VET
Vocational Education Training (VET)
Vocational Education Training (VET) focuses on providing students with the opportunity to acquire specific workplace training in a theoretical and hands on based approach to learning. VET subjects are nationally accredited and are therefore recognised across Australia.
In order to ‘pass’ or receive ‘competency’ in a VET subject, students must complete a series of units or modules to the required standard. A student may complete a VET subject whilst completing their VCE or VCE-VM. If ‘competency’ is achieved, VCE VET can contribute towards a ‘satisfactory’ completion of VCE studies and, in some cases, contribute to the ATAR.
A selection of VET subjects on offer include:
Agriculture
Allied Health
Animal Studies
Automotive*
Aviation
Beauty Therapy
Bricklaying
Building & Construction*
Business
Children’s Services
Community Services
Creative Industries (Media)
Electrical*
Engineering*
Equine
Event Management
Furnishing (Cabinet Making)
Hairdressing*
Horticulture
Hospitality (Kitchen Operations)*
Plumbing
Sport & Recreation
* Offered here at the College or in partnership with Nathalia Secondary College and St Augustine’s Kyabram.
Victorian Certificate of Educational - Vocational Major (VM)
The Victorian Certificate of Education - Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational pathway for Years 11 and 12. Its focus is on hands-on, experiential and applied learning that gives greater choice and flexibility for students to pursue their strengths and interests, and develop the capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
Students who do VM are likely to go on to complete further training at a TAFE institute, an apprenticeship or traineeship or seek employment. Students completing the VM may also move into University via non-ATAR pathways.
Vocational Major gives students:
- practical work-related experience
- employability skills
- literacy and numeracy skills
- personal skills that are important to life and work.
Australian School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships (ASBA)
A School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship is when you combine paid work, school and training to receive a qualification that is recognised Australia wide. Apprentices and trainees generally learn industry skills by combining on-the-job paid work with training at a TAFE institute or other provider.
School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships can count towards completion of student’s VCE or VCE-VM.
Languages
Languages at St Mary of the Angels
Italian is the language of St Francis of Assisi. Italian also has a strong link with our local heritage through the Italian migrant community in the area. Learning Italian at St. Mary of the Angels is about celebrating this heritage and culture of our community. While studying Italian, students develop deeper cultural awareness, improve their memory and overall brain function, and strengthen their literacy skills.
At St. Mary of the Angels Italian is studied in Years 7 and 8 and offered to Year 9 students as an elective. During these years, Students explore topics such as school, family, animals, travel, transport, fashion and food. Learning to both express themselves in Italian and make comparisons between Italian and Australian culture.
Further Studying of Languages
Students interested in studying another language altogether may do so through our association with Distance Education, Victoria - School of Languages. An up to date list of languages offered through Distance Education can be found at https://www.vsl.vic.edu.au/Languages.aspx
If you are interested in studying a language please consult Mrs Bev Thorp, Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching.
Technology
The Technology area of the College has state of the art facilities with purpose built rooms for Art, Textiles, Food Technology, Woodwork, Plastics, Metalwork and Automotive.
Technology at St Mary of the Angels Secondary College is a broad field of study that draws from a range of disciplines and community activities including engineering, manufacturing, textiles and hospitality. Technology is used to design products, processes and services to meet human needs and wants, capitalise on opportunities and extend students capabilities.
The purpose of technology education in schools is to enable students to use technology successfully, responsibly and creatively. Students develop knowledge and understanding and ways of working to expand their capabilities as confident, critical and creative designers and users of technology.
Year 7
Students move through electives in a rotation system for a taste of the different Technology subjects available.
Year 8 & 9
Year 8 & 9 Elective Offerings:
CAD CAM
Clocks, Toys & Gadgets
Computers
Design & Create Outdoor Living
Drawing
Fabric & Fashion
Good Food Fast
Horticulture & Sustainability
It's A Wrap
Karts
Lego Mechatronics & Robotics
Metal
Modern Design
Patchwork
Photography and Photoshop
Sculpture
Small Engines
Working with Wood
Year 10
Year 10 Elective Offerings:
Chef’s Apprentice
CAD CAM
Fashion and Fabric
Foods of the World
Karts
Modern Design
Patchwork
Photography & Photoshop
Plastics – Design & Build
Wood – Design & Build
Working With Metal – Design & Build
Click here for INSTRUCTABLES instructions on ‘How to Design and Build a Go Kart’
Year 11 & 12 – Units studied
VCE Units 1 - 4
Design and Technology Wood
Design and Technology Textiles
Food and Technology
Media
Studio Arts
System Engineering
Visual Communication and Design
Arts
Arts at St Mary of the Angels Secondary College encompasses a range of disciplines including Media Arts, Visual Arts and Music. Within these subject areas are opportunities for participation in college and community arts events. In the Arts, students are guided to develop their creative and expressive abilities by learning about arts practitioners and practices, making works to communicate ideas of their own, and considering impacts on a viewing audience.
With opportunities to work both independently and collaboratively, students of Arts subjects develop skills and knowledge to expand their capabilities as critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers and communicators.
Year 7 Students participate in a term-long rotation of Arts subjects including Music and Visual Arts.
Year 8 Arts subjects that can be undertaken as electives: Art 2D, Art 3D and Music.
Year 9 Elective options: Art 2D, Art 3D, Media and Music.
Year 10 Elective options: Art 2D, Art 3D, Photography, Media, Music
VCE Subject selections options: Art Creative Practice, Media Studies
School band and Choir
The St Mary of the Angels school band and choir regularly perform at college events such as mass, assembly, and awards nights. Any student who plays an instrument or likes to sing, is welcome to join. Students rehearse at lunchtimes weekly throughout the school year.
Instrumental Program
St Mary of the Angels offers students an opportunity to undertake private lessons on a musical instrument. Instrumental lessons are offered as a complement to the classroom music curriculum and are an additional cost. Instrumental Tuition Scholarships are available each year for one junior and one senior student.
Production
St Mary of the Angels prepares one major musical production each year. We have performed many shows, including Annie, The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray and most recently, Grease. Any student who is interested in participating in productions is welcome, whether to participate on stage, backstage, helping with hair and make-up or in lighting and design.
pdf List of SMOTA Productions (113 KB)
Health & Physical Education
At St Mary of the Angels, we provide an inclusive program that develops students' leadership, feedback skills and teamwork through a variety of movement contexts. Our focus is centred on teaching students through and about movement. We aim to have all students involved, active, and enjoying themselves regardless of the selected activities. Through our health program, students are exposed to skills that equip them with tools to support their health and well-being beyond school.
Here at St Mary of the Angels, students in Years 7-9 have three lessons a week in Health & Physical Education. On top of this, students can select additional electives throughout Year 9.
From Year 10, Health and Physical Education (PE) becomes an elective with options for a mainstream class and an additional exercise science course as a pathway for aspirant VCE students.
In students' senior years, VCE Units 1-4 Physical Education and VCE Units 1-4 Health and Human Development are offered.
Outdoor & Environmental Studies is offered at various levels throughout middle and senior school years. In Year 9, students can begin their knowledge of relationships with environments through the Outdoor Adventures elective. In VCE, students can complete VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies Units 1-4, where they will develop a deeper knowledge of relationships in outdoor environments, the factors that affect these experiences and how they can maintain sustainable and healthy interactions with outdoor settings.