Dear students, parents, and families,
Welcome to our Senior School Course Handbook for 2025.
The final years of schooling are often exciting, challenging and rewarding for students.
This handbook has been designed to help you successfully navigate some of the decisions regarding subject and certificate selection. Our course counselling process and associated learning experiences are also designed to support the information in this handbook to ensure you are making informed decisions regarding your senior school experience and potential future pathways. The range of supports available at the College to assist student and parent decision making regarding subjects, certificates and pathways is of the highest quality.
The range of subjects and certificates available to Year 11 and 12 students at the College is outstanding. The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the certificate for senior education. Included as part of the VCE framework is the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM). Students work over two years to successfully obtain either the VCE or VCE VM.
Sitting alongside the VCE are Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates. At least one VET must be included as part of the VCE VM and is optional for all other students. The inclusion of a VET certificates as part of a senior program should be strongly considered by all students as many VET’s include the option of a study score as well as increments on Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Tailoring the combination of subjects and VET certificates enables students to proceed with success and confidence to further education and training, including University, TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships, and employment.
We encourage and support students to discover and follow their interests, passions and abilities when considering certificates and subjects in the senior years.
Our aim is for students to approach this next step with a sense of pride in their achievements, respect for themselves and others, confidence in their abilities, as well as an optimistic outlook on learning and life.
Our College takes great pride in its commitment to ensuring all students reach their potential in obtaining excellent learning and pathways outcomes.
I look forward to celebrating academic and personal success with you all in the coming years.
David Caughey
College Principal
View the Senior Years Handbook
This handbook contains information about course pathways and subjects available for selection in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) for students enrolled at Cranbourne Secondary College.
Cranbourne Secondary College also offers a comprehensive range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) units from within the Cranbourne VET group of schools.
This handbook should be used by students and their families to help them plan their pathway through the senior school by selecting a program and subjects that lead to their intended career and post school destination.
In selecting their senior years program, students will be provided with extensive counselling from within the school to assist them in making these important decisions.
Cranbourne Secondary College offers two certificates – the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM), this is a nationally recognised certificate awarded to students who satisfactorily complete Years 11 and 12 of secondary schooling. We also offer access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a recognised course of study that provides pathways for students into employment, TAFE, and tertiary institutions. Students are assessed and ranked, and it is this Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR) that is required for university entrance.
The VCE offers a direct pathway to university and can provide you with an ATAR.
To obtain a VCE, students must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units of study including:
All students must complete English (or EAL if applicable) as a compulsory subject in both Year 11 and Year 12.
EAL students are also encouraged to choose Bridging EAL as an additional subject in Units 1 & 2, as this is designed to support EAL students in developing their language skills and confidence.
In Year 11, students choose six Unit 1 & 2 sequences (this could include a VET subject).
In Year 12, it is expected that students would drop one of these subjects, to complete five Unit 3 & 4 sequences.
You can only undertake the new studies of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills if you are enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major.
Every unit has learning outcomes that are obtained through a set of varied activities directly related to the areas of study. The classroom teacher (using a range of assessment methods) is responsible for assessing outcomes.
For students undertaking Units 1 & 2, there will be graded tasks in each unit. Students will also be required to sit a school based examination at the end of each unit.
For students undertaking Units 3 & 4, there will be School Assessed Coursework (SAC), School Assessed Tasks (SAT) and/or Externally Assessed Tasks for each unit. In each unit, there will be a combination of school assessed work and examinations that are assessed directly by the VCAA.
Grades will be awarded on the scale A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, E+, E, UG or NA. All marks and grades awarded by the school are conditional and may change as a result of statistical moderation conducted by the VCAA.
The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank is a rank – not a score. It is represented as a number between 0 and
99.95 in intervals of 0.05, with 99.95 being the highest rank.
Because the ATAR is a rank, there is no pass or fail ATAR. Everyone who receives an ATAR has successfully passed the VCE. The ATAR simply demonstrates each student’s achievement in relation to all other Victorian students in the Year 12 age group. Someone receiving an ATAR of 55, for example, has performed better than 55 per cent of the Year 12 age group that year.
The aggregate will be converted into a ranking of between 0 and 99.95 (the ATAR).
For more information on ATAR and Scaled Study Scores, please refer to the following official publications:
The VCE Vocational Major is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.
The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:
The VCE VM curriculum (Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills and Work Related Skills) is engaging, based in real life and gives students in-demand skills needed for the future world of work.
Applied learning teaches skills and knowledge in the context of ‘real life’ experiences. Students apply what they have learnt by doing, experiencing and relating acquired skills to the real-world. It enables flexible, personalised learning where teachers work with students to recognise their personal strengths, interests, goals, and experiences.
This is a shift from the traditional focus on discrete curriculum to a more integrated and contextualised approach to learning. Students learn and apply the skills and knowledge required to solve problems, implement projects or participate in structured workplace learning.
Students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program. Units 3 and 4 of VM studies may be undertaken together over the duration of the academic year to enable these to be integrated.
The VCE Vocational Major offers a pathway into:
To be eligible to receive the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:
The VCE VM can be tailored to the needs and interests of the student, to keep them engaged while developing their skills and knowledge. Students can also include other VCE studies and VET, and can receive structured workplace learning recognition.
Most students will undertake between 16-20 units over the two years.
Each VCE VM unit of study has specified learning outcomes. The VCE VM studies are standards-based. All assessments for the achievement of learning outcomes, and therefore the units, are school-based and assessed through a range of learning activities and tasks.
Unlike other VCE studies there are no external assessments of VCE VM Unit 3–4 sequences, and VCE VM studies do not receive a study score. If a student wishes to receive study scores, they can choose from the wide range of VCE studies and scored VCE VET programs that contain both internal and external assessment components.
The VCE VM studies do not contribute to the ATAR. To receive an ATAR a student must complete a scored Unit 3-4 sequence from the English group and three other Unit 3–4 scored sequences. Students must achieve two or more graded assessments in these scored sequences.
Completing the VCE VM requirements means that students have also completed the requirements of the VCE. Upon satisfactory completion of the VCE VM, students receive recognition through the appellation of ‘Vocational Major’ on their Victorian Certificate of Education and a Statement of Results.
Successful completion of VET units of competency are recognised by additional statements of attainment or certificates provided by the Registered Training Organisation.
Students who meet the requirements for satisfactory completion of the VCE, but not the requirements for the award of the Vocational Major appellation, will be awarded the VCE.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is training for a certain industry or career (vocation) that emphasises the opportunity to learn industry specific and practical skills. VETDSS allows secondary school students to gain vocational qualifications that contribute towards their completion of secondary schooling while gaining a certificate qualification.
Most certificates offered at secondary school are at Certificate II or Certificate III level. Generally, it will take two years to satisfactorily complete the full certificate. Certificate achievement is awarded based on Unit of Competency (UoC) completion. Coursework is a combination of practical and theory work. Students need to successfully complete all UoCs within the time frame of the course for completion of the certificate.
Some VETDSS courses have a mandatory SWL component. This means that part of the successful completion of the certificate is reliant on students having a work placement within the industry of study for a specified time. It is important to identify if the certificate undertaken has a mandatory work placement component and how this will be able to be achieved. Please speak to the SWL Coordinator or the VET Coordinator to find out more information and the process to follow to engage in work placement.
More information can be found here.
VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) offers a range of certificate options which may be undertaken alongside, or as part of your VCE, VCE VM or a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Some courses offer a Study Score, some are block credit and some are partial completion. Please check the VCAA website and the provider specific course design and talk to Cranbourne Secondary College’s Pathways Team to ensure the course you are choosing is giving you the program contribution you need.
VETDSS classes are held at a variety of venues over multiple days and times throughout the week. The full list of VETDSS courses that are offered at Cranbourne Secondary College as well as those attended off campus can be found further to the back of this course handbook.
Some VETDSS classes at Cranbourne Secondary College will be run within the timetable and others will be offered as a block of time. This information will not be known until the final construction of the timetable, thus students should be prepared for either.
Students who have a VET that is delivered in a block time may miss some classes and will have a Study Hall as part of their timetable. Students need to manage this time effectively to ensure they stay up to date with their other studies. VET support and Study On are also available for students who may need extra help.
VET offers students the opportunity to:
VETDSS suits students best who are:
Sometimes the choice involved in making a decision about subjects can be a little overwhelming, this is why Cranbourne Secondary College provides individual Course Counselling to all students. There are many opportunities for students to investigate their pathway options and understand their individual strengths and motivators. These include:
Cranbourne Secondary College students studying a VCE course can select a VET subject as a part of their course. The VET course must be held at Cranbourne Secondary College in order to be a part of their scheduled timetable. See the list of courses and providers at the back of this handbook.
Students studying a VCE VM pathway can access VET courses both on and off site. If the VET course is off site, students will need to organise their own transportation to and from their location. See the list of courses available at the back of this handbook.
VETDSS classes are held at a variety of venues over multiple days and times throughout the week. Please see the following list of courses and their locations that Cranbourne Secondary College students can access. As Cranbourne Secondary College is reliant on outside TAFEs and RTOs (Registered Training Organisation) for delivery of some of the VETDSS courses, students should understand that an application process is involved to be enrolled in these classes.
Further VETDSS information and videos can be found at the following links:
A USI is your individual education number for life. It also gives you an online record of your VET training undertaken in Australia. If you’re at university, TAFE or doing other nationally recognised training, you need a USI. (www.usi.gov.au)
At Cranbourne Secondary College your USI is necessary to finalise enrolment in VET, Taster and some short course programs. It is also needed to enrol at university, TAFE or apprenticeships and traineeships.
Please head to the website www.usi.gov.au/students to make your individual USI. This process is easy and will take around 5 minutes as long as you have one of the forms of ID listed on the website and below. There is also email and phone help available for those who are having difficulty. USI information is also available in other languages www.usi.gov.au/languages.
Forms of ID are:
If you already have a USI, please share this with Cranbourne Secondary College so that your enrolment can be completed.
It is easy to look up your USI by visiting www.usi.gov.au/students/find-your-usi. There are four ways to find your USI; email address, mobile number, personal details and check questions or personal details and ID document. You choose whichever is most convenient for you.
Head Start is the School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) program that supports secondary school students to succeed while they study and work towards a career.
Please refer to the Head Start Apprenticeships insert.
Students begin their apprenticeship and complete their senior school studies at the same time (being paid as an apprentice while also studying). Students will continue the apprenticeship once they have finished Year 12, but by this time may have already completed one or two years of their apprenticeship training.
If a student is interested in an Apprenticeship or a Traineeship they might wish to consider the HeadStart Apprenticeship program. The program aims to match students with an employer who will take them on as an apprentice.
Speak to our Head Start Cluster Director to discuss Head Start.
It is important to research deeply and think carefully about student choices. Students are making a decision about their program for the next two years. Students will only be able to make changes to their subjects or programs in exceptional circumstances, after consulting with their Year Level Leaders, Year Level Engagement Coordinators and the Pathways Team.
When considering the final years of school, students are faced with the decision of what pathway they wish to take in order to achieve their future goals. For some, this is an exciting moment – others may feel a bit confused.
Students should research their choices thoroughly so that they ensure they are on the right pathway and that all prerequisites are met.
Prerequisites are requirements that must be met. For example, a prerequisite of biology means that a student who has not studied that will not be considered for that course.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills highlight aspects of the training or work undertaken. For example, if you don’t like Maths then an engineering or electrical apprenticeship may not be the best choice for you.
Some things to consider
All students will select 6 Unit 1 & 2 subjects. Students enrolling in VCE may elect to select a VCE-VET (Cranbourne VET) to include into their program. This will replace one Unit 1 & 2 subject and will contribute towards their ATAR. These VET courses can only be chosen from VCE-VET offered at Cranbourne Secondary College.
Students wishing to enrol in a VCE VM program also must choose 6 Unit 1 & 2 subjects, and are required to select a VET program either onsite at Cranbourne Secondary College, or at another VET provider. This will replace one Unit 1 & 2 subject.
Students are planning a two-year study program. The majority of students will study 6 subjects in Year 11. In Year 12 students complete 5 subjects.
Students need to include prerequisites for any university or TAFE courses that they intend to pursue. Students should visit the VTAC website to complete research into course prerequisites. www.vtac.edu.au
Mathematics is compulsory under the VCE VM but is not a compulsory subject in VCE. However, it is highly recommended for students who are unsure about their career pathway. Please refer to the Maths Pathways chart on page 55.
A student’s choice is mostly to do with confirming the pathway they are currently on.
Year 12 students choose five subjects including English, EAL, or Literacy. Most students will have to decide which subject they will drop from their VCE Year 11 study program.
Students cannot pick up a VCE-VET program in Year 12 VCE. They can do a VET subject if they transition into the VCE VM program.
In some cases, students will need to make changes. In this case, please note that some subjects cannot be studied at Unit 3 & 4 level unless a student has completed the Unit 1 & 2 sequence in the same subject. Please see the Subject List for further information.
In most cases, students will continue the VET program they have already started. In some instances, students might wish to change courses. Students have committed to complete the whole two year program (most VET programs are a two year study). In some circumstances, students may change their VET program. Any VET program changes need to be discussed with our VET Coordinator.
Students who complete their two year VET program at the end of year 11 will need to consult the VET Coordinator about picking up another VET course. This could be a one year VET program or perhaps the first year of a different VET program. Students are also advised to read the information about the Head Start Apprenticeship program, as it might be possible to sign up to this program and make a “head start” on an apprenticeship in your area of interest.
If a current Year 11 student wishes to move into the VCE VM program next year, they will need to complete and submit a Year 12 Transition course application form at course counselling.
It is recommended that students who wish to move into the VCE VM program speak to the Pathways team prior to submitting an application form at course counselling and do not delay their decision.
To transfer into VCE VM, students will need to have successfully completed Year 11 VCE, and especially English and Maths.
Students are advised to discuss the possibility of transferring from VCE to VCE VM with the Year Level Leader.
Students looking to move from Year 11 VCE to 12 VCE VM without successful results in a VET subject during Year 11 are at greater risk of not completing the senior certificate.
Some VCE students might have a slightly unusual program – for example, if a student is enrolled in an external language study, or they are completing additional units, or they are completing a course over three years.
If this is your situation, you need to speak directly to the Senior School Year Level Leader to discuss the implications of this for your subject selection.
Study designs for VCE and VCE VM subjects are available here.
Study designs can provide specific details and support subject selection.
|
Additional Program |
What is it? |
What benefit would an additional program offer? | Who should consider additional programs in their course? | Who do I speak to about additional programs? |
| Accelerated Subjects | Study a Unit 1 & 2 subject in year 10. Study a Unit 3 & 4 subject in year 11. | Students who are approved to complete an accelerated subject benefit by having an additional study score contributing to their ATAR score. | High-achieving, high-ability students who have excelled
in a particular area of study. |
Senior School Year Level Leader. Please note applications for studying an accelerated subject must be submitted before your course counselling session. |
| Centre for Higher Education Studies | Begin first year university courses and select VCE subjects. | Undertake tertiary study that aligns with the student’s skills and interests. This study may contribute to their ATAR. Students may be
considered for university credits while they are completing their senior studies. |
High-achieving, high-ability students
who are planning on attending university. |
Senior School Year Level Leader |
| Head Start | Undertaking a School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship while completing the senior school certificate. | Students begin an apprenticeship which they continue after year 12, or complete after 2 years. | Students who want to continue studying and are interested in apprenticeships | Head Start Cluster Director |
| Languages | Study a VCE Language subject of your choice. | The study of a Language other than English contributes to the overall education of
individual students, most particularly in the area of communication, but also in the areas of cross-cultural understanding, cognitive development, literacy and general knowledge. |
Students who are fluent in another language.
Students who have time management skills and can commit to Saturday lessons. Distance Education is available for some subjects. Studying a language as an additional subject in year 12 can increase an ATAR by 5 points. |
EAL and Languages Leader |
| Work Placement/ Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) | SWL is designed to help students apply the skills and knowledge they learn in their VET program
in an industry environment. |
SWL provides students with the opportunity
to integrate on-the-job experience with secondary study. By completing SWL Recognition, students may be able to receive a credit towards the completion of the VCE VM. |
Students who want real world, on the job experiences within their selected industry. | SWL Coordinator |
| Year 13 Program | Electing to complete your senior certificate over 3 years rather than 2. | Beneficial for students where English is a Seconded Language, whether they are in English or EAL.
Students who require additional time to complete their senior certificate. |
Students who what to study 7 subjects.
Students who have not completed the required number of satisfactory subjects to successfully receive their senior school certificate. |
Senior School Year Level Leader |
Cranbourne Secondary College Careers: www.cranbournesccareers.com
VICTORIAN SKILLS GATEWAY: www.skills.vic.gov.au/s/ This website helps explore up to date Victorian TAFE and training opportunities.
JOB GUIDE: www.joboutlook.gov.au lists approximately 600 occupations, the description involved and the training required.
VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre): www.vtac.edu.au Students are able to list their VCE subjects and the program will give them a list of institutions and courses for which they are eligible. Follow link at VTAC website.
GOOD UNIVERSITIES GUIDE: www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au Find courses, compare university ratings and explore careers.
VCAA: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au for all VCE information, including course outlines and past exams.
MYFUTURE: www.myfuture.edu.au is a comprehensive career information service. It has a career exploration tool, career information, advice for those supporting others making decisions.
STUDY ASSIST: www.studyassist.gov.au gives information for Commonwealth supported students about costs and payments of fees. It replaces HECS.
JOB ACTIVE: www.jobactive.gov.au Australian Government’s key employment program
APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Targets students, employees, job seekers and careers teachers with information on all aspects of new apprenticeships, training, wages and case studies of individuals.
Provide information on courses, studying, events and open days, admissions, scholarships, and accommodation.
Monash:………………………………………………………… www.monash.edu
Melbourne:…………………………………………………….. www.unimelb.edu.au
Latrobe:…………………………………………………………. www.latrobe.edu.au
Deakin:………………………………………………………….. www.deakin.edu.au
Swinburne:……………………………………………………… www.swinburne.edu.au/
Victoria Uni:……………………………………………………. www.vu.edu.au
RMIT:……………………………………………………………. www.rmit.edu.au
Holmesglen:…………………………………………………… www.holmesglen.vic.edu.au
Box Hill:…………………………………………………………. www.boxhill.edu.au/
Chisholm TAFE:………………………………………………. www.chisholm.edu.au/
Federation University:……………………………………….. www.federation.edu.au/
ACU (Australian Catholic University):…………………….. www.acu.edu.au