Victoria’s senior secondary education is changing. From 2023, the new VCE Vocational Major will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL. This means the VCE will recognise different students equally. The new Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will replace Foundation VCAL. Students will have more education choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing them for further study, training at TAFE or work. From 2023, more students will study the VCE. That is because the VCE will include the Vocational Major, a 2-year program that sits within the VCE. There will also be the Victorian Pathways Certificate for those who need flexibility in their learning. A new information and awareness campaign, Many Talents, One VCE explains the changes. The changes are a result of the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth review).
The review found we needed to improve vocational learning in schools. Schools currently offering VCAL will switch to the VCE Vocational Major from 2023. Please note, students currently enrolled in Intermediate VCAL will not be disadvantaged as there are processes in place to ensure that students can complete their Intermediate studies. Teachers and careers counsellors are available to answer questions and to support students as they make decisions about their final years at school. Now students will have greater access to high-quality, relevant vocational education and applied learning opportunities. For more information, go to vic.gov.au/oneVCE and engage with all the material shared by Penola.
The important Transition Program for students will begin shortly and will lead them to successfully choose their pathway for 2023. Parents please support your child by reading the Curriculum Handbook together and discussing subject and pathway selection. All subjection information will be posted on MyPenola.
On Tuesday 26 July, we are having our Senior Information Evening, which involves important information sessions taking place to inform students and parents on subject choices for Year 11. Parents and students currently in Year 10 are required to attend, as we will be sharing important information regarding subject selection and the new senior certificate.
As well as stalls from every College subject area and the opportunity to chat to the specialist teachers from each of these areas there will also be guests present from Universities and TAFE providers so that students have the chance to explore several options for their educational pathway.
The Year 10 students and families are invited to attend the Careers Expo that is open from 3:30pm until 8:00pm in the ASH to look at the stalls and speak with the careers team. Please be sure to also attend the information session, focused on senior programs, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Mary MacKillop Auditorium.
Canberra Trip
VCE Legal Studies students recently visited Canberra accompanied by Mr Sam Papadopoulos and Mrs Argyropoulos. The purpose of the trip was to assist in gaining a better understanding of the structure and function of our system of Government at the Federal level and also the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution. This will assist students in Unit 4 Legal Studies, as it is very heavily based on Federal Parliament and the Constitution.
Congratulations to all involved!