fiona - I can understand what ou are saying abut a vocational avenue probably being better, based on her past performance...But I just wanted to say that those vocational avenues generally require just as much, if not more (quite frankly) applicatin and especially passion as an acadenic /university stream. If you want to keep her options open you would be better (imo) to steer towards Arts....it will give her options, and something non-specific to focus on.
It is EXTREMELY difficult for apprentices if they are not passionate about the stream....I can only talk from the hospitality POV, but apprentices who are ther purely cos they couldnt think of anything else to do dont get very far and honestly arent wanted by most employers anyway. I have seen sooo many kids think that doing a chefs apprentice or a hairdressing apprenticeship will be easy, they can leave school and get a job and everything will be wonderful, only to see them pull out, crash and burn and not have any options left open to them. Even if she doesnt go to uni, having a VCE is HUGE plus, even in a vocational path post-VCE...

Good luck!!