Curriculum Structure - Year 11 and 12
The senior school offers a number of pathways to students to help them achieve their preferred goal when they complete their studies at Emerald.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
The Victorian Certificate of Education is a certificate of achievement issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) on behalf of the Department of Education. This certificate is normally undertaken over a two-year period and usually consists of 22 semester length units. However, for some students, taking the VCE over a three year period may be advisable, particularly if they choose a subject which involves some work placement or vocational training.
To be awarded the VCE students must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units (a unit is a subject that runs for one semester). Of the 16 units completed satisfactorily, the following must be included:
- At least three units of English (may be taken from Units 1-4 of English, Units 1-4 of Literature or Units 1 and 2 of Foundation English)
- An English/Literature study Unit 3/4 sequence is required for a student to receive an Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER)
- At least three Unit 3/4 sequences other than English
VCE Subjects (units) offered in 2008:
| Learning Area | Subject Name |
| English |
|
| Mathematics |
Year 11
Year 12
|
| Science |
|
| Business Studies |
|
| Humanities |
|
| The Arts |
|
| Physical Education/Health |
|
| Technology |
Year 11
Year 12
|
| LOTE |
|
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an alternative certificate offered at Year 11 and 12. It is designed to increase pathways for senior students. It provides an applied learning approach with competency based assessment. The workload is as follows:
Year 11
- School - 3 days per week
- Work - 1 day per week
- Training - 1 day per week
Year 12
- School - 2 days per week
- Work - 2 days per week
- Training - 1 day per week
At Emerald Secondary College, we offer Intermediate and Senior VCAL providing flexibility in Year 11 and 12. Each student will be enrolled in a combination of curriculum components as part of a VCAL Learning Program. A VCAL Learning Program must include curriculum components from each of the five VCAL curriculum strands. Students are required to develop a VCAL program from the following subjects:
| Curriculum Strand | Subject |
| Literacy |
|
| Numeracy |
|
| Industry Specific Skills |
|
| Work Related Skills |
|
| Business Studies |
|
Each student will be enrolled in a VCAL Learning Program that will be individually tailored to suit the student's skills and interests.
Examples of work options currently include:
- Horticulture
- Hospitality
- Hairdressing
- Electrical
- Retail
- Office Administration
- Cabinet Making
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Automotive
- Panel Beating
- Community Services
- Sport & Rec - Outdoor Ed.
- Sport & Rec - Fitness
- Information Technology
For all enquires, please contact the VET/VCAL Coordinator on 59685388.
Vocational Education and Training Program VET
The VCAA has approved a number of programs, which enable students to include a full Vocational Education Training (VET) course as part of their VCE/VCAL. On successful completion of the program, students receive separate VCE and VET qualifications. Students who successfully complete VET courses may receive a Study Score that can be used in determining their Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER).
Students may be required to spend one day per week in Work Placement or a TAFE Institute and some school holiday time may be required also. Depending on school timetable constraints, students may miss a few classes of other subjects on a regular basis. This work will also be required to be done.
In 2007 the following VET courses were offered:
- Hospitality
- Multimedia
- Shared Electro-technology
- Music
- Sport and Recreation - Fitness
- Building and Construction
- Community Service
- Equine Studies
- Information Technology
All VET programs will incur a cost between $200.00 and $1500.00 depending on the program. Costs are calculated on contact hours and equipment requirements. Prior to enrolment, students will be asked to commit half of the costs of the course with the final balance to be paid prior to the start of the year. Funding changes from year to year and it is impossible to calculate exact costs.
For all enquires, please contact the VET/VCAL Coordinator on 59685388.
Australian School Based Apprenticeship Program
In this program students receive one day of paid, on-the-job training with an employer, perhaps one day of training at a TAFE and the other days at school completing their VCAL. There may be additional training at weekends or during school holidays. The New Apprenticeship will gain the student credit towards their VCAL or VCE.
There are a number of different industries in which a student can apply to attempt an Australian School Based Apprenticeship Program (ASBA). One limitation is the availability of employers to take on the New Apprentice. Should a student wish to participate in this program, seeking a suitable, willing employer would be a positive step. The College enlists the services of a Registered Training Organisation in order to help provide employers for those students interested in an ASBA.
Current ASBAs are:
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Horticulture
- Engineering
- Electrical
- Building and Construction
- Office Administration
- Hairdressing
- Cabinet Making
