Albany Creek SHS

Senior School

New Downloads - March 2009

QCE Parent Presentation (Powerpoint)
QCE Brochure (PDF)

The Albany Creek SHS Senior School

The Senior Schooling department at Albany Creek State High School encompasses the opportunities and pathways available to students throughout their senior years. The senior years involve students in years 10 - 12 and oversee such things as:

• The Senior Curriculum
• Senior Subject Selection
• Vocational Education and Training (VET)
• Alternate Programs
• The Senior Options Program
• Queensland Core Skills Test (QCST)
• Senior Certificate
• Jobs Pathways Program (JPP)
• Work Experience
• School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships
• Educational Training Reforms of the Future (ETRF)
• Student Education and Training Plans (SETP)

The Senior Curriculum

Subjects Studied in the senior years are monitored by the QSA (Queensland Study Authority). All subjects offered at the school must be registered with the QSA.

Authority Subjects are those, which contribute to a students OP (Overall Position) in year 12. For example: Maths A, Chemistry, Home Economic, Modern History, English, BCT and Hospitality Studies.

Authority-Registered subjects are those, which do not contribute to an OP, and some subjects contain Vocational Education and Training (VET) competencies. These competencies are from nationally recognized Qualifications that Albany Creek is registered to deliver. For example: Hospitality Practices, English Communication, Trade & Business Maths and Computer Studies.

Senior Subject Selection

Students in year 10 are required to select the subjects that want to study during year 11 and 12. This process involves students attending the subject selection program on open day and completing the interest sheet.

From the interest sheet a basic timetable is generated and students are given a final subject selection form where subjects are allocated a line and students choosing six from across these lines. An interview process will begin ensuring students are making the best possible choices for their future career options and to allow them success.

Once the interview process is complete students final subjects are submitted and a timetable determined.

Throughout this process students should be proactive in asking teachers about the subjects that best suit their ability.

Vocational Education and Training

VET helps students in their transition from school to work. It contributes to young people's chances of obtaining employment upon leaving school.

Recognized VET allows some opportunities for students to gain Qualifications from Nationally Accredited Training Packages. These qualifications are standard throughout Australia.

Examples of full VET qualifications registered and taught at Albany Creek include:

• BSB20101 Certificate II Business
• CNIT3 Certificate I Information Technology
• ICA20199 Certificate II Information Technology
• THH11002 Certificate I Hospitality (Operations)
• THH11102 Certificate I Hospitality (Kitchen Operations)

These qualifications are continually being reviewed and updated to ensure Albany Creek provides the best opportunities possible for our students.

Alternate Programs

Students may choose other subjects to those offered at Albany Creek High. These alternate programs may include courses offered by TAFE organizations, courses from private providers, Pre Vocational course at BIGA or other options that students can investigate with the support of the HOD Senior Schooling and the Guidance Counselor.

The Senior Options Program

This program is offered to students in years 11 and 12 each Thursday. The timetable structure on Thursday's allows students the opportunities to have flexible pathways in their curriculum. This program allows for students to be involved in a variety of programs. These can include:

• Work experience
• School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship
• Tutorials
• TAFE programs and courses
• Home Study
• Excursions
• Rehearsals
• Enterprise Education
• University Links
• Individual projects within practical areas
• QCST preparation
• The Horizons Program

Queensland Core Skills Test

What is the QCST?

• A common statewide test for Queensland Year 12 students
• An achievement test, not an intelligence test, not an aptitude test
• Grounded in the Queensland Senior curriculum
• Accessible to all Year 12 students regardless of individual differences in subject patterns

What is the purpose?

• Individual results reported on a 5 point scale
• Group results for calculating Overall Positions (OP's)
• Group results for calculating Field Positions (FP's), up to 5 per student, depending on subject choices.

Senior Certificate

The Queensland Study Authority issues the Senior Certificate after the completion of year 12. This document is produced through the information provided from the school. The Data Capture System is a program, which documents the journey for every student through his or her senior years. It is always very important personal information is kept up to date as the certificate is sent to the address provided through the school on this program.

Extra qualifications can be documented on the senior certificate. These may include music exam results, Dance exam results and other VET courses done privately. Students need to provide the original for copying to allow this information to be place on the senior certificate.

In 2006 the Senior Certificate will be issued in a new format and will be extremely different to the current model.

Jobs Pathways Program

JPP is an integrated approach to support students while in years 10 - 12 and you develop job search skills.

Activities available include:

• Career and training advice
• Life and social skills development
• Assistance with work related literacy & numeracy
• Job placement assistance
• Ongoing monitoring and support

Work Experience

Opportunities are available for students to become involved in the work experience program. Please refer to 'Work experience' brochure for more detailed information.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SAT)

Albany Creek offers students the opportunity to be involved in the SAT's program while studying. SAT's allow students the opportunity to be employed in paid work and to receive a Nationally recognized Qualification. Refer to 'School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships' brochure for more information.

Educational Training Reforms of the Future (ETRF)

The Queensland Governments Learning or Earning legislation will have an impact on schooling throughout Queensland.

The 3 Reform areas are:

• Getting ready for schools
• Getting ready for work and further study
• Information and communication technologies for school and work

Major Impacts on the Secondary School:

• Raising compulsory school age (from 15 years of age to the completion of year 10 or 16 years of age)
• Create a requirement for a young person to participate in education and training options either:

1. For 2 years beyond year 10 OR
2. Until they have gained a Senior Certificate OR
3. Until they have gained a Certificate III Vocational Qualification OR
4. Until 17 years of age OR
5. Until full time work is gained.

Student Education and Training Plan (SETP)

These plans follow students from year 8 through to the completion of school. The plans will be aimed as a tool for students to use to document their secondary school journey and as a supporting tool with future careers and to particularly support senior subject selections.

Quick Links

Work Experience

School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship

SET Plan Info for Parents (PDF)

SET Plan Info for Students (PDF)

Handbook

Queensland Core Skills Test (PDF)