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VCE Information Evening. For students entering Year 11 in 2014 Tuesday 20 August 2013. Outline of the Evening. Welcome & Introductions: Peter Tooke, Deputy Headmaster The Structure and Function of the VCE: Sally Scott, VCE Coordinator (Curriculum Office)
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VCE Information Evening For students entering Year 11 in 2014 Tuesday 20 August 2013
Outline of the Evening • Welcome & Introductions: • Peter Tooke, Deputy Headmaster • The Structure and Function of the VCE: Sally Scott, VCE Coordinator • (Curriculum Office) • Course Selection Considerations: Frank Thompson, Director of Career Development (Careers Centre). • Making Choices: – Justin McNamara, School Psychologist. • Questions – Formal – those that are of interest to all • - Informal or student-specific questions for individual circumstances
Overview of the Process Opportunity to clarify aspects of the VCE before making subject choices: • Handbooks (available in pdf) • Parent Teacher Student interviews: • Semester 1: May; Semester 2: August 26; • Subject Selection Forms, completed on-line by Monday • September 9 (T 3 Week 9), receipt printed, signed & • returned to Head of House by Friday September 13. • Student consultation with Director of Career Development • VCE Information Evening – February 2014
VCE Summary The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) administers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) • 2 Year Certificate • Subjects/studies are made up of Units numbered 1, 2, 3 or 4. Unit 1 & 2 studies are normally taken in Year 11 and Unit 3 & 4 studies are normally taken in Year 12 • Each unit is taken over a Semester • MGS offers 42 VCE subjects, most of which comprise Units 1, 2, 3 and 4.
VCE Summary The units fall into two groups: • English group: • English • or EAL ( formerly known as ESL) • or Literature • Units from subjects other than from the English group
Satisfactory Completion of VCE (VCAA): 16 units over 2 years which must include: • 3 Units from the English group with at least one unit at Unit 3 or Unit 4 level • 3 more Unit 3/4 sequences • NB - Satisfactory Completion of both Units 3 & 4 English is required for an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)
MGS Academic Programme An MGS student programme will consist of either: • 7 or6 subjects/studies (14 or 12 units) in 2014 and • 5 subjects/studies (10 units) in 2015 • = either 24 or 22 units over the 2 year course
MGS Academic Programme In 2014 an MGS programme for a Year 11 student will therefore consist of either: • 7 subjects/studies (14 VCE units) - to maximise breadth prior to choosing 5 to continue with in Year 12, 2015 or • 6 subjects/studies (12 VCE units) prior to choosing 5 in Year 12, 2015. Students who take up the option of selecting 6 VCE studies will be automatically programmed to take a short course titled “Year 11 Development Programme”. This course will consist of 12 lessons to be led by the Director of Leadership. They may also select the term study of “Ethics in Leadership”. The remaining ‘class time’ is dedicated to supervised Study Periods
Modified Courses Exceptions to be negotiated with: • Educational Services Department • Head of House • VCE Coordinator
Unit 3/4 Studies in Year 11 • Many MGS students undertake a study at Unit 3/4 level as one of their 6 or 7 in Year 11. • Advantages in studying a Unit 3/4 in Year 11 • Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is generated with 6 subjects (Primary 4 plus 10% of a 5th and 10% of a sixth study) • Knowledge of the assessment protocols • Disadvantages • No direct ‘building block’ skills and knowledge developed in Units 1 & 2 • Not as many study periods periods as in Year 12 • Some lack academic immaturity to cope with the demands of a 3/4 study • Year 10 results – minimum of B+ average needed to accelerate – not appropriate for students who have been on academic warnings Application Section is part of the Subject Selection Receipt Form: Head of Faculty and Head of House signatures are required
Assessment & Satisfactory Completion Units 1 and 2 • Attendance Requirement of at least 90% of classes. • Learning Outcomes • Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory is reported to students, parents and the VCAA • Assessment Tasks • Provide Levels of Achievement • These are reported to students and parents as grades: A+ to E. The grade level is based on criteria set by teachers within school departments.
Assessment & Satisfactory Completion Units 3 and 4 • Attendance Requirement of at least 90% of classes. • Learning Outcomes • Satisfactory or Not satisfactory reported to VCAA • For Levels of Achievement: • School Assessed Tasks or Coursework • Examination/s • Reported to students and parents as grades: A+ to E. The grade level based on assessment descriptors according to VCAA guide. Scores reported to the VCAA. • Coursework scores are statistically moderated by the VCAA against exam(s) and, where appropriate, the GAT.
General Achievement Test (GAT) A 3 hour test undertaken by students enrolled in one or more Unit 3/4 Study. Used in: • Statistical moderation of coursework against exam performance • Derived Exam Scores
Special Provisions Available to students who suffer a significant impairment or problem Modification of programs and/or delivery: School-based assessment (SACs & SATs) • Rescheduling / extensions/ extra time/ technological aids derived scores / other aids Special exam arrangements • Rest breaks / extra time/ separate supervision / technological aids / other aids • Derived Examination Scores for problems immediately before or during exams; not chronic problems Applications to the VCE Coordinator, with documentation, asap
Authenticity School Assessed Tasks (SACs and SATs) must be completed within fixed time frames and be verified as being the work of the student.
Extension Studies / Enhancement Programmes • Extended Investigation – new Unit 3 /4 subject offered to extremely able students in Year 11 • University Extension Studies – for extremely able students these studies can be undertaken as part of the second year of VCE For able students concurrent with able
Credit Transfer Satisfactory Completion of VCE, VET or VCAL units taken elsewhere within Victoria can be credited and added to those completed at MGS. Application can also be made for studies completed interstate or overseas as part of the VCE.
Timeline • Semester 2 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews, Monday 26 August 2013 (Week 7) • Complete online subject choice by Week 9 - 9.00amMonday 9 Sept 2013 (online selection closes) • Return printed and signed subject choice receipt to Head of House for initial approval by Friday 13 Sept 2013 • Number of classes and staff allocation determined on the basis of those returns • Career Development Department will check all course selections • Changes to subject choices can be made later but timetabling constraints apply
All explained in the VCE Handbook It is important that students speak to their teachers, Heads of House and Careers Advisors Further advice can be gained from the Curriculum Office: MrsSally Scott MrsChristine Ford MrChris Bradtke
Creative & Performing Arts Faculty: Ms Cat Poljski English Faculty: Mr Stephen Dessants Health & Physical Education Faculty: Mr Nathanael Coull Humanities Faculty: Mr Michael Adcock Heads of Faculty • L.O.T.E. Faculty: Mrs Florence Guthrie • Mathematics Faculty: Mr Bruce Ruthven • Science & Technology Faculty: Mr Stuart Jamieson • Social Sciences Faculty: Ms Leanne Forbes
VCE STUDY CHOICEFRANK THOMPSONDIRECTOR OF CAREER DEVELOPMENTHERMIONE SKADIANGCAREERS ADVISER
Personal Interest • The most important factor • Don’t try to be something you are not • Build on your strengths • Choose the things you like - this is where you will excel
Teachers’ Comments • Recommendations,not directions • Recommendations reflect teachers’ assessment of your ability and interest • Talk to your teachers - they know your strengths and weaknesses
Prerequisite Studies • Should be considered in conjunction with other two factors • Outlined in handout distributed to all Year 10 students – VICTER 2016 • See also “Choice 2016” • Plan as broad a course as is practical in light of interest and abilities
SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS • MondaySeptember 9 - On-line Study Selection closes ( print the completed form and collect necessary signatures). • October/November - Discuss study choices with Careers Counsellor in light of - Career/tertiary course choice • Subject interest/strengths • Teacher recommendations - Available Term 4
Subject Selection Process • Confirm subject choices or make changes • Changes to be approved by parent/guardian and Head of House (and Head of Department if adding a Unit 3&4 study) • Parents/guardians are invited to discuss subject choices with Heads of Houses and Careers Counsellors. • The needs of the student are the school’s foremost concern. Changes can be made for valid reasons.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) • Students can undertake VET studies through the Inner Melbourne VET Cluster. • Students go “off-campus” once a week • Studies count towards VCE • Some examples of VET studies: • Engineering, Hospitality, Agriculture, Furnishings. Community Recreation, Community Services. See VET Handbook and CD. Discuss with Careers.
A WORD ABOUT SCALING Different studies are not “marked up” or “marked down” by some arbitrary process. A student’s Study Score is determined by his relative position within the cohort undertaking the subject (score out of 50 on a normal distribution).
A WORD ABOUT SCALING VTAC scales Study Scores according to the strength of the cohorts of students undertaking the study. It is more difficult to achieve a high “raw” score in a study which is undertaken by a strong group of students (and vice versa).
A WORD ABOUT SCALING Scaling (by comparing the relative strengths of the cohorts taking different studies) compensates for this situation to ensure students get the full benefit of their efforts. The consequence of this process is that the “best” subjects to do are those in which you do well!!
The answer? Subjects that provide interest Subjects that give you passion Subjects that make you want to learn!
Self regulation Rewards Harm avoidance
Self regulation Rewards Harm avoidance
Back to the answer Rewards are the answer Choose subjects that give you pleasure, interest and intrinsic reward
Contact details Phone: 9865 7594 Email: jzmcnamara@mgs.vic.edu.au
Formal & Informal Questions Melbourne Grammar SchoolVCE Information Evening