De La Salle College

Years 11 and 12 (VCE VM)

We are proud of our open-enrolment policy, and as students progress through their schooling, it’s only natural that some develop a preference for applied learning. De La Salle College offers students the opportunity to select the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) pathway and while it’s a relatively small number of students in comparison to those that complete the traditional VCE pathway, having VCE VM as an option, sets De La Salle College apart.

Join us for a College Tour or find out about our enrolment policy.

VCE OR VCE VM – CATERING FOR ALL STUDENTS

De La Salle College offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for Year 11 and 12 where students select either a traditional VCE program or the new VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) program. This gives them the best of both worlds – an education that suits their learning style, while having access to the pastoral carecommunity and co-curricular activities that our school is celebrated for.

OUR VCE PATHWAY

Most students choose the traditional academic pathway, VCE. This provides a well-rounded and recognised academic foundation, and prepares students for entrance into higher education and university.

Visit Year 11 and 12 (VCE) to learn about the student experience during this time and find information on the VCE pathway.

OUR 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. 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 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.

Applied learning teaches skills and knowledge in the context of ‘real life’ experiences. Students apply what they have learnt by doing, experiencing and relating acquired skills to the real-world. It enables flexible, personalised learning where teachers work with students to recognise their personal strengths, interest, goals, and experiences.

VCE VM STRUCTURE

The VCE VM’s flexibility enables the College to structure this pathway in a way that suits the interests and learning needs of individual students.

Students will select an accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study supported by Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) or Australian School-based Apprenticeship Training (SBAT). 

Students will also complete Units 1–4 (over two years) in

  • VCE VM Literacy
  • VCE VM Numeracy
  • VCE Personal Development Skills
  • Work Related Skills.

VCE VM students will be part of the College’s House Mentor system, GROW program and Year 12 Seminar program.

Religious Education and Physical Education will be integrated into the four Studies of the VCE VM. 

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET)

The VCE VM requires students to complete 180 hours of VET at a Certificate II level or above.  This is done internally through the College or externally and can be undertaken in any area of interest, providing places are available.

Successful completion of VET units of competency are recognised by additional statements of attainment or certificates provided by the Registered Training Organisation. 
Visit the Year 11 and 12 (VCE) page to learn more about VET subjects.

WORK PLACEMENT

Our VCM VM program requires students to complete one day a week in a work setting.  This can be done as Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) or School-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT).

SWL provides the formal framework and processes to enable students to integrate their on-the-job experience and learning in a workplace with nationally recognised VET undertaken as part of their VCE VM.

An SBAT is an apprenticeship or traineeship undertaken by a student enrolled in a senior secondary program. Regular school attendance is combined with one timetabled day per week spent on the job or in training during the normal school week.  An SBAT combines part-time, practical experience in the workplace with recognised, structured training from a Registered Training Organisation.
Visit the VCAA Apprenticeships and Traineeships page for more information.

Learn more with the Curriculum Handbook

To learn more about the teaching and learning arrangements for Years 11 and 12 (VCAL), we encourage you to view or download the Curriculum Handbook.

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