The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the certificate that the majority of students in Victoria receive on satisfactory completion of their secondary education. The VCE provides diverse pathways to further study or training at university or TAFE and to employment.

The VCE provides a pathway to further study at University, TAFE and the world of work.

Students choose to combine VCE units to form a programme usually with a particular focus such as:

  • Performing Arts
  • Visual Arts
  • Physical Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Technology
  • Humanities
  • Business Studies
  • Health & Personal Development
  • Biological Sciences
  • General Programme

 

Community Service & Social Justice

“A commitment to social justice is an essential characteristic of a life lived according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
This school based unit explores justice issues in the modern world. This research is then combined with insights from scripture and the Catholic tradition to provide guidelines for action. A major research assignment into a current justice issue is required and classes explore church teaching and how scripture informs Christian positions on justice issues.
An essential and large aspect of this course is completing an extended period of voluntary community service in the local community.
The ability to experience solidarity in some measure is an important outcome for this unit. “Solidarity is neither a vague comparison nor a shallow distress at misfortune, but a determination to commit oneself to the common good”.

Enrolment criteria for this course. Students need to:

  • Be in Year 12
  • Have passed RE in Yr 11
  • Be committed to preparing, planning and achieving 25 hours Community Service Placement.
  • Preference will be given to those seeking a career in human services.

Religious Art

Religious Art at Galen College is a Year 12 RE unit that is based upon the VCE Art Unit 1 Study Design.
Students will also explore the social and religious dimensions of art with reference to the importance of the social and religious setting of artworks, the religious functions that art can serve and the ways in which social and religious issues are interpreted in past and present-day art.
In particular they will explore how religion and religious ideas are presented in art and architecture and the theological perspective conveyed in various specific art works. Students will be exposed to the ways that the arts presents religious ideas, expresses religious sentiment, engages in prayer, and challenges religious ideas in the Christian tradition and in other religious traditions.

Assessment Tasks;

  • Folio of drawings & development work
  • Cross media visual solutions
  • Analysis of chosen artworks
  • Research & Analysis project

Religion in the Media

Religion in the Media is a Year 11 RE unit based upon the VCE Media Unit 1 Study Design.
Students investigate media representation of:

  • Jesus
  • Christianity
  • The Catholic Church,
  • The Pope,
  • Moral or issues relating to religious values,
  • Spirituality and/or faith.

The representations could be analysed for stereotypes, clichés, satire, codes, targeting of audiences such as socio-economic groups, age, gender and ethnicity. Analysis tasks could also consider changes in representations over time.
 Students produce two media products using two media forms.
 Students could investigate the use and effectiveness of new media by Catholic organisations.