PreCAL
The program is an initiative being undertaken to better prepare students for a pathway that leads them into the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), whilst also giving them a range of life and work ready skills. Students who undertake this pathway can still undertake a selection of electives, however they are unable to complete VCE in year 11/12, and is structured to support students to enter a VCAL or workforce pathway.
The subjects offered through PreCAL are literacy, numeracy as well as personal development and work-related skills. As well as these, students have the opportunity undertake a VET program (please see the separate section on True North for information on VET). VET is subject to availability and also has a selection criteria to meet in consultation with the VET Leader. Students will also complete work experience blocks throughout the year.
Students will gain skills and experience in a range of areas which will include development of their literacy and numeracy as well as personal development and life skills. There will also be a strong focus on applied and authentic learning experiences to develop students work ethic and employability and life-skills.
It is anticipated that after a successful year in this program students will be able to more smoothly transition onto the VCAL program. Students who apply for the PreCAL program are interviewed along with their parents/guardians to make sure that the pathway is the most suitable option for their future.
Literacy and numeracy
In literacy and numeracy, students will develop their general skills that are applicable to real life and workplace situations. These may include but are not limited to:
Literacy – Reading and writing for knowledge, reading and writing for self-expression, oral communication skills through a range of different methods such as letter and email writing.
Numeracy –Topics covered include money, shopping, travel, tax, using measurement, shape, numeric and graphing concepts.
Personal Development and Work-related Skills
This is a core VCAL subject where students develop and explore issues of social and civic responsibility, community building and their own ideas through projects here at school. PDS also focuses on student self-esteem and self-worth through creating opportunities for students to challenge themselves and accept extra responsibilities. PDS Involves project work, lots of group activities, trips and excursions.
In addition to this, students complete VCE Unit 1 in Industry and Enterprise. Within this unit, students will study the following topics to prepare them for the workplace:
- Workplace Participation
- Building a Career Pathway
- Developing Work Related Skills
- Workplace Effectiveness
These units can be used towards their VCAL credits in year 11 and 12.
Within this unit, students will undertake a minimum 35hours work experience that may or may not be linked to their VET. Work experience provides students with a valuable insight into different career pathways for their future.
A sample PreCAL program may look like the following:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Literacy | Literacy |
| Numeracy | Numeracy |
| Personal Development Skills (including VCE Industry and Enterprise Unit 1) | Personal Development Skills (including VCE Industry and Enterprise Unit 1) |
| Religious Education – VCE Text & Traditions Unit 1 | Religious Education – VCE Text & Traditions Unit 1 |
| Wellbeing | Wellbeing |
| VET Studies (optional) Studied externally **Selection Criteria** | VET Studies (optional) Studied externally **Selection Criteria** |
| Special English(Learning Support) | Special English(Learning Support) |
| Elective 1 | Elective 2 |
| Elective 3 | Elective 4 |
VCAL in Year 11 and 12
VCAL is the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning and it is the alternative equivalent qualification offered to students in year 11 and 12. VCAL aims to provide knowledge, skills and attributes to enable students to make informed choices regarding pathways to work and further education.
A VCAL Program allows students to combine a range of classroom subjects, VET qualifications and workplace experience together. Students complete a VCAL qualification each year.
VCAL is a recognised senior secondary qualification. Students who complete a VCAL certificate are more likely to be interested in competing a certificate at TAFE, doing an apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing Year 12. It should also be noted that a University pathway is still an option for VCAL students.
VCAL’s flexibility enables students to design a school program that suits their interests, ability and learning needs.
VCAL units are available at the three VCAL award levels (Foundation, Intermediate and Senior) to cater for the different needs, abilities and experiences of students.
There are five compulsory strands within a VCAL program:
- Literacy
- Numeracy Skills
- Work Related Skills
- Industry Specific Skills (VET subject)
- Personal Development
Students who complete VCAL must have a VET study at Intermediate and Senior levels.
VCAL Levels and Subjects
The VCAL is accredited at three levels:
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – Foundation
-At Foundation level – close supervision and high levels of direction
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – Intermediate
-At Intermediate level – close supervision with independent learning in regard to planning and work activities
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning – Senior
-At Senior level – learning is self-directed with tasks that require leadership, decision making and ability to work autonomously.
The three levels will ensure that there are achievable learning targets for a range of students.
VCAL Qualifications have core subjects. These are:
VCAL Personal Development Skills
This is a core VCAL subject where students develop and explore issues of social and civic responsibility, community building and their own ideas through projects both here at school and in the community. PDS also focuses on student self-esteem and self-worth through creating opportunities for students to challenge themselves and accept extra responsibilities. Involves project work, lots of group activities, trips and excursions, a camp each year and other activities.
VCAL Literacy
This is a VCAL unit that addresses students reading, writing and oral communication requirements for year 11 & 12. VCAL Literacy has no exams but instead there is a diverse range of outcomes that students must demonstrate they can meet to complete this program.
VCAL Numeracy
This VCAL unit an extension of maths programs from year 10 and aims to assist students to make sense of mathematics in their daily lives. Topics covered include money, shopping, travel, tax, cooking etc. using measurement, shape, number, data and graphing concepts.
Structured Work Placement (SWL)
Also known as work placement, this is an essential component of VCAL where students gain experience and valuable knowledge about workplace expectations and insight. Students also begin to build networks and relationships with employers in their industry of interest.
VET and SBAT Programs
These are nationally recognized Certificate II or III level qualifications offered by training organizations outside of Clonard (including SHC, SJC, the Gordon and others.) These programs run usually on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon and finish later than school time, usually 5 or 5:30pm. Students are provided with bus transport from Clonard to their programs but must make their own way home. VET Programs have extra costs, please see the VET section on True North for more details.
VCAL Work Related Skills
This is another core unit of VCAL that is based on employability skills. In this subject students learn about the work of work, the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, occupational health and safety for the workplace and a range of other essential information to support student transition to work placement, part time and eventually full time work.
RE
All VCAL students will undertake a RE program in years 11 and 12.
Sample VCAL Programs
A sample Year 11 and Year 12 VCAL Program may look like the following:
Year 11
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Literacy: Reading & Writing, Oral Communication | Literacy: Reading & Writing, Oral Communication |
| Numeracy: Unit 1 | Numeracy: Unit 1 |
| Work Related Skills: Unit 1 | Work Related Skills: Unit 2 |
| Personal Development Skills: Unit 1 | Personal Development Skills: Unit 2 |
| Religious Education – VCE Religion & Society Unit 1 | Religious Education – VCE Religion & Society Unit 1 |
| Wellbeing | Wellbeing |
| VET Studies: Studied externally | VET Studies: Studied externally |
| VET Creative Industries Certificate II (Partial) | VET Creative Industries Certificate II (Partial) |
| Structured Workplace Learning Recognition(SWLR) *where possible | Structured Workplace Learning Recognition(SWLR) *where possible |
Year 12
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Literacy: Reading & Writing, Oral Communication | Literacy: Reading & Writing, Oral Communication |
| Numeracy: Unit 1 | Numeracy: Unit 1 |
| Work Related Skills: Unit 1 | Work Related Skills: Unit 2 |
| Personal Development Skills: Unit 1 | Personal Development Skills: Unit 2 |
| Religious Education – school based | Religious Education – school based |
| Wellbeing | Wellbeing |
| VET Studies: Studied externally | VET Studies: Studied externally |
| VET Creative Industries Certificate II (Partial, continuation from Yr11) | VET Creative Industries Certificate II (Partial, continuation from Yr11) |
| Structured Workplace Learning Recognition(SWLR) *where possible | Structured Workplace Learning Recognition(SWLR) *where possible |
APPLYING:
If you think you might be interested in applying for a place in the VCAL program next year, you will need to complete an “Expression of Interest” form. More details on how to access this form will be available through the subject selection process.
For any further information please contact VCAL Leader Ms Sarah Clark: sarah.clark@clonard.vic.edu.au
