From Classrooms to Careers: How VCE (VM) Students are Shaping Their Future

The bespoke VCE (VM) program at MMC empowers students to explore areas that interest them, discover their strengths, build life skills and plan their future beyond school.

Since graduating from Melbourne Montessori College in 2021, Emily Ades has enjoyed every day of her working week. After initially joining a landscaping company to learn the ropes, Emily launched her own business, Pink Boots Landscapes, in 2023.

On a typical day she travels to homes around the south-eastern suburbs to re-design gardens, mulch, edge and trim lawns, weed and bed in new plants and greenery.

“I wouldn’t be doing this or be the person I am today without the Montessori Careers Program (MCP),” says Emily.

“At the end of Year 10 I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I wasn’t ready for the mental pressure of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and I knew I couldn’t spend all my day at school reading books because I’m a practical learner — I need to be active. So, I left Montessori for Year 11 and went to TAFE.

“But when I learned Montessori had just introduced the MCP and I could study at school, go to TAFE and spend a day a week doing work experience, I re-enrolled for Year 12. I missed the small classes and the connections with my teachers. The MCP brought me out of my shell, improved my social skills and helped me work out where I wanted to go next. It set me up for the real world.”

The MCP, now the VCE Vocational Major (VCE (VM)), is one of two learning pathways open to students in Years 11 and 12. The other is the International Baccalaureate.

As well as numeracy and literacy, VCE (VM) students study Personal Development Skills and Work-Related Skills that cover everything from how to be an effective team member, clear communication and conflict resolution to goal setting, employability skills and the job recruitment process.

Students spend one day each week at TAFE completing a Cert II or III in their chosen subject, and they do work experience in an industry that interests them.

“The VCE (VM) is for students who get to the end of Year 10 and aren’t sure what they want to do next. They can stay at school with their peers while also developing individual interests and real-life skills. They become more independent and see what opportunities exist outside school,” says VCE (VM) leader, Tanya Marty.

“Whereas the IB program is often a straight pathway to university, VCE (VM) students might aspire to go to university one day, but their path is more zigzag. It’s also for students who want to combine study with working or running their own small business outside school.

Some students also feel they won’t cope with the IB workload and so this program is another pathway to help those students get to where they want to be.”

The MCP was introduced for Years 11 and 12 as Montessori’s response to the vocational VCAL program. Now the VCE (VM), it aligns with Montessori’s focus on independence, curiosity and student-led learning. Students learn the kind of tangible, transferrable skills that are appealing to potential future employers.

The New Work Mindset report, recently published by the Foundation for Young Australians, highlights seven new job clusters to help young people ‘navigate the new work order’. Each cluster requires certain skills, many of which are embedded during the VCE (VM). These include communication skills, research, planning, writing, project management and supervisory skills.

“We keep the program dynamic and each year we redevelop it according to the different interests of students,” explains Tanya.

Work must be completed and the curriculum must be covered, but we have flexibility to ensure the learning and experiences are relevant.

This year, students researched and wrote a proposal to bring a personal trainer to MMC to support student fitness. Students are also creating an educational program about the impact of sugar which they will present to younger MMC students.

In Literacy students are writing and producing a podcast series about food and culture and as part of the Numeracy curriculum, students designed an apartment floor plan. Students have also investigated a world issue of their choice, created a brochure on the topic and presented their research to their class.

Alex joined the VCE (VM) program this year. He spends Wednesdays at TAFE completing a social studies certificate and, with an interest in nutrition and personal training, MMC has linked Alex to a local gym for work experience.

Alex has also spent time at 3AW radio station learning about the world of broadcasting. He is also exploring robotics and has worked in the MMC café to discover more about the world of hospitality and to home some practical skills such as cooking, organising a kitchen, using a commercial coffee machine and managing money.

“The program is hands-on and I’m developing real life skills. Working with different people in and out of school and seeing how people tick has improved my social skills and I’ve learned to be more self-motivated,” says Alex.

After graduating, Alex wants to study a business degree and eventually launch his own business in the health and fitness industry.

“I feel like the person in a circus who walks the tightrope,” he says.

I’ve got freedom to explore and learn so many different things, but below me I have the safety net of my teachers. They know me very well and I know they are there to catch me if I need support. This is a wonderful program and it works well for me.

For more information on the VCE (VM) program at MMC, click here.

Interested in attending our upcoming Years 11 and 12 Pathways Information night? Click here.