As students at North Lakes State College transition into the post-compulsory phase of schooling (year 11 and year 12), Students need to consider carefully a number of decisions about their study options. Many students will be on a university pathway, whilst others will consider full-time vocational courses (including apprenticeships) or full-time employment. North Lakes State College has a proud tradition of working with students and their families to achieve the very best academic outcomes for students and their chosen pathway. This booklet is designed to provide students and their families with an overview of study options and pathways available to senior students at this school.
The senior subject syllabi delivered at North Lakes State College include QCAA General Subjects, QCAA Applied Subjects and Vocational Educational Training (VET) courses (certificate courses).
Results in General, Applied and VET subjects contribute to the award of a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and may contribute to an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) calculation.
Senior Education Profile
Students in Queensland are issued with a Senior Education Profile (SEP) upon completion of senior studies.
This profile may include a:
● statement of results
● Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
● Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA).
Regardless of whether students intend to pursue an ATAR or Vocational pathway, all subjects and courses offered at North Lakes State College contribute towards a QCE OR QCIA.
North Lakes State College offers three categories of subjects to students in Year 11 and Year 12.
Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)
The Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) reports the learning achievements of eligible
students who complete an individual learning program. At the end of the senior phase of learning, eligible
students achieve a QCIA. These students have the option of continuing to work towards a QCE post‐secondary schooling.
General Subjects
General subjects are suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond senior secondary schooling that lead primarily to tertiary studies and to pathways for vocational education and training and work. General subjects include extension subjects.
- These subjects are clearly labelled throughout this book with a General Senior Subject header.
- These subjects, approved by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), are offered state-wide in Queensland secondary schools and colleges.
- It is recommended in specialist subjects that students have completed and achieved in similar prior learning during Year 10.
Applied Subjects
Applied subjects are suited to students who are primarily interested in pathways beyond senior secondary schooling that lead to vocational education and training or work. These subjects are clearly labelled throughout this book with an Applied Senior Subject header.
- Applied subjects are those devised from QCAA developed Syllabus documents. Achievements in these subjects are recorded on the Senior Statement.
- Applied subjects emphasise practical skills and knowledge relevant to specific industries.
- An Applied subject result can also contribute to an ATAR score.
Vocational Education And Training (Vet)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications are suited to students who are primarily interested in pathways beyond senior secondary schooling that lead to vocational education and training or work.
- North Lakes State College is registered to deliver a number of nationally recognised VET qualifications. (RTO Code: 31420).
- North Lakes State College has also partnered with a number of external Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to deliver VET courses at school during school time.
- Student achievement in accredited VET qualifications is based on industry-endorsed competency standards and recorded on student Senior Statements. QCE points can be awarded for successful completion of a VET qualification or partial completion.
- The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy that regulates VET qualifications in Australian Education and Training.
- Some students may apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) from completed VET qualifications/competencies to give advanced standing towards a traineeship or apprenticeship and/or credit on entry to higher level courses at TAFE institutes and other Registered Training Organisations.
Complimentary Pathways
- Vocational Pathway students may choose to study a VET qualification delivered by TAFE or other external RTO providers while they are enrolled at North Lakes State College.
- VET courses run on a designated day of the week as negotiated by the school with TAFE and other RTO providers. Students will be required to attend their external course for the duration of this day. Students are responsible for their own transport to and from their course.
- Students enrolling in these courses are considered external VET students and therefore are required to meet all personal and assessment expectations as set out by TAFE or other RTO providers. Students will also be required to pay their materials fee directly to TAFE or other RTO providers before commencing the course.
- When students attend the TAFE or other RTO provider campuses they have the opportunity to access specialised industry specific equipment.
Some TAFE and other RTO provider course fees are subsided by Government funding. Most students are eligible to complete One (1) VETiS funded Certificate II or Certificate III qualification at TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation. One (1) User-Choice funding is available for School-based Apprentices/Trainees.
Please note that funding arrangements for courses and qualifications are annually reviewed by the Federal Government. Therefore, fees and funding arrangements are subject to change without notice.
- This could include School Based Traineeships (SBT's) or School Based Apprenticeships (SAT's)"
- Students who do not demonstrate satisfactory attendance/progress in their program of study at school will have their enrolments cancelled without refund or reimbursement of external course fees.
- Vocational pathways students must abide by TAFE or external RTO's policies and procedures specified in that organisation's student handbook particularly concerning behaviour, absence and assessment. North Lakes State College will work with external providers regarding performance feedback and student absences.
North Lakes State College is not responsible for external provider student enrolments, cancellations, attendance, complaints, fees or results. All enquiries should be made directly to the external provider.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) Eligibility
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) has responsibility for ATAR calculations. The calculation of an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will be based on a student's:
- best five General subject results or
- best results in a combination of four General subject results plus one Applied subject or
- best results in a combination of four General subject results plus one Certificate III or higher VET qualification.
English Requirement
- Eligibility for an ATAR will require satisfactory completion of one of: English, Essential English, English as an Additional Language or Literature in Unit 3 & Unit 4 (Minimum of a 'C' Standard).
- Whilst students must meet this standard to be eligible to receive an ATAR, it is not mandatory for a student's English result to be included in the calculation of their ATAR.
Underpinning Factors
All senior syllabuses are underpinned by:
- literacy - the set of knowledge and skills about language and texts essential for understanding and conveying content and
- numeracy - the knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions that students need to use mathematics in a wide range of situations, to recognise and understand the role of mathematics in the world, and to develop the dispositions and capacities to use mathematical knowledge and skills purposefully.
In addition to literacy and numeracy, General syllabuses and Short Courses are underpinned by:
- 21st century skills - the attributes and skills students need to prepare them for higher education, work and engagement in a complex and rapidly changing world. These include critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and teamwork, personal and social skills, and information & communication technologies (ICT) skills.
In addition to literacy, numeracy and 21st century skills, Applied syllabuses are underpinned by:
- applied learning - the acquisition and application of knowledge, understanding and skills in real-world or lifelike contexts
- community connections - the awareness and understanding of life beyond school through authentic, real-world interactions by connecting classroom experience with the world outside the classroom
- Core skills for work - the set of knowledge, understanding and non-technical skills that underpin successful participation in work.
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