VCAL
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a one year certificate. At St Bede’s College, the Intermediate Certificate is offered at Year 11 and the Senior Certificate at Year 12.
VCAL is a hands-on option for students who intend to go directly into the workforce or continue vocational studies (TAFE courses), after completing their education at St Bedes College.
VCAL, like the VCE, is an accredited senior secondary qualification, although it does not involve the students sitting examinations and therefore does not generate an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Students intending to apply for university courses should not enrol in VCAL.
Fundamental Principles of Applied Learning
The fundamental principles of applied learning are that it:
- Emphasises the relevance of what is being learnt to the ‘real world’, outside the classroom, and makes that connection as immediate and transparent as possible.
- Focuses on a ‘real life’ application which will often require a shift from a traditional focus on discrete curriculum areas, to a more integrated, project based approach to learning.
- Is concerned with nurturing and working with a student in a holistic manner, which takes into account their personal strengths, interests, goals and previous experiences.
VET
A number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate Courses are offered at the College and with outside bodies.
Examples of certificate courses currently being followed are:
- Music Industry
- Information Technology
- Sports and Recreation
- Hospitality
- Building and Carpentry.
Some courses are run internally and others are run in TAFE Colleges. The courses offered each year vary, depending on access and demand.
