The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a certificate that recognises the successful completion of secondary education in Victoria.

The VCE provides pathways to further study at university, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and to the world of work. A VCE ‘study’ is broken up into four units. Each VCE study unit is numbered 1, 2, 3 or 4.

At Emmaus College, we aim to support the educational and academic needs of the young people entrusted to our care. We seek to provide meaningful learning experiences for students wishing to obtain their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and endeavour to do this through the new pathway offerings in 2023.

myROAD provides specific VCE Pathways for students at Emmaus College and respects the dignity of each learner as they strive for personal excellence. 

The College fosters an inclusive culture amongst learners and supports students to access a pathway that aligns with their aspirations and ability. We recognise that not all students want or need an ATAR to pursue their chosen field of study or career. As a result of this and in light of the VCE Vocational Major launching in 2023, we offer a total of 5 different VCE pathways to our Year 11 and 12 students.

All VCE students are encouraged to take their own road, the path that supports their goals and aspirations. Each learner is an individual and in conjunction with their families, teachers and the Pathways Team, we encourage them to make informed decisions about their VCE and future. A road that they will not walk alone, but with the support of the Emmaus College community.

There are 5 alternative VCE Pathways for students to select including;

• VCE ATAR Pathway
• VCE ATAR Pathway with VET
• VCE Vocational Major
• VCE Certificate Pathway
• VCE Certificate Pathway with VET

Satisfactory Completion of a Unit

Within a Unit of Study each Learning Outcome completed by a student is judged as either S (Satisfactory) or N (Not Satisfactory).

A student is awarded a Unit result of S only if all of the Learning Outcomes required within that Unit have been demonstrated to a satisfactory level.

In order to achieve a Unit Result of S, a student must have:

• Completed all School Course Tasks
• Achieved a Unit Grade of E or above
• Met the minimum attendance requirement.

Satisfactory Completion of the VCE

In order to satisfactorily complete the Victorian Certificate of Education a student is required by VCAA to gain an S result in: A total of sixteen units or more, which must include at least three Units of English Studies, and at least three additional Units 3/4 sequences.

Assessment of a Unit  

Within each Unit, students are required to complete a number of Assessment tasks, from which judgements are made regarding the standard of their work.

These tasks may include:

Classroom Exercises, Folios of Work, Research Reports, Practical Exercises, Information Posters, Investigations, Laboratory experiments, Tests and Examinations.  Within Unit 3 and 4 sequences (usually taken in Year 12, but access by Year 11 students who are accelerating) these tasks form the basis of the School Assessed Coursework (SACs) or School Assessed Tasks (SATs) which all students must complete within the VCE taking that Unit Sequence.

Each Sequence has School Assessed Coursework (SAC) or School Assessed Tasks (SAT) to be completed at specified times during the year and the results of these are reported to the VCAA. In addition, the sequence will include at least one VCAA externally set, marked and graded examination.

The Grade results on School Assessed Coursework/School Assessed Tasks and the externally set Examination will form the basis of the final subject score out of 50.

Structure of VCE at Emmaus College

Students in Year 11 will normally undertake an English course, Religious Education and five other subjects.

Students in Year 12 will normally undertake an English course, Religious Education and four other subjects.

English Selections

English

Most students will study VCE English as their English requirement. It is accessible for all students. The study of English contributes to the development of literate individuals capable of critical and creative thinking, aesthetic appreciation and creativity. This study also develops students’ ability to create and analyse texts, moving from interpretation to reflection and critical analysis.

Through engagement with texts from the contemporary world and from the past, and using texts from Australia and from other cultures, students studying English become confident, articulate and critically aware communicators and further develop a sense of themselves, their world and their place within it. English helps equip students for participation in a democratic society and the global community.

English Language

English Language is a challenging subject that requires detailed insight and a strong ability to interpret and analyse a variety of texts. To do this successfully, students need to be discerning readers with a well-developed ability to infer the nuances of written expression in a range of texts.

While English Language is sometimes recommended to students with an affinity for Mathematics and Science subjects, it is not suitable for students who are not confident readers of media texts. The ability to recognise and analyse trends in language usage also requires students to be familiar with and have a well-developed interest in current affairs and issues.

English Language is generally more demanding than English and requires a precision of thought and expression which many students find challenging.

Literature

Literature is a subject that offers able students the opportunity to discuss and dissect a range of literary texts. at a higher order and with a degree of autonomy and precision more significant than would be typical of a mainstream English class. There is less clarity about structure and form in responses and analyses, which challenges students intellectually.

English Literature is suited to students who are confident, autonomous readers with the language and analysis skills needed to undertake a self-directed approach to text study.

For students considering studying VCE English Language or VCE Literature, it is recommended that at Year 10, students achieve a minimum English score of 65 per cent. A meeting with the English Learning Area leader may also form part of the selection process.

Undertaking Unit 3 & 4 Studies in Year 11

Students who successfully complete VCE Units during Year 10 will be given an opportunity to undertake Units 3 and 4 in Year 11.

A student wishing to be selected for any of the Unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects while enrolled in Year 11,  must have:

• satisfactorily completed core and elective subjects in Year 10;
• scored 65 in both VCE Units at Year 10; and
• strong teacher and Learning Area Leader recommendation.

Note: Students will normally be permitted to undertake only one Unit 3 and 4 sequence in Year 11.

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VCE Vocational Major Fees

Victoria’s senior secondary education has changed from 2023.

Students have more education choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing them for further study, and training at TAFE or work.

Whatever their talent, they can now pursue it under one VCE.

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is Victoria’s senior secondary qualification. It opens pathways to university, higher-level TAFE or VET certificate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and the workforce.

The VCE includes the Vocational Major, a 2-year vocational and applied learning program. It replaces Senior and Intermediate VCAL from 2023.

The VCE Vocational Major will develop your personal and practical life skills. It will help to prepare you for the next important stage of your life.

The VCE Vocational Major offers a pathway into:

• apprenticeships
• traineeships
• further education and training
• university (through alternative entry programs)
• employment.

VCE VM students, including those doing an SBAT, will be charged the same school fees as all VCE students. The school fee will cover one VET course for students doing the VCE Vocational Major pathway; however, additional costs for high-fee VET courses, compulsory equipment or if a student changes VET courses after the enrolment cut-off date will be charged to the student fee account. Even though students in the VCE VM course and VCE VM SBAT course are only required on campus for 3 days a week; the College provides full-time support for the program, which includes workplace visits, regular follow-up with VET providers and smaller class sizes.