Literacy

Literacy empowers students to read, write, speak and listen in different contexts. Literacy enables students to understand the different ways in which knowledge and opinion are represented and developed in daily life in the 21st Century. The development of literacy in this study design is based upon applied learning principles, making strong connections between students’ lives and their learning. By engaging with a wide range of content drawn from a range of local and global cultures, forms and genres, including First Nations Peoples’ knowledge and voices, students learn how information can be shown through print, visual, oral, digital and multimodal representations.

Along with the literacy practices necessary for reading and interpreting meaning, it is important that students develop their capacity to respond to information. Listening, viewing, reading, speaking and writing are developed so that students can communicate effectively both in writing and orally. A further key part of literacy is that students develop their understanding of how written, visual and oral communication are designed to meet the demands of different audiences, purposes and contexts, including workplace, vocational and community contexts. This understanding helps students develop their own writing and oracy, so that they become confident in their use of language in a variety of settings.

Numeracy

VCE VM students are required to complete 4 units of Numeracy from the VCE suite of numeracy subjects.

These Include…

• Foundation Mathematics Units 1 – 4
• General Mathematics Units 1 -2 and Further Mathematics Units 3 - 4
• Mathematical Methods Units 1 – 4
• Specialist Mathematics Units 1 – 4

VCE VM are students are advised to select the highest level of numeracy they feel they can manage. This is particularly important for students who wish to pursue a career in electrotechnology, engineering, etc.

Personal Development Skills (PDS)

The VCE VM Personal Development Skills study focuses on helping students develop personal identity and individual pathways to optimal health and wellbeing. It begins with concepts of personal identity and the range of factors that contribute to an individual’s perception of self. Students will investigate health in their community and play an active, participatory role in designing and implementing activities to improve community health and wellbeing.

Students will examine community participation and how people work together effectively to achieve shared goals. They will investigate different types of communities at a local, national, and global level. Students will look at active citizenship and they will investigate the barriers and enablers to problem-solving within the community. Students understand different perspectives on issues affecting their community, they will also plan, implement and evaluate an active response to community need.

The study examines interpersonal skills and social awareness in different settings and contexts. Students will examine leadership qualities and the characteristics of effective leaders and how these qualities can be applied to the achievement of goals within personal and community contexts. Students participate in an extended project relating to a community issue. Students will identify environmental, cultural, economic and social issues affecting the community and select one for an extended community project. Students will reflect on how community awareness of their selected issue can be improved.

Work Related Skills (WRS)

VCE VM Work-Related Skills allows students to understand and apply concepts and terminology related to the workplace and further studies to understand the complex and rapidly changing world of work and workplace environments. It helps students understand and develop their skills, knowledge, capabilities and attributes as they relate to further education and employment, to develop effective communication skills to enable self-reflection and self-promotion and to practically apply their skills and knowledge.

This subject requires students to think about and investigate potential employment pathways, to develop a career action plan, to seek appropriate advice and feedback on planned career and further study objectives. Students are required to consider the distinction between essential employability skills, specialist, and technical work skills; to understand transferable skills and identify their personal skill and capabilities and promote them through development of a cover letter and resume and through mock interviews.

Students also learn about healthy, collaborative and productive workplaces, workplace relationships and investigate key areas relating to workplace relations, including pay conditions and dispute resolution. Students look at how teamwork and effective communication contribute to a healthy, collegiate workplace. Students also learn about promoting themselves and their skills by developing an extensive professional portfolio to use for further education and employment applications.

VET (Vocational Education and Training)

It is compulsory for ALL VCE VM students to undertake VET (Vocational Education and Training) Certificate.

Templestowe College students have access to a diverse range of certificates offered both internally (Cert II Information Technology and Cert II Permaculture) or by a range of external providers (Box Hill TAFE, Melbourne Polytechnic, Holmesglen TAFE, etc. explore them here). Traditionally, external VET programs are undertaken on a Wednesday. This involves students attending TAFE at a range of campuses across Melbourne.

Students must submit a 2024 VET Application form as part of the VCE VM process. VET information and the VET Application form can be found at the link below.

VET External - Click Here

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

VCE VM students are expected to undertake a minimum of 80 hours of SWL each year. Students are encouraged to undertake a SWL placement linked to their chosen VET program. E.g., A student studying Certificate III Screen and Media would be required to undertake a work placement in that industry. This allows students to get a taste of their chosen industry prior to committing to an apprenticeship/traineeship, further education, etc.

In a typical VCAL program, SWL is undertaken on a Friday however, block placements (weeklong) or alternative/additional days may also be an option. SWL is on-the-job training during which a student is expected to master a set of skills or competencies. Students complete SWL at both the Intermediate and Senior levels, which assists with preparing students for the world of work.

We encourage students to be pro-active in organising their own work placements, but support will be provided by the College and Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) in identifying potential placements and establishing contact with employers.