Frequently Asked Questions

In some instances, yes. Generally, students are only able to enrol in external study for subjects that are not offered at Caringbah High School. 

It is important to be aware that studying an external subject requires a high degree of motivation, self-direction and organisation. Students are not generally able to do 1-unit subjects via Distance Education that are not ATAR-eligible.  See External Courses for further details.

No. Distance Education is a safety net to ensure students complete all requirements for secondary education as set out by NSW Standards Authority (NESA). That is, it is provided by the DoE as a minimum and mandatory provision to ensure students have access to the minimum number of subjects/units required for the RoSA and HSC. Students studying Distance Education at Caringbah High School cannot do any units additional to NESA’s minimum requirement of 12 units. This is to ensure students have a suitable timetable and manageable workload. 

• A prerequisite is a course that must be completed prior to another (e.g. Year 11 Advanced English is a prerequisite for Year 12 Advanced English)  

• A co-requisite means you can only be enrolled in a course if you are also enrolled in the corresponding course (E.g English Ext 1 is a co-requisite for English Ext 2)

 Students are required to study 12 units in Year 11 and a minimum of 10 units in Year 12. 

Yes. Please see 13 Units for details.

With the exception of HSC Extension subjects, you cannot do a subject for the HSC without having completed the Year 11 course. English Extension 2, Maths Extension 2, History Extension, Music Extension and Science Extension start in Year 12, with pre and co-requisites.

You must be enrolled in the corresponding 2-unit Advanced course (e.g. English Advanced, Mathematics Advanced) to be enrolled in Extension 1 courses. 

No. The Extension 1 course is both a pre and co-requisite for the HSC Extension 2 course.

Yes. You can drop subjects to either pick up another 1 unit HSC course or reduce your overall number of units. You need a minimum of 10 units for Year 12 to be eligible for the HSC and ATAR. (10 units can include accelerated subjects). You cannot drop your 2-unit English subject.

There are 3 ATAR-eligible subjects developed by NESA: 

• English Ext 1 (English Advanced is a co-requisite)

• Maths Ext 1  (Maths Advanced is a co-requisite)

• Studies of Religion

Four subjects can be added to your HSC pattern of study:

• English Extension 2 

Pre-requisites: Year 11 English Advanced; Year 11 English Extension 1

Co-requisites: Year 12 English Advanced; Year 12 English Extension 1

• Mathematics Extension 2 

Pre-requisites: Year 11 Mathematics Advanced; Year 11 Mathematics Extension 1

Co-requisites: Year 12 Mathematics Advanced; Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1

• History Extension

Pre-requisites: Year 11 Ancient History and/or Modern History

Co-requisites: Year 12 Ancient History and/or Modern History

• Science Extension

Pre-requisites: Year 11 Biology and/or Chemistry and/or Physics 

Co-requisites: Year 12 Biology and/or Chemistry and/or Physics 

All students are required to complete mandatory subjects in Years 7 - 10 to progress to Year 11.

With the exception of Continuers Language courses, there are no Year 9/10 electives that are prerequisites for Year 11 courses. 

Every effort will be made to meet students' requests as much as possible. Reserve choices will be used when a main preference clashes with another on the timetable or does not run.

Once lines and subjects are published, you will have an opportunity to request changes before the end of the year.

Teachers are not allocated to classes until the construction of the timetable begins (after you enter your preferences). Therefore, you shouldn't choose subjects based on teachers - base your decision on your interest in the subject.

No. Processing of choices will not begin until the Webchoice portal has closed. You can change your preferences up until the time they close. 

Course popularity certainly plays a part in determining which subjects are offered,  but there is not necessarily a 'magic' number. It all depends on individual and collective subject combinations and preferences. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the students’ requests are met, classes cannot be established if demand is insufficient.

Not necessarily. The timetabling algorithm is designed to maximise your highest preferences.  There will be certain subjects that will most likely always run at Caringbah High School, but that doesn’t mean that subject should be placed further down in your preferences because you think it’s a ‘safe’ subject. If you don’t choose a subject that you really want or need ‘high enough’ in your preferences, it may end up running at the same time as another of your preferences that you ranked higher. e.g. If your 2nd Preference and your 6th Preference are placed on the timetable at the same time you will be allocated your 2nd Preference. If any of your first 6 preferences do not run, you will be allocated one of your reserves if they fit the lines.

There are lots of pieces in the timetable jigsaw, but we aim for the first half of Term 4.

Details will be provided at beginning of Term 1 about the process to request a subject change. Generally during the first 2 weeks of Term 1 in Year 11, you can request, with parental permission,  to change into a different course as long as:

• The new course is on the same line (i.e. the same time) as the subject that you want to change out of

• There are places available in the new course (although you can be waitlisted)

You can apply and be put on a wait list. If a place becomes available before week 3 of Term 1, the class will be filled automatically from the top of the list, so make sure you let us know if you change your mind, as your place from your existing class may be given to someone else.

No. Class changes will only be made to accommodate a subject change . E.g. You want a Subject on Line 1, and there is another class for that Subject on Line 3 with space available.  We could change you into that class to accommodate your new Line 1 Subject. Straight class swaps (e.g. to be with friends, have a preferred teacher etc.) are not possible.

This depends on your pattern of study and timetable. 

All Year 11 and 12 students get one extra study period per fortnight. This may be the same period for the whole grade, but varies year to year. 

Students may have additional study periods (3 per unit) if they:

• attend Period 0 classes (that are not part of 13 units in Year 11)

• have completed an accelerated subject

• are doing Distance education/External Languages, during which they may do phone lessons, complete course work remotely etc.

• drop courses (Year 12 only). e.g. 11 units = 3 study periods; 10 units = 6 study periods

You can check out the Caringbah HS Year 11 and 12 Assessment booklets to get a sense of the types of tasks in each subject (remembering that his information is representative only and may not necessarily be the same as your assessment schedule or tasks).

Students do not attend classes during assessment blocks.

Certain university courses have prerequisite HSC subjects. For example an Engineering degree generally requires Maths Advanced & Physics. Research entry requirements online/discuss with Career Adviser.

These are subjects that are NOT compulsory for a university degree but are helpful. Generally you will be fine doing a degree without the assumed knowledge provided you are motivated and willing to put in some extra work.

No. Early Entry schemes are also a popular way to apply. These involve an online application process using your Year 11 results and extra-curricular activities. Having Early Entry offers in hand before doing the HSC exams is a good way to manage stress and/or have a plan B in place. 

No, they should only be used as an approximate guide. There are many variable factors such as fluctuations in the number of applicants vs available places in a course compared to the previous year, adjustment factors applied to your ATAR based on other criteria etc.