Pathways at CBC

As you move into Years 11 and 12, it's important to start shaping your senior school experience around your strengths, interests, and future goals. This page is your starting point for understanding the pathways available at Comet Bay College and how they connect to life beyond school.

Here, you'll find everything you need to make informed decisions during the Course Selection process, including subject information and important timelines. Choosing the right combination of General, ATAR or Certificate courses will help you work towards a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and open up future study, training, or employment options.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) 

The ATAR Pathway prepares students for direct entry into university by completing at least four ATAR courses over two years. The ATAR score is calculated from a student's top four scaled scores in Year 12 subjects. Students must include one List A subject (Humanities, Arts, Languages) and one List B subject (Maths, Science, Technology). English or Literature is compulsory. 

This pathway requires strong academic performance, independent learning skills, and a disciplined study routine. Students may also include a Certificate II qualification to enhance career readiness or as a backup plan. Career counselling and subject selection guidance is provided in Year 10 to support course choices aligned with university prerequisites.

Days: 

Five days at Comet Bay College

Prerequisites:

• B grade or higher in relevant Year 10 extension subjects
• OLNA Category 3 recommended
• Strong attendance and self-management skills
• Must study six courses including English/Literature, one List A and one List B subject

GENERAL with an External Qualification (FFS)

Students attend Comet Bay College four days per week and spend one day undertaking a Certificate II, III or IV qualification with a private or external RTO (e.g. Health Science Hub, Fremantle Education Centre). 

Some qualifications also include mandatory work placements or traineeships. The FFS Pathway allows for flexibility and customisation, making it perfect for students targeting industries such as Allied Health, Education, Animal Care, Business, or Fitness. 

In Year 12, some students may complete Certificate IV programs that offer a university pathway in fields such as Nursing, Psychology, Social Care, or Sport Science. All programs must be pre-approved and fees paid in full prior to Term 1.

Days:

Four days at Comet Bay College and one day at TAFE (or a Registered Training Organisation).

Prerequisites:

• Certificate II: C grades and OLNA Cat 2
• Certificate III: B grades and OLNA Cat 3
• Certificate IV (Yr 12 only): A or strong B grades and OLNA Cat 3
• 80–90% attendance, good behaviour
• Application and interview with the VET team
• Student and parent attendance at information evening
• Students must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before they start their course

School to Employment Program (STEP)

STEP is a one teacher model (usually ONE teacher for all four subjects). Subjects' students complete within the STEP program are General English, Maths Essentials, Health Studies and a Life Skills related Certificate II. Where students have been in the CBC Football program in year 10, some students may be able to continue with this pathway whilst in the STEP program in years 11 and 12.    

The STEP program at Comet Bay College is a highly competitive and successful program and gives Year 11 and 12 students a blended program of General Education and Nationally Accredited qualifications (Vocational Education and Training - VET) that contribute to WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education). 

STEP consists of a team approach, inclusive of teaching staff, Workplace Learning Officers (WPL), VET admin staff, Career Practitioner, Student Support staff, TAFE and RTO staff, employers, and parents.     

Days:

Three days at Comet Bay College, one day at TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and one day at a Workplace Learning Placement.

Prerequisites

The STEP program has its own unique prerequisites students must meet to be considered eligible. These are:

• Direct application to the STEP program. This process occurs in term 2 each year.
• For Certificate II Programs, a C grade in all MESS subjects is required.
• For Certificate III and IV Programs, a B Grade minimum is required in most MESS subjects and associated subject areas. For example, a student wishing to complete a Certificate III in Business would be expected to have a B grade or higher in English.
• 80-90 % Attendance
• Low negative behaviours records and no suspensions
• Direct application and acceptance of a position from TAFE or Private RTO. 

Important Note: 

Grades and attendance are taken from a child’s Semester ONE report on application; therefore, the first half of Year 10 and/or Year 11 are critical to ensure future success.   

GENERAL Studies

Students in the General pathway study six subjects. This pathway offers a mix of General courses, internal VET Certificates, and up to two ATAR subjects, if desired.

General English is compulsory, along with at least one List A and one List B subject. 

In Year 12, students can opt into UniReady (Curtin University) or TLC (Murdoch University) as alternative pathways to university. These programs provide a university-accepted alternative to a 70+ ATAR. This pathway allows students to graduate with WACE and explore job readiness, further study at TAFE, or university via enabling programs.

Days:

Five days a week at Comet Bay College.

Prerequisites:

• No prerequisites unless choosing ATAR subjects (then B or above in Year 10 extension classes)
• Suitable for a broad range of student learning styles and interest

Subjects available:

Students must select English and are required to select subjects from list A and B. Subjects on offer vary from year to year. They include options in English, HASS, Maths, Science, Home Economics, Arts and Media, Design and Technology and Health and Physical Education.

In Year 12 students have the option to select a university pathway by selecting either UniReady or TLC. If students pass the subject they get an equivalent to 70 ATAR, which can be used to enter any University for Undergraduate programs which require a 70 ATAR or below.

• Internal VET Qualifications Students are able to choose up to two qualifications that are delivered internally by Comet Bay College Teachers and are recognised nationally.
• UniReady (Year 12’s only) is an enabling program run by Curtin University, delivered as a subject by teachers at school. There is a fee attached to this course. 
  UniReady Enabling Program pathway | Curtin University
• TLC Learning for Tomorrow (Year 12’s only) is a free enabling program run by Murdoch University. This is run off site in the evenings at Rockingham or Mandurah by Murdoch University. 
  TLC Learning for Tomorrow (murdoch.edu.au)