Year 8 into 9 Electives

Next year will be the start of a whole new learning experience for your child. Whilst some curriculum areas will continue to be studied throughout Years 9 and 10, students will be able to choose three additional courses to study, as elective subjects. This will give them the opportunity to broaden their experiences and follow areas in which they have a passion.

The process of choosing the right course is a personal one. Students are encouraged to be responsible and realistic when they exercise their freedom to choose. They are advised to select subjects that tap into their aspirations and interests, where they can utilise their enthusiasm and strengths to achieve to their potential and become self-motivated, life-long learners.

A message to Year 8 students

You are advised to select your elective subjects carefully after reading the information in this website thoroughly, talking to your teachers and having discussions with your parents. It is very unwise to choose a subject just because a friend has chosen it or you like the teacher. A friend’s interests and abilities may be quite different to your own and the teacher may not be the one taking the class next year.

What you should consider before selecting a subject is whether you liked the subject in year 7 and/or 8, whether you are good at that subject and whether it matches your general interests. Whilst some subjects can lead you towards a career (for example, a future carpenter may want to study Industrial Technology - Timber), at this stage of your schooling it would be unwise to focus too much on a subject’s suitability for employment. All subjects will give you knowledge and skills that will benefit you in a future career.

A message to parents and carers

Parents have the pivotal role in the subject selection process as an adviser to their children. While you are aware of your child’s many talents and abilities and may be tempted to dictate their subject choice, this is generally not advised as it may lead to problems at a later date.

Your child should be encouraged to seek as much information about the various subjects on offer as is possible and then discuss this with you as their parent/carer. Guidance through the process should certainly by given by parents/carers with an emphasis being placed on directing your child to subjects that reflect their interests and which are likely to develop their innate talents.

It is best that you discourage them following a friend into a subject that is obviously unsuitable. It is also important to reinforce that subjects at this stage of secondary school are more about developing general skills rather than preparing for a specific career.