Learning
Year 10 to 12 (Balam Balam and Bunjil)
Year 10 - VCE Vocational Major (Balam Balam)
The Year 10 - VCE Vocational Major Sub-school provides support for students pursuing a vocational pathway. Year 10 students can choose to enrol in a VET course or a School-Based Apprenticeship, which will lead to the completion of the VCE Vocational Major in Years 11 and 12.
Year 10 - VCE (Bunjil)
The Year 10 - VCE Sub-school supports students on a mainstream academic pathway. Students undertake a Year 10 curriculum with the option to complete a Year 11 VCE subject early. They will then continue their VCE studies in Years 11 and 12.
Senior School Curriculum
The Senior School Curriculum at Pakenham Secondary College is based around offerings for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), which includes academic subjects, and learning opportunities within the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) and/or the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC).
Year 12 students undertaking academic VCE studies will complete five subjects, with each subject scheduled for four periods per week. They will also have five supervised study periods each week. Year 11 students undertaking academic VCE studies will complete six subjects, each with four periods per week, in addition to a Futures and Pathways period. We offer a wide range of academic subjects for students pursuing the Victorian Certificate of Education. For further details, please refer to the Senior School Handbook.
The two-year Vocational Major and Applied Learning program within the VCE is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary for the workforce. It also prepares them for seamless transitions into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, or university through non-ATAR pathways. Students enrolled in the VCE VM attend VET once a week to work towards a certificate, in addition to attending Structured Work Placement one day per week.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate offers an enriched curriculum and strong support to help students develop the skills, capabilities, and qualities needed for personal and civic life. The VPC is designed to meet the needs of students who are not yet able or ready to complete the VCE, including the VCE VM, and prepares them for a smooth transition into either the VCE or VCE VM.
The curriculum is based on a fortnightly timetable with five 60-minute periods each day.
In this section
The College packages its senior school curriculum around a series of programmes, rather than individual subjects. That way, students undertake a programme of study that is linked to their hopes and dreams. To find out more, please read the Senior School Handbooks:
Year 10 Mainstream
Year 10 with TAFE (VET)
Year 10 Enhancement
Subject
Periods
Subject
Periods
Subject
Periods
English
8
Mathematics
8
Science (1 semester)
8
Humanities (1 semester)
8
Futures
2
Electives
(3 per semester)
24
English
8
Mathematics
8
Science (1 semester)
8
Humanities (1 semester)
8
VET Wednesday
10
Electives
(2 per semester)
16
English
General Mathematics
(Unit 1/2)
Science (full year)
Humanities (full year)
Futures
8
8
8
8
2
VCE Subject
8
Electives (1 per semester)
8
* NB - Futures = Careers and Pathways Guidance; Year 10 elective offerings can and should link in with VET and/or VCE subject offerings.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Year 11
Periods
English (compulsory)
8
Five other subjects
5 x 8
Futures and Pathways
2
Year 12
Periods
English (compulsory)
6
Four other subjects
4 x 8
VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)
Subject
Periods
Literacy
8
Numeracy
8
Personal Development Skills
6
Work Related Skills
8
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
10
Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)
10
Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC)
Subject
Periods
Literacy
8
Numeracy
8
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
6
8
10
School Based Apprenticeship (SBAT)
10
Purpose
The College aims for its students to achieve at least one qualification after their secondary schooling.
Support
The PSC Careers Centre is open every school day during recess and lunch for students to access staff and information.
Counselling
Year 10 and 11 students receive one-to-one course counselling sessions with our career and pathways team.