Welcome to the Senior School
“We have high expectations of our students and our staff. We will push students to be the very best version of themselves and we will support them every step of the way.”
The Senior School is a motivating and exciting time for students. These next three years are a chance to pursue passions and dreams, to be challenged deeply in learning and to begin to connect the demands of school with the myriad possibilities of the world beyond.
For many of our students, their pathway will lead them to higher education at university, for others the pathway will be scaffolded into an apprenticeship. For some students, life at school will lead directly into employment, while for others a gap-year follows, filled with further thinking and planning. For all our students, they will leave Prahran High School on a personal, unique path, celebrated and affirmed as right for them.
We have high expectations of our students and our staff. We will push students to be the very best version of themselves and we will support them every step of the way.
The Senior School is a time of change in young peoples’ lives; it is a challenging time and it is also a beautiful time of personal growth and achievement.
This introductory handbook is designed to support students and families by providing a clear sense of learning, wellbeing and opportunity in our Senior School. This handbook also serves to introduce, define and explain the language, structures, processes, policies and expectations that we need all stakeholders to understand.
The Senior School contains much that is new, and we hope this handbook is helpful and reassuring.
Completion of the VCE and the VCE/VM - Important Information
It is important for students and families to understand how the VCE works, what constitutes successful completion and how the ATAR is calculated.
We encourage you to read and consider the below resources, which outline the requirements for completion of VCE and VCE/VM.
You may also like to watch the short video below which outlines how ATARs are created.
Further, the VCAA also has some excellent videos outlining how Study Scores are calculated and how ‘statistical moderation’ works’.
Careers and Pathways Planning
At Prahran High School, careers and pathways education plays a vital role in preparing students for their futures beyond the classroom. As a school committed to fostering curiosity, challenge, creativity and character development, we ensure that students have access to an expert Careers and Pathways Leader, along with comprehensive guidance on career opportunities, tertiary education, and vocational pathways.
Through structured programs, industry and tertiary partnerships, and one-on-one counseling, we empower students to make informed choices that align with their passions and strengths. By embedding careers education throughout the curriculum, we help students develop critical skills in decision-making, adaptability, and goal-setting—qualities essential for success in an ever-changing workforce.
Our careers and pathways education is particularly significant given the dynamic and competitive nature of today’s job market. At Prahran High School, we recognize that success looks different for every student, and we are committed to offering diverse options, whether they aspire to university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or direct employment.
We facilitate a large range of VET program opportunities, work experience placements where appropriate, mentorship opportunities, and guest speaker programs to connect students with industry professionals and broaden their understanding of different career pathways. These experiences not only enhance employability skills but also inspire students to explore opportunities they may not have previously considered.
We encourage students and families to spend time exploring our bespoke PHS Careers Website.