ТНЕ \ Г \' VCE
A
ЅТ UD ЕХТЅ '
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GUIDE
о
II
I I i I ІІўVC C
A higher education for life
Yours sincerely,
JOAN
E.
KIRNERMINI TER •RED TI
VCE lgheíducotloп foгј 1&
July 1990
Dear Parents and Students,
It is time for all students currently in Years 9 and 10 to start planning for the VCE. All Year 11 students in 1991 will be doing the first year of their two-year VCE.
The two booklets, The New VCE - A Student Guide and Unit Descriptions for VCE Studies, will be valuable resources in helping students make the right choices in planning for the VCE. The booklets will help students and parents work with teachers who are making a committed and invaluable contribution to the introduction of the VCE.
The first booklet, The New VCE - A Student Guide, is being provided to all students in Years 9 and 10. The second booklet, Unit Descriptions for VCE Studies,
provides details on all Units in the VCE. It is a key resource in helping students decide on the Units they will study. I recommend that plenty of time be given to exploring the tremendous breadth that the VCE offers. This is clearly set out in the booklet. Unit Descriptions for VCE Studies is being distributed to all students in Year 10, while copies will be available in schools for Year 9 students to study.
Students will also have access to a vital source of information produced by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). A copy of the booklet, Tertiary Entrance Requirements 1993, should have arrived in your school by now. The information in this publication is a very important part of effectively using
"Decision Time", Section 4 of The New VCE - A Student Guide.
In choosing a VCE program, students need to take account of prerequisites for tertiary courses. Students should ask Careers Counsellors in their schools to help them take this information into account.
I am pleased to commend the two publications to you. In particular, I urge Year 10 students, with their parents and teachers, to carefully plan their first VCE year in 1991. I urge all students to set themselves high goals in getting ready for the VCE. The VCE is a chance for all students to excel and plan their own pathways after Year 12.
Best wishes for the future.
Ministry of Education, The Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street,
Melbourne, Victoria.
GPO Box 4367, Melbourne 3001.
WHY A NEW VCE?
There are many more students who wish to complete Year 12.The new VCE has been designed to be flexible, broad and challenging enough for everyone.
There will be some changes In the newVCE.There are a number of exciting new subjects (or studies as theywill now be called) and the ones which existed in the past have been revised to make learning as stimulating and effective as possible.
There is likely to be less sitting at a desk listening and more variety in the learning activities In which you will be involved, for example, problem solving.
However, as in the past, you will need to make a consistent effort to do well. The result will be a much better education which is more rewarding, and relevant to whatever you wish to do in the future.
How THIS BOOKLET WILL HELP You
First, a suggestion. Don't gobble To use this booklet effectively you up this booklet at a single sitting. There will need:
is a great deal of information to be f a companion booklet called Unit digested and it may well be bestto tak Descriptions for VCE Studies which each of the four sections Individually provides you with more detail about so that you understand one part what each unit involves. This is thoroughly before moving to the next. available in your school.
Do involve your parents. This booklet has been prepared for you to share with them. They need to know what is going on, so they can give you advice and support
to do some legwork of your own
-for example to find out which new
VCE units your school is likely to offer
and to talk to a careers adviser.
CO
І ТЕ N ТЅ
t*SECTION 1. HOW THE NEW VCE WILL WORK
STUDIES AND UNITS.
з
What you must DO over the two years.
3
What you must SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE over the two years.
з
Work requirements.
4
HOW YOUR WORK WILL BE ASSESSED.
5
A few words about CATS.
6
How each CAT will be graded.
8
How the CATS relate to work requirements.
9 DSECTION 2. THE NEW VCE AND YOUR FUTURE
Example of student programs.
11
Getting the right advice.
13
Tertiary entrance.
14
Special arrangements with TAFE.
14
Parents: the closest resource.
14
► SECTION 3. HOW TO PLAN YOUR VCE PROGRAM
• Choosing your units.
16
Choosing from the timetable.
17
► SECTION 4. DECISION TIME
Seven questions for you to answer.
A list of all the new VCE studies.
A chart for your VCE program.
Glossary of terms.
19 22 23
24
SECTION 1
н oW
THE \Ew vcE
WILL WORK
‚2А
ST[ DIES AND UNITS
First it is important to understand the difference between a study and a unit.
A study is similar to the old HSC'subject'.There are 44 VCE studies which are listed on page 22.
Most studies are made up of four units. A unit represents about 100 hours of work (of which 50-60 hours will be class time) and lasts for one semester or half year.
Units 1 and 2 are about as hard as present Year 11 subjects, and can be done as single units. Units 3 and 4 are equivalent to present Year 12 subjects and have to be done together as a sequence.
What you must DO over the two years
Most students will complete a total of 24 units.
You must take the following:
► English Units 1,2,3 and 4.
► Australian Studies Units 1 and 2.
► Two more units from the VCE studies grouped as Arts/Humanities.
► Four units from the VCE studies grouped as Mathematics/Science/Technology.
The remaining units are up to you to choose.
What you must SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE over the two years
To be awarded the Victorian Certificate of Education, you must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units. (See page 5 for what 'satisfactory completion' is about.) These units must include:
► at least three units of English
► at least three pairs of Units 3 and 4 of studies other than English.
The remaining units can be any that you choose.
(If you are planning to study the VCE after a year or more away from school the requirements might be different. Contact VCAB to check.)
Every unit has a set of work requirements
Work requirements are learning activities like keeping a workbook, making models, producing posters and flow charts, preparing timelines, diagrams and pieces of art, performing practical laboratory work, practising music, writing essays, drawing maps, solving problems — the work that you would expect to be doing in relation to what you are studying.
You cover your course by fulfilling these work requirements.
Each work requirement serves a particular purpose. Some are designed to introduce you to what you are studying, others are larger pieces of work that provide the way you will cover part of a unit.
Work requirements are often like building blocks, with each one helping you to tackle the next activity. That is why it is very important for you to complete the work requirements on time. If you let them slip you may find that you haven't done the groundwork for the next part of the course.
You should be provided with a list of what the work requirements are, and be given an idea of when they are due, very early in any unit.
3. To help you to work consistently and pro- ductively right through the year — no mad rushes, no coasting.
4. To provide you with experience in different ways of learning which you will find worthwhile when you leave school.
Substantial numbers of students in Victoria have been working this way for nearly ten years now and, after getting used to it, they have liked it. It has helped their motivation and helped them to develop good study habits, planning skills and achieve more.
You do need to be organised
One thing you will need to do is to discipline yourself to meet deadlines. It prevents you from slipping behind in your work schedule. It is a useful thing to learn now because you will have to do it all the time when you get a job.
While there will always be some exceptions, nobody has an automatic right to extensions of time at the end of a unit. It is likely that your school will have a policy about submission of work and meeting of deadlines. If so find out what it is.
Always plan ahead to have your work completed on time. If you are having difficulties let your teacher know as early as possible.
Why there are work requirements
There are four main reasons for having work requirements.
1. To help you learn in the best possible way.
2. To set out what is expected of you so that you are clear from the word 'go' about what is required.
There are no last minute surprises.
► 4/
HOW yoURWoR К WILL BE ASSESSED
There are two ways in which the VCE units will be assessed: by satisfactory completion of a unit, and by levels of performance.
1. Satisfactory completion of a unit
You will receive 'S' (for 'satisfactorily completed') or 'N' (for 'not satisfactorily completed') for each unit depending on whether or not you satisfactorily complete all the work requirements.
When you have satisfactorily completed enough units as outlined on page 16 you will be awarded your VCE.
This is why the work requirements are important. If you complete them properly your efforts and achievements will be rewarded.
But why do you have to satisfactorily complete all the work requirements? It's simple. They are designed as a 'set' to cover all aspects of the unit, so if you fail to complete one of them you cannot be considered to have completed the unit.
Compare it with building a house. Most of the jobs and building work may have been done as required, but if the roof is left off the house can hardly be described as satisfactorily completed.
There are standards built into each work requirement. So if you have completed all the work requirements you have done well. But what 'S' doesn't say is whether you have been terrific, fairly good or just okay at what you have done. So your level of performance will also be assessed.
2. Levels of performance
In Units 1 and 2 your school will continue to choose how it is going to assess and to report on how well you have performed. These assessments will provide a useful record for you and introduce you to the way in which assessment will work in Year 12. However they will not be included on your official statement of results.
In Units 3 and 4 there will be a system of graded assessment based on the new CATS.
These assessments will be included on your statement of results.
STUDY: Unit Title UNIT RESULT YEAR
ACCOUNTING: Personal Accounting 1 S 1991
ACCOUNTING: Single Entry Accounting for Small Business 2 S 1991
AUSTRALIAN STUDIES: Work in Australian Society 1 S 1991
AUSTRALIAN STUDIES: Work in Australian Society 2 S 1991
ENGLISH 1 S 1991
ENGLISH 2 S 1991
MATHEMATICS: Space and Number 1 S 1991
MATHEMATICS: Space and Number 2 S 1991
HEALTH EDUCATION: Health for Youth 1 S 1991
HEALTH EDUCATION: Health for All 2 S 1991
SCIENCE: Using Resources to Meet Human Needs 1 S 1991
SCIENCE: Creating Products for Soc ety 2 S 1991
ACCOUNTING: Double Entry Accounting for Service Firms З S 1992
ACCOUNTING: Double Entry Accounting for Trading Firms 4 S 1992
ENGLISH 3 S 1992
ENGLISH 4 S 1992
HEALTH EDUCATION: Issues in Health 3 S 1992
HEALTH EDUCATION: Health in a Changing World 4 S 1992
LITERATURE 1 S 1992
LITERATURE 2 S 1992
POLITICAL STUDIES: Political Systems and Structures of Power 3 S 1992 POLITICAL STUDIES: Political Systems and Structures of Power 4 S 1992
SCIENCE: New Technologies and Society 3 S 1992
SCIENCE: Changing Views of the Universe 4 S 1992
END OF VCE RECORD
THIS CANDIDATE HAS SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE VICTORIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION.
END OF VCE STATEMENT
NUMBER OF RESULTS 24
VICTORIAN CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT BOARD
STATEMENT OF RESULTS leading to the award of
the Victorian Certificate o1 Education
L J
CMAIRPERSON
BRIAN WHITE
HAS OBTAINED RESULTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNITS OF STUDY ACCREDITED BY THE VICTORIAN CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT BOARD.
г
CANDIDATE NUMBER 9100001 DATE 12/12/92 PAGE 1 оF 1 MR B WHITE
17 PENNY LANE ERINSBOROUGH
VICTORIAN CURRICULUM AND ASST
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF GRADES OBTA UNITS AT SEMESTERS 3 AND 4 LEVEL
leading to the award of
the Victorian CartIfiute of Education
n MR B WHITE
17 PENNY LANE ERINSBOROUGH
L
BRIAN WHITE
HAS OBTAINED THE FOLLOWING GRADES ON TAKEN AT SEMESTERS 3 and 4 LEVEL.
YEAR STUDY Units
1992 ACCOUNTING
3. Double Entry Accounting for Service Firms 4. Double Entry Accounting for Trading Firms
1992 ENGLISH 3. English 4. English
1992 HEALTH EDUCATION 3. Issues in Health 4. Health in a Changing World
1992 POLITICAL STUDIES
3. Political Systems and Structures of Power 4. Political Systems and Structures of Power
1992 SCIENCE
3. New Technologies and Society 4. Changing Views of the Universe
END OF еuМВ1
A few words about CATS Depending on the units you choose, a CAT A CAT is a Common Assessment Task. It is the might be making a model, producing a folio of work, basis for grading specific pieces of work done in a set of graphic designs or a research report, or
Units 3 and 4. performing a piece of music, drama or dance.
The idea is to assess not just the work done in The set of CATS for any sequence of units will be one exam, but the work done for a series of three or directly related to the purpose of the units.
four tasks. All students across the State doing a Exams haven't been dispensed with entirely.
particular unit will do the same CATS. In every study one or more of the CATS will
► 6/
Units 3 and 4: ENGLISH
These units involve students in extending their language skills through developing the capacity to speak and write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences in a variety of ways.
Students are required to: maintain an organised collection of their caursework in the form of a workbook which includes goals set by students for the improvement of their language use; study four texts, reflecting critically on each text as a whale, comparing and contrasting texts in terms of the concepts and ideas presented in them and expressing their opinions in three finished pieces of writing; discuss and respond to issues presented in the media, critically evaluating the language used In the presentation, and present a point of view on an issue studied, orally and in writing; study the features of effective writing and produce a range of writing, selecting those pieces they wish to improve to a finished state for presentation in a folio; and complete a communication protect which is language—based activity involving the development of material for presentation to an audience other than the teacher.
RESULT This candidate has satisfactorily completed the Work Requirements of Unit 3 of ENGLISH S This candidate has satisfactorily completed the Work Requirements of Unit 4 of ENGLISH S
COMMON riBSFBHFNT GRADE DESCRIPTION GRADE
TASK
Achieved a critical, comprehensive and controlled analysis of the language used in the A presentation of an issue. Demonstrated a sophisticated treatment of the issue and its wider implications in a substantiated view which was organised and cohesive.
Used subtle and expressive language persuasively, and with precision and assurance.
Demonstrated a critical and perceptive reading of the text and sophisticated and imaginative treatment of ideas and issues raised. Presented a substantiated response with an organised and sustained structure. Used subtle and expressive language with precision and assurance.
Demonstrated controlled communication of issues and ideas of some complexity.
Used effective organisation and appropriate structures. Made fluent and effective use of a range of writing modes with appropriate variation for different purposes and audiences.
1. Presentation of an Issue
2. Text Response
3. Writing Folio
A
В
4. Oral Communication Demonstrated controlled communication of issues and ideas of some complexity, which B+
were effectively organised and appropriately structured. Used a range of oral language modes fluently and effectively, and varied language modes appropriately for different contexts. Showed confident and purposeful interaction with different audiences.
END OF STATEMENT
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board
STATEMENT OF RESULTS—UNITS AT SEMESTERS 3 AND 4 LEVEL leading to the award of
the Victorian CMMeate ol EducaØ
BRIAN WHITE
HAS OBTAINED THE FOLLOWING GRADES ON COMMON ASSESSMENT TASKS IN UNITS TAKEN AT SEMESTERS 3 and 4 LEVEL.
9100001 28/12/92
г L
1 0F 1
J
CANDIDATE NUMBER DATE PAGE СЧА1ДРЕп50и MR B WHITE
17 PENNY LANE ERINSBOROUGH
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT ON ALТERNATIVES FOR
RECORDING AND REPORTING
PRESENTATION OF AN ISSUE TEXT RESPONSE WRITING FOLIO ORAL COMMUNICATION
RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT ESSAY
INVESTIGATION REPORT STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
REPORT ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ANALYSIS OF THEORY AND PRACTICE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC POLICY PROFILE OF CHANGE
COMPREHENSION AND APPLICATION INVESTIGATION REPORT STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
В C
В+
A A В В+
E+
C A В
D+
C D C
D+
C C
TEM ENT
IRADES 21
TASK GRADE
SSMENT BOARD
1ED ON COMMON ASSESSMENT TASKS FOR
CANDIDATE ИимвЕА 9100001 IATE 28/12/92 PAIE 1 оF 1 CNAIRPERSON
Ni'MON ASSESSMENT TASKS IN UNITS
take the form of a shortened exam. This CAT will be assessed by external examiners.
The rest of the CATS will be assessed initially by the school. The grades given to pieces of work will be checked by panels of teachers supervised by an independent chairperson.
In this way we will know that students have received the right grade for the standard oftheirwork.
If you're doing Units 3 and 4 of Graphic Communication, for example, you might produce an outstanding drawing folio but be not as good at design. So rather than an overall В, you will have an A+for your drawing folio and a C foryour design folio, as well as grades for the other two CATS.
How each CAT will be graded
A crucial difference with the new system is that you will get a grade for each CAT, instead of one grade for the unit as a whole. This is so that your assessment can be more exact and informative for future employers and tertiary institutions. There will be a scale of five grades (A-E) with two levels in each grade, making a total of 10 points.
The symbols used to report assessments for CATS will be A+, A, В+, В, C+, C, D+, D, E+ and E.
Look at the sample statements on pages 6 and 7 to see how they will be reported.
Instead of a grade, you could receive a 'UG' (which stands for 'Ungraded' meaning that you haven't done enough work or work of sufficient quality to get a grade) and 'NA' (which stands for 'Not Assessed' and means that you haven't done the CAT).
As a further point, if you look at the third sample statement on page 7 you will see that each grade has a description attached to it. This helps the assessors, future employers, tertiary selection officers, and of course you, to know what the grades mean.
► в∎
is The third
HOW 'HE CA ТS RELATE TO WORK REQUIREMENТ S
To help you understand how CATs and work requirements go together we have chosen Australian History Units З and 4 as an example.
Unit 3 (the first half of the year)
The first work requirement is an intro- ductory Activity, which involves looking at different points of view about something that happened in the past. This is to help you to understand the nature of historical evidence and problems about representing Australia's history.
The second is keeping a Workbook so have an orderly record of your work, inforrnatlon gathered and
period, such as the First World War, and to use evidence to draw conclusions.
This essay is assessed as CАТ2. No ad- ditional workis required to complete this CAT either. Itis also handed in at the end of term 2.
Unit 4
(the
second half ofthe
year)The first work requirement in Unit 4 is keeping a Workbook, as in Unit 3.
For the second, you will do a Research Project to help you learn about social life in other periods of Australian history, for example the social changes in the 19Øs, and to develop research skills.
The report you produce fram your project is assessed as CAT
Ѕ. No additional work is required for this
CAEit is handed '111
sources consulted. ' an Annotated Graphic Exercise an culture and identity. It is to help you learn to analyse, historical images such as photographs, paintings and films. So you might look at a series of these to see how people lived and draw conclusions about
the historical context.
The finished product of this analysis is assessed as CAT 1. No additional work Is
required to complete the CAT. It is handed in
at
the end of term 2.
The fourth and final work requirement for this unit will be familiar: an Essay. to this
cu e it is to help you understand changes
i n Australian society during an historical
in atthe endofterm 4.
The third work requirement is an Analytical Exercise. This will continue devei- oping skliis`thatyou started mastering in the 'introductory Activity'. it is to help you learn to analyse the way the past is represented.
The fourth is another Essay, designed this timeto helpyou learn aboutthe impact of a major event or idea in Australian hiѕtory, such as the dismissal of the Whitlam Government.
CAТ 4 is done as a test or short exam at
the end of term 4. It
involvesanswering
questions about historical evidence. The
work requirements will help you to do this,
but it will be a separate task.
STUDENT PROGRAM - VISUAL ØTS EXAMPLE
Graphic Communication
1 Art 1
Mathematics:
Space and Number 1
English 1 Studio
Arts 1 Australian
Studies 1
Graphic Communication
2 FIRST
YEAR
Art 2 Mathematics:
Space and Number 2
English 2 Studio
Arts 2 Australian
Studies 2 History:
Western Ideas 3 History:
Western Ideas 4
Materials and Technology 1
Materials and Technology 2
Studio Arts 3 Studio Arts 4
Geography З
Geography 4 Art 3
Art 4 English 3
English 4 SECOND
YEAR
This program can lead to, for example: Arts, Humanities, Education. ".. Tertiary Art courses. TAFE Associate Diplomas and Certificate courses, including Apprenticeships. » Employment in applied art areas, such as graphic design.
STUDENT PROGRAM - BUSINESS EXAMPLE
Australian Studies 1 Australian
Studies 2
Mathematics:
Reasoning as Data 1 Mathematics:
Reasoning as Data 2
Economics 1 Economics
2
Accounting 1 Accounting
2
Information Technology
1 Information Technology
2 English 1
English 2 FIRSТ
YEAR
English 3
English 4
Health Education
3 Health Education
4
Mathematics:
Change and Approx. 3 Mathematics:
Change and Арргох. 4
Economics З
Economics 4
Accounting З
Accounting 4
International Studies 3 International
Studies 4 SECOND
YEAR
This program can lead to, for example: Business, Arts, Economics, Commerce, Education. „ w TAFE Associate Diplomas and Certificate courses, including Tratneeships. » Employment in areas such as retailing, local government, commercial banking, marketing, hospitality.
The new VOE will provide clear pathways to work or further study.
Although it deliberately encourages broad pro- grams of study, there is also plenty of opportunity to develop areas of special interest and to begin
preparation for a career. If you choose to do so you will be able to specialise in one of many different areas: the arts, business, the humanities, the sciences or technology. The following charts show you some examples.
STUDENT PROGRAM - HUMANITIES EXAMPLE
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4
Australian Studies 1 Australian
Studies 2 History:
Revolutions 3 History:
Revolutions 4
Political Studies 1
Political Studies 2
Political Studies 3
Political Studies 4
LATE: Mathematics:
Italian Space and
1 Number 1
Mathematics:
Space and Number 2 LATE:
Italian 3 LATE:
Italian 4
Literature 3 Literature
4 Environmental
Studies 1 Environmental
Studies 2
This program can lead to, for example. ę.;w Arts, Law, Education, Humanities. (- TAFE Associate Diplomas and Certificates, including Traineeships. ` • Employment in areas such as administration, education, social
and community services. о
STUDENT PROGRAM - SCIENCES EXAMPLE
Mathematics:
Space and Number 1 Mathematics:
Space and Number 2 Mathematics:
Reasoning and Data 3 Mathematics:
Reasoning and Data 4
Mathematics:
Change and Approx.1 Mathematics:
Change and Approx. 2 Mathematics:
Exten. (Change and Approx.) 3 Mathematics:
Exten. (Change and Approx.) 4
Music Craft:
Solo Performance 3
Music Craft:
Solo Performance 4 SECOND
YEAR
English 1
English 2
English 3
English 4
Australian Studies 1
Physics 1
Physics 2
Chemistry 3 Chemistry
4 Science
3 Science
4 LOTE:
Italian 2
FIRST YEAR
Chemistry 1 Chemistry
2 Australian
Studies 2
Music Craft 1 Music Craft
2
This program can lead to, for example: ' Engineering, Sciences, Health Sciences, Medicine, Education.
TAFE Associate Diplomas and Certificates, including Apprenticeships. w` Employment in a range of occupations. Certain post VCE options may require Physics 3 and 4.
► 124
Mathematics:
Space and Number 1 Mathematics:
Space and Number 2
Graphic Communication
1 Graphic Communication
2
Materials and Technology
(Metals) 1 Materials and
Technology (Metals) 2
FIRST YEAR
English 1 Australian Studies 1
English 2 Australian Studies 2
Science 1
Physics 2 Physical
Education 1 Physical Education
2
Information Technology
1 Information Technology
2
Graphic Communication
З Graphic Communication
4
Materials and Technology
(Metals) 3 Materials and
Technology (Metals) 4
Technological Design and Development 3
Technological Design and Development 4 English 3
SECOND YEAR
English 4
STUDENT PROGRAM - TECHNOLOGY EXAMPLE
This program can lead to, for example: TAFE Associate Diplomas and Certificates, Including Apprenticeships. Employment in areas such as the engineering industry, metals industry, design and drafting. For some post-VCE options, consideration should be given to selecting more units from Sciences and Mathematics.
First, get the right advice
How on earth do you sort through the huge range of jobs and careers that are open to you?
Of course you'll have some ideas yourself, and parents and teachers will have suggestions too.
But you'll find it's really worthwhile to sit down with a careers teacher who can provide the right advice and point you in the direction of other sources such as the Vocational Orientation Centre (VOC), Career Reference Centres (CRC) and the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES).
Good advice is an enormous help. It can make you aware of the range of jobs that are available and suggest which ones might suit your interests and talents.
It can open your eyes to the sort of work that is done in each of these jobs.
It can indicate which courses lead to the occupations in which you are interested and itcan tell you where these courses can be studied and what the prerequisites are. (Prerequisites are units which you must have satisfactorily completed before you can be considered for selection into particular tertiary courses.)
A number of other services and publications might help you:
The Job and Course Explorer (JAC) is a computerised information service on further education and careers. There is also a book, the JAC Courses Directory.
► The Commonwealth Employment Service's Job Guide has up-to-date and comprehensive information.
• The handbooks of TAFE colleges and tertiary institutions.
There's one further piece of advice—keep your options open. Don't cut down your chances by choosing a narrow course too early. That is one of the reasons why VCE students are encouraged to choose units from a broad range of studies.
Tertiary Entrance
Victoria's tertiary institutions have a joint selection system administered by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
VTAC's job includes:
� organising the application procedure,
► receiving and processing applications,
»І' forwarding the appropriate applications, and accompanying information, to the relevant tertiary institutions,
ііі making offers to prospective students on behalf of tertiary institutions.
it produces a publication with which you should become familiar, the VTAC Guide To Courses in Colleges and Universities which is published every year. This contains a comprehensive list of courses.
VTAС has also produced a booklet called Tertiary Entrance Requirements 1993, which gives details of prerequisites for entry in 1993.
Your school will have copies of both publications.
Special arrangements with TAFE
Arrangements are being made so that students who have completed their VCE may be given credit in a TAFE course for work already covered.
One example being considered at present is in the TAFE Certificate in Office and Secretarial Studies. Credit for the units 'Introduction to Computers I and II' in that certificate could be given to students who have satisfactorily completed two units of VCE Information Technology.
Credit transfer arrangements are also being considered in the areas of Engineering, Electronics, Art and Design, and Hospitality and Tourism.
Arrangements that will be available to students who complete the VCE in 1992 will be finalised by the end of this year. Details will be available through your school.
Parents: the closest resource
Your parents or guardians can discuss courses and career advice with you, and help you get the facts.
They can also:
іІ support you in your studies (by helping you, not doing it for you),
•
check on your progress, and remind you when things are due,
•
talk to your teachers and work with them to help you,
іі attend parent-teacher nights and information evenings. Having up-to-date information is vital for them to be able to help.
►144
, 4П
SECTION 3
н oW TO
,:
4. FtA\
1 YOUR
VCE
PROGRAM
A Program is the complete list of VCE units you will do over two or more years. Most students will do 24 units, each of which is designed to run for a semester (half a year). However there are some options to choose from.
How many units will you do?
If you wantto do more than 24,fine.You might be the sort of person who thrives on a heavy workload and want to take this opportunity to extend yourself.
If you want to do fewer, you will need to remember that until you satisfactorily complete 16 units you will not be awarded the VCE. If you want to do it over a longer period of time, that's okay. Every time you satisfactorily complete a unit it will be recorded by VCAB and go towards the award of the certificate.
In either case, discuss it with your teachers at school. Seek their advice about what you want to do in terms of the arrangements the school is making for offering the new VCE and their opinions of the workload you can handle.
When will you do the units?
If you choose to you can do some Units 1 and 2 of the new VCE studies in Year 12 and some Units 3 and 4 in Year 11. Again this will depend to some extent on the arrangements in your school.
However, if you are thinking of doing some Units 3 and 4 in the first year of your VCE, be cautious. Units 3 and 4 are designed to be harder than Units 1 and 2. It might however be a good idea to 'top up' your second year studies
with some Units 1 and 2 that extend the range of your studies and cater for some of your broader interests.
Don't forget: you will need to do at least three pairs of Units 3 and 4 as well as English 3 and 4.
You can vary the number of units you do in any one year, which means you don't have to do 12 units in Year 11 and 12 units in Year 12. It is possible to modify that pattern by doing more in one year and fewer in the other.
Choosing your units
When you are working on section 4 in this booklet ('Decision Time'), try to keep the two years of your program in mind. There will be some units that you have to do (e.g. English 1,2,3 and 4) and others you need to do to satisfy prerequisites for post-school pathways.
However over two years there will also be a chance to branch out and explore new areas. For example, students thinking of further study in Business might consider some units of Health Education or Media, in addition to units in Mathematics, Accounting and Economics. These would contribute to a broader understanding of the society they live in.
Students interested in a post-school pathway in Technology could learn a lot by taking the History unit called Technology and Change.
There is a wide range of very good studies.
Take the trouble to check them all out.
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Choosing from the timetable Because of timetabling the list of all the units Your school will be offering a selection of the the school offers is not necessarily the list of what new VCE studies. Most schools are at present you can actually do. For example you might have working out how they can enlarge the range of to choose between Chemistry and Theatre Studies possibilities which are available to their students. because you're the only person at your school who You will be choosing a set of half year (semester) has ever wanted to do both. This happens because long units. For the sake of the school and for your the person who is doing the timetable has to juggle own sake, it is a good idea to plan your whole pro- teachers and rooms. You might have to pick one gram well in advance so that things can go smoothly. study from each block out of a range similar to the There are no VCAB rules to say that you can't change sample below.
your mind as you go, however check whether or not If you have got your heart set on doing some the school has rules or policies about this. combination that is not immediately on offer, don't One of the reasons for having half year units despair. Something can often be worked out.
rather than whole year courses is to enable students Once again this underlines the importance of to change studies without too much fuss. In Units 1 your planning. The earlier you can tell your and 2 of studies itwill be reasonably easy, but remem- school what you want to do, the more likely it is ber Units З and 4 are to be taught and learnt as a that they will be able to offer it.
sequence. So do your exploration in your first year.
ЕХАМPI.4E OF TIМЕТАВLF ВLOCКS
Dose one study from each of six of the seven blocks or choose one study from each BLOCK A
English
BLOCK B Australian
Studies
BLOCK C English
BLOCK D BLICKE
Australian Studies
BLOCK F English
BLOCK G English English
Mathematics:
Space and Number
Mathematics:
Reasoning and Data
Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Accounting Literature
Physical Education Materials and
Technology (Metals)
Biology
Science Technological
Design and Development
Physics
Art Political Studies Human Development
in Society Systems and
Technology (Automotive)
Information Technology
Drama Graphic Communication
Materials and Technology
(Food) Physics
French
Mathematics:
Space and Number Economics
History
Mathematics:
Space and Number Mathematics:
Change and Approximation
Legal Studies
Mathematics:
Reasoning and Data Geography
Chemistry
1.184
This is the practical section in which you start making some decisions and writing down what you are likely to do for your VCE program.
Two cautions:
► It doesn't work in a step-by-step fashion. You'll have to do some backing and filling as some pieces of information modify others.
► Don't expect this to be for keeps. You're likely to change your mind; the information changes and what it is possible to do at your school may also change. This is the starting point and will give you a feel for some of the decisions you are going to have to make over the next few years.
On page 24 is an almost blank chart for a 24 unit VCE Program for you to fill in.
But don't rush it. First of all gather the following information:
• 1. Over what period are you planning to do your VCE? (It will take a minimum of two years.
Most people will choose two years, but you can
► 4. Now have a look at the blank Program chart on page 23.
It isn't quite blank. We've already put in the 4 units of English you have to do. You put in Australian Studies Units 1 and 2 in the year in which you think you'll do them.
► 5. Underneath the chart there's a reminder that you have to include 2 units of other studies from the Arts/Humanities group of studies and 4 units from the Mathematics/Science/Technology group and at least 3 pairs of Units 3 and 4 besides English.
When you are filling in your final program remember to make sure that you have included them.
take longer if you wish.) years.
► 2. How many units are you going to do?
(Most people will do 24, but you don't have to. You must satisfactorily complete 16 to get your VCE.)
n
units.► 3. How many units are you going to do in each year?
units in my first year.
❑ units in my second year.
units in other years.
Units
► 6. Run your eye over the list of studies on ► 7. Time to collect some information.
page 22 so that you can get some idea of the range. • Find out what units of what studies your school Make a note of the ones you might be interested in. is likely to offer. They are unlikely to know all of them Then look up the more detailed descriptions of them for sure, but they should be able to give you a firm in the booklet Unit Descriptions for VCE Studies. idea of the units they will offer and others that are List the studies that look interesting and the units being considered. Write them in.
you might like to do.
Studies
• What sort of occupational areas are you • What sort of qualifications do you need for interested in? Check out JAC and the JAC Directory, these occupations? Use the same sources.
the Job Guide, your careers teacher or the other Write them in.
sources mentioned on page 13. Write them in.
• Are there other courses you will need to • What are their prerequisites? Use the Tertiary complete following the VCE to qualify for your Entrance Requirements 1993 booklet.
preferred occupations? What are they? Use the same sources. Write them in and note where they are taught.
Now you have all the information you need to start trying to form up a program. It will take you a while to sort it out, but it will come good in the long run. When you've got your program right, go back over the rest of the information in this booklet. Then you'll be ready to get started.
Music Craft Outdoor Education
THE 44 NEW VCE STUDIES
English Physical Education
► You must do 4 units of English. Political Studies Arts/Humanities Religion and Society О. You have to do at least 4 units from this group Studio Arts
(including Australian Studies Units 1 and 2). Texts and Traditions
Accounting Theatre Studies
Art Maths/Science/Technology
Australian Studies ► You have to do at least 4 units from this group.
Business Management AgriciArral and Horticultural Studies Classical Societies and Cultures Biology
Commerce in Society Chemistry
Contemporary Society Environmental Studies
Dance Geology
Dance Styles Information Technology
Drama Materials and Technology
Economics Mathematics
Geography Physics
Graphic Communication Psychology
Health Education Science
History Systems and Technology
Human Development in Society Technological Design and Development International Studies
Languages other than English (31 different languages)
i .
Legal Studies
•
A CHART FOR YOUR VCE PROGRAM
FIRST YEAR
English 1
English 2
SECOND YEAR
English 3
English 4
Don't forget to include: ► Units 1 and 2 of Australian Studies, at least 2 other units from the Arts/Humanities group, at least 4 units from the Mathematics/Science/
Technology group, ► at least 3 other sequences of Units 3 and 4 besides English 3 and 4.
GLOSSØY 0F '11 Е R1 Ѕ
CAT units, to be taken in each semester over two years.
CAT stands for Common Assessment Task. These are Semester
tasks undertaken in Units 3 and 4 of a study. Every Equivalent to half a school year or two terms.
student in Victoria who Is studying a particular unit Study design
will do the same CATS. Performance on each CAT will The study design describes the units available within be summarised by a letter grade. the study and prescribes the objectives, areas of
Common study study, work requirements and CATs.
A study which every student must undertake. They Unit
are the four units of English and Australian Studies Asemester-length component of a study representing
Units 1 and 2. about 100 hours of work of which about 50-60 hours
Credit transfer are class time.
A system whereby students who have completed Unit 1 and 2
their VCE may be given credit in a TAFE course for Units within a VCE study designed to approximate the work already carried out. Year 11 level of difficulty.
Field of study Units 3 and 4
13 broad study groupings within which the VCE Units within a VCE study designed to approximate the curriculum is being developed. Year 12 level of difficulty.
Grades VCАВ
A grade is awarded for every CAT. The symbol used Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board — will be : A+, A, B+, B, 0+, C, D+, 0, E+, E. UG means responsible for curriculum, assessment and 'Ungraded' and NA means 'Not Assessed'. certification of Years 11 and 12 levels in Victoria.
Program VCE
A program Is the overall course of studies undertaken Victorian Certificate of Education.
by a student during the two year VCE. Programs will VTAC
normally include 24 units taken over four semester. The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. The body Satisfactory completion which administers the selection system for Victoria's Satisfactory completion of a unit Is based upon tertiary institutions.
completion of all the work requireтents prescribed Work Requirements
for a unit. (Some people are used to thinking of this Work requirements are activities and pieces of as a pass.) if Illness or other factors affect perform- work that form an essential part of the process of arice, students may seek special consideration. teaming in a VCE unit.They include research projects,
Sequence of units practical exercises, models, essays and other
Most studies are being designed ass sequence of four assignments.
► 241
The photographs in this booklet were all taken by Victorian secondary school students. Our thanks to the following:
Brighton Bay Secondary College
Kylie Freyer Shannon Mattinshon
Ardoch-Windsor Secondary College
Oliver Bobbitt Nada Dickman
Footscray City Secondary College
Brooke Grima Daniel Allen Leslie Wilson
Swinburne Secondary College Terence Chin
Aniko Bland
For more information
A special VCE Advisory Service has been set up at VCAB to answer your questions over the phone.
► (03) 651 4300
Or you can write to The Enquiries Officer, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board, St Nicholas Place, 15 Pelham Street, Carlton 3053.
Your school can also provide detailed information about the new VCE and the studies it plans to offer. The school careers adviser can help with information about the requirements of tertiary entrance and employers.
