Senior School (Years 10-12)

SACE Stage One is also known as Year 11. At Mannum Community College we commence Stage 1 in Week 8 of the previous year with our year 10 students stepping up. Our students commence the compulsory Literacy and Numeracy subjects of SACE and have the opportunity to select subjects they are interested in and which align to the requirements of their chosen pathways beyond school. Subject counselling processes are conducted with students and parents in the year before to ensure students are selecting the right subject combinations to set up their remaining schooling and beyond into chosen pathways. Students also have the opportunity to explore Vocational Education Pathways (VET) courses, these are a great way to gain recognised national qualifications while still in school in selected pathways, while working towards SACE completion. Students use the data and information collected throughout their PLP subject in year 10 to help inform subject selections for stage 1 and potential career pathway ideas beyond school. From 2020 we have also introduced the opportunity for students leaning towards a tertiary education pathway beyond school to undertake and explore a foundation university level course aligned to their pathway interests. This is a great initiative the school has adopted to extend and stretch our students at the academic level prior to commencing year 12 (stage 2).

Stage Two is also known as Year 12. Students are required to complete the compulsory Research Project for stage 2 in year 11 at MCC. This provides students with greater flexibility with subject and VET course selections in year 12. Students generally undertake 4 to 5 subjects at stage 2 level to achieve either the required 70 credits for SACE completion or 90 credits towards obtaining at Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank (ATAR).

Through the use of comprehensive career plans developed in the PLP at year 10, Year 11 interests, subject success and intensive course counselling with staff, students and parents, students’ make informed decisions on what subjects they need to complete their SACE in line with their future pathway goals. To be successful in the SACE students need to attend all required classes and engage in their learning.

At Mannum Community College we commence Stage 2 in week 8 of the previous year. We do this to give students the opportunity to be introduced to their new subjects and make a start on the first tasks for the big year ahead.

In 2018/19/20 we had 100% SACE completion of all students eligible to complete in those years. We work hard with our year 12 students to assist them achieve their desired results and get to that next stage of life, be that University, Vocational training, Trade or Employment pathways. Students achieve their SACE in a variety of ways including SACE accredited subjects, VET Courses, SACE accredited university courses and community learning accredited activities. In 2019 we had 8 students successfully apply for University Pathways and receive first round offers into their first choice course of preference, and again in 2020 we had 9 students receive ATAR scores with those opting for university pathways again receiving first round offers into courses of preference, which is great result for both our school and students.

We also have wonderful School Support Officers working with our teachers and students to give assistance to students with learning and behaviour challenges.

Bindi Barker our Aboriginal Community Education Officer (ACEO) also assists our Aboriginal students, families and staff with support, guidance and encouragement. Charly Elliker is our school Aboriginal Education Teacher (AET) for the whole school supporting staff, students and families in relation to Aboriginal education.

Australian Apprenticeships are now available in more than 500 occupations nationally, in both emerging and well-established industries.

How much time does the Trainee or Apprentice spend away from school?

• The minimum hours of employment and training (with the RTO) for a school-based
• Apprentice or trainee are 7.5 hours per week, however this can be more if required by the employer.
• Many students undertaking an ASBA will do less classroom subjects than their peers. This is because they are gaining SACE credits from their ASBA and do not need the credits from mainstream subjects.
• Some students are able to complete their 8 hours after school and on weekends.
• Some students may work full time and complete their school studies externally

What is the difference between an Apprenticeship and a Traineeship?

Apprenticeships and Traineeships are very similar, both offer training on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both and lead to a nationally recognised and accredited qualification.

The main differences are:

Apprenticeships Trade based occupations, completed over 3 or 4 years full-time (e.g. mechanic, hairdresser, chef, carpenter, brick layer)

Traineeships All non-trade based occupations, completed over 1 or 2 years full / part time (e.g. real estate, finance, retail, multimedia, local government)

How does a VET course or an ASBA ‘count’ towards the SACE?

Every unit of competency that forms part of an ASBA Training Plan is allocated a certain number of “nominal hours”. For every 70 hours completed a student will gain 10 credits towards their SACE. Whether or not this can be counted towards Stage 1 or Stage 2 will depend on the Certificate Level being completed.

Completion of a Certificate 3 qualification whilst at school may provide the student with ATAR credit for University entrance.

MCC Senior School Senior Leader – Mr. Kieran Jaensch can assist and provide further information to students, parents, potential employers and the wider community on any of the above. Please don’t hesitate to make contact. Kieran.Jaensch265@schools.sa.edu.au 

Employer incentive information: https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/aus-employer-incentives

Pastoral Care is lesson 6 on Wednesday’s were the above content is delivered to year 10 students. At times the whole senior school consisting of years 10, 11 and 12 will be together for these sessions and delivery of content. In 2021 the students will also be involved in Child Protection curriculum, Wellbeing and career planning lessons which will be taught by our home group teachers, leaders and external providers. Students will be exposed to and work through a number of interactive activities in relation to physical and social aspects of being an adolescent, personal rights, drug and alcohol awareness, study skills, and a range of career development focused content, which will better equip our students to make more informed decisions about their choices and decisions in life.

Students have the opportunity to participate in VET Courses in areas of interest, gaining national formal qualifications, which also counts as credits towards completing their SACE. Students have access to the range of courses on offer by the Murraylands Student Pathways alliance, delivered by a range of different Registered Training Organisatons (RTO’s). Students either attend training day workshops or complete work online. At Mannum Community College our students are accessing courses with the help of the Australian Governments Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS) which helps to subsidise training costs.  VET plays a very important part for MCC students in their SACE planning and future pathway ambitions.

• A partnership made up of Department for Education (DfE) secondary schools, provides a wide range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses to Year 10, 11 and 12 students in the Murraylands Region.
• The job-related courses increase pathway options for students through the provision of VET choices linked to Industry and Flexible Industry Pathways (FIP’s). In collaboration with the Lower Murray Trade Training Centre M-SP provides curriculum and learning choices and support all students in government schools and non-government schools to achieve the SACE and to provide pathways that can support all students to further education, training and/or employment.
• M-SP VET courses are hosted by the Lower Murray Trade Training Centre and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and are available for students from DfE and non DfE schools to enrol in. Students stay enrolled at their Home School, and attend the Host School or RTO for their M-SP VET course.

Students have access to a range of courses funded through the TGSS system. Students undertaking the SACE have the ability to access the DIS Department of State Development initiative, Training guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS).  Students can access the courses face-to-face, through workshops and online learning platforms (Moodle).

Students can access subject courses through Open Access College in consultation with both MCC Senior Leader and OAC Counsellors for subjects/courses not offered at MCC. 

SACE Board – http://www.sace.sa.edu.au
MSP – https://www.murraylandspathways.com/
ICAN – http://www.ican.sa.edu.au
TAFESA – http://www.tafesa.edu.au

Employer Incentives: https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/aus-employer-incentives