True North is a subject selection site designed to help students navigate the subject selection process.
Year Level/Pathway Menus
There are four Pathways from Year 9 – 12 at Clonard College. All pathways reflect a student’s talents, skills and ambitions for the future. Students should consider:
· What kind of learner am I?
· Do I have a vision of my post-secondary destination? What pathway will get me to that destination most effectively?
· How do I like to learn? Do I just want to focus on what interests me? Do I like my learning directly applied to the real world? Do I prefer to read and write?
· What kind of learning environment do I prefer? Do I want to work collaboratively with others? Do I prefer to work on my own?
· What do I want to learn? Do I want to follow my passion areas solely? Do I want a broad education with a variety of subjects of my choosing? Do I want a vocational program that follows my preferred pathway?
Students should always choose the pathway that is right for them irrespective of what their peers may choose.
Pathway 1: Mainstream VCE
Students undertaking this pathway create a program from Year 9. At Year 10 they begin to specialise and plan a two-year VCE program leading to an ATAR and generally aim for university entrance post-secondary. For a variety of reasons, some students will take a VCE program without exams and not receive an ATAR. Students who are unsure about their Pathway and are considering the possibility of a transfer from mainstream VCE to VCE (Vocational Major) should ensure that they include a VET study as part of their program. Refer to the Strengthening Pathways table below.
Pathway 2: VCE (Vocational Major)
Students undertaking this pathway undertake a vocational pathway from Year 10 (PreVOC) or 11 related to their vocational field. They undertake specific subjects (Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development). They must take an external VET subject in Year 11 and 12 and an internal VET subject (Events or Sport and Recreation). VCE (Vocational Major) students are on work placement each Friday in Year 11 and 12. Typically, VCE (Vocational Major) students have a post-secondary destination of TAFE, some to university, apprenticeships, traineeships and work. VCE VM pages
Pathway 3: Victorian Pathways Certificate
The VPC is designed to develop and extend pathways for young people, while providing flexibility in delivery and assessment to support the different needs of students choosing this certificate. The VPC is suitable for students whose previous schooling experience may have been disrupted for a variety of reasons, including students with additional needs, students who have missed significant periods of learning and vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from their education. Students will gain the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to make informed choices about pathways into a senior secondary qualification, entry level vocational education and training (VET) course or employment. The VPC is delivered through the VCE (Vocational Major) program. The VPC is not a senior secondary qualification. Typically, VPC students have a post-secondary destination of TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships and work. VPC reference
Pathway 4: Big Picture Learning Australia
Big Picture Learning is designed for students who solely want to follow their own interests by creating their own learning plans and exhibiting their learning at the conclusion of every term. Students in this program will be in internships and ‘outlearning’ every week, developing relationships with local industry and education providers. They source and complete courses that enhance their knowledge and skills in their areas of interests. Students receive the Big Picture Learning Credential at the conclusion of their Year 12 studies. There is no ‘typical’ destination post-secondary for Big Picture Learning Australia students. Destination data demonstrates entry into university, TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships and the work. Big Picture Learning
Senior Years Information
The latest Senior Years Handbook for 2025 – 2026 can be viewed below:
Strengthening Pathways
Subject Selection Timeline
Please note that the closing dates for Subject Selection 2025, are as follows:
- Year 11 – 24 July in Wellbeing time
- Year 8 – 25 July in Wellbeing time
- Year 9 – 28 July in Wellbeing time
- Year 10 – 1 August in Wellbeing time
- Applications Due – PreVOC – 28 July
- Applications Due – VCE-VM/VET – 1 August