MATHEMATICS

What is VCE-VM Numeracy? 

VCE Vocational Major Numeracy focuses on enabling students to develop and enhance their numeracy skills to make sense of their personal, public and vocational lives. It is based on an applied learning approach, ensuring students feel empowered to make informed choices about the next stage of their lives through experiential learning and authentic learning experiences. Applied learning is about nurturing and working with a student, taking into account their personal strengths, interests, goals and previous experiences. VCE-VM Numeracy acknowledges that part of the transition from school to further education, training and employment is the ability to participate and function in society as an adult. 

Here are some highlights from our Year 11 VCE VM Numeracy class: 

• During some recent lessons, students participated in a Longest Kick activity. Students measured and recorded the distance of 3 kicks. Each student’s longest kick was recorded then the data was used to calculate the summary statistics. 

• As part of their Civic Numeracy Unit, students held a class election across both VM Numeracy classes. Students chose groups and had to find information about local government and school issues that affected them and run a campaign to encourage people to “vote them into office” to make the changes they were “promising to make”. They were encouraged to use statistics to support their initiatives, had to create advertising and the designated “candidate” from each party completed a speech in front of all voters. 

Let’s hear from some current Year 11 VM Numeracy students about the subject, why they chose VCE-VM and their plans for the future. 

Why did you choose to study VCE-VM? 

“So that I could start working as a plumber 1 day a week.” – Hayley 

“Because I like how I can have some days at work and some days at school.” – Taye 

“I picked VCE-VM because I knew that I enjoyed hands on learning and also because I wanted to do a Tafe course.” – Bailey 

“Benefits my future career and gave me the opportunities I was interested in.” – Eden 

“I picked VCE-VM because it’s a more hands on approach and I get a head start on getting into the industry I want.” – Charlotte M 

What has been your favourite activity in VM Numeracy so far? 

“I enjoyed ‘data collection’. The work, involving researching a topic of my choice and collecting data on it felt rather streamlined and efficient.” – Tyler 

“My favourite activity so far would be the Civic Numeracy because I enjoyed learning about topics I am passionate about.” – Bailey 

“The buying a house task” – Eden 

“I enjoyed the Health Numeracy.” – Alex 

“The debate as it was fun and I heard different peoples opinions.” – Liv 

Name one thing you have learnt this year that you will be able to use in the real world. 

“I can use budgeting out in the real world.” – Solomon 

“I’d say simple interest and planning out an activity that involves people and money.” – Charlotte M 

“Communication skills and working in groups.” – Caitlin 

“Finding measurements because I will have to use measurement knowledge in my plumbing apprenticeship.” – Cooper 

“During ‘data collection’, I improved my competence in using Obsidian and Canva (for graphs).” – Tyler 

What are you hoping to do when you finish Year 12? 

“I plan on completing a 4 year apprenticeship and becoming a fully qualified electrician.” – Tyler 

“Becoming a nurse.” – Kirsten 

“Become a youth residential worker.” – Summer 

“I am hoping to get an apprenticeship in hairdressing after Year 12.” – Alexis 

“When I finish Year 12 I hope to be working as a landscape gardener apprentice.” – Bailey 

If you are interested in finding out more about VM Numeracy, please send me an email at kara.salmon@mooroolbarkcollege.vic.edu.au. 

Kara Salmon 

MATHEMATICS KEY LEARNING HEAD