Senior School
The VCE Program
Years 11 and 12
At Elwood, most students will study 22 or 24 units: a unit being a semester's work in a particular subject. Year 10 students may study a Unit 1/2 sequence to provide a sixth subject to be counted in their ATAR. To gain the VCE Certificate at the end of Year 12, students must achieve an "S" (Satisfactory) in at least sixteen units. These sixteen units must include Unit 3 and 4, and Unit 1 or 2, of English/EAL, Literature or English Language, and a minimum of four Unit 3 and 4 sequences. To receive an ATAR, students must achieve both Units 3 and 4 in English, in addition to three other Unit 3/4 sequences.
All Year 12 students are expected to enrol in five subjects in their final year of study regardless of any 3/4 sequences completed in previous years. The only exceptions made to this will be based on medical recommendations of an external educational psychologist.
In planning a course, students should consider their future needs for work and study, and also which subjects they enjoy and which subjects they do well in.
VCE Subject Descriptors 2025.docx
The Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) is the state-wide body which supervises the schooling in Victoria, and is responsible for the VCE program, including VET and VCAL. Students will be required to follow the regulations set out by the VCAA.
Before starting any VCE studies, all students must sign an agreement to obey the VCAA regulations. Students enrolling must sign the declaration provided on the VCE Student Personal Details Form.
Students enrolled in Units 1 and 3 will have an opportunity in the first two weeks of February to change their course in Semester 1 (although spaces are limited). Students enrolled in Unit 2 subjects will be able to change their course at the end of May, prior to the commencement of VCE Semester 2. Students enrolled in Unit 4 subjects cannot change their enrollment as units 3 and 4 must be completed as a sequence. Students should use the appropriate paperwork, available from the Senior Team, to apply for a change in their enrolment.
Students who undertake a VET subject have additional operational requirements to those that apply to their VCE studies. Most VET subjects are provided by arrangement with a cluster of schools, the Inner Melbourne VET Cluster (IMVC). Unless Elwood College is the provider for the subject, students travel to other locations when their VET subject is taught. Students attending those other locations need to be mindful that they are representatives of Elwood College and, as such, they are to show every courtesy to staff and students in their VET location.
- Students are only permitted two absences per semester, with an additional two for camps or excursions. Students should notify the Elwood VET Coordinator and their VET trainer in advance, if possible.
- Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will be excluded from the class on that day and marked absent.
- Students must complete all tasks set. Failure to complete tasks by the end of the term will lead to withdrawal from the VET subject. Catch up classes may be scheduled after school, during school holidays or on the weekend.
- Students/parents will be required to cover the extra costs related to these classes if they are applied.
- If an absence is anticipated, students must notify the Elwood VET Coordinator on the day (or before) the assessment task is due/to take place. A detailed parent note, and doctor’s certificate for medical absence, should be given to the Elwood VET Coordinator on return to school. Where the absence merits an extension of time, this will be negotiated between the student, Elwood College and the VET provider.
- VET reports are sent from the training providers to Elwood College. Parents will receive copies of Term 2 & 4 reports from IMVC. Completed certificates will be sent to Elwood College and forwarded to students.
- Most VET studies contribute to students’ ATAR scores on completion of Year 12.
School Assessed Coursework is an assessment of each student’s level of achievement based on a selection of the assessment items designated in each study design. Assessment items chosen for coursework are part of the regular teaching and learning program and must be completed.
The Study Designs set out the details of the School Assessed Tasks to be completed for assessment purposes. Schools select topics in accordance with these details. At Elwood College SATs apply to four VCE studies: Food and Technology, Media, Studio Arts and Visual Communication and Design.
At the beginning of a unit, the teacher will indicate the week in which SACs will take place. Students will be given at least one week’s notice prior to a SAC and the SAC Notification outlining the task requirements will be posted on Compass with the relevant assessment criteria.
For satisfactory completion of a unit, a student must demonstrate achievement for each of the unit outcomes as specified in the Study Design. If all outcomes are achieved, the student will receive an ‘S’ (Satisfactory) for the unit.
If any task for an outcome is not completed satisfactorily, the student will receive an ‘N’ for the task. Where an ‘N’ has been obtained, the student (and guardian) will be sent a 'redemption notice' - an opportunity to resubmit the work in order to demonstrate satisfactory achievement of the task and hence overall outcome.
The original mark/grade given to the work will remain unchanged. If any outcomes are not achieved, the student receives ‘N’ (Not Satisfactory) for the unit.
Where a student has completed work but the minimum requirement of 90% attendance has not been met, the students may be awarded an ‘N’.
Authentication is the term used to cover the procedures for ensuring that the work submitted by students is their own. All work submitted by students must be their own. It is the student’s responsibility to produce evidence to help authenticate their work.
Procedures which help teachers to authenticate student work are:
- The submission of drafts.
- Checking work in progress through consultation with the student.
- Students keep appropriate documentation of the development of their work.
- Work completed in class under a teacher’s supervision.
- Setting a test or requiring an oral explanation of work.
- Checking of student materials permitted in tests/exams.
Work that cannot be authenticated will not be assessed. A panel of staff may be formed to decide on authentication.
A student will be given 24 hours’ notice of any required interview and may bring an adult for support.
In Term 1, an Interim Report will be posted on Compass for each student and followed up at the Parent/Teacher Night. Full reports will be issued via the student and parent portal at the end of Term 2. In Term 3, a further Interim Reports will be posted for each student and followed up at the final Parent/Teacher Night. In Term 4, a Semester Reports will be posted for each Year 11 student. Year 12s do not receive a final report.
If you believe that your performance in the VCE may be detrimentally affected by circumstances such as illness, physical disability or environmental factors, you may be eligible for Special Provision. The purpose of this is to provide assistance that can help minimise any detrimental effect on performance as far as is possible, so that you may achieve your potential. Students should always contact the Senior School Team, who will first determine the appropriate form of assistance and then make any arrangements with teachers on the student’s behalf. These provisions may be approved at either the school or the VCAA level.
Possible strategies include:
- Provision of facilities and technology.
- Assistance from aides.
- Re-scheduling of an assessment task.
- Extra time to complete work for unit completion of School Assessed Coursework.
- Setting a substitute task.
- Special Arrangements for examinations and SACs.
Students need to apply to the school using the Application for Special Provision for School-assessed Coursework, School-assessed Tasks and Unit Completion form.
During the exam period, if you become ill or experience an accident or personal trauma that has affected your performance in the examination/s or prevented you from attending the examination/s you may apply for a Derived Examination Score.
VCAA Application forms are available from the Senior School Team.
Applications must be supported by a detailed statement from an independent professional (e.g. doctor, social worker).
VCAA must receive the Application for a Derived Examination Score no later than seven days after the student’s last examination.
Students are strongly encouraged to purchase and use English or Bilingual book dictionaries to use in class and exams.
For English/EAL exams (Units 1, 2, 3 & 4), students are permitted to use book dictionaries. Electronic dictionaries are not allowed in exams. Students must not use their phones to access online dictionaries in class, only electronic or paper dictionaries are acceptable.
Students must adhere to the Elwood College Acceptable Network and Internet Contract at all times.
Some students know at an early age the career they wish to pursue but many do not and may take years before they do so.
An individual pathway plan is a developmental process that takes time, research and serious thought.
The main objective of this program is to have all students aged 15 to 19 develop a realistic career plan with goals, pathways and time frames for achieving the set goals. Students receive support and guidance with this process, which should be reviewed at least once a year by the student.
The Director of Pathways & VET Coordinator can provide students with information on tertiary courses and entry requirements for universities, TAFEs and CAE courses, apprenticeship and traineeship schemes. News on vocational interests, Open Days at tertiary institutions and on the availability of courses and jobs will be published regularly in News and Notices and the Pathways notice-board.
The Director of Pathways & VET Coordinator can be contacted by parents and students with any queries at any time.
VTAC is the organisation responsible for the allocation of the majority of course placements in Victorian Universities and TAFE Colleges. This organisation is separate from the VCAA and students need to make a separate application to VTAC.
All Year 12 students will be attending a Tertiary Information Service (TIS) at a university. This information session will cover many of the areas relevant to Tertiary Education. During Term 3, students will be able to apply for a place in a particular course for 2021 through the Internet. After the VCE results are released in December 2019, students will be able to change their preferences. All students are encouraged to consult the Pathways Coordinator at this time.
VTAC provides extensive information on its website: www.vtac.edu.au
All students who are successful in completing their scored VCE will be automatically assigned an ATAR from VTAC at the same time as VCE results are released. The ATAR score is a numerical value between 0.05 and 99.95 which gives a relative ranking for every Year 12 student in Victoria. The majority of courses in tertiary institutions require a minimum ATAR score. These “clearly-in” ATAR scores vary from year to year.
All institutions offer a range of alternative entry schemes that take into account short and long-term disadvantage.
Alternate entry and Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) are for applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage. Students who submit a SEAS application need to meet the criteria as set out in a handbook for each institution they are applying to. SEAS applications apply to both Universities and TAFEs. All documentation supplied for SEAS must be submitted to VTAC. Students are also able to apply for certain scholarships through the SEAS application. Students wishing to apply should speak with the Senior School Director and the Director of Pathways & VET Coordinator.
For further information regarding the VCE program, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior School Team.
Parents/caregivers are asked to please communicate regularly with school staff regarding their student's motivation, pathways and academic progress. Parents/caregivers are requested to ensure that up-to-date contact details (including email, phone and address details) are provided to the school.
Extra-Curricular Programs
In addition to the school's published range of extra-curricular programs, the following programs aim to increase students' focus, motivation and enjoyment of their final year(s) of secondary school:
This two-day event have students participate in workshops on future pathways, stress management, motivation, organisation skills, as well as hear from guest speakers and past students.
Organised and led by the Year 12 Student Leadership Team, the Formal (for year 11 and 12s only) encourages students to celebrate their achievements and friendships in a mature and elegant manner.
'Elevate' is a private provider that Elwood College hires to run excellent sessions on study skills, motivational strategies and organisation.
Year 11 and 12 students are invited to recognise the joy one can take from leading the junior students in acts of camaraderie - such as the four whole-school House Events. As leaders of the school, they are expected to create a
happy, healthy and inviting environment at such events; valuing these final opportunities to have fun with the whole school.
On the night of students' final day, Year 12 parents are invited to join their students and teachers at a formal event that will include final student speeches, dancing and a trip down memory lane.
Students regularly organise a themed dress-up day for their final day at school. They are cooked breakfast by the staff and have the attention of the whole school at an assembly.
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