Senior School Pathways
Cobram AGS is proud to be able to offer a tailored and flexible Senior School program. One of the benefits of being a Foundation to Year 12 school is that we establish strong relationships with our students over a significant period of their educational journey. These relationships assist in us being able to identify suitable pathways for individual students that match their interests and skills. At Cobram AGS, we encourage the pursuit of academic excellence within the context of being a community-orientated institution.
Whilst we emphasise the value of obtaining the VCE as the foundation of our Senior School program, our school offers a diverse range of educational pathways which give students of differing academic abilities and learning styles the opportunity to flourish.
These pathways include:
VCE Vocational Major
The VCE Vocational Major (VCE 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. Students will develop a broad understanding of workplace environments and the future of work and education, in order to engage in theoretical and practical planning and decision making for a successful transition to their desired pathway.
Students undertaking the VCE VM must include a Vocational Education and Training (VET), as well as one day per week of Structured Workplace Learning.
Students must complete a minimum of three other unit 3-4 sequences (not including the VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units' sequence) as part of their program.
To learn more about the VCE VM, we suggest heading to the Victorian Government's website: https://www.vic.gov.au/about-v...
School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT)
Through some fantastic relationships with external providers, we can facilitate opportunities for students to incorporate a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT) into their studies, whilst still actively pursuing their VCE certificate. Undertaking an SBAT is a fantastic way for students to upskill and boost their employment prospects prior to completing their schooling.
Structured Workplace Learning
Structured workplace learning provides students with the opportunity to integrate on-the-job experience with secondary study as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate.
Structured workplace learning provides the opportunity for:
- enhanced skill development
- practical application of industry knowledge
- assessment of units of competency
- achievement of some learning outcomes
- enhanced employment opportunities
Project Ready
Project Ready is a hands-on life and work readiness program that is currently offered to students in Year Ten. For those who feel like they need help choosing a career path, building self-confidence, and gaining skills to successfully transition into the workforce or further training, Project Ready is a great starting place!
Project Ready is a full-year VET program (running for one full day, once per week) that includes a Certificate II in Volunteering, meaning participating students will graduate with recognition for up to two units at 1 and 2 levels for VCE. Students should be aware that Project Ready is not like regular school. The program is run by a facilitator with experience in youth programs and group work. At its core, Project Ready is interactive, fun, engaging, and inspiring.
Project Ready helps students to:
- Build ‘groupness’: a group space where they feel comfortable to personally develop
- Discover their unique skills and strengths so they can plan for their career
- Understand possible training and work pathways through a range of career development and industry engagement activities
- Build resilience through personal development activities, volunteering, and community involvement
- Improve their communication skills
- Develop work readiness skills, such as the job application process
- Source work placement opportunities
Who is Project Ready suitable for?
While the program is suitable for all students, it holds particular benefits for those who are considering pursuing the VCE Vocational Major pathway (VCE VM). The VET component of the program can contribute towards students' unit count within the VCE VM.
It should be noted that completing Project Ready does not lock students into completing the VCE VM – students may still choose to complete VCE.
To learn more about the program, head to the Project Ready website: https://projectready.vic.edu.a...
Sports Academy
In 2024, we launched our inaugural Sports Academy. The Academy will assist the school’s talented rising sports stars to reach their full potential in their chosen sport. It is suitable for young athletes currently playing competitive sport and doing well in their chosen sport.
Opportunity to 'fast track' VCE subjects
Students that demonstrate exceptional academic performance have the opportunity to undertake VCE units early, in consultation with our Careers Advisor and Head of Senior School. The benefits of fast tracking a subject are that it allows for an increased number of opportunities for students to to improve their ATAR score, and or, a reduced load in Year 12. This reduced load in the final year of study can provide a significant competitive advantage for these students, particularly with regard to exam preparation.
