Senior College

Do Year 11 and 12 Differently

Students in the Greater Brisbane area can complete Year 11 and 12 in an adult-learning environment with our Senior College program. Offered exclusively at our Alexandra Hills campus, this program is perfect for 15 to 17-year-olds who are looking for a practical and independent alternative to the traditional high school system. Our Senior College program allows you to complete your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and work towards gaining an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) if you choose to. 

Completing your senior studies can open up doors to your future, including further study opportunities. With your ATAR you can choose to continue your studies at TAFE or university. While with your QCE you can put your new knowledge and skills into practice and get straight into the workforce. Whether you're currently in high school or have left school already, we've got your pathway to work or further study sorted.

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Why study year 11 and 12 at TAFE Queensland

A SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM

TAFE Queensland offers a holistic range of student

support services, including:

• qualified counsellors
• career guidance via counsellors
• tutorial support
• mentor program
• career hub
• student events
• AccessAbility Support Officers.

MENTOR PROGRAM

All senior college students are enrolled in our Mentor Program which is designed to prepare you for the challenges of study, regardless of your initial academic ability.

This program is embedded into the Social and Community Studies subject, allowing students to develop essential life skills while gaining 4 credits towards your QCE upon successful completion. This program is comprised of a variety of activities, discussions, and guest speakers.

Our Mentor Program supports students throughout their time with us, enabling you to set and achieve clear, realistic goals for your future.

CAREER HUB

Year 12 students will also join the Career Hub in semester two of their Mentor Program. This prepares students for the completion of Year 12, equipping you with key skills required to be job-ready. You will get to focus on your career pathways and hear from an exciting schedule of industry guest speakers to discuss various career choices.

STUDENT SUPPORT

TAFE Queensland has AccessAbility Support Officers who:

• offer confidential, friendly advice and support for any life situation
• assist students to achieve their educational and career goals

• encourage students to be independent and take responsibility for their course of study
• liaise with relevant external agencies, organisations or government departments to gain assistance
• undertake vocational training connected to that particular work area.

• ATAR and QCE Pathway subject
• QCE and/or employment pathway mandatory subject

English is a two-year course that is highly recommended if you want to gain an ATAR. For entry into most university courses, you must have completed four semesters of Senior English. Assessment is predominantly written with some compulsory spoken tasks. You will have opportunities to engage with diverse texts for a variety of audiences and purposes.

TOPICS COVERED:

• language use (oral and written)
• literary appreciation
• representations of teenagers within texts
• Australian literature and film perspectives (including indigenous)

• QCE and/or employment pathway mandatory subject

Essential English develops and refines students’ understanding of language, literature and literacy to enable them to interact confidently and effectively with others in everyday, community and social contexts.

TOPICS COVERED:

• language that works
• texts and human experiences
• language that influences
• representations in popular culture and texts

• ATAR and QCE Pathway subject
• QCE and/or employment pathway mandatory subject

General Mathematics is a QCAA subject that can contribute to an ATAR for university entrance. General Mathematics will equip you with the skills to manage the mathematics you will encounter in everyday life, as well as those that you will experience in non-science university courses.

TOPICS COVERED:

• financial mathematics
• applied geometry
• data exploration and analysis
• investing and networking

• QCE and/or employment pathway mandatory subject

Essential Mathematics provides a broad foundation of practical mathematics if you are planning a vocational outcome. The course is organised under various themes with a focus on numeracy and basic mathematical skills that are encountered in day-to-day living with practical applications relating to vocational areas.

TOPICS COVERED:

• reading maps, tables and graphs
• learning, spending, borrowing and investing money
• taxation and Good and Services Tax (GST)
• renting, buying and renovating property
• business planning.

• ATAR and QCE Pathway subject
• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

By studying Biology you will gain an understanding of the complex and diverse world of organisms and the natural systems that affect them. You will get the chance to undertake experiments that investigate problems pertaining to the living world including plant and animal physiology, genetics and ecology.

TOPICS COVERED:

• cellular biology
• animal and plant physiology
• genetics and diversity
• ecological studies
• contemporary global issues in science

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

This course is based on a thematic, life-related approach to the study of science. It draws from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics. Science in Practice uses a contextualised approach, where units deliver the core through electives to enhance your scientific understanding of the physical world.

TOPICS COVERED:

• science for the workplace
• resources, energy and sustainability
• health and lifestyle
• environments
• discovery and change.

• ATAR and QCE Pathway subject
• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

Social and Community Studies aims to foster an appreciation of, and respect for, cultural diversity and encourages responsible attitudes and behaviours essential for the effective participation in the community. This course fosters critical, creative and constructive thinking, and predominantly focuses on personal development and social skills, with emphasis placed on developing communication, personal, interpersonal and citizenship skills, problem-solving and decision making, resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence. Essential workplace, learning, and study skills are also incorporated.

TOPICS COVERED:

• growing and developing as an individual
• living with and relating to others
• receiving from and contributing to the community
• health and nutrition
• career advice
• money management

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

Once enrolled in Business Studies, you will be involved in a range of contemporary real world activities. Business learning involves a range of experiences that provide knowledge, processes and skills that can be applied to business in the real-world.

You will gain an understanding of business environments and have the opportunity to engage in practical business projects.

TOPICS COVERED:

• events and sports management
• marketing
• real estate

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a practical course designed to train you to produce solutions to simulated problems. Through practice in problem solving in a variety of contexts, both individually and collaboratively, it will contribute to your development as an adaptable, competent, and self-motivated user and consumer of ICT who can work with clients and colleagues to identify issues and solve problems.

TOPICS COVERED:

• digital imaging and modelling
• document production
• online communication and application development
• technology
• web page production
• technology and society.

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

Visual Arts in Practice encompasses art forms that communicate and express meaning through visual perception. This program gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of visual arts practices, visual mediums, art-making technologies and techniques to communicate meaning through visual forms.

TOPICS COVERED:

• 2D media processes including drawing, painting and printmaking
• digital media processes
• 3D media processes such as ceramics and sculpture
• visual literacy
• artwork realisation

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

This is an exciting course if you are wanting to engage in the performing arts industry. Offering you hands-on experience in various styles of acting, through involvement in various plays, monologues, auditions, performances and events throughout the year. This course is not just for ambitious actors but also for those of you who want to be involved in all areas of performing arts, film, entertainment and music and for those who want to build confidence in public speaking.

TOPICS COVERED:

• arts management
• performance principles
• career pathways
• acting (stage and screen)
• stage and lighting

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

In this subject you will develop skills in all areas of music including performance, management, technology and creation. This is a hands-on practical subject where you have the opportunity to regularly rehearse, set-up, perform, and market.

TOPICS COVERED:

• music theory and production
• music composition
• recording processes
• marketing in the music industry.

• ATAR and QCE Pathway subject
• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

This fascinating subject will allow students to explore factors that affect the health of individuals and communities whilst applying recognised health theories and frameworks to real-life situations. Drawing from the health, behavioural, social and physical sciences, this course offers students an opportunity to investigate various health issues. Students then design, implement and evaluate action strategies to combat these issues.

TOPICS COVERED:

• resilience - an individual health resource
• alcohol - using peers and family as a health resource
• road Safety - using the community as a health resource
• respectful relationships.

• QCE and/or employment pathway subject

Aquatic Practices is a practical course designed to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with the safe and responsible use of the marine environment. When you complete this course you will be equipped to participate more safely in a variety of marine pastimes.

The delivery methods used in the Aquatic Practices course involves practical application of knowledge and skills using Moreton Bay and its facilities as the focus of learning and practice.

TOPICS COVERED:

• weather, tides, and currents
• personal water safety and safe working practices
• recreational fishing and snorkelling
• boat handling and navigations.

Our vocational courses are available in many different career fields such as engineering, health care, computer technology, tourism, office management and skilled trades. These courses are offered as part of our TAFE at School program.

The vocational courses we offer:

• provide job-focused training for specific roles or careers
• are developed with industry
• offer you a nationally recognised qualification
• give you valuable credits towards your QCE.