Learning at St Bede’s College
St Bede’s College aims to ensure that all students achieve success in their pathway to the future and in the development of the skills and attributes necessary for adult life. As a Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition, we strive to:
● Provide an engaging, rigorous and cohesive curriculum.
● Utilise a variety of instructional approaches which take into account the subject content and the needs of the students.
● Use rich, authentic assessment practices that provide opportunities for learning.
● Live our belief that each student can grow in their knowledge and skills.
● Use all the academic and non-academic information we have available to improve student learning.
Students are supported in their studies by highly qualified, experienced and committed staff. Special programs operate to support each student as they move through his final years of schooling. These include a comprehensive Careers Program, an affirming House System and a range of Senior Leadership opportunities within the College Community.
Senior Pathways
Students completing Years 11 and 12 need to consider their preferred learning approach and career pathway beyond their secondary schooling when choosing a senior pathway. Whilst there are two distinct pathways, previous statewide reforms offer greater choice for students in designing their learning program in their final years of Secondary Schooling.
As a general guideline:
Students who aim to pursue an area that requires a university qualification should pursue the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)
Students who find that they learn best via through applied learning- that is a more hands on, project based, and team oriented approach- and whose goals immediately after secondary school do not include university should pursue the applied learning pathway, the VCE Vocational Major (VM).
Below summarises the two Senior Pathways available to students and how they might be undertaken. Please note that VETDSS is an essential part of the VM, however can form an optional part of the VCE (as a subject).
● Pathway to University
● Students may receive an ATAR Score
● Usually undertaken across Years 11 & 12
● Examinations are an essential part of the assessment
● VETDSS (Vocational Education and Training delivered to Secondary Students) is an option and can be undertaken as part of VCE
See Where to Now? 2027 – VCE and VCE Vocational Major
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/student-guides/where-now/where-now
● Applied Learning
● Pathway to further training including:
o TAFE and/or traineeship
o Apprenticeship
o Workforce
o Some University courses after TAFE
● Standalone certificates completed over 2 years at the appropriate level
● VETDSS is a compulsory aspect of VCE Vocational Major (VM)
See Where to Now? 2027 – VCE and VCE Vocational Major
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/student-guides/where-now/where-now
Looking for information regarding VETDSS? Click here
Resources to Support Subject Selection
This website should be used in conjunction with the following resources:
● VTAC Year 10 Guide
https://vtac.edu.au/guides/y10guide
● Where to Now? 2027
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/student-guides/where-now/where-now
The senior curriculum at St Bede’s College is determined by student choice, this allows us to maintain flexibility while offering a range of subjects. There are occasions where a course does not have sufficient student numbers to run. Should this be the case, students will be contacted well in advance to make an alternative choice.
VCE Acceleration
*Students currently undertaking a Unit 1/2 VCE Subject in Year 10 do not need to apply to continue in that subject.
Unit 3/4 VCE Acceleration in Year 11 is available for high achieving students in Year 10. To be considered you should;
Have achieved Overall grades consistently above 80% in most subject areas in S1
Have demonstrated a particular aptitude in the associated subject area
Have a teacher in mind who will endorse your application and
Complete the application by 4.00 pm Monday, 27 July.
You may be required to meet with a staff member to discuss your application.
To apply, please use the form accessible below.
When making a choice you should consider studies that:
Interest you
You are good at
Lead to a career that interests you
Prepare you for further training or tertiary courses.
Students will be sent an email indicating that the Subject Selection Portal (SchoolData) is now open.
Students access SchoolData using the link in SIMON: Landing Page > School Links > Student Links > SchoolData
Details on how to complete your subject selections will be sent to you in an email on the day that the SchoolData portal opens (Tuesday July 28).
Should you wish to undertake a VET Subject or an Accelerated Unit 3/4 subject in Year 11, be sure to complete the applications forms.
These links are below.
Monday 20 July 2026- Unit 3/4 VCE Acceleration Applications Open nb. Acceleration Applications do not have to be completed by students who are already enrolled in Unit 1/2 of the same subject.
Tuesday 21 July 2026- Senior Pathways Expo and Subject Selection Information Evening 2026, 5.30 pm - 8.30 pm, St Bede's College Mentone Campus Sports Stadium
Monday 20 July 2026- VET Expressions of Interest open.
Thursday 23 July 2026- Deadline for students to complete the Senior Pathways Intentions form (access via email)
Monday, 27 July 2026- Unit 3/4 VCE Acceleration Applications Close
Tuesday 28 July 2026- Subject Selection Portal (SchoolData) Opens
Tuesday 28 July 2026- Benilde and Lasalle House Senior Pathways Interviews
Wednesday 29 July 2026- McCristal and Solomon Senior Pathways Interviews (Resource Centre)
Friday 31 July 2026- VET Expressions of Interest close
Friday 7 August- Subject Selection Portal (SchoolData) Closes