VCAL and Work Placement
The Grange P-12 College offers an extensive VCAL program involving 85 students studying at years 11 and 12. As part of a VCAL certificate students are required to undertake a work placement. Many of our students work within local business one day per week in a variety of occupations. By undertaking work placements students are given the opportunity to undertake on the job training, learn new skills and discover what a work place is like.
Students are looking to work one day per week and are available on a Wednesday or Friday. Employers are obliged to complete a Structured Work Placement form which will cover them for insurance and pay the student a minimum of $5 per day. In return your business will have an extra employee one day per week and will be able assisting in shaping the future of a young person. Students involved in our VCAL program are currently looking for work placements in a variety of areas including: hairdressing, make up, sport, fitness, building and construction, automotive, hospitality, retail, information technology and child care.
If you are interested in assisting a young person by providing a work placement please contact Sarah Papadopoulos Vocational Pathways Leader on 9748-9166.
Some FAQ about VCAL
Why would a young person choose to do the VCAL?
The VCAL is a senior secondary school qualification that sits alongside the VCE, but it is based on applied learning and is designed to give students 'employability' skills and the skills to go on to further training in the workplace or at a TAFE.
Will a young person who has completed the VCAL have real-life work experience?
The VCAL program gives students the opportunity to undertake structured workplace learning on a regular basis, for example, one day a week. This gives them a chance to become part of the team at work and apply the knowledge they are learning in the classroom.
How does the VCAL help a young person decide what type of industry or business they would like to work in?
One of the aims of the VCAL is to provide students with the practical experience they need to make informed career choices. Students have an opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of industries through Vocational courses and/or structured work placement. These experiences show them what it is like to work in a particular industry or business, as well as helping them discovers where their strengths and interests lie.
What skills do students get by doing the VCAL?
A VCAL program can be designed to suit the individual needs and interests of the student. Students must complete fully accredited units and modules in the following four compulsory strands.
1. Literacy and Numeracy Skills
The student's program may include: VCAL Literacy & Numeracy Skills units, units from VCE English and Mathematics.
2. Industry Specific Skills
Intermediate and Senior VCAL students must undertake Vocational Education and Training (VET units of competency). Students have the flexibility to either complete a single VET certificate or to complete units of competency from a variety of certificates, thus gaining experience in a range of vocational areas.
3. Work Related Skills
In order to develop 'employability' skills will undertaking either a structured work placement where they must demonstrate that certain learning outcomes have been achieved.
4. Personal Development Skills
The Personal Development Skills strand aims to develop communication skills, teamwork, self-confidence, self- esteem, respect for others and the community.
At the Years 11 and 12 levels we have a range of academic and vocational programs and pathways to suit the individual career options and tertiary course preferences of students. In fact last year 98% of our students gained their first preference in relation to tertiary or career choice.
Our Courses and Pathways include the following -
· VCAL – Building and Construction and Hospitality leading to formal apprenticeship credits.
· VCE – Humanities, Science, Arts Technology, Health and Physical Education
· Scored and Unscored VCE
· 3 Year options for VCAL/VET/VCE
· Wide range of VET subjects
· Relationship with Deakin University and Elevate Program to improve study skills and gain first-hand knowledge of university life and courses.
Over the last two years, we have had significant improvement in satisfactory completion of VCE, VET and VCAL. In fact an average of 98% of students satisfied these courses. We have also recorded excellent student satisfaction in our surveys of students over the last three years.
All of our teaching staff at Years 11 and 12 are highly experienced in their curriculum area and have great expertise delivering their subject. As a College we also provide high level Careers and Individual Student Pathway planning and pastoral support for students via our Student Wellbeing Team.
For the College to continually improve student learning outcomes there needs to exist a common platform or set of values and beliefs. It is these values that underpin how the College operates and is perceived by the community. More importantly these values and practices create the learning environment for students to succeed.
At Years 11 and 12 we strongly adhere to the following College practices, they must be met and they are not negotiable.
While teachers and Year Level Leaders will do their professional best to assist students, students and parents must also play their role in ensuring the following core non-negotiable practices are followed -
1. Attendance:Students must meet 95% attendance to subject classes and Home Group, to satisfy course completion requirements. (Absences should be covered by Medical Certificates).
2. Punctuality:The school day commences at 9:00am with a Home Group session. Students should be at school by 8:55 to ensure they enter Home Group on time. (If a student has not arrived by 9:30am an automated text message will be sent to your mobile number. Please ensure your mobile details are correct and provided to the Admin Office).
3. Uniform:Over the past three years the College has gradually moved to the “new uniform” policy. At Years 11 and 12 we have realised that as students were nearing the completion of their studies, some items of the old uniform remained acceptable. THIS WILL NOT BE THE CASE FOR 2012. Each Year 11 and 12 student is to wear the full and correct College Council approved uniform.
GIRLS Winter Uniform
· White collared shirt, with College Logo
· College Skirt
Blue College jumper,
· Navy coloured tights
· Black leather school shoes or T-Bars
Summer Uniform
· College Skirt
· White socks
Boys Uniform
· White collared shirt, College Logo
· Blue College Trousers/Shorts with College Logo
· College Tie
· Blue College jumper, with College Logo
· Black leather school shoes, NO SPORTS style casual shoe
· Navy socks
At the Year 12 level students have the privilege of wearing a “Year 12 Commemorative Jacket”. College Blazers may also be worn.
Please see Admin Office for details, prices and examples of the above uniform requirements.
At the most senior level of the school students have actually made a considered decision to remain at school with the goal of working towards creating a successful and rewarding life in the adult world and community. At these year levels we also view students as role models to junior P-10 students. Given these expectations uniform must be correct.
If students are not correctly attired at Years 11 and 12 they may not be admitted to class, but will work under supervision in the library or VCE Centre.
If the above CORE VALUES at Years 11 and 12 are not met, including the completion of subject based work requirements parents will be informed and ACADEMIC REVIEWS WILL BE SCHEDULED to resolve issues and consider courses that may better engage students.
I am hoping that your son or daughter makes the most of their Year 11/12 learning opportunity, meets our expectations and successfully gains entry to their first choice of career or tertiary study. I know that this achievable if we work together and follow our core practices.
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