Art Making and Exhibiting introduces students to the methods used to make artworks and how artworks are presented and exhibited. Students use inquiry learning to explore, develop and refine the use of materials, techniques and processes and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the ways artworks are made. They learn how art elements and art principles are used to create aesthetic qualities in artworks and how ideas are communicated through the use of visual language. Their knowledge and skills evolve through the experience of making and presenting their own artworks and through the viewing and analysis of artworks by other artists.

Dance allows the students to explore movement as a means of creative expression. In VCE, students create and perform their own dance works, as well as studying the dance works of others through performance and analysis. Students will have regular dance training to build up their skill and ability to execute movements. Students will develop their dance vocabulary and choreographic skills. They will study how other choreographers have chosen movements to communicate to the audience. Students will perform both solo and group learned dances, as well as their own creations.

Drama focuses on the creation and performance of characters and stories that communicate ideas, meaning and messages. Students use creative processes, a range of stimulus material and play-making techniques to develop and present devised work. Students learn about and draw on a range of performance styles relevant to practices of ritual and story-telling, contemporary drama practice and the work of significant drama practitioners.

Media encourages students to explore and understand media conventions and the use of media technology in the 21st century. This course is designed for students interested in learning about film, television, print text, radio and the Internet. Students can expect to participate in filmmaking, directing, journalism, print production, acting etc. Students will have the opportunity to be innovative and creative and apply their knowledge to both practical and theoretical tasks.

Visual Communication Design is distinct in its study of visual language and the role it plays in communicating ideas, solving problems and influencing behaviours. Students learn how to manipulate type and imagery when designing for specific contexts, purposes and audiences. They choose and combine manual and digital methods, media and materials with design elements and principles. In doing so, students learn how aesthetic considerations contribute to the effective communication and resolution of design ideas, and how an understanding of visual language, its role and potential is the foundation of effective design practice.

Extended Investigation students undertake a self-directed investigation into an area of personal interest over the course of one school year. There is no subject-specific prescribed content; instead, the learning is focused on the skills of inquiry, research, analysis and critical thinking.

English and English as an Additional Language (EAL) focuses on the ‘how’ English language is used to create meaning in print and digital texts of varying complexity. Texts selected for study are drawn from the past and present, from Australia and from other cultures, and comprise many text types, including media texts, for analysis of argument. The study is intended to meet the needs of students with a wide range of expectations and aspirations, including those for whom English is an additional language.

Literature focuses on the meanings derived from texts, the relationships between texts, the contexts in which texts are produced, and how readers’ experiences shape their responses to texts. VCE Literature enables students to examine the historical, social and cultural contexts within which both readers and texts are situated.

Health and Human Development takes a broad and multidimensional approach to defining and understanding health and wellbeing. Students investigate the World Health Organization’s definition and other interpretations of health and wellbeing. For the purposes of this study, students consider wellbeing to be an implicit element of health. Wellbeing is a complex combination of all dimensions of health, characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

Outdoor and Environmental Studies develops students’ understandings of outdoor environments, and the ways in which humans interact with, relate to and have impacted outdoor environments over time. The area of study outdoor environments encompasses landscapes, both local and further afield, that range in health from protected wilderness to those heavily impacted by human practices.

Physical Education explores the complex interrelationships between anatomical, biomechanical, physiological and skill acquisition principles to understand their role in producing and refining movement, and examines behavioural, psychological, environmental and sociocultural influences on performance and participation in physical activity. The assimilation of theoretical understanding and practice is central to the study of VCE Physical Education. Students participate in practical activities to examine the core concepts that underpin movement and that influence performance and participation in physical activity, sport and exercise.

Accounting explores the financial recording, reporting, analysis and decision-making processes of a sole proprietor small business. Students study both theoretical and practical aspects of accounting. They collect, record, report and analyse financial data, and report, classify, verify and interpret accounting information, using both manual methods and information and communications technology (ICT).

Business Management examines the ways businesses manage resources to achieve objectives, while following the process from the initial idea for a business concept, to planning and establishing a business, through to the day-to-day management of a business. It also considers changes that need to be made to ensure the continued success of a business. Students develop an understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing decision-makers in managing businesses and their resources.

The study of Geography allows students to explore, analyse and come to understand the characteristics of places that make up our world. Geographers are interested in key questions concerning places and geographic phenomena: What is there? Where is it? Why is it there? What are the effects of it being there? How is it changing over time? How could, and should, it change in the future? How is it different from other places and phenomena? How are places and phenomena connected?

Global Politics is the study of the political, social, cultural and economic forces that shape interactions between states and other global actors in the contemporary world. It examines the interconnectedness of the contemporary global political arena and the impact of globalisation on culture, sovereignty, human rights and the environment. It examines the nature and power of key global actors and the types of power used by an Asia-Pacific state to achieve its national interests. It considers global ethical issues including human rights, people movement, development and arms control and explores the nature and effectiveness of global responses to crises such as climate change, armed conflict, terrorism and economic instability.

Ancient History investigates individuals and societies (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and China) across three millennia. Empires explores the ideas and power relations accompanying the growth of empires in the early modern period.

Modern History examines the causes and consequences of conflict and change in the modern era. Australian History investigates continuity and change from pre-colonial times to the modern day. Revolutions explores the causes and consequences of significant social upheaval (America, France, Russia and China) in the modern period.

Legal Studies examines the institutions and principles that are essential to the Australian legal system. Students develop an understanding of the rule of law, law-makers, legal institutions, the relationship between the people and the Australian Constitution, the protection of rights in Australia, and the Victorian justice system.

Philosophy contains a broad introduction to western philosophy and its methods of inquiry. It explores themes and debates within metaphysics, epistemology (philosophy of knowledge) and value theory, as well as techniques of reasoning and argument drawn from formal and informal logic. It investigates human nature through questions about the relationship between body and mind, and personal identity, leading to an examination of the good life.

Sociology focuses on the study of human behaviour and social interaction to understand how societies are organised, develop and change. There is no single sociological perspective, rather, there are several theories that offer different ways of understanding human society. Sociologists use these theories and frameworks in a complementary way to attempt to objectively examine social issues and explain concepts. In VCE Sociology students examine key theories regarding family, deviance, ethnicity, community and social movements.

German focuses on student participation in interpersonal communication, interpreting the language of other speakers, and presenting information and ideas in German on a range of themes and topics. Students develop and extend skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing in German in a range of contexts and develop cultural understanding in interpreting and creating language.

Foundation Mathematics focuses on providing students with the mathematical knowledge, skills, understanding and dispositions to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning, and community settings relevant to contemporary society.

In General Mathematics, students will apply mathematical concepts and acquire and develop skills in carrying out mathematical rules and techniques. These skills will then be employed in solving a range of real life applications including the use of technology to help solve problems. The topics covered include univariate and bivariate data; linear equations and graphs; shape and measurement; trigonometry; financial arithmetic; sequences and series and networks.

Mathematical methods has students explore the topics of graphs and relations, probability and calculus. Graphs and relations explores how to solve and graph polynomial functions, trigonometric functions, exponentials and logarithms. Probability delves into counting methods, conditional probability and probability distributions. Calculus explores how to calculate and the various uses of derivatives, double derivatives, antidifferentiation and integration. Throughout all these topics students learn how to solve by hand and through the CASIO Classpad. In Year 12 each topic requires students to work through an application style task as part of their School Assessed Classwork before they have a tech-free and tech allowed Examination at the culmination of the year.

Specialist Mathematics provides for the study of various mathematical structures, reasoning and proof. Topics include Linear Relations and Equations, Integers and Rational Numbers, Vectors, Univariate and Bivariate Statistics, Trigonometric Ratios, Real and Complex Number Systems, Non-Linear Relations and Equations, Circular Functions, Graphing (asymptotes, circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, parametric equations).

The study of Biology explores the diversity of life as it has evolved and changed over time, and considers how living organisms function and interact. It explores the processes of life, from the molecular world of the cell to that of the whole organism, and examines how life forms maintain and ensure their continuity. Students study contemporary research, models and theories to understand how knowledge in biology has developed and how this knowledge continues to change in response to new evidence and discoveries.

The study of Chemistry involves investigating and analysing the composition and behaviour of matter, and the chemical processes involved in producing useful materials for society in ways that minimise adverse effects on human health and the environment. Chemistry underpins the generation of energy for use in homes and industry, the maintenance of clean air and water, the production of food, medicines and new materials, and the treatment of wastes.

In Environmental Science, Earth is understood as a set of four interrelated systems: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere and the lithosphere. This study explores how the relationships between these systems produce natural environmental change over a variety of time scales and how these systems respond to change and disruption.

The study of Physics involves investigating, understanding and explaining the behaviour of physical phenomena in the Universe. Models, including mathematical models, are used to explore, simplify and predict how physical systems behave at varying scales from the very small (quantum and particle physics) through to the very large (astronomy and cosmology)

Psychology applies a biopsychosocial approach to the systematic study of mental processes and behaviour. Within this approach, different perspectives, models and theories are considered. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that seeks to describe, explain, understand and predict human behaviour and mental processes. It includes many sub-fields of study that explore and seek to better understand how individuals, groups, communities and societies think, feel and act.

Food Studies is designed to build the capacities of students to make informed food choices. Students develop their understanding of food while acquiring skills that enable them to take greater ownership of their food decisions and eating patterns. This study complements and supports further training and employment opportunities in the fields of home economics, food technology, food manufacturing and hospitality.

Applied Computing focuses on the strategies and techniques for creating digital solutions to meet specific needs and to manage the threats to data, information and software security. The study examines the attributes of each component of an information system including people, processes, data and digital systems (hardware, software, networks), and how their interrelationships affect the types and quality of digital solutions.

Information Technology Applications investigates some specific aspects of online communities and how different communities require different forms of web pages to enable them to communicate, educate, inform and entertain their members. It follows a problem solving approach in solving data handling problems and utilises database, spreadsheet and IDE software. An investigation of the legal requirements of data handling, disposal and protection forming strategies for each ensuring all requirements are met is also included in this study.

In this subject students assume the role of a designer-maker. They will acquire and apply knowledge of factors that influence design. Students will safely use a range of materials, tools, equipment and machines to transform these materials into useful products, while understanding the importance of environmental sustainability.

Product design is a solution-focused approach to woodworking that engages with the diverse needs and opportunities of individuals, society and the environment in which we live. Product designers aim to improve welfare, which includes quality of life, by designing innovative and ethical solutions. Product design is enhanced through knowledge of social, technological, economic, historical, ethical, legal, environmental and cultural factors. These factors influence the form, function and aesthetics of products.

Systems Engineering involves the design, production, operation, evaluation and iteration of integrated systems, which mediate and control many aspects of human experience. Integral to VCE Systems Engineering is the identification and quantification of systems goals, the generation of system designs, trial and error, justified design trade-offs, selection and implementation of the most appropriate design. Students test and verify that the system is well-built and integrated. They evaluate how well the completed system meets the intended goals and reflect on the systems engineering process to create a satisfactory design

VCE Vocational Major Work Related Skills (WRS) examines a range of skills, knowledge and capabilities relevant to achieving individual career and educational goals. Students will develop a broad understanding of workplace environments and the future of work and education, in order to engage in theoretical and practical planning and decision-making for a successful transition to their desired pathway.

VCE Vocational Major Personal Development Skills (PDS) units 3 & 4 focuses on health, wellbeing, community engagement and social sciences, and provides a framework through which students seek to understand and optimise their potential as individuals and as members of their community.

VM Literacy is compulsory in the VCE VM course. VCE Vocational Major Literacy focuses on the development of the knowledge and skills required to be literate in Australia today.

VCE Vocational Major Numeracy focuses on enabling students to develop and enhance their numeracy skills to make sense of their personal, public and vocational lives.