Year
10
The Victorian Curriculum F–10 has been developed to ensure that curriculum content and achievement standards enable continuous learning for all students, including:
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Students with disabilities and additional learning needs
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English as an additional language
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Gifted and talented students
The focus is on the five curriculum areas of English, Mathematics, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, and Personal and Social capability.
At PCSSC a full Year 10 program comprises a year-long study of both English and Mathematics. Students are then able to select semester-long electives from the following curriculum areas: The Arts, Health and PE, Science and History.
Students may select to accelerate in a yearlong Unit 1 + 2 VCE study or select a VET. In this instance, the Unit 1+2 VCE study or VET would take the place of two of the students’ elective studies.
ACE
Select Entry
Applications for our 2027 Year 10 ACE Program will open on the 29th of April, 2026. Families are invited to attend our information evening on the 29th of April - please register your attendance through the button below.
ACE (Accelerated Curriculum for Extension) is a select entry program exclusive to PCSSC. The program aims to accelerate the education of our high achieving students to allow them to achieve a high ATAR and study scores, as well as diversifying their curriculum through studying a greater variety of subjects.
Through the ACE program, students will study 2 VCE subjects in Year 10, which they continue as Year 12 subjects in Year 11. They will learn how to study effectively by implementing note-taking strategies that they utilise in their studies. They also learn how to work collaboratively with other students in order to solve common challenges from their classes. Our ACE cohort is supported through a wide range of specific and targeted programs for academic extension, as well as wellbeing support and strengths-based careers planning.
Successful ACE applicants are required to undertake two accelerated VCE subjects of their choice.
High achieving Year 9 students performing above the standard achievement standards are encouraged to apply. Selection is based on a written application, interview, and test.
For more information, including application details, please email the school for our ACE Prospectus.
VCE
VM
The VCE has expanded to include the Vocational Major, meaning you can study a new 2-year vocational and applied learning program within the VCE.
The VCE Vocational Major will develop your personal and practical life skills. It will help to prepare you for the next important stage of your life.
To get your VCE Vocational Major, you must successfully finish at least 16 units. These will include units in:
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VCE VM Literacy or VCE English
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VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics
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VCE VM Work Related Skills
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VCE VM Personal Development Skills
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VET at a Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)
Many VCE Vocational Major students also add other VCE studies to their program.
Your teacher or careers counsellor will help you plan your program. Most students will finish their VCE Vocational Major over 2 years.
You will apply knowledge and skills in practical settings such as workplaces. You’ll do community-based activities and projects that involve working in a team. You can also receive credit for on-the-job learning.
Your teachers will assess your progress through a range of activities. You won’t receive a study score for the VCE Vocational Major subjects, which means these subjects won’t count towards an ATAR. This is because there are no exams or other external assessments, apart from the General Achievement Test and in some scored VCE VET programs.
When you’ve completed your course, you will receive a Victorian Certificate of Education with the additional words ‘Vocational Major’.
VCE
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is Victoria’s senior secondary qualification. It opens pathways to university, higher-level TAFE or VET certificate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and the workforce. VCE can provide you with an ATAR.
To get your VCE, you must successfully complete at least 16 units, including:
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3 units from the English group, including a unit 3 and 4 sequence
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at least 3 other sequences of unit 3 and 4 studies.
Over years 11 and 12, students at PCSSC study 20 units; 5 studies in year 11 and 5 in year 12.
You can only take the new studies of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills if you are enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major.
Talk to your teacher or careers counsellor about how to build your VCE program to best suit you.
VET
Vocational education and training (VET) is learning where you develop targeted and practical skills. The skills you learn relate to a career pathway, so can apply them at work or in further education and training.
You can add a VET course or certificate to your studies while you're in year 11 or 12. You may even start VET in year 10.
VET adds another level of learning to your senior secondary schooling. You get practical skills in an industry you’re interested in, improving your employability.
Talk to your teacher or careers counsellor about adding VET to your VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) program.
VET courses:
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provide a nationally recognised qualification in a specific industry, or provide credit towards one
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contribute towards the completion of your VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC
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give you the option to study through a paid school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
