Learning Programs
The College curriculum is tailored to meet the specific learning needs and environment at Mercy College. Curriculum strategies and programs draw on the curriculum advice and guidelines of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA). Curriculum for students in Years 7 to 10 is based on the Victorian Curriculum and students in Years 11 and 12 undertake the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or VCE-VM, as well as Vocational Education and Training (VET) studies.
Learning Areas:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts and Technology
- Languages
- Interpersonal Development
- Personal Learning
- Civics and Citizenship
Capabilities:
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Ethical Capability
- Intercultural Capability
- Personal and Social Capability
STEM
In the next decade, 75 per cent of all jobs will need skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. This doesn’t mean everyone will become a scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician however having STEM skills provides the technical and problem-solving skills needed in a variety of jobs. Mercy College offers a STEM subject at Year 7 and at Year 8. These learning programs afford the students the chance to engage in critical thinking and problem solving by taking part in a variety of authentic learning opportunities such as the Dance Party Scratch Challenge, the Edison Robot Challenge and the Spaghetti Bridge Challenge. At Year 9 students can elect to study Sustainable Technology, which is an inquiry study into renewable energy sources that makes use of STELR equipment. At Year 10, students can study Digi Tech Design which involves the investigation of the role of robotic technology.
Structures
The College curriculum is broadly structured into two categories, compulsory and post compulsory studies. The academic year is divided into two semesters and four terms. Students undertake some subjects for a full year and others for a single semester.
Students in Years 7 and 8 undertake a prescribed course of study including each of the disciplinary based learning. During Years 9 and 10 students continue with a prescribed course and also select a number of Middle School Electives that are of single semester duration.
During the post compulsory years of schooling, Years 11 and 12, students choose a course of study from the diverse range of VCE, VCE-VM and VET subjects on offer. These studies are usually undertaken as a sequence of units across a two year period.
Important in the timetabled learning schedule of all students is the pastoral program and Religious Education curriculum. All students undertake Religious Education studies throughout their education at Mercy and participate in a range of whole school celebrations. The common time period brings the College community together to celebrate and communicate important events in College life.
Years 7 and 8 students also participate in a pastoral period that enables them to explore important developmental, pastoral care and student wellbeing issues.
Year Length Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Physical Education
- Wellbeing Program
- STEM
Semester Length Subjects:
- Dance
- Food Studies
- Geography and Commerce
- History
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Music
- Visual Arts
Year Length Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Wellbeing Program
- STEM
Semester Length Subjects:
- Drama
- Design & Technology
- Food Studies
- Geography and Commerce
- History
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Music
- Physical Education
- Visual Communication Design
*NB: Students select either Indonesian or Italian as their Language study at the end of Year 8 as a full year length subject in Year 9.
A learning program that exposes students to both a breadth and depth of ideas, concepts and strategies for contributing to society is valued and promoted in student course planning. Each of the Key Learning Areas (KLAs) offer subjects within the curriculum that are based on the Victorian Curriculum.
Experiences within these subjects enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of key concepts and skills for life in preparation for further compulsory and post compulsory studies. Students undertake a range of compulsory subjects as well as a choice of Middle School Electives. Compulsory subjects are either for a full year (two semesters) or semester length (two terms). Middle School Electives are one semester length (two terms).
Year 9:
Year Length Subjects
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics
- Science
- Physical Education
- Indonesian or Italian
- Health
- Wellbeing Program
Semester Length Subjects:
- History
- Geography and Commerce
Year 10:
Year Length Subjects
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics
- Science
- Physical Education
- Wellbeing Program
Semester Length Subjects:
- History
- Commerce
VCE/VCE-VM are accredited post compulsory certificates that students usually undertake over a two year period. VCE/VCE-VM subjects are identified as Units of Study. Generally Units 1 & 2 subjects are studied during Year 11 and in Year 12 Units 3 & 4 subjects are studied. Each unit is studied for one semester (two terms). Units 3 & 4 subjects MUST be undertaken as a sequence – the subject must be studied for a full year. Units 1 & 2 subjects can be studied individually, however in Year 11 students usually complete a full year of the subject. At Mercy College, students usually undertake 24 units over their two year VCE/VCE-VM. A total of 16 units must be successfully completed in order to successfully achieve the VCE/VCE-VM. Students MUST successfully complete a minimum of 3 units of English according to Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) requirements.
The Mercy College VCE/VCE-VM/VET course information books are an important part of the course planning and subject selection process. These booklets are designed to inform students and parents of the requirements for the successful completion of VCE/VCE-VM and to provide an overview of the studies available for post compulsory study at Year 11 and 12 at Mercy College.
