English

In Year 10, the course aims to further develop already existing skills in expression and prepare students for the VCE. A range of writing activities are undertaken as well as activities and tasks designed to increase the student's knowledge of and competence in vocabulary, spelling, grammar and comprehension. The study of literature is continued: several novels will be read, as well as a selection of plays, short stories and poetry. Media and visual texts are also studied. Students are required to develop the skills of language analysis. There is a strong oral component in the work, and the use of the College's Learning Technologies facilities is encouraged. Assessment tasks allow reporting on students' levels of performance in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Students whose first language is not English may choose to take English as an Additional Language (EAL). Please note that those who are eligible are students who have been in Australia for less than seven years and who come from a non-English speaking country. These students are strongly advised to select this subject for both Semester One and Two. This subject is instead of core English studies. 

The focus of EAL at Year 10 is to equip students with the skills needed for VCE. A range of reading and writing activities are undertaken with tasks designed to improve students’ knowledge of and competence in vocabulary, spelling, grammar and comprehension. The language of persuasion is studied, building students’ ability to analyse media texts. Assessment tasks allow reporting on students' levels of performance in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

Maths

In Year 10 students must study either Mathematical Methods or General Mathematics.

All Mathematical Methods and General Mathematics students are required to purchase a TI-nspire CAS calculator. 

Maths Methods

Year 10 Mathematical Methods is a two unit course which can be studied by students wishing to undertake further study in the areas of; Number and Algebra (Indices & Surds, Linear and Quadratic equations and graphs), Measurement and Geometry (Trigonometry) and Statistics and Probability (Statistics and Bivariate Data). TI-nspire CAS calculators will be used to explore these mathematical concepts. Students will be working mathematically to develop mathematical models and procedures to investigate and solve problems set in a wide range of practical, theoretical and historical contexts. This course will assist students with further development and consolidation of skill acquisition for higher levels of mathematics in VCE. Assessment is based on their progression through the mathematics continuum.

Eligibility: Students will need to be working at or above the expected standard for all dimensions: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability dimensions in Year 9 Mathematics.

Maths General

Year 10 General Mathematics is a two unit course which can be studied by students wishing to undertake further study in the areas of; Number and Algebra (Algebra and Indices, Straight Line Graphs, Equations, Consumer Maths), Measurement and Geometry (Trigonometry) and Statistics and Probability (Statistics, Bivariate Data). TI-nspire CAS calculators will be used to explore these mathematical concepts. Students will be working mathematically to develop mathematical models and procedures to investigate and solve problems set in a wide range of practical, theoretical and historical contexts. Assessment is based on their progression through the mathematics continuum.

Eligibility: All Year 10 students not studying Year 10 or Year 11 Maths Methods will study Year 10 General Mathematics.  

Commerce

Global Consumers and Citizens 

This course covers commerce related curriculum and explores what it means to be a consumer in the 21st Century. Students will develop an understanding of key concepts in various areas. In a unit on Legal Studies, students understand the rights that are entitled to all Australians and how these are protected. In an Economics unit,  they consider the concept of opportunity cost and examine housing affordability and how to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. In a Business Management unit, students will design a disruptive business to consider the qualities of enterprising behaviour. In an Accounting unit, students will look at financial literacy and how taxes work as they explore the strategies and tools needed to set financial goals. Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for students to develop their critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills. This will ensure that each student understands the demands of being a modern-day citizen and consumer. 

Humanities

History: The Inter-war years and WWII 

Students investigate wartime experiences through a study of World War II in depth. This includes a study of the causes, events, outcomes and broader impacts of the conflict as an episode in world history, and the nature of Australia’s involvement in World War II (1939-45). Students investigate struggles for human rights in depth. This will include how rights and freedoms have been ignored, demanded or achieved in Australia and in the broader world context. Students investigate one major global influence that has shaped Australian society in-depth, including the development of the global influence during the twentieth century. 

In addition, the study will cover areas of Australian and European Nationalism. There will be excursions to the Shrine where students will have the opportunity to be involved in a remembrance service. 

Health and Physical Education 

Health and Physical Education focuses on students enhancing their own and others’ health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity participation in varied and changing contexts. Research in fields such as sociology, physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology informs what we understand about healthy, safe and active choices. Health and Physical Education offers students an experiential curriculum that is contemporary, relevant, challenging, enjoyable and physically active.

Science

Covers aspects of three main areas of Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

In the Physics unit, students will study motion and the forces that cause motion. They will learn to use Newton’s Three Laws of Motion to describe how an object’s speed and position are changed by the forces that act on it. 

In the Chemistry unit, students will study how an atom’s atomic structure determines how it will chemically react. They will learn that there are many different types of chemical reactions and will learn to predict the products of these different types of chemical reactions.

In the Biology unit, students will study genes and heredity. They will explore the role of DNA and genes in the production of proteins and in the determination of patterns of inheritance. They will learn about how cells reproduce new cells and will learn to explain how genes are passed on to offspring by both parents.