Senior School

Years 11 and 12

At Westall Secondary College, we offer a diverse range of Senior School pathways in a supportive and personalised environment. Through comprehensive course counselling, we work with students and families to tailor a program that aligns with their goals, ensuring success during and beyond school.

Students can choose from the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM), with the option to include a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course. Our dedicated Senior learning space provides study, recreational, kitchen, and computer facilities, creating a productive learning environment.

Senior School is a crucial time for students as they prepare for university, further training, or employment. With the support of our Senior School Coordinators, Student Pathways team, Wellbeing team, and teachers, we focus on academic achievement, career preparation, leadership, and personal growth to help students build confidence and independence for their future.

Our school is proud of our students’ warmth and acceptance of others, which creates a supportive and productive learning environment.

Curriculum

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

At Westall Secondary College students undertaking an academic program are expected to enrol in six subjects for 11 and five for Year 12. The VCE is a nationally and internationally recognised certificate that provides pathways to university, TAFE or employment. Students have to include at least one English subject and can include any other VCE subjects offered including VET subjects. Most students selecting the Victorian Certificate of Education, at Westall Secondary College aim to complete VCAA examinations at the completion of their Unit 3/4 studies and will receive a study score at the subject level. The combinations of the raw study scores across a student’s VCE subjects will then determine their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) for entry into Higher Education at University and/or further education & training at a VET training provider.

A wide range of VCE subjects are offered, and students can complete VCE subjects from Yr10 onwards at Westall Secondary College.

English

English
English Language
English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mathematics

General Mathematics
Mathematical Methods
Specialist Mathematics

Science

Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Psychology

Technology

Food Studies
Product Design
Systems Engineering

Humanities

History Revolutions
Business Management
Legal Studies
Accounting

Languages

Chinese

The Arts

Art Making & Exhibiting
Visual Communication & Design

Health and Physical Education

Health and Human Development
Physical Education

VET

VET Building & Construction
VET Cookery
VET Sport & Recreation

Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE-VM)

The Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE-VM) has been designed to increase pathways for young people in Years 11 & 12 from secondary school to work and/or further education and training. VCE-VM provides an applied learning context and much of the teaching and learning is based around practical application of key knowledge and skills. Where possible, to work is negotiated and ‘driven by the students’ and linked to real life contexts.

Students need to be actively involved in their learning and the skills developed through the delivery and assessment across their VM subjects. As a result, communication, problem solving, teamwork and leadership are all developed throughout the VM program. Students need to study a VET course, work part time as well as complete the compulsory VCE-VM strands at school. The school’s Career and Pathways leader can support students to find a work placement with our connections to local industry.

The VCE-VM will provide a program of studies in the following four compulsory strands:

Literacy and numeracy
Work-related skills
Industry-specific skills
Personal development

Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC)

The Victorian Pathways Certificate is an inclusive ‘hands-on’ senior secondary foundation certificate designed to meet the needs of students who require a more individualised and flexible program for their final 2 years of schooling. Like our VCE-VM, the VPC provides an applied learning context and much of the teaching and learning is based around practical application of the modules which outline the subjects studied within the VPC.

Students need to attend academic support classes and work part time as well as complete the compulsory VPC strands at school. The school’s Career and Pathways leader can support students to find a work placement with our connections to local industry.

The VPC will provide a program of studies in the following four compulsory strands:

Literacy and numeracy
Work-related skills
Industry-specific skills
Personal development

Vocational Education & Training (VET)

Students have the opportunity at Westall Secondary College to combine nationally accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) with their VCE & VCE-VM programs. Westall SC has a designated VET Coordinator who assist students to select appropriate VET subjects, and provides support through their learning and attendance within these subjects across the year.

The numbers of students who have attained TAFE certificates as well as their VCE or VCC-VM has always been a very high proportion of the students within Senior School.

The Completion of a VET unit can complement and contribute to a VCE study score for students studying an Academic Pathway.

Every year, Westall Secondary College students complete units in a range different nationally accredited certificates – either on campus, off campus or as part of School Based Apprenticeships – ranging from Automotive and Building to Hospitality, Music, and Allied Health – and in almost every industry area in between. The programs offered off-campus are comprehensive and we recommend students explore the websites of these institutions to find the course that interests them. We offer the opportunity for students to study VET Cookery, VET Sport & Rec or VET Building & Construction in-house which means that do not have to travel These VET programs have been very successful over a period, with very high completion rates.

For further information regarding VET please contact the Assistant Principal, Mr. Jason Tickner VET Coordinator about enrolment in a VETDSS (VET delivered to school students) program or visit the VCAA website where VET is explained in further detail.

Full requirements, subject descriptions and further details can be found in the Senior School Handbook.

We wish to thank our VET Registered Training Organisations – IVET for VET Cookery and Skillinvest for VET Building and Construction – Carpentry for their ongoing support to our students and staff.

CAREERS SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON School-based Apprenticeships (SBATs)

We are proud of our SBAT students who “ learn and earn” through their Employer REECE, METALFLEX and Registered Training Organisation MURRAY MALLEE TRAINING CO. LTD.

Another Employer who works with students who require a more individualised and flexible program for their final year of schooling is GRE8 in partnership with Registered Training Organisation National Food Institute.

We take this opportunity to thank our valued Registered Training Organisations (RTO) and Employers mentioned above.