Senior School

The senior classes at John Paul College cover Years 10, 11 and 12. Over these three years, students embark on a learning journey that includes the:

Learning and Teaching Curriculum Handbook

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Year 10

Year 10 students study a combination of core and elective units. The core units are VCE Religion and Society Unit 1, English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Fit for Life. Students choose five semester based elective units from the various learning area as summarised in the Curriculum Overview. The elective system in Year 10

enables students to have access to a more comprehensive range of curricular options,
increases the flexibility in course selection, and
facilitates the transition for students into the Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM).

Students who consistently achieve high academic results and demonstrate excellent work habits have the opportunity to study a VCE Unit 1 and 2 subject in Year 10. Entry requirements, based on Year 9 semester one results, include:

an overall result of at least 80% in English
an average overall result of at least 75% across all subjects
work habits averaging 4 or more across all subjects
exemplary record of submission of work

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

All Year 11 VCE students study:

VCE English Units 1 and 2 and/or VCE Literature Units 1 and 2
VCE Religion and Society Unit 2 or ACU and CSYMA Youth Academy Program (a two year program over Years 11 and 12) or VCE Religion and Society Units 3 and 4 (pending approval for acceleration)
An additional five VCE subjects (10 units)

All Year 12 VCE students study:

VCE English Units 3 and 4 and/or VCE Literature Units 3 and 4
A School Based Religious Education Course or ACU and CSYMA Youth Academy Program (year 2 of 2) or VCE Religion and Society Units 3 and 4
An additional four VCE subjects (or three VCE subjects if the student is studying VCE Religion and Society Units 3 and 4)

Note: ACU and CSYMA Youth Academy Program students may also elect to study VCE Religion in Society Units 3 and 4

VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)

The VCE Vocational Major is a new vocational and applied learning program that sits within the VCE. It is four new subjects that have been added to the VCE that will make up the core of your program. It takes what is called an ‘Applied Learning approach’. Applied learning involves students engaging in relevant and authentic learning experiences. It is a method of learning where theoretical information comes to life for students in a real world context that relates directly to their own future, is within their own control and is within an environment where they feel safe and respected. Students' knowledge grows and expands as they take action to learn, reflect on that action and plan how to do it better next time.

The VCE Vocational Major is the replacement for the Intermediate and Senior VCAL. It is a two year program over Year 11 and 12. Only students who enrol in the full program can choose these new VCE VM studies.

The VCE Vocational Major will prepare students to move successfully into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university through alternative entry programs or directly into the workforce. The four main studies are assessed at a school level through authentic assessment activities. There are no external examinations for the VCE VM studies and therefore students do not receive a study score, and are not eligible to receive an ATAR.

Students who have completed the satisfactory completion requirements of the VCE VM will receive a Victorian Certificate of Education with the words Vocational Major on it to recognise their achievements.

Students must successfully finish at least 16 units, including:

3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)
3 other Unit 3-4 sequences
2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units
2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and
2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 hours)

Most students will undertake between 16-20 units over the two years. You can also do other VCE subjects, and structured workplace learning.

The College expectation for all students studying VCE VM is a full five-day program. This program includes attending Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students attend school based classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays which include:

Literacy
Numeracy
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
Religious Education