Senior Years

The Senior Years 

Our House-based vertical pastoral care structure creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that nurtures a strong sense of belonging and fosters a collective identity within our vibrant Emmaus community. The senior-level teachers understand the important shift in engagement that students must make to keep up with their studies. They are available to guide and mentor all students during this transition.

For many students who have demonstrated strong academic results, Year 10 marks the beginning of their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) as they embark on VCE Units 1 and 2 of a preferred subject. 

Kicking off the school year, the Year 12 Retreat offers students and their pastoral teachers a wonderful opportunity to deepen their connections, share meaningful stories, and engage in thoughtful spiritual reflection in a safe and supportive environment.

Exciting events like Emmaus Day and Sports Carnivals further enrich our community, bringing out enthusiastic participation among students under the inspiring guidance of our School Captains, House Captains, Committee members, and the Student Representative Council (SRC).

In addition to these enriching experiences, seniors also have the opportunity to embark on optional travel adventures to captivating destinations like Central Australia, the USA, and Europe every few years. Exchange programs to Italy and Germany are available as well, providing an excellent chance to enhance language skills while experiencing different cultures. Together, these unique opportunities contribute to a vibrant, engaged, and fulfilling school experience.

Senior students are encouraged to apply for various leadership positions available at Emmaus College. They can nominate themselves for membership on several committees, including Liturgy, Wellbeing, Arts, Academics, FIRE Carrier, and Social Justice. Additionally, they can run for roles such as School Captain, Vice-Captain, or one of the four House Captain positions. These roles help strengthen students’ organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, preparing them for life beyond their secondary education.

Each year, senior students come together for several events on the social calendar, including the Year 10 Social and the Year 12 Formal, both organised by a student committee and supervised by House Leaders. These events are highly anticipated and consistently successful. Year 11 students can participate in a Debutante Ball, entering this formal occasion with enthusiasm and maturity, creating lasting memories.

Learning at Year 10

All Year 10 students undertake a combination of 12 core and elective subjects designed to align with VCE pathways for our students and to continue to target students' interests. These subjects cover the essential key learning areas, along with specialized subjects that foster personal growth, key knowledge and skill development. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of senior school and beyond. 

Subject to the conditions outlined in the VCE Acceleration Policy it is possible for a Year 10 student to select a VCE Unit 1 & 2 study and accelerate their VCE pathway. This option provides students with a 6th VCE subject instead of the core 5 subjects traditionally undertaken by Emmaus students. Accelerating with a 6th subject gives an ATAR advantage. The increment amount is determined by calculating 10 per cent of the sixth study score.

The benefits of VCE Acceleration are many as students can gain valuable experience and insight into what it takes to complete a VCE subject and sit a VCE exam. It can assist students in prioritising their time, focusing their energy and maximizing their ATAR.