Senior Years (11-12)

Students at Senior school have an opportunity to tailor their learning program to suit their needs and future aspirations.

VCE – Victorian Certificate of Education

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the main senior secondary certificate in Victoria providing a valuable pathway to tertiary study and employment.

A VCE program includes a number of different VCE studies (or subjects), with the majority consisting of four units that can be completed over the two years (a unit represents one Semester or half a year of work). Units 1 & 2 are typically taken in Year 11, while Units 3 & 4 are usually completed in Year 12. Mercy Regional College provides the opportunity for students to study Units 1 & 2 of some VCE studies in Year 10 and Units 3 & 4 in Year 11.

MRC offers the largest in the region range of VCE subjects taught face to face. The College can also support students who choose to study other subjects.

Below you will find a list of VCE studies running in 2023. For a full list of subjects offered at MRC, please refer to the Subject Selection & Pathways Booklet at the link above.

VCE Studies in 2023:

Students can choose up to 4 of the following units. 

VCE-VM – VCE Vocational Major 

The VCE is expanding to include the Vocational Major, a 2-year vocational and applied learning program. It will replace the Senior and Intermediate VCAL from 2023.

The VCE Vocational Major will develop students’ personal and practical life skills. It will help to prepare them for the next important stage of their lives. The new pathway option will build on the best elements of VCAL including flexible applied learning approaches, while delivering enhanced curriculum design to equip students with the 21st century capabilities and in-demand skills for the future world of work.

Students who started studying VCAL in 2022 will continue with the current qualification in 2023.

VCE-VM Studies Offered in 2023:

• Foundation English
• Foundation Mathematics
• Work Related Skills
• Personal Development Skills

VET – Vocational Education and Training

VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) allows you to combine your senior secondary studies with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program.

VET programs provide students with a nationally recognised qualification that contributes towards both the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the VCE Vocational Major (VCE).

VET Studies Offered in 2023*:

• Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance Year 2
• Certificate II in Animal Care Year 1
• Certificate II in Building & Construction Years 1 & 2
• Certificate II in Hospitality & Kitchen Operations Year 2
• Certificate III in Information, Digital Media & Technology (partial completion) Year 2
• Certificate III in Sport & Recreation Years 1 & 2

*VET subjects are also accessible to students in partnership with other educational institutions e.g. VET Music, VET Agriculture and many more. View the Subject Selection & Pathways Booklet for more information.

SBAT – School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

A School Based Trainee usually undertakes a one-year program of training and work, while at school, and completes a nationally recognised certificate in an area of interest such as Community Services, Health Services, Education Support, Individual Support Services (Aged and Disability Care), Community Activities (Community Sport/ Recreation), Media, Allied Health Assistance, Companion Animal Services, Early Childhood Education & Care, and more.

A School Based Apprentice commences the first year of a three-year apprenticeship in a trade area and the intention is that the student will continue into the apprenticeship full time when leaving school. These types of programs are usually available in “traditional trades” areas such as Carpentry, Cabinet Making, Engineering, Hairdressing, Bricklaying, Baking, and more. For students who are still undertaking their School Based Apprenticeship when they complete their senior school program, the time spent in part time employment and their trade school activities will contribute to some reduction in their Apprenticeship time and a reduction in their trade school completion requirements.

Both programs offer students the opportunity to combine part time paid work and training while still at school. Students are employed under a Federal or State award or agreement, which sets out their respective wages and conditions of employment. Both programs provide students with subject credits towards their VCE program and may also count into a VCE student’s ATAR calculation. The industry specific strand of VCE-VM is satisfied through completion of these programs.