Learning Communities
Secondary
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Year 7 – 10 | VCE | VCE Vocational Major
Being a small rural school, we are able to offer a large and tailored range of subjects for our secondary students.
Year 7 – 10
We follow the Victorian Curriculum for our Year 7-10 Secondary program. In most cases, Year 10 students may choose to study one or more VCE or VET subjects to fast track their VCE progress.
We offer the following core subjects:
Maths
Our secondary Maths program covers the three main areas: Numbers and Algebra, Probability and Statistics, and Measurement and Geometry.
Each year level has five periods of Maths per week.The lesson includes a mixture of theory, skills practise, problem solving to encourage higher order thinking. Where appropriate, games, computer activities and real-life investigations are included to complement their learning.
English
In Secondary English the emphasis is on developing student’s reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Students read and analyse a range of texts. Students discuss and examine their features as well as the themes, issues and ideas. They look at how texts are constructed to convey messages and the intention of the author. Students engage in detailed analysis and participate in reading comprehension and writing tasks. They compare texts, analysing the language conventions of a range of text types including film, theatre, novels, persuasive, personal and creative texts.
Science
Our Secondary Science program covers four main areas: Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Environmental Science.
Each year level has three periods of science lessons per week. Classes have access to a fully equipped Science laboratory. The content taught addresses many aspects of Science, including skills and knowledge. A practical approach is used that allows students to ask questions, investigate and analyse. We organise excursions/incursions to further enrich their learning
Language Other Than English: Indonesian
Indonesian classes are student-centred and aim to develop the students’ ability to communicate in Indonesian; their understanding of Indonesia and its relationship to Australia; as well as their ability to reflect on their own culture and language.In the Secondary years, students study topics relevant to their own lives, comparing their experiences with those of teenagers in Indonesia. Indonesian films enable students to see different aspects of Indonesian life, and cooking lessons give students a real ‘taste’ of Indonesia.
Performing Arts
K-10 Performing Arts classes encompass drama, dance and music. These classes are designed to build on students’ skills and confidence in performance by giving them the opportunity to work collaboratively and creatively. Every two years, this school endeavours to stage a production, which all school communities are involved in.
Physical Education P.E.
Year 7-10 PE provides an opportunity for students to develop sport-specific skills and game-sense across the four major models of game units (target sports, invasion games, net and wall games and striking and fielding games). Students are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviours in sport and develop strategies to create an inclusive and supportive environment for learning fair play.
Visual Arts
Our Secondary Visual Art program covers two main areas: Creating and Responding to Art. Students use a variety of methods and materials and work in both 2D and 3D. Students continue to build their “arts vocabulary” so that they can confidently talk about their own art work and the artwork of others. They learn to look at and recognise art from other cultures. They develop their knowledge of the art elements and principles in analysis and practical application.
Woodwork
Our students participate in woodwork every fortnight. In this class, they develop skills in using tools and machinery to create a variety of projects. Our projects include: birdhouses, cabinets, carving, wood burning, steampunk and as competence and skills develop, an opportunity for individual design. Students also gain an understanding of safe work practices in the workshop.
Food Technology (Cooking)
Year 7-10 students have a double-period Food Technology lesson every fortnight. They learn about the safe handling of food and cooking utensils. They learn how to follow methodological steps as outlined in the recipe to prepare a meal. Some meals we cooked include stir-fried noodles, chicken curry, cakes and biscuits.
Career Education and Pathways (Managed Individual Pathways)
In this class, students will learn the importance of employability skills and those transferable skills that are relevant across many different industries. Students develop a portfolio of employment-ready documents such as a resume, job application letters and more. Students will deep dive into various industries through virtual and real-life work experiences and discover a possible career pathway.
In addition, students undertake project-based learning in the following curriculum areas:
Humanities
Humanities is the study of human culture and its effect on the world. At Lavers Hill College, our Humanities program covers four major areas: History (International and Australian), Geography, Business and Economics and Civics and Citizenship. This enables students to increase their knowledge of how our society works.
Digital Technologies
In Digital Technologies, students learn how to use basic programming languages and how networks transfer data. In addition, students have the opportunity to expand their artistic creativity by learning how to operate a 3-D printer. We also undertake a study of what constitutes digital citizenship and online safety.
Genius
In Genius, our students undertake a long-term project of their interest. The students undergo a Design Thinking process to learn what it takes to complete a project. Our teachers will provide the necessary guidance and materials to help them to realise their individual projects. In some instances, we invite community members to assist with a particular project. Some of the past projects include using Python programming language to make a game, a cement stool and making teddy bears for the Royal Children Hospital.
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
We have a team of highly-qualified VCE teachers that are specialised in a wide variety of VCE subjects. We offer unparalleled student-teacher ratios in our VCE classes. Subject offering may vary depending on the students’ pathway plan. For those students who would like to attain an ATAR score (university entrance score), they must follow a carefully chosen VCE study pathway as discussed with the Career Practitioner.
These VCE subjects have been taught in recent years:
English
Literature
Foundation Mathematics
General Mathematics
Mathematics Methods
Health and Human Development
Business Management
Sciences: Chemistry, Biology and Physics
Legal Studies
Outdoor Education and Studies
Physical Education
Studio Arts
Visual Communication
Product Design and Technology
Please check the relevant VCE Study Designs on the VCAA website
In any circumstances where a chosen VCE subject is not available, we will evaluate the best alternative options for our students. We often enrol students in Virtual School of Victoria, The Victorian Virtual Learning Network, or through our cluster coastal schools via distance learning.
VCE Vocational Major (VCE)
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, starting in 2023. The VCE VM will give 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.
The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:
- equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and
- empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences.
VCE VM is a great alternative for students who do not wish to attain an ATAR score in a scored VCE program or those students who do not wish to sit for the end-of-year examinations. VCE VM is well suited for students who wish to complete their Year 12 Certificate with the completion of a VET subject. We have a solid local network of VET providers and we endeavour to address individual student needs with their desired VET interest. In the past, students have completed their Certificate II in Hospitality, Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation, Certificate II in Community Services and others. If you are interested to learn more about VCE VM, please contact us and our Career Practitioner will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.