our local area. 

• Uniform. The wearing of full school uniform as prescribed in the Footscray High School Uniform Policy is compulsory. 

• Smoking. Smoking is prohibited at school and in the immediate neighbourhood. Students found smoking at school will be suspended. 

• Mobile Phones. The Victorian Education Minister has mandated a new mobile phone policy which will apply to all Victorian government school students. The policy means that phones and smart watches should not be brought to school but if they are, the mobile devices must be switched off and stored securely in the student’s locker during the school day and are not to be used during the school day. 

• Expected behaviour of all Footscray High School regarding mobile phones: 

  • If a student chooses to bring a mobile phone/watch to school, it must be locked in the students locker on arrival to school and left there for the rest of the school day 

  • Mobile phones/devices are not to be used during recess or lunchtime • 

  • Any mobile phones/devices that are sighted out of lockers by staff, will be confiscated and taken to the front office for collection at the end of the school day 

  • If students repeatedly do not adhere to the policy it will lead to further school action and a parent meeting

• Personal Items. Students are advised not to bring personal items to school such as IPods, electronic games etc. Footscray High School will NOT take any responsibility for them, nor will Footscray High School investigate their loss or damage. 

• Food. Apart from the Canteen and VCE Study Centre, no food is to be consumed at any other location inside a school building. 

• Visitors. Only parents and guardians will have access to students during school hours. They must report to the General Office initially upon arrival. All other individuals that report for access to students will be asked to leave school grounds immediately. 

Students can elect to choose a VET program as part of their VCE. A VET program is one where students will study in a particular vocational area and if successful in completing the program will receive credits of Units 1 to 4 in their VCE as well as the issuing of a recognised vocational qualification. 

In 2025, the following VET programs will be offered:

• VET Horticulture

• VET Hospitality - Cookery

• VET Music  (Sound Production)

• VET Sport Coaching (Year 1) & VET Sport & Recreation (Year 2)

Some VET programs are able to be used for the generation of a study score in Year 12, and if given the option of receiving a study score for VET study, all Footscray High School students are encouraged to do so.

VET studies involve the completion of numerous modules, where students need to show they have reached the required level of competence. In many instances the competence may be shown by the demonstration of practical skills.

In all VET programs students will be able to undertake work placement as part of their studies, and in some VET programs work placement is a compulsory component. 

Students need to be fully motivated in order to choose a VET program, as only by the completion of every module in the program is credit towards the VCE achieved. 

Further descriptive information regarding VET courses is provided in the VET section of this website.

As an alternative to mainstream VCE, students have the option of undertaking the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) pathway.

The VCE VM is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years, developing a well-rounded set of technical, employability and social skills.

• Vocational and Applied Learning incorporates the teaching of skills and knowledge in the context of 'real life' experiences. It allows students to discover how to apply what they have learned by doing, experiencing and relating required skills to the real world.

At its core, 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:

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

2. Empowering them to make informed decisions about the next states of their lives through real life workplace experiences.

The VCE VM 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 employment.

Motivation is a key component of undertaking the VCE VM pathway, as students need to be proactive in organising Workplace Learning opportunities, and completing applied learning tasks and projects.

Students will study a variety of Core Subjects, along with a VET subject. This will provide them with a non-scored VCE Certificate, as well as the issuing of a recognised vocational qualification. 

In 2024, students studying VCE VM will complete the following subjects, IN ADDITION to their chosen VET subject:

• VCE VM Literacy

• VCE VM Numeracy

• VCE VM Work-Related Skills

• VCE VM Personal Development Skills

All VCE VM students will also undertake Work Experience & Structured Workplace Learning placements as part of their studies, with the opportunity to undertake a School-Based Training & Apprenticeship (SBAT) placement.

Further descriptive information regarding VCE VM-specific subjects is provided in the Subjects section of this website:

• VCE VM Literacy

• VCE VM Numeracy

• VCE VM Work-Related Skills

• VCE VM Personal Development Skills

If students would like to know more about the program, please contact Adrian Panckhurst (VCE VM Learning Area Leader) and Juli Black (Senior Careers & VET Coordinator).

• If students are contemplating the Vocational Major pathway, but are still undecided, they are strongly recommended to pick a VET subject as part of their Subject Selection.
  - This will be essential, if they later decide to transition into the Vocational Major.

It is essential that students in their senior years plan carefully and make informed decisions that enable them to fulfil both their academic and personal goals. 

• Give consideration to studies which are more likely to suit their individual learning style and post-school aspirations. 

• Consider how much satisfaction and enjoyment they obtain from various studies. Students are more likely to do well in the studies they enjoy. 

• Consider how well they have coped with a study (or a related one) in the past. 

• Choose studies that maintain and develop their special skills and talents. 

• Check the published prerequisite requirements for selection into future tertiary courses. 

• Seek advice from key personnel at Footscray High School; Pathways Coordinators, VCE Manager, Year Level 

Coordinator, Learning Area Coordinators and Subject Teachers. 

• Discuss choices with parents / guardians. 

While every effort will be made to provide for a student’s first choice of studies, a student may be asked to make a second choice if there are insufficient numbers of students wishing to undertake a study or there is a timetable clash. No guarantees are given that subjects will run. 

Your instructions are to; 

• Read this Guide carefully 

• Seek advice from relevant staff. 

• Attend the ‘Senior Course Counselling Student Info Session’.

• Consider attending the ‘Year 11 Information parent information Session’ with parents/guardians.

• Attend the ‘Individual Course Counselling Day’ with parents. 

• Ensure studies chosen comply with correct published tertiary prerequisites. 

• Attend Tertiary Open Days. 

• Complete all Year 11 Enrolment Forms and submit them punctually. 

Your instructions are to; 

• Read this Guide carefully 

• Seek advice from relevant staff. 

• Attend the ‘Course Counselling Student Info' session/assembly.

• Ensure studies chosen comply with correct published tertiary prerequisites. 

• Attend Tertiary Open Days. 

• Complete all Year 12 Enrolment Forms and submit them punctually. 

How to enrol in VCE at Footscray High School. 

• Applicants whose address is within the Footscray High School Neighbourhood Enrolment Boundary have automatic entry into Footscray High School. Please see the Neighbourhood Enrolment Boundary map on our web page. Families will be requested to provide hard copies of their last electricity and gas bills to verify their residential address. Footscray High School also accepts students from outside the local area. The number of students that Footscray High School is able to accommodate under this category is determined by the number of vacancies available after local students have been allocated a place and subject to enrolment policies.

After conformation of enrolment you will go through the following process

• Attend an interview with the Senior School Program Manager with a parent/guardian 

• At interview you discuss subjects, pathways, your goals and how they are best reached at Footscray High School  

• You will complete a subject preference form, materials charge schedule and enrolment details 

Before your course counselling interview in Week 2 of Term 3, complete the following subject proposal form. Be sure to complete all sections, save your name in the doc title of your created copy and send through to your course counsellor before your interview. 

Year 10 to 11 Subject Selection for 2026 - Proposed Subject List