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Later Years

The Later Years program includes years 10, 11 and 12, and focuses on exploring and developing students’ individual passions and interests toward their chosen career pathways.  Our mission is to equip each student with the skills needed to successfully live and work in Australian society. Positive attitudes to learning, leading to excellence in outcomes will come from vibrant, challenging and exciting programs. Course counseling sessions give students in years 9-12 the opportunity to work one-on-one with careers staff to design a complimentary course structure. Ensuring that each student is engaged in an education that balances their strengths with the subject requirements of the industry, career, or further education that they wish to pursue.

 

Year 10 – Focus on Exploring Pathways

  • Mathematics and English are core studies
  • Science is considered a core subject for one semester
  • Students elect seven semester-based units covering at least three of the four remaining learning areas
  • Students can study a combination of both VCE and VET subjects
  • Our Work Experience Program is completed during term 2.

 

Years 11 and 12 – Focus on Future Directions

  • Students have the choice of around 40 VCE subjects
  • Over 40 VET (Vocational Education Training) subjects are also offered through the Mullum Cluster, enabling students to complete a TAFE certificate during their VCE studies
  • Some VET programs are offered onsite at Upwey High School
  • A VCE Vocational Major program (School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships) is offered for students in Years 11 and 12

Later Years Program Course Structure

The Later Years program offers a multitude of study options for students to explore in accordance with their ambitions, strengths and different learning styles. Alongside the Victorian Curriculum subjects- offered through the VCE- in years 11 and 12 there are ample opportunities to gain experience in more specialist areas or workplace environments through different certifications.

Years 10-12

The VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) is typically a two-year course administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). Over the two years, most full-time VCE students will undertake a total of 22 to 24 semester-length units. This is the most common choice for students and is suitable for students who are planning to undertake further studies post Upwey High School. At the end of VCE students will obtain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The ATAR may determine which institutions that student is eligible to attend.

Year 12

Students who satisfactorily complete their VCE with a VCE Languages study and have completed a higher level of Mathematics may be eligible to receive an additional award, the VCE Baccalaureate. This award within the VCE recognises the challenges of a broad program of study.

Years 11-12

Students are able to undertake an SBAT (School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships) alongside their traditional VCE studies in a range of industries, whilst working towards a scored VCE completion. Students will attend school two days per week and will do a combination of Structured Workplace Learning and an associated VET study within their workplace, or at a TAFE.

Year 11-12

The VCE VM (Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major) is an applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years and sees students working towards as School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT). The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life. It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce. The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

  • equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and
  • empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real-life workplace experiences

Years 10-12

VET (Vocational Educational Training) in Schools – otherwise known as VETiS- is a program that allows students to widen their horizons by providing study which links their study with vocational training. Students can select a VET program as part of their VCE studies. Students, on completion of specific vocational certificates, have the advantage that they will receive a National Accredited Certificate, as well as credit for either VCE or VCE Vocational Major studies.

Year 12

University Enhancement Studies provide an opportunity for very able students to undertake first year university study while studying the VCE. Depending upon the university program selected, students usually study once a week out of school hours and attend a number of on-campus classes during each school semester. Subjects are fully accredited with the host university (Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe, Federation or Deakin) and are treated as a sixth course of study for ATAR purposes. Upwey High School is a proud partner of Federation University with its ‘Destination Fed Uni’ program flexible delivery program at its Berwick Campus.  

Subject Portfolio

Upwey High School’s portfolio of available VCE and VET subjects includes:

Applied Computing

Art Making and Exhibiting

Australian and Global Politics

Biology

Business Management

Chemistry

Data Analytics

English

Environmental Science

Food Studies

French

Health and Human Development

History – 20th Century

History – Revolutions

Japanese

Legal Studies

Literature

Mathematics – Foundation

Mathematics – General

Mathematics – Methods

Mathematics – Specialist

Media VET

Music

Music Contemporary Performance

Music Inquiry

Music Repertoire Performance

Philosophy

Physical Education

Physics

Product Design & Technology

Psychology

Sport & Recreation

Theatre Studies

VET Music Investigation

Visual Communication and Design

Further information regarding Subject and certification for Later Years students at Upwey High School can be found in the below handbooks or by contacting the school directly.