Year 11 – 12

Our focus at Victorian College for the Deaf is for all students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for life after school. We will support each student to reach their full potential.

Accompanying high expectations, VCD offers students high levels of support. In addition to a range of studies and individual career counselling sessions, we offer an individualised approach to pathways planning.

Victorian College for the Deaf staff are dedicated to helping students successfully complete their studies, offering feedback and support well beyond expected levels. Utilising this support, as well as establishing and maintaining excellent work practices, will set students up for success.

The college offers multiple study options, including VCAL, VET and VCE subjects, VPC/VPC-modified program, and tailored support for transitions into work and further study. Some Year 10 students may be accepted into a bridging class as a Year 10 PreCAL or Pre-VPC student. They will participate in Senior Year programs with other Year 11-12 students. This will be a case by case consideration for each Year 9 student as they transition into Year 10 in the following year.

Developing skills for the workplace

Our three onsite businesses, Tradeblock Cafe, Ablock Bike Shop and Urban Block Garden, provide a unique opportunity for students to build workplace skills in a supported environment. Students who participate in work placements at the cafe, bike shop or garden experience a wide variety of roles and responsibilities, and develop a range of skills that can be taken into future workplaces.

Learn more about:

• Tradeblock Cafe
• Ablock Bike Shop
• Urban Block Garden

Camping and Excursion Program

At Victorian College for the Deaf, our camping and excursion program is an extension of our teaching and learning program. Camps and excursions support our school curriculum by taking knowledge built in the classroom, and applying it to high engagement off-campus environments. In a supported setting, students are encouraged to build interpersonal skills and develop their resilience, independence and social skills.

Victorian College for the Deaf has cultivated a partnership with Science Gallery Melbourne’s STEM Centre of Excellence. Middle Years students regularly visit the Science Gallery for a tailored program of STEAM workshops and exhibitions linked to their classroom learning.

Senior studies – 2023 onwards

Victoria is moving to a new integrated senior secondary certificate that will bring together the VCE and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).

From 2023:

• the VCE Vocational Major replaced the existing VCAL at the Intermediate and Senior levels. The VCE Vocational Major is a 2-year vocational and applied learning program that will enable transitions into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training and university (via non-ATAR pathways)
• the new VPC was introduced as an inclusive Year 11 and 12 certificate replacing VCAL at the Foundation level, meeting the needs of a smaller number of students not able or ready to complete a certificate at the VCE level. The VPC is benchmarked at Australian Qualifications Framework (PDF) Level 1 and not recognised as a senior secondary certificate of education. This certificate should be provided to students on an as-needs basis, with discussions about the VPC’s suitability for a student best conducted between the school, student and their family.

For more information on the transition arrangements and timelines, refer to the VCAA’s Senior Secondary Certificate Reform website. 

What is VET?

Vocational Education Training (VET) enables students to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the workplace. It covers a large number of careers and industries like trades and office work, retail, hospitality, creative arts and technology. Qualifications range from Certificate II to Certificate IV, and Diploma and Advanced Diploma. Students can include a VET subject in their VCE or VCAL studies. VCD provides some VET courses on campus, and also has access to several TAFE courses that students can attend with the support of an interpreter/teacher from the school. 

What is VCE?

The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is one of the credentials awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in Victoria, Australia. Students complete a minimum number of five VCE subjects to receive an ATAR score, which they can use for entry into university or TAFE. Students at Victorian College for the Deaf can study some VCE units on campus at VCD, and others via Virtual School Victoria (formerly called Distance Education).

What is VCE Vocational Major?

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM gives 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.

What is VPC?

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is a new inclusive and flexible certificate. It offers an engaging curriculum and additional support for you to develop the work-related skills and capabilities students need to succeed.

The VPC is normally completed in year 11 and 12, but it is flexible so it can be started earlier or finished over a longer period than 2 years. The coursework is designed and delivered at a more accessible level than the VCE and VCE Vocational Major. Students can study the VPC at their own pace and teachers will assess progress through a range of classroom learning activities. The VPC has replaced Foundation VCAL.