Years 11 and 12

Year 11 and 12 Course Information

Student Programs in VCE

In general, students will undertake the following programs:

Year 11: Twelve (12) VCE Units at Unit 1 and Unit 2 level including two units of Religious Education.

Year 12: Five (5) VCE Units 3 and 4 sequences, including Religious Education at Units 3 and 4 level.

Year 12: Five (5) VCE Units 3 and 4 sequences and one unit of Religious Education at Unit 2 level.

Subject Availability

Every effort will be made to place students into their subject choices. However, the availability of subjects offered in the Course Guide will depend on the number of students selecting the subject and staff availability. Subject lines may also impact a students’ elective choices. In these instances, students will be supported in selecting an alternate subject if needed.

VCE Features

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a single certificate completed over a minimum of two years.
Work is assessed by School Assessed Coursework (SAC) and School Assessed Tasks (SAT).
Learning Outcomes define what students will know (key knowledge) and be able to do (key skills) as a result of undertaking the particular course of study.
Each Study will have three Graded Assessment Components at Units 3 and 4 level, including at least one examination and at least one set of coursework assessment in most studies.
The College will award an ‘S’ (Satisfactory) for a unit (based on our judgement) that the student has satisfactorily demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes.
The College will provide the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) with the required results representing the subject teacher’s assessment of each student’s level of understanding and achievement for each school assessed component.
At Units 3 and 4 level, statistical moderation will be used – the VCAA will match the school assessments of students to the spread and level of examination scores. The student’s performance in the General Achievement Task (GAT) will also be used for comparison purposes. The College’s rank order of students as determined by the coursework assessment will be retained in the moderated assessment.
At Units 1 and 2 level, students will also undertake school assessed coursework (SAC).
Attendance in class, especially to complete the school assessed coursework at designated times, is essential.
In order to achieve the learning outcomes, the VCE study teachers will use a variety of assessment tasks prescribed by the VCAA.

VCE Units

All VCE subjects are listed on the Unit Description Page. The VCE units that are actually taught in the Year 2022 will depend on student demand, viable class sizes, teacher availability and College resources.

The College also provides opportunities for students to participate in a selection of VET (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) in the VCE and Vocational Programs.

Constructing a VCE Program

The Basic Requirements

To receive the VCE Certificate, a student must satisfactorily complete at least 16 Units of Study which must include at least three Units from the English Study Options and three pairs (sequences) of Units 3 and 4.

Planning which Units to Study

Students will normally undertake between 16 and 24 Units over the two years. It is possible in some circumstances for a student at Year 11 level to undertake studies in particular Units 3 and 4 studies. A VCE VET Program will contribute towards the satisfactory completion of the VCE. Making this choice needs time and careful consideration. Parents have an important role in planning a Program with their son/daughter. Even though a program is chosen at the beginning of the VCE, as the program progresses it is usually possible to change some Units.

Looking Beyond the VCE

Parents' knowledge and experience can be particularly useful in looking beyond the VCE. Does your son or daughter wish to go to University? Most courses have certain prerequisites - Units that must be studied before selection is possible, e.g. most teaching courses require at least VCE Units 1 and 2 General Mathematics. Check the relevant VICTER guide that is distributed to each Year 10 student for more specific information.

How about TAFE? Certain specific combinations of VCE Units provide considerable credit towards TAFE courses. It is worth checking them out. What sort of career is likely? Together you may wish to make enquiries with some possible alternatives to find out which Studies are recommended.

All these points must be considered when putting together a VCE program. Careful thought will help construct a meaningful VCE course which will lead the student to a particular pathway after leaving school. Decisions made this year may have an important impact on the student’s future. Students must think very carefully about the decisions that they make.

11 Points to Discuss

Consider these questions when constructing a VCE program:

What are your interests?
What subjects do you currently enjoy?
Which VCE Studies are you interested in? (Ensure you understand what each VCE study involves. As a starting point read the ‘Units of Study’ description in this guide).
How long do you plan to take for your VCE? Two years or longer?
Would you like to do a VCE VET subject as part of your VCE program?
Which Units of which Studies is the College offering?
Are there any occupational areas which you are interested in?
What qualifications do you need for these occupations?
What tertiary or TAFE courses will give you these qualifications?
Is it possible to gain any of these qualifications whilst studying your VCE?
What are the prerequisites and/or associated ATARs required for these courses?

Published Resources Checklist

The material included in this Student Course Guide is compiled as one of the sources of information for students wishing to decide their appropriate course selections for their VCE Studies. Students must also make use of the following published resources.

The Tertiary Entrance Prerequisites for tertiary courses appropriate to their year have been provided to all students during Year 10.

Year 12 2023 must check the VICTER 2023 requirements
Year 11 2023 must check the VICTER 2024 requirements

The course descriptions detailed in this book are based on the material provided to the College by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and are accurate at the time of printing. Similarly, Learning Outcomes, School Assessed Course Work, School Assessed Tasks and VCAA requirements for completion of VCE are based on the information supplied by VCAA.

The responsibility for checking the correctness of enrolment requirements, course content and VCE Units available remains solely with the student concerned and the College provides the information in this Student Course Guide on that understanding.

VCE Programs

At Marist-Sion College VCE students must complete:

Religious Education Units in Years 11 and 12
Four English Units

Sample Two Year Standard VCE Programs at Marist-Sion College:

Acceleration into VCE Units 3 and 4 in Year 11 and Year 12 Higher Education Studies

Marist-Sion College offers subject acceleration as an elective option in Years 10 and 11. Students will only be able to undertake one acceleration subject as an elective in Year 11.

Students and parents should note that the study of a VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequence whilst in Year 11 is a bonus, not an alternative, to the College requirement for VCE Year 12 students to study five Unit 3 and 4 sequences.

Acceleration is not available for VCE-VET students or VCE Vocational Major students.

Students may apply to undertake an accelerated program in Year 11 and a Higher Education Study (accelerated University subject) in Year 12 if they meet the following criteria:

A combined subject total of 80%; and/or
Demonstrated strength and interest in a subject area
Consistently high work habit results
Approval from the relevant College Leadership

Students need to apply for acceleration by 15 July 2022.

Units 3 and 4 in Year 11: Click to download Application Form

Year 12 Higher Education Studies: Click to download Application Form

Information about Higher Education Studies is available at: Higher Education Studies General Information and Subjects Available.

Relevant College Leadership will examine applications. At this time, it may be determined that an interview is required. Students will be advised of the outcome of their application via an email from the Academic Office prior to Course Information Evening:

If Successful: Students will be able to apply for their acceleration subject as part of the subject selection process.

VET in the VCE (Vocational Education and Training)

What is a VCE VET Program?

A student can choose a VCE VET Program as part of their VCE. This means that the student will be undertaking training in a specific vocational area with VCE credit built in. This training will contribute towards satisfactory completion of the VCE and also provides students with a nationally recognised vocational qualification. The vocational qualification will provide the student with access to further training. On completion of their VET program, students will obtain a pre-apprenticeship qualification making their employability opportunities greater.

VCE VET Programs will give the student credit for Units 1 to 4 like any VCE subject. A number of VET Programs also have a study score available like any VCE Unit 3 and 4 subject and will contribute directly to the student’s ATAR score.

Dependent on the chosen course, these Programs may be completed over one or two years and must begin at the start of each school year.

What are the advantages in completing a VET in the VCE Program?

These VCE VET programs should be of particular interest to students who want to:

complete their VCE;
complete a nationally recognised training credential;
obtain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and keep tertiary options open;
select a program which is flexible enough to give the student some choice with clearer career and study pathways after VCE; and or
achieve greater confidence in engaging in the labour market.

How will Vocational Education and Training Programs be provided?

Students will attend the campus of the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) provider every Wednesday or Friday. Students will miss VCE classes at school on their VET day each week. They must accept responsibility for keeping up with all Outcome work and ensure that they follow up all missed class work. (Students are allocated to private study classes which involve supervised lessons).

Students and their parents, in conjunction with the College, can arrange other Certificate Courses not listed in the Guide if a suitable course provider can be found. These arrangements should not take the student out of the College for more than one day per week.

What are the costs associated with Vocational Education Training Programs?

A non-refundable course fee of $500 will be added to annual tuition fees. It is compulsory for VET students to purchase a VET shirt from the Uniform Shop. Additional material costs will be levied by the course provider and are borne directly by the family. The costs for each course vary depending on the course undertaken and the level of government funding provided through the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and the College itself. Fee remissions for families may be available in accordance with the General College Fees Policy. Specific costing will be detailed via letter to each family early next year once enrolments, course costs and funding levels are finalised. If a VET student cannot satisfy the attendance requirements of their course or withdraws from their course after the date of final enrolments as specified by the RTO, the family will be expected to cover the full costs charged to the College by the RTO as outlined in the enrolment confirmation letter.

VCE VET Programs available through the Baw Baw VET Cluster or the Latrobe Valley VET Cluster

Certificate II in Agriculture
Certificate III in Allied Health (with permission)
Certificate II in Animal Studies
Certificate II in Automotive Studies
Certificate II in Building and Construction - Bricklaying
Certificate II in Building and Construction - Carpentry
Certificate II in Building and Construction - Painting and Decorating
Certificate II in Civil Construction
Certificate II in Community Services – Aged, Disability Care and Child Care
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care (with permission)
Certificate II in Electrical
Certificate II in Engineering
Certificate III in Equine Studies (with permission)
Certificate II in Furniture Making - Cabinet Making
Hair and Beauty Skills Set
Certificate II in Horticulture – Landscaping (one year course)
Certificate II in Hospitality
Certificate II in Integrated Technologies
Certificate II in Plumbing
Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
Certificate II in Salon Assistant (Hair)
Certificate III in Screen and Media (with permission)
Certificate III in Sport and Recreation (with permission)

Or any other suitable course

If interested in undertaking VET studies, students are required to complete a relevant ‘Expressions of Interest’ form provided by the Baw Baw and La Trobe VET Cluster. Copies are made available through the Careers and Pathways Office and the Applied Learning Office.

Further details of all possible programs are available from Mr Ben Cunningham, Applied Learning Leader, or Mrs Elly Martin, Careers and Pathways Coordinator. Courses will not run if there are insufficient numbers.

Sample VCE VET Programs at
Marist-Sion College

The Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM)

The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years.

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 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 will provide an accredited program of studies in Religious Education and the following five compulsory strands:

Literacy and Numeracy Skills – to develop literacy and numeracy skills (Students will complete Foundation English, VM Literacy and VM Numeracy).

Industry Specific skills – to develop skills, knowledge etc. important in industry (Students enrol in a VET Course – one day a week at TAFE or other RTO)

Work-Related skills – complex development of appropriate skills and knowledge in order to provide the necessary work health and safety (WH&S) preparation for the workplace, and the development of work related and vocational skills in a workplace context.

Personal Development Skills – focuses on the development of organisation and planning skills, knowledge, practical skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills through participation in experiences of a practical nature.

Structured Workplace Learning - provides students with the opportunity to integrate on-the-job experience with secondary study. It is undertaken as part of the VCE VM course to consolidate knowledge and skills in VET studies:

enhanced skill development
practical application of industry knowledge
assessment of units of competency
achievement of some learning outcomes for VCE units
enhanced employment opportunities.

VCE VM can be completed at Year 11 and 12 at Marist-Sion College.

The VCE VM Units do not have graded assessments and the Statement of Results issued to students will only contain ‘S’ (Satisfactory) or ‘N’ (Unsatisfactory) results.

If interested in undertaking a VCE VM program, students are required to read and complete relevant sections of the Marist-Sion College ‘VCE VM 2023 Student Application Package’ available via the following link: Link

Progress from one VCE VM level to the next will be determined by satisfactory completion of the Learning Outcomes for each VCE Unit studied.

Application Process to Enrol in VCE VM at Year 11

Students and parents should note that the study of a VCE VM program whilst in Year 11 is not assured. It will involve an application process to be completed prior to completing the web preferences.

VCE VM is not available for Accelerated Year 10 students.

Students may apply to undertake a VCE VM program and a VET course (via external TAFE providers) in Year 11 and 12 if they meet certain criteria outlined in the ‘VCE VM 2023 Student Application Package’: Link

Students need to apply for a VCE VM program by 15 July 2022.

If Successful: Students will be able to indicate the VCE VM program option as part of the subject selection process.

Virtual School Victoria (VSV) and Victorian School of Languages (VSL)

If students wish to study a subject which is not available at our College in a particular year, we may be able to enrol them in their preferred subject at the Virtual School Victoria (VSV) or the Victorian School of Languages (VSL). Marist-Sion College takes on the responsibility for the provision of information to the students and the administration tasks involved in such an enrolment.

Please note that in general:

No subsidy will be offered for subjects that are not offered at Marist-Sion College.
No subsidy will be offered if the student is already undertaking a full load (six subjects in Year 11 and five subjects in Year 12) – that is, the VSV/VSL subject is on top of the normal load.
A subsidy of $500 per subject will be offered for a student to study a subject that the College offered but was unable to run due to a lack of student numbers.
A subsidy of $500 per subject will be offered for a student to study a subject that is offered at the College which the student is unable to study due to a subject clash.
Please note, the $500 subsidy will be voided if the student withdraws from the subject prior to completion of the course.

The parent is obliged to pay the fees associated with the provision of such courses of study in addition to the student’s full year College Tuition Fees.

Further information relating to VSV or VSL is available from the Academic Office at the College.