Subject Information Guide

With VET Courses, students can get a head start on their career while still at school. You will gain work-related skills and experience that are recognised nationally by industry and employers. In many courses, you will be required to complete mandatory work placement, in addition to your theoretical training, in order to successfully complete the course and gain accreditation. NESA has developed curriculum frameworks for industry areas such as Business Services, Construction, Entertainment, Financial Services, Hospitality, Human Services and Retail Services. 

RTO AIS NSW (No. 90413)

Board Developed VET Courses in the VET Curriculum Frameworks can be studied as Preliminary and/or HSC courses. The 240-hour course in each framework includes an optional written examination which students can choose to undertake if they wish the result to be included in the calculation of the ATAR (these courses will be counted as Category B subjects in the calculation of the ATAR – only two units of Category B subjects may count towards the ATAR). Students have the option to study the following Board Developed VET Course at Covenant:

• Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (SIT20416). The examination is optional. 

Board Endorsed VET Courses in the VET Curriculum Frameworks can be studied as Preliminary and/or HSC courses. These courses count towards the HSC but do not contribute towards an ATAR calculation. Students have the option to study the following Board Endorsed VET Courses at Covenant:

• Statement of Attainment for completed units for the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) 
• Statement of Attainment for completed units for the Certificate III in Sport Coaching (SIS30713)

VET courses offered at Covenant Christian School incur an additional cost, ranging from $200 to $875. For more information, see the VET Courses Information booklet (available at Student Reception and on the school website).

These courses cater for special interests not covered in other courses run at Covenant Christian School. They are offered as external study at TAFE NSW and other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These courses count towards the HSC and some may also count towards the ATAR (you will need to check specific details of your course of interest). On successful completion, you will gain additional credentials when you finish school, one from NESA and the other from your training provider. EVET Courses include Animal Studies, Construction, Electrotechnology, Entertainment, Human Sevices (Nursing), Information and Digital Technology, Plumbing, Screen and Media, Tourism, and Travel and Events. Please see the VET Coordinator for more information.

Important things to consider for EVET courses

• All EVET courses incur an additional cost, ranging from $2,000 to $5,500. The cost will vary depending on the course you choose. 
• Any student wishing to study an EVET course will need to organise this with the VET Coordinator. 
• EVET courses offered at TAFE run on a Tuesday afternoon. Students will need to make their own way to and from their training location. 

Some courses may be available to students through Distance Education, and a number of our students have availed themselves of this opportunity. At Covenant, there are four categories of students who may be eligible to study courses in this manner.

• Students wishing to study a language not offered at Covenant in either Year 9 or 11 can do so through the NSW School of Languages or Saturday School of Community Languages.
• Students with special medical needs, e.g. students with medical conditions which prevent them from attending school, can apply to Sydney Distance Education High School.
• Students whose study has been interrupted by transfer from another school, e.g. Covenant does not offer a subject they were studying.
• Students with a special circumstance, e.g. students whose chosen career prospects are enhanced by the study of a subject that Covenant does not offer.

Christian Education National (iCEN) and Sydney Distance Education High School (SDEHS)

Students may have the option of studying courses, not offered at Covenant, through iCEN or SDEHS. Students studying in this manner are allocated the prescribed time of study within the school timetable. A staff member will coordinate the receipt and return of work but it is up to the individual student to complete their work. Students are expected to return work regularly, usually one set per week, and complete all set tasks.

Students will not be eligible for enrolment in courses which are offered at our school but are not available to them because of timetable clashes, unless this is a Language subject.

NSW School of Languages (NSoL) and Saturday School of Community Languages (SSCL)

Students wishing to study a language not offered at Covenant may do so through the NSoL or SSCL. It is the role of the SSCL to teach languages to students who wish to study their background community language to Higher School Certificate level and who are unable to do so in their home school.

Most of the modern languages offered as HSC subjects can be studied at one or more of these centres. At our
nearest centre in Chatswood, the following 2 Unit language courses may be offered (depending on demand): Armenian, Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek and Polish.

Important things to consider for Distance Education courses: 

• Any student wishing to study a Distance Education course will need to discuss this with the Deputy Principal Secondary School and obtain their approval. 
• Places in Distance Education courses are limited. 
• Students may only study one course through iCEN, NSoL, SDEHS or SSCL. 
• The Principal must be able to certify that a student applying for Distance Education via iCEN and SDEHS is capable of working independently. There is an online component in most of these courses. A high level of motivation and time management is required for studying these courses.

Additional costs: 

For Year 11 and 12 Distance Education courses, the additional cost to parents is as follows:

• Christian Education National: $950 per annum per subject
• Sydney Distance Education High School: $800 per annum per subject
• NSW School of Languages: $800 per annum per subject
• Saturday School of Community Languages: no cost
• 1 Unit Extension courses: $400