Years 11 and 12 (VCE)
By Year 11 and 12, our students carry themselves as College leaders, make the most of our co‐curricular program and prepare for life after school. We offer three pathways – VCE, VCE/VET and VCAL. This enables our students to achieve excellence in their preferred field while maintaining a strong sense of belonging and community.
Learn more with the Curriculum Handbook
To learn more about the teaching and learning arrangements for Years 11 and 12 (VCE), we encourage you to view or download the Curriculum Handbook.
Catering for all students with VCE and VCAL
Visit Year 11 and 12 (VCAL) to learn about VCAL and the benefits of offering both pathways.
Year 11
Year 11 is all about preparing for change and celebrating all that being a De La Salle College student has to offer. As the first full year of VCE, VCE/VET or VCAL, it’s a time of great anticipation, excitement and challenge for students.
Students and parents face a mind‐boggling array of acronyms – VET, VCAL, VCE, VCAA, SAC, SAT, ATAR and SBNA to name a few – and many students experience a significant increase in the workload that’s expected of them. It can be overwhelming at times and, as such, one of our most significant roles is to support our students and provide strategies for them to cope with the demands of their course.
As relationships with peers, teachers and parents continue to evolve, we spend time helping our students negotiate this change effectively. In fact, many of the special personal development activities that take place throughout the year focus on this. This includes guest speakers on cyber‐bullying, safe partying and road safety.
We strive to ensure that each and every student feels:
- safe to take learning risks
- secure in the knowledge that they belong to a community that has care and respect for them
- challenged to perform to their potential.
In Year 11 we prepare students for the academic rigour of Year 12 VCE programs, as well as the challenges of school‐based apprenticeships through VCAL.
Year 12
In Year 12, students realise the end of secondary school is near and the wider world is at their doorstep. While it can be a stressful time, our Year 12 students thrive under the added responsibility of being College leaders and make the most of the co‐curricular opportunities.
We offer a caring, tolerant, understanding and responsible environment. This gives our boys every chance to reach their personal and vocational goals. Importantly, students are given the space and support to discover for themselves what’s best for them.
Teamwork and camaraderie are both important elements in the life of a Year 12 student. Students work with parents, family, teachers and friends in order to achieve their goals. Homeroom Teachers provide support, guidance, encouragement and leadership.
Our VCE Pathway
Most Year 11 and 12 students choose the traditional academic pathway, VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education). This provides a well‐rounded and recognised academic foundation, and prepares students for entrance into higher education and university.
In 2015 100% of our VCE students receive offers of higher education or training, with the majority of these at universities. A significant number of students achieve ATARs of 90 and above.
Students studying for the VCE can choose from a range of subjects. They also have the option to undertake VET subjects (see below) as part of their VCE. Specialised careers and pathways staff work with students and parents to support every student in choosing the best pathway for them.
VCE Subject Choices
| Year 11 | Year 12 | |
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| Art |
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| Business |
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| Design & Technology |
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| Health & Physical Education |
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| Humanities |
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| LOTE |
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| Mathematics |
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| Religion |
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| Sciences |
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*LOTE requires a class size of six to be conducted on campus. If there are five or less students, the subject will be pursued at Victorian School of Languages.
Studying a VET Subject for Your VCE
VET (Vocational Education and Training) is fully incorporated into the VCE Program and, like VCE, has a Unit 1–4 structure.
VET subjects can also be studied through VCAL.
How are VET subjects delivered?
VET subjects can be undertaken:
- at De La Salle College by our own staff
- at a TAFE, or
- at other nearby schools.
Internal Options – Delivered at De La Salle
- Certificate II Building and Construction (Carpentry)
- Certificate III Interactive Digital Media
- Certificate III Community Sport and Recreation
External Options – Delivered at TAFE or local schools
In addition to the subjects offered at the College, there are numerous VET subjects that are offered externally. In the majority of cases, external VET subjects are timetabled to fit within the student’s school day.
The full list of VET subjects is available at the VCAA website.
Benefits of taking VET subjects
VET contributes to the eligibility requirements for both VCE and VCAL. Importantly for VCE, it contributes to the ATAR score calculation and increases students’ learning potential by broadening VCE subject options. In addition, VET subjects form part of a recognised pathway to further education and training and, upon successful completion, students receive a nationally accredited qualification and are well prepared for the workforce.