Important Considerations

In deciding whether to continue your education into Years 11 and 12, you need to consider whether or not you have the capability and commitment to meet the requirements for success in the Higher School Certificate. Approximately 20 to 25 hours of home study is expected of senior students each week.  Much of this study will be self-directed and requires initiative and perseverance on the part of the student. While staff offer considerable assistance, it is important to note that students take responsibility for their own progress in the courses they elect to do. Research and organisational skills must be developed quickly and effectively if the student is to cope with the increasingly complex and challenging work in Years 11 and 12.

In most cases, the best subjects to take are the ones you enjoy, as this leads to positive results. 

Use these guidelines when choosing subjects:

Of course, a major factor in your choice of subjects will be the requirements of particular careers you might wish to pursue. The subjects linked to future entry into your chosen career should match the subjects for which you have ability and interest. If they do not, then maybe you should reconsider your career options.

In making your subject choices for Years 11 and 12 it is advised that you:

• Very carefully consider the results you have achieved, especially in Year 10. Consider your successes and difficulties experienced in these courses. The courses in Years 11 and 12 will require a far greater commitment to study and application to classes than has been the case in junior years. Do you have these qualities?

• Speak to Year 11 or Year 12 students about the courses you are considering. Bearing in mind the ability of the students you speak to as this may determine how difficult or interesting they found the courses.

• Seek out information about careers that you might possibly be interested in pursuing. You should find out as much as you possibly can about the careers and the subjects required. This information can be obtained by approaching someone already in the career that appeals to you, by consulting with the Careers Advisor and/or by approaching the institutions (e.g. Universities, TAFE) that prepare people for that career.

• Talk over your subject choices with your teachers and the Leaders of Learning.

• Take note of all ATAR and assumed knowledge requirements.

• It is most important to carefully consider the choices in subjects and levels, as the opportunity to change your selection is limited. In the seven terms of study for your HSC you cannot afford to discover during Year 11 that your choice is wrong for your interests, abilities and capabilities – any change of course may mean that you have missed examinable material in classes and time needed to ‘catch up’ will not be available during school hours. In many instances it may not even be possible to change courses.

• In considering your HSC Program you need to decide which pathway; ATAR or Non-ATAR, will best suit your needs and ability.

The school will offer three alternatives:

1.  An ATAR Program – a program that will allow you to qualify for an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The ATAR is used for students who wish to attain university entry.

2.  An ATAR/Vocational Education Program – it is possible to include some vocational units and still qualify for an ATAR.

3.  A NON-ATAR PROGRAM– a program where students place emphasis on vocational style courses. These are courses that are concerned with gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to competently perform a job. This is a valuable program and should be considered a worthwhile option if you do not wish to proceed to university.

No program should be seen as superior to the other - it is superior if it is the most suitable program for you.