Stage 5

Year 9 is the beginning of a new phase in a student’s progress towards the completion of their school education. For the first time, students are offered choice in the courses they elect to study.

This website is designed to help students and their parents understand the Stage 5 program of study and to assist in selecting the most appropriate elective courses for Years 9 and 10.

At this stage of schooling, it is important for students to broaden their educational experiences and to choose electives which they feel will be interesting and enjoyable. Students should not choose a course because it might be relevant for a future career. At this stage of a student’s education they may not know what that career might be — some of the jobs of the twenty-first century have not yet been developed and the workers of tomorrow are likely to change careers three or four times during their working life. The best advice to students is, you should choose courses which interest you and ones in which you are likely to experience success.

Choices should not be made based on perceptions of the requirements of Years 11 and 12 courses. Commerce in Stage 5, for example, is not required for entry into Business Studies or Economics in Years 11 and 12. Entry into courses in Year 11 is more often governed by the level of achievement across Years 9 and 10, especially in English, Mathematics and Science.

Students are expected to demonstrate increasing maturity in their studies and a commitment to academic excellence. Regular home learning each night is required to achieve a reasonable set of academic goals. The assistance of parents in achieving a balance of study, recreation, work and sleep is essential for students to achieve success.

We encourage students to not elect subjects simply because:

• another person says they are good or bad

• your friends are, or are not, taking them

• you think it is only for boys or only for girls.

The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) is the credential for students who leave school after Year 10 but before they receive their Higher School Certificate (HSC).

If a student leaves school before receiving a grade in Year 11 or 12 courses, the RoSA will record the courses they commenced. This measure acknowledges the fact that many students begin senior secondary study but then leave school for employment or other training opportunities before receiving their HSC. It is of specific use to students leaving school prior to the HSC.

Any time a student or school wants an up-to-date snapshot of a student’s academic progress, a transcript called a Student Record of Achievement can be accessed via the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

To be eligible for a RoSA, students are required to study courses in Years 7-10 in English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and Its Environment and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

At some time during Years 7-10, students are also required to study courses in Creative Arts, Languages and Technological and Applied Studies.

In Years 7-10 students at McCarthy Catholic College are required to study Religious Education.

In Stage 5 students are required to select four electives to be studied over the two years. Most electives are 100-hour courses which means they are studied for one year only in either Year 9 or 10.

McCarthy offers elective courses that are either Board Endorsed or School Based. School Based electives will not appear on the RoSA credential however they are reported on using the common grade scale on student’s semester one and semester two reports.

This website provides a variety of course descriptions but not all courses will necessarily run. All courses will depend on the numbers of students electing to study it and available staffing. Considerable effort will be made to meet the preferred choices of students.

Partnerships, between parent and student, between school and home, between student and teacher, are essential for success. Families are urged to read the information on this website carefully and discuss the choices.

Experience over many years suggests that parents and students who work together to achieve goals find schooling less stressful.

Every student can set goals and strive to achieve them. If we have high expectations, we will have high standards. This practice will lay solid foundations in readiness for the demands of senior study.

1. Students and parents are to read through the subjects offered by the college - Subject Offerings

2. Students will receive an email with a WEBCODE to their school email accounts. Students login the to edval site and make their selections.

3. Students select the two preferences and two reserves.

4. If students or parents have any questions about subjects please contact the relevant leader of learning or about the process please contact Mrs Burke or Mrs Sparke 

5. Please submit selections by the due date