Curriculum & Programs

WERRIBEE SECONDARY COLLEGE | Live Worthily

Students at Werribee Secondary College partake in a broad range of core and elective subjects from years 7 to 12, where they develop strong foundations for their future pathways. Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to pursue their interests in sport, music, drama, debating or a variety of other enrichment opportunities. Throughout their journey, students are fully supported to develop the knowledge, skills and resilience needed to achieve success.

Our Curriculum

Junior School Years 7 & 8

Junior school students undertake a program based on the Victorian Curriculum, which involves a core curriculum in Years 7 and 8.  This program has been well established at Year 7 to assist with the transition from Primary School.

Junior School students study all eight key learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Geoscience and Culture, Health & Physical Education, Technology, Arts and Languages (LOTE).  At the College, all students study one language other than English, and select either Chinese, Japanese or Spanish. Students at all year levels also participate in a daily homegroup session enabling them to build a connection with a dedicated class group and teacher.

High achieving students may be eligible to enrol in our exclusive Select Entry Program, offering a more challenging advanced level curriculum.

Middle School Years 9 & 10

All middle school students undertake studies in English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (History, Geography and Economics) Information and Communications Technology, Health and Physical Education, based on the Victorian Curriculum.

Elective studies may be chosen from:
– The Arts
– Technology (& Information Technology at Year 10)
– Languages (LOTE)

Students at all year levels also participate in a daily homegroup session enabling them to build a connection with a dedicated class group and teacher. Students aiming to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma in senior years are encouraged join the Year 10 IB Link program.

View Course & Subject Information Online Handbook

Senior School Years 11 & 12

Senior pathways develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life. Enrolment options for Year 11 and 12 students include:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) – Our College offers a wide selection of studies within the VCE and it is the suggested program for those looking to undertake university studies and employment within Australia.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Enables students to gain valuable, practical skills in a specific industry while undertaking VCE/VM. Some units run in house, with others taking place across local schools.
VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) – Prepares students for further studies, training, apprenticeships or work, by developing both academic and practical skills with a diverse range of assessment strategies.
Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) – A standards-based certificate and opportunity to progress to the VCE or VCE VM at a later point. Students develop the skills, capabilities and qualities for success in personal and civic life.

View Course & Subject Information Online Handbook

Alternatively, senior students may choose to join our International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

We are a proud international school, authorised to offer the worldwide recognized IBDP as an alternative to VCE. The IB focuses on creating global thinking, inquisitive citizens.

Beginning with the IB Link program at year 10, progressing into the diploma program at years 11 and 12, the IB enables students to learn a diverse range of pre-tertiary study skills, environmental knowledge, language and tolerance. With 3 core areas (Extended Essay, Theory Of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service) as well as 6 academic subjects, it sets students on track for further studies near or abroad. Completion of the IB Diploma is strong predictor of success in university.

Costs apply for students to undertake the IBDP. All applications to our college including the IBDP, are subject to school zoning and availability of places.

Learn more:
For more detailed information please visit our IBDP page.
IBDP Brochure | IB-Link | IBO | IB Academic Integrity

View Course & Subject Information Online Handbook

Co-Curricular Programs

Army Cadet Unit

The Werribee Secondary College Army Cadet Unit (WSCACU) is part of the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), a leading national youth development program run by the Department of Defence. Inaugurated by the Hon. Julia Gillard in 2011, Werribee Secondary College is proud to support one of only three Army Cadet Units operating within government schools across Victoria. The AAC promotes the Australian Defence Force (ADF) values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence. It offers young people valuable leadership and personal development opportunities that are highly regarded by employers and provide a strong foundation for those considering future service in the ADF.
 
An unforgettable experience, WSCACU provides cadets with unique opportunities to participate in drill and ceremonial parades, the supervised use of service firearms, weekend and week-long bush bivouac camps, leadership and management training, physical fitness, navigation, fieldcraft, first aid, survival training, abseiling and more. Through these experiences, cadets develop confidence, sharpen practical skills and form lasting friendships with peers from the college, the local Wyndham community, and across Victoria and Australia.
 
The unit parades weekly on Monday evenings, with additional activities and events held throughout the year. It is led by Officer Commanding and College alumnus CAPT(AAC) Elina Merington, Company Commander CUO Chamod Warusavithana, and Company Sergeant Major CDTWO2 Jack Limbrick. Recruitment intakes occur annually in February. For further information on eligibility and how to join, please visit the Australian Army Cadets website.

Performing Arts

A great opportunity for students to develop self-confidence and empathy through embodying different characters from a variety of time periods and cultures. Participating in Drama Club develops teamwork, communication and problem solving skills. Students learn skills in voice projection, body movement, focus and creative thinking as well as the opportunity to perform onstage in full length or one-act plays and skits. Each year Drama leaders are appointed, developing leadership and organisational skills. Student roles are also available in publicity, costume design, props, staging and lighting. Many Drama Club students have gone on to join theatre companies or industry employment. Drama Club meets every Wednesday, 3.15pm – 4.30pm.

Drama as a subject is undertaken by all students in Year 8. At Year 9 & 10 Drama is offered as a popular elective. Year 9 learn body, voice and improvisation to create internal and small group performances. Year 10 develop a class play and their stagecraft skills as well as attending a professional theatre performance. VCE are introduced to six theatrical styles, producing a play performed to the school community and develop a monologue to perform for the class. In Unit 3/4, students produce a performance specialising in acting or stagecraft areas.

Sporting Opportunities

As well as a varied PE program covering foundational skills and fitness, our College offers students the opportunity to learn and compete in various house, inter-school and regional sports competitions. Our annual house Swimming Carnival and Athletics days are thoroughly enjoyed by students, dressing in house colours and creative costumes as they compete or cheer on their peers in friendly competitions. These activities also provide our house captains an opportunity to develop their organizational and leadership skills as they assist in the running of the day and leading their house to victory.

Our students are also able to join our school sports teams including cricket, netball, volleyball, basketball, soccer and table tennis, competing against other local schools. Successful teams then go on to compete in regional finals. All sports are conducted in a supportive environment encouraging strong teamwork and sportsmanship.

Debating Club

Our debating team is open to students passionate about world topics, issues and other controversies in our local and International communities at large. We welcome students at all year levels to join us and voice their perspectives.

Curriculum skills transfer well into debating, including understanding context, presenting and analysing arguments, using literary devices, persuasive language, summarising key knowledge, displaying respectful discourse and body image / confidence. Our Debate team leaders work hard to further instil these skills into our students.
 
There are three levels within our WSC Debating Teams: Junior, Middle and Senior levels. With the aim to expand and compete, the club has attended such events as DAV (Debaters Association Victoria) and achieved success winning debates. Many more practice sessions and events are planned for the future as the club continues to grow.
 

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

A global framework for non-formal education which challenges young people to dream big, celebrate their achievements and make a difference in their world. Through developing transferable skills, increasing their fitness levels, cultivating a sense of adventure and volunteering in their community, the Award helps young people to find their purpose, passion and place in the world. To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors. The Army Cadet Unit (WSCACU) is a part of this network.

Open to all young people aged 14 to 24.
Three levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold – each more challenging.

Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement. For more details visit The Duke of Ed website.
 

Transitions & Careers

A Focus On The Future

At Werribee Secondary College career education and guidance is a very important aspect of student learning, engagement and progress. Whilst at our college our aim is that all students will develop capabilities and skills by engaging in a variety of experiences. They will have the opportunity to investigate and explore future career, post-secondary study and work options. Students will gain skills to develop career plans making choices about their futures.

Our aim is that all students will transition from Werribee Secondary College to work or further education with the required skills and knowledge to manage their careers. Each year, Year 12 VCE, VCAL and IB graduates successfully pathway to apprenticeships, universities, TAFEs and work.

98% of our students received a higher education offer in the first 2023, 2024 & 2025 VTAC rounds.

Visit WSC Careers Online
After graduating from WSC I had just completed my VCE and got into my dream course, a Bachelor of Social Work. However after 2 years I decided the course wasn’t for me and I deferred and I continued to work for a year. I later decided I wanted to study a a Certificate 4 of Mental Health and now I cam currently working as a Mental Health Practitioner assisting those whom are experiencing all sorts of mental illnesses. Some advice: Don’t stress, keep calm, and please use your teachers as a support system because looking back now, some of those teachers played a huge part in who I am today and did more for me than I realised at the time.
Stephanie Edwards Class of 2016
After graduating from WSC, I went on to complete my Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Physiotherapy, both at University of Melbourne. It has been a long, challenging journey and I am currently practicing as a physiotherapist both in a private practice and at St Vincents Private Hospital. I am currently a trainee director and about to become part-owner of my own practice! It is nice to give back to the same community I grew up in. WSC has certainly given me the solid foundation I needed for me to be where I am today.
Amanda De Vas GunawardenaClass of 2011
After graduating from WSC, I went to La Trobe University to study a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Master of Nanotechnology. In this degree I was able to perform experiments at the Australian Synchrotron (particle accelerator), fabricate micro/nanocircuits at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, perform astronomy on the physics building rooftop, and use lab-based electrolysis to fabricate cubic metallic nanoparticles which were imaged using an electron microscope. In 2020 I started my PhD in Biophysics at Swinburne University and CSIRO, focusing my research on the photothermal imaging of 3D cell cultures.
Emma G Class of 2014
After graduating from WSC I have gone on to study a five-year course on Aerospace Engineering and Business Management at RMIT, where I am still completing this course.
Alan NguyenClass of 2015
After graduating from WSC I was accepted into a Bachelors of Law at Victoria University. I moved to Deakin University in 2019 to commence a double Bachelors degree in Law/Arts. I am currently in my fifth year of tertiary study. Since graduating, I have worked in various government legal roles, community legal centres and private legal practice. The areas of law I have worked in include criminal, migration, human rights, travel, maritime and aviation law and medical negligence. I am currently employed in a medium sized national law firm, specialising in medical negligence and malpractice. My future career and study plans include completing a Masters Degree in Health Law and sitting the Bar Exam. It was not easy getting here, it required a lot of hard work in VCE. My time at WSC played an influential role in where I am today. The support of my teachers and the staff at at WSC assisted in developing the skills I will need as a lawyer and skill that I took with me into tertiary studies.
Brittany ReinerClass of 2015
Since graduating from WSC in 1998, I now hold a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours, Graduate Diploma of Education and a PhD in Science Education. I spent a few years teaching after graduation then worked overseas for seven years. I have been back in Australia now for five years and worked as a senior policy officer for the Department of Education, followed by raising my young family and working casually in education.
Nadine Khalil Al NacharClass of 1998

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