Subject Selection — Year 10 into VCE 2027
The step-by-step process for Year 10 students choosing their 2027 VCE, Vocational Major or VET program, including subject selection interviews on Wednesday 2 September 2026 and the form deadline of Friday 11 September 2026.
Choosing subjects for Year 11 is the first major academic decision a student makes, and we deliberately spread the process over Term 3 so that every family has time to gather information, talk to teachers and think about pathways. This page sets out the timeline, what happens at the subject selection interview on Wednesday 2 September 2026, and how to submit the final form by Friday 11 September 2026. It applies to all current Year 10 students, including those considering the VCE Vocational Major or a VET program.
Timeline at a glance
| Date | Step | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 4 August 2026, 7:00pm | VCE Information Evening, Mary MacKillop Hall — recording and slides on the Learning Hub | Completed |
| Thursday 13 August 2026, lunchtime | Subject Expo, Library — talk to teachers and Year 12 students about each subject | Completed |
| Monday 17 August 2026 | Online preference form opens on the Learning Hub (Pathways tile) | Open |
| Friday 21 August 2026 | Interview bookings open on the Learning Hub | Open |
| Wednesday 2 September 2026, 8:45am–6:30pm | Subject Selection interviews (student and parent) | Book now |
| Friday 11 September 2026, 4:00pm | Signed Subject Selection Form due | |
| Monday 12 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | Subjects are blocked into timetable lines; students with clashes contacted | |
| Friday 13 November 2026 | Confirmation of 2027 subjects published on the Learning Hub | |
| Monday 7 – Friday 11 December 2026 | Headstart program: students begin Unit 1 work in their 2027 subjects |
Step 1 — Research
Before the interview, students should:
- Read the VCE Subject Guide 2027 (Learning Hub → Pathways → Documents), which describes every study on offer, its assessment and any prerequisites.
- Review their Morrisby profile from Year 9 and their Semester 1 report.
- Check university and TAFE prerequisites through VTAC's CourseSearch — Mrs Marsh demonstrated this at the Information Evening.
- Talk to current teachers about whether a subject is a realistic fit.
Step 2 — Complete the online preference form
The form is on the Learning Hub under the Pathways tile and takes about ten minutes. Students select one of three programs:
- VCE — six subjects in Year 11 (English or Literature plus five others), reducing to five in Year 12.
- VCE Vocational Major — VM Literacy, VM Numeracy, Work Related Skills, Personal Development Skills, a VET certificate and Structured Workplace Learning.
- VCE with VET — a VET certificate in place of one or two VCE subjects.
Students rank up to eight preferences so that we can build timetable lines that satisfy as many first choices as possible. Draft preferences can be edited until the interview. See VCE VET and Vocational Major for program details and costs.
Step 3 — Subject Selection interview, Wednesday 2 September 2026
Interviews are 15 minutes and are held in the Library and adjoining seminar rooms between 8:45am and 6:30pm. Normal classes do not run for Year 10 on the day; students attend only for their interview and may otherwise study at home or in the Senior Study Centre.
- Book through the Learning Hub → Pathways → Interview Bookings (not the Parent Portal). Bookings close at 12:00pm on Tuesday 1 September 2026. If you cannot find a suitable time, email careers@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au.
- Who attends: the student and at least one parent or guardian. Students are interviewed by a member of the Pathways panel — Mrs Jenny Marsh, Mrs Sarah Donnelly (Year 10 Coordinator), Ms Olivia Chen (Year 11 Coordinator), Mr David Okafor or a senior faculty leader.
- Bring: the printed draft preference form (or your device to display it), Semester 1 report, Morrisby summary and any questions about pathways.
- Uniform: full winter uniform including blazer.
The panel will discuss subject combinations, workload, prerequisites and alternatives. If a student's preferences are approved, the panel member signs the form on the spot. If a subject is recommended against (for example Mathematical Methods without a strong result in Advanced Mathematics), the panel will suggest options and may ask the family to consult the relevant subject teacher before signing.
Step 4 — Submit the signed form by Friday 11 September 2026
The final Subject Selection Form must be signed by the student, a parent and the panel member and handed to the Senior Office or uploaded to the Learning Hub by 4:00pm on Friday 11 September 2026. Late forms are placed at the end of the queue when subjects are blocked, which reduces the chance of receiving first preferences.
Accelerated VCE studies
Students who achieved consistently high results in Year 10 may apply to take a Unit 3–4 subject in Year 11. Applications are made on the same form and require written support from the current subject teacher. Places are limited and confirmed by Friday 13 November 2026.
Changing subjects later
Students may request a change of subject up to the end of Week 2 of Term 1 2027 (Friday 5 February 2027) without penalty, subject to class sizes. After that date, changes require approval from Mr Okafor and are usually only possible at the end of Unit 1.
Frequently asked questions
- Does my child need Mathematics in VCE? No, but many university courses require it. Check prerequisites before deciding.
- What if a subject does not run? Subjects need a minimum of 12 students. Families are contacted in October if a preference cannot run and the next preference is used.
- Can a Year 11 student do the GAT? Students taking a Unit 3–4 subject in Year 11 sit the General Achievement Test; others do not.
- Are VET costs extra? Yes — see the VET page for 2027 indicative costs.
Questions may be directed to Mrs Jenny Marsh (careers@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au) or Mrs Sarah Donnelly via the Senior Office on (03) 9555 0100. See also the VCE Handbook and Careers and Pathways.