What would you like to see as new VCE subjects?

[Joseph41]

Discussion motivated by this article here. It suggests that an aviation course may be a VCE subject in the future (or, at least, a pitch seems forthcoming).

It's interesting. Like, in New South Wales, they have no Psychology - and that seems so fundamental here. What are some subjects you wish you could have studied, but which weren't offered at VCE level?

[Shadowxo]

I think a subject like Life Skills would be good (although it doesn't exist, I think it should). Having a subject offered at any level where you learn about taxes, how to file for things, different government benefits, jury duty, employment skills, superannuation etc. Our school system doesn't really teach us any of it and I think it should be taught sometime even if just in year 10 for example. Having a practical life subject would be beneficial for many people. Just my two cents

[Joseph41]

I think a subject like Life Skills would be good (although it doesn't exist, I think it should). Having a subject offered at any level where you learn about taxes, how to file for things, different government benefits, jury duty, employment skills, superannuation etc. Our school system doesn't really teach us any of it and I think it should be taught sometime even if just in year 10 for example. Having a practical life subject would be beneficial for many people. Just my two cents

Nice suggestion!

Did you have any sort of exposure at all to this sort of stuff?

At my school, we had a program called "Live Life", which touched on it a little bit. It was run through Year 9. Good program - should be widespread IMO.

[Shadowxo]

Nice suggestion!

Did you have any sort of exposure at all to this sort of stuff?

At my school, we had a program called "Live Life", which touched on it a little bit. It was run through Year 9. Good program - should be widespread IMO.

Not really, unfortunately. Learned a bit about jury duty in year 10 legal studies and had support if we needed it (careers councillor) but that was more for what course we wanted to do, rather than actual life skills or long term future. I think it's something almost everyone would benefit from if a subject like that was introduced even if just a class a week

[Joseph41]

Not really, unfortunately. Learned a bit about jury duty in year 10 legal studies and had support if we needed it (careers councillor) but that was more for what course we wanted to do, rather than actual life skills or long term future. I think it's something almost everyone would benefit from if a subject like that was introduced even if just a class a week

Yeah, definitely agree.

What do others think on this? I've always wondered how other schools approached the whole... life thing haha.

[K888]

At my school, we had a program called "Live Life", which touched on it a little bit. It was run through Year 9. Good program - should be widespread IMO.

We had something similar to this in year 9 too
Had people come in and talk to us about super, taxes, getting a job, that sort of thing. We also did a first aid course as part of it.
Then in year 12, the school organised to have people from different careers come in and speak to us, and also have people that had followed different paths speak to us too.

Not really a new subject, but I'd like to see an increased availability of LOTE to students.
In terms of new subjects, perhaps something equivalent to the HSC Studies of Religion (though I do realise VCE has Texts & Traditions, but to my understanding they seem reasonably different?). And potentially, also more history subjects.
I think also, something that focuses more on the human aspect of Biology - something that could potentially cross over into the Anatomy & Physiology aspect of things. I found VCE Biology to be too focused on plants

[Sine]

We had something similar to this in year 9 too
Had people come in and talk to us about super, taxes, getting a job, that sort of thing. We also did a first aid course as part of it.
Then in year 12, the school organised to have people from different careers come in and speak to us, and also have people that had followed different paths speak to us too.

Not really a new subject, but I'd like to see an increased availability of LOTE to students.
In terms of new subjects, perhaps something equivalent to the HSC Studies of Religion (though I do realise VCE has Texts & Traditions, but to my understanding they seem reasonably different?). And potentially, also more history subjects.
I think also, something that focuses more on the human aspect of Biology - something that could potentially cross over into the Anatomy & Physiology aspect of things. I found VCE Biology to be too focused on plants

+1

Hated plants in vce bio

[Quantum44]

A biochemistry subject would be interesting, although it would probably overlap too much with bio and chem in their current form.

It would be cool to have an English stream dedicated to creative writing as well.

At I'm the moment I'm fairly sure the only history offered in VCE is ancient history and revs. Having something in the middle of that time period like medieval or renaissance history would be awesome.

[vox nihili]

Really interesting question!

I think a Statistics subject would be a good addition. In terms of mathematical skills that have broad applicability stats are high up there. Beyond that, a well designed statistics curriculum goes beyond giving you maths skills to influencing the way you think.

Beginners LOTE subjects are done elsewhere and could be a good idea for getting more people involved in language learning, particularly as they appreciate just how useful those extra 5 points are for your study scores.

Will post again if I can think of any more

[Joseph41]

Reading this thread, I've decided to start a VCE revolution. ATAR Notes will decide the new syllabus.

What subjects are we keeping?

[strawberries]

Beginners LOTE subjects are done elsewhere and could be a good idea for getting more people involved in language learning, particularly as they appreciate just how useful those extra 5 points are for your study scores.

what's the extra 5 points thing?

Reading this thread, I've decided to start a VCE revolution. ATAR Notes will decide the new syllabus.

What subjects are we keeping?

there's nothing I really want to get rid of tbh, so many good subjects

[Shadowxo]

Reading this thread, I've decided to start a VCE revolution. ATAR Notes will decide the new syllabus.

What subjects are we keeping?

Let's get rid of how English is compulsory but maths isn't

[heids]

Interesting, Nick, I wonder how much power AN could have to impact VCE curriculum if we actually tried?
I feel like a course in mindfulness/mental health/neurological study of happiness and connection and fulfilment/emotions (e.g. the anatomy of shame or empathy) could be quite fascinating.

It could involve a mixture of anatomy and theory and facts, along with essay-writing and research and developing social programs and so on.

This is pretty vague and unformed, and focused on my own personal interests lol (of course), but most of it is pretty valuable life skills on a mental level.

In the IT subjects, how much focus is there on practical coding to build useful things? Do people have to build a website, or an app, or a program, or anything of real-world use?

[Calebark]

what's the extra 5 points thing?

Languages get +5 points added to their scaling at the mean. Essentially, free points. This is part of an initiative to promote multilingualism in young Australians.

Noble sentiment, but given VCE is both a competition and marked on a curve, I don't believe it should be done -- but that's a whole other discussion

[Bri MT]

I'd restructure outdoor ed so it isnt a bludge subject and it delivers more outcomes but there's nothing I would really eliminate

I'd like to see more methods be completed in years 9 & 10 so then VCE subjects (especially the sciences) could actually use proper maths rather than "count the squares under the graph" "how big does it look?" with more math specialistions becoming available as part of VCE.

I also think it would be great to introduce an "English for careers" course where people learn resumes, cover letters, interpreting job ads, professional emails, how to write a letter of resignation, professional reviews, interviews, professional advice etc.