Author Archives: Mikayla Ingham

Marden specialises in senior secondary education (SACE). Students 16 years of age and older can enrol. The college also enrols adults seeking to complete their secondary education.

What is the SACE?

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is an internationally recognised qualification that paves the way for young people to move from school to work or further training and study.

The SACE has been designed to meet the needs of students, families, higher and further education providers, employers and the community.  The SACE helps students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed – whether they are headed for further education, training, an apprenticeship or straight into the workforce.

The certificate is based on two stages of achievement: Stage 1 (usually completed in Year 11)  and Stage 2 (usually completed in Year 12).

Students who successfully complete the requirements are awarded the SACE certificate.

How do students get the SACE?

There are two stages in the SACE:

•  Stage 1, which most students do in Year 11, except for the Personal Learning Plan, which most will do in Year 10.

•  Stage 2, which most students do in Year 12.

Each subject or course successfully completed earns ‘credits’ towards the SACE, with a minimum of 200 Credits required for students to gain the certificate.

Students receive a grade from A to E for each subject at Stage 1, and from A⁺ to E^– at Stage 2.

To achieve the SACE, students must complete the following compulsory requirements with a C grade or higher at Stage 1 and a C^– or higher for Stage 2 requirements.

• Personal Learning Plan (10 Credits at Stage 1)
• Literacy – from a range of English subjects or courses (20 Credits at Stage 1 or Stage 2)
• Numeracy – from a range of Mathematics subjects or courses (10 Credits at Stage 1 or Stage 2)
• Research Project – an in-depth major project (10 Credits at Stage 2)
• Other Stage 2 subjects or courses totalling at least 60 Credits (subjects or VET certificates).
• The remaining credits may be completed using either Stage 1 / 2 / VET options.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the SACE

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training and gives students skills for work, particularly in the trades and industry.  Students are able to build pathways in the SACE using VET.   VET options in the SACE encourage students to complete, or make significant progress towards completing, VET qualifications while completing the SACE.

Students can earn 10 SACE Credits for successfully completing 70 hours of VET.  The SACE Board determines whether the SACE Credits earned for a particular VET qualification will be recognised at Stage 1 or Stage 2.

Students can refer to the VET Recognition Register for more information about recognition of VET certificates at:

https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/subjects/recognised-learning/recognition-register/vet-recognition-register

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The mentoring Program at Marden Senior College is a program which involves all teaching staff as mentors to a small group of students.
A mentor is also your main contact person at the College.
A mentor is a support person who is there to help you when you need support.

Who has a mentor?
All students you are under 21 on the start of the school year are provided with a mentor for the entire year.

How will I know who my mentor is?
Those students under 21 can expect to be contacted by their mentor early in the school year.
Where at all possible students will be assigned one of their subject teachers as their mentor but this is not possible in all cases.
A Mentor is there to support you if and when you need support and will be your main contact person at the College.

 How can a mentor help?
A mentor can help in many ways including:

• Listening, encouraging and helping you stay connected to your study program to you
• Providing practical help with goal setting and time management
• Helping with organisational skills
• Liaising with subject teachers and acting as an advocate on your behalf
• Referring to other support services in the College as required

What do I do if I do not want the support of a mentor?
Even if you feel that you do not require any extra support, your mentor can act as a contact/support person for you in a range of ways which may prove beneficial to you as the year progresses. Discuss this with your mentor if you have any concerns.

Student comments about the Mentoring Program
Mentoring is something I have never seen at any other school, and I think it is a very positive program.

• My mentor is very supportive and guides me. It makes me realise school is important and keeps me determined.
• It’s good knowing there is someone to go to seek help if needed.
• My mentor helped me get through year 12 despite my issues and lack of motivation.
• My mentor helped me to organise time and school work.
• My mentor has been helpful for me in dealing with the workload. I have been able to balance my work a lot better with my mentor’s help.

 Student Program

What is the Student Program?
Throughout the year a number of activities are organised to help students with their studies, general wellbeing and pathways planning. Activities can include:

• Study skills and time management
• Young people and the law
• Cyber bullying
• Pathway planning
• Tertiary information sessions.

Student comments from the study skills and time management sessions:

• I would like to see more of these programs
• I will definitely try to use the tips. Thanks
• I learned that study isn’t overwhelming; it will give you the leading edge.
• I learned how I can balance homework and social life.
• It has motivated me to spend extra time on study.
• The session was extremely helpful and useful. I would recommend for anyone!

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