Each student at the McAuley Campus is considered a senior student who is undertaking a three-year journey of personal growth. Every student is invited to step up and become a self-aware learner who owns their learning and determines their pathway to the future. The vertical nature of the Senior School allows students from the three year levels to learn together and provides opportunities to accelerate through a range of subjects according to each student's personal pathway plan.
Emmanuel College offers a broad range of VCE subject choices. A typical VCE pathway will see students undertake seven unit 1-2 sequences whilst in Year 11 and a further five unit 3-4 sequences while in Year 12. Opportunities to accelerate, to reduce the number of units completed or extend the time taken to complete a VCE program are available to all senior students in consultation with their House Mentors.
Applied learning at Emmanuel College is about nurturing and working with students in a holistic manner acknowledging personal strengths, interests, goals and previous experiences.
Emmanuel students are offered a full range of options including VET, VCE VM, VPC, and Australian School-based Apprenticeships.
The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is an inclusive Year 11 and 12 standards-based certificate that meets the needs of a smaller number of students who are not able or ready to complete the VCE (including the VCE Vocational Major). It provides an enriched curriculum and excellent support for students to develop the skills, capabilities and qualities for success in personal and civic life. VETis, comprises VCE VET units delivered by a registered training organisation such as a TAFE or school and enhanced by an employer accepting a student one day a week or a block release during term holidays for structured workplace learning. After completing the program, students are awarded a nationally accredited vocational certificate that leads to further education and training at TAFE through pathway agreements.
Emmanuel College also considers breadth in subjects for students who need to challenge their learning pathways. These programs may include balancing a language with a higher level maths, which since 2014 is recognised by VCAA as the VCE Baccalaureate. This combination of studies equips students with higher order thinking skills and knowledge, developing capacity for innovation and creativity in problem-solving.
For those who are ready to take on a higher level of studies, the option to commence accelerated University programs is available. Programs are determined annually in consultation with students who are ready to begin their university pathway and by negotiation with tertiary providers. For example, the University of Melbourne has previously delivered the University of Melbourne Mathematics Extension Program to students attending Emmanuel College.
Our VCE Dux of the College, Jace Nepean received a perfect ATAR score of 99.95, and is now studying a Bachelor of Philosophy (honours) and Science at the Australian National University. Jace underwent Emmanuel College's P.A.C.E Program (Personal Achievement Cultivating Excellence) to accelerate his learning. In Year 10 Jace accelerated into Year 11 Physics and Methods, and in Year 11 Jace accelerated to Year 12 Physics and Methods. His achievements include receiving the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholarship, the Victorian Premiers VCE Award for a perfect study score in Physics, and was the 2022 VCE French, English, Specialist Maths and Chemistry Dux.
