As students enter their final years of secondary school, learning pathways become more flexible and diverse. Students are encouraged to plan their course pathway as a three-year program to provide them with the greatest chance of success.
As students enter their final years of secondary school, learning pathways become more flexible and diverse. The Senior School Curriculum has been designed to support students choosing pathways for success in Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) or Vocational Education and Training (VET). Students are encouraged to plan their pathway as a three-year program, allowing them to tailor their education to their individual strengths, interests, and empowering them to achieve their academic and personal goals with confidence.
The Year 10 Learning Program allows students to explore personal interests and develop skills, knowledge and understanding in increasingly sophisticated ways and provides opportunities for students to continue sequential development of learning undertaken in Year 9. Year 10 students have the opportunity to study a number of elective subjects, (including VET courses), in addition to the core subjects. Students who consistently achieve high academic results and demonstrate excellent work habits may be approved to study a VCE Unit 1 and 2 course in Year 10.
Students in Year 11 and 12 are supported by specialist VCE and VCE VM teachers who encourage academic growth and personal development, creating an environment wherelearning is shared and celebrated. Senior school students have exclusive access to the Chaminade Centre. Purpose built to replicate a tertiary learning environment, this new building sets the standard for what contemporary education should look like.
Students can elect to study the following Senior School Pathways:
VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)
The VCE includes a program called VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) - a two year program enabling students to achieve their VCE while developing vocational skills that will prepare them to enter apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE, university through alternative entry programs and the workforce. The program suits students who prefer an ‘applied learning’ approach and can be designed flexibly to fit each student’s goals.
To achieve the VCE Vocational Major, students need to complete a minimum of 16 units including:
There are no external examinations for the VCE VM program (except for the GAT and some VET programs) so students will not receive study scores or an ATAR score. Graduating VCE VM students will be presented with a Victorian Certificate of Education with the words ‘Vocational Major’ added.
VCE VM students attend a full five-day program which may include VET programs and Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students attend school based classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
VET
The VET programs are nationally recognised vocational certificate programs that allow students to include vocational studies within their Year 10 course, VCE or VCE VM Certificate. John Paul College in partnership with Chisholm Institute of TAFE and other providers, offers an exciting array of VET programs.
Programs enable students to combine their studies with a vocational program, explore career possibilities, learn in the workplace and develop skills that prepare them foremployment and further study.Students have the option of selecting a VET course that is conducted onsite during the regular timetable, or they may choose to secure a VET course through a TAFE. The latteroption can be completed either as part of the VM pathway or after hours as part of the VCE pathway.
Careers Program
The College has a comprehensive Careers program, in which our dedicated Career Advisors consult with each student, helping them to design their course, ensure they meet the pre-requisites and assess future study and career options. Visit our Careers Hub