The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Pathways
What is a VCE Pathway?
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the final high school certificate that students in Victoria receive on satisfactory completion of their secondary education. The VCE provides diverse pathways to further study or training and employment both in Australia and internationally. The VCE is administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), which is responsible for curriculum, assessment and reports. Students complete “Units of Study” in a variety of subjects. Like all schools, the College does not offer the full range of (over 100) accredited VCE Subjects, and so some students may wish to enrol in a subject via either the Distance Education Centre of Victoria or the Victorian School of Languages. These enrolments incur an additional cost, to which the College contributes.
We support students’ Vocational Education and Training by offering students the ability to combine a School-Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship or VETis (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) course with their core studies. These usually involve one day per week out of school either at a workplace or TAFE. We also offer students the option to complete their VCE program over three years, although the major component of the VCE is undertaken when students are in Years Eleven and Twelve.
Students may complete their VCE as an ATAR or non-ATAR course.
Each student at Cathedral College will have a different journey to prepare for life after school.
For some this will be an ATAR pathway leading to university, for others, this may involve an applied learning subject, such as a VET subject or School Based Apprenticeship. All students share the desire to belong during their time at school and to be challenged and learn. As they leave CCW will know they are prepared to contribute to their community and are a positive influence in a fair and caring world.
Current VCE subject offerings include:
LANGUAGE (Units One to Four)
- English
- Language Other than English (German)
- Language Other than English (Indonesian)
- Literature
MATHEMATICS (Units One to Four)
- Foundation Mathematics
- General Mathematics
- Mathematical Methods
- Specialist Mathematics
Other VCE subjects
- Agriculture and Horticulture
- Biology
- Business Management
- Chemistry
- Drama
- Food Studies
- Geography
- Health and Human Development
- History
- Legal Studies
- Media
- Music Performance
- Outdoor & Environmental Studies
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Psychology
- Visual Communication and Design
VCE VET SUBJECTS
- Allied Health
- Community Services
- Information Technology
- Furnishings
- Music
- Sport and Recreation
2023 Curriculum Guide
VCE Attendance
Units One and Two
The school-based nature of Unit One and Two studies provides scope for individual schools to set their own attendance requirements. The College has determined those students at Unit One and Two level must attend a minimum of ninety per cent of all scheduled classes in a unit in order to meet the requirements for satisfactory completion of that unit.
Units Three and Four
It is important for all students to note that the failure to meet the ninety per cent attendance requirements set under VCAA regulations may result in the student attracting a “J” result for that unit. In effect, this result equates to the non-completion of the unit in question. It is vital that all students note that attendance and punctuality at scheduled classes are regarded as essential components of satisfactory completion of a unit.
School Assessed Coursework (SACs)
Many of the School Assessed Coursework including Common Tests will be conducted during class time. It is imperative that students attend all these sessions. If a student cannot attend a School Assessed Coursework/Task due to severe illness or family tragedy, the VCE Coordinator needs to be contacted immediately. A note from a parent with appropriate documentation, for example, a medical certificate, is expected upon the student’s return to school. An alternative test or task will be arranged for the student at the earliest convenience of the subject teacher. Students who are absent without substantial reason forfeit their right to do a catch-up SAC. Catch-up SACs must be completed within a ten-day period of the original scheduled assessment day.