Years 10 - 12 - Northern Bay College

Year 10 is a significant period of change and development for young people. Students are beginning to form a clearer understanding of who they are, what they value, and the kind of person they want to become both within and beyond school. At the same time, they are navigating increasing independence, more complex relationships, growing academic expectations, and important decisions about their future pathways.

As a result, Year 10 is not simply a transition point academically, but an important stage in the development of student identity, confidence, agency, and character. This is reflected in many points through our Year 10 Program – including excursion and incursion opportunities to develop character such as the Year 10 Amazing Race. Design Your Life and our Year 10 Mentor Program, and careers-related opportunities such as our VCE and VM Taster Days, and the Avalon Airshow.

Students also complete a robust academic program which includes English, Maths, Science, Humanities, and Sports, Art, and Technology electives of their choosing including our SEED and IMPACT Programs. Students are also linked to relevant excursions and opportunities based in this curriculum including our RYDA Excursion where they investigate some of the Science behind car crashes, and our Humanities excursion to the Holocaust Museum where students explore the multi-generational impact the Holocaust had on people and wider society.

In Year 10 we are focused on providing and promoting opportunities to connect with community, ensure students grow from purposeful task specific feedback, will be confident, willing to take risks, reflect and have a growth mindset to be future ready, identify opportunities, have a higher level of self-efficacy and explore themselves and skills and enjoy learning.

Year 10 and Senior Pathways into Years 11 and 12

Upon completion of Year 10, students elect a VCE or VM pathway for their senior years at Northern Bay. To help students explore their senior pathway options in years 11 and 12, they participate in two immersion days to trial both VM and VCE. Your teachers at Northern Bay College have created a Senior School Curriculum Handbook that will support you in your decisions for the future.

VCE Taster Day

Students attend six potential VCE classes of their choice, such as Psychology, Biology, Legal Studies, Maths, and Arts. Each session provides an overview of the Year 11 curriculum and a short activity to introduce the subject.

VM Taster Day

Students experience Literacy, Numeracy, Enterprise, and Work-Related Skills. TAFE providers also present VET options, a compulsory component of VM, allowing students to gain official qualifications in their chosen field.

These immersion days, held close to Program Selection Day, support students in making informed decisions about their senior years.

VCE is a significant period of growth, challenge and development for young people. Students are expected to take greater responsibility for their learning, develop independence and demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving their personal best. With increased academic expectations comes the opportunity for students to set high expectations for themselves taking ownership of their progress.

One of the strengths of the VCE is the opportunity for students to create a program that reflects their individual interests, abilities, and future aspirations. English is the only compulsory subject at VCE level, students have considerable choice in shaping the remainder of their timetable. Whether a student is passionate about Art, Mathematics, Biology, Sport or Food Studies, there are a range of subjects and pathways available to help them pursue their interests.

Students can also explore vocational pathways through VET subjects, including opportunities to undertake VET studies with external training providers such as The Gordon. Our after-school Homework Club provides students with access to teachers outside regular class time, offering additional support, guidance and a positive environment in which to complete coursework, prepare for assessments and develop effective study habits.

The VCE experience also includes university visits, careers and education expos, study skills seminars, pathway presentations and information sessions. These experiences allow students to explore their options, ask questions, connect their learning to the wider world and make informed decisions about their future. Through a combination of subject choice, academic support and pathway opportunities, we aim to provide every student with the opportunity to make the most of their VCE experience and build the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for life beyond school.

The Year 11 and 12 VCE Vocational Major (VCE-VM) and Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) programs at Northern Bay provide students with a practical, applied learning pathway that prepares them for apprenticeships, traineeships, further education, employment and community participation. Students complete studies in Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills while participating in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Structured Workplace Learning.

Throughout the program, students develop real-world skills through authentic learning experiences, industry partnerships, community projects and workplace opportunities. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the college and contribute to initiatives that make a positive impact in the wider community.