RSC — Pathway Options

Three Pathways to a Successful Future

At Rochester Secondary College, senior school students choose from three established pathways. Each pathway leads to a formal qualification and genuine post-school opportunities. The right pathway is the one that best matches your learning style, your interests and your goals — not the one that sounds most impressive.

VCE Victorian Certificate of Education
The academic pathway
VCE VM VCE Vocational Major
The careers pathway
HEAD START School-Based Apprenticeship
Learn while you earn

Pathway 1: VCE — Victorian Certificate of Education

VCE is the academic pathway, recognised across Australia and internationally as the benchmark for Year 12 completion and university readiness.

VCE is studied over two years (Years 11 and 12) and consists of a program of units across a range of subjects. Students complete school-assessed coursework throughout the year and external examinations in November of Year 12. For students aiming for competitive university entry, VCE provides the pathway to an ATAR. VCE is well-suited to students who enjoy academic study, who are aiming for university entry, and who have the self-management skills to handle a demanding and independent study load over two years.

VCE is also right for you if:

  • You have a specific university course or career in mind that requires an ATAR
  • You enjoy reading, essay writing, research and academic problem-solving
  • You are willing to invest significant time in independent study outside class hours
  • You want maximum flexibility in your post-school options

Pathway 2: VCE VM — VCE Vocational Major

VCE VM is a two-year senior secondary certificate within the VCE framework, designed for students who learn best through practical, applied and vocational contexts.

VCE VM students complete four compulsory subjects — Literacy, Foundation Mathematics, Personal Development Skills and Work Related Skills — alongside a range of VET qualifications and work-integrated learning experiences. VCE VM is assessed entirely through school-based coursework; there are no external VCAA examinations. VCE VM leads to the Victorian Certificate of Education (Vocational Major) — a formal, nationally recognised senior secondary qualification. It is an excellent pathway to TAFE, trade apprenticeships and direct employment.

VCE VM is right for you if:

  • You prefer hands-on, practical and applied learning over academic essay writing and exams
  • You have a clear vocational interest or industry in mind — or want to explore several
  • You are planning to go to TAFE, enter an apprenticeship or begin working after school
  • You want a positive, engaging senior school experience that plays to your strengths

Pathway 3: Head Start — School-Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship

Head Start is for students who want to earn while they learn — beginning a formal trade apprenticeship or traineeship while still completing their VCE VM at school.

Head Start students complete their VCE VM certificate at school while working in paid employment with a registered employer for a minimum of 13 hours per week. This arrangement is formalised through a training contract and requires the involvement of an employer and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Head Start is right for you if:

  • You know the trade or industry you want to enter and can identify a suitable employer
  • You are self-motivated and able to manage the demands of school alongside paid employment
  • You want to earn income, build a workplace reputation and gain vocational credits while still at school
  • You are ready to take on a genuinely adult level of responsibility
To apply for Head Start, speak with our Head Start Coordinator, Andrew Knight, as early as possible in Year 10. Places are limited and finding a suitable employer takes time.

VET — Vocational Education and Training

VET programs lead to nationally recognised qualifications — Certificate II, III or IV — in specific industry areas. VET can be studied by both VCE and VCE VM students, and VET results can contribute to the ATAR through a VET contribution score. VET programs are available through TAFE and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Some programs are available on-site at Rochester Secondary College; others require students to attend TAFE on a set day each week.

VET programs often fill quickly. If your child is interested in VET, begin the conversation in Term 2 of Year 10. Some VET programs also have industry requirements (e.g. RSA/RCG for hospitality, a White Card for construction). Speak with Wendy McKenzie for current program offerings.

How to Choose Your Pathway

Choosing a senior school pathway is one of the most important decisions students make. Here are the questions we recommend every student and family work through before making a final decision:

  • How does this student learn best? Through essays, exams and academic challenge — or through practical, hands-on application?
  • What does this student want to do after school? University, TAFE, trades or direct employment?
  • What are this student's strengths? Where do they feel most confident and engaged?
  • Is this student ready for the independence demanded by VCE, or would they thrive better in the structured, practical VCE VM environment?
  • If considering Head Start, does this student have a realistic plan for finding a suitable employer?
No pathway is "better" than another. VCE VM graduates go to university through TAFE pathway programs. VCE graduates do apprenticeships. Head Start graduates build careers that begin before Year 12 is over. What matters is that the pathway matches the student. Speak with Wendy McKenzie for individual guidance.