Year 10
And so it begins...
Year 10
For most year 9 students, preparing for year 10 is fairly simple. A mainstream course of study will involve a mix of core and elective subjects, all designed to adequately prepare them for year 11 and 12. However, there are some variations available for those who are a little further along in their career planning. Below is a list of subjects available to year 10 students along with some shortcuts to help you explore a little further.
In addition to the standard Victorian Curriculum, students may be offered early access to senior curriculum including VET, VCE and VCE-VM curriculum in year 10. Before commencing year 10 and certainly before accessing senior courses, an initial pathway plan should be considered by each student. It is important for year 10 students to understand that access to senior curriculum can be dependent on various prerequisites and is not automatic at the end of year 10. Further details are provided in our Academic Promotions Policy and later in this handbook.
Year 10 Core Pathway Subjects
English: 2 units
Science: 1 unit (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology)
Mathematics: 2 units. Choose either Unit 1 -2 Core Mathematics (or) Unit 1-2 Advanced Mathematics
Personal Development: 1 unit
Homeroom: daily 15 minute session, plus one extended session every Friday.
Electives: 8 units 2D Art, 3D Art, Applied Computing, Business Management, Digital Technologies, English Literature, Food Journey, Food for the Future, Geography, Health & PE A, Health and PE B, History, Legal Studies, Performance Skills, Product Design A, Product Design B, Song Writing, Psychology, Specialist Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
(Please note above is a list of elective options, these options are subject to popularity and timetable availability)
Year 10 VCE-ATAR Access Pathway
English: 2 units
Science: 1 unit (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology)
Mathematics: 2 units. Choose either Unit 1 -2 Core Mathematics (or) Unit 1-2 Advanced Mathematics
Personal Development: 1 unit
Homeroom: daily 15 minute session, plus one extended session every Friday.
2 VCE Access units: Unit 1-2 Health & Human Development, Unit 1-2 Legal Studies, Unit 1-2 Psychology, Unit 1-2 Biology, Unit 1-2 Business Management, Unit 1-2 Food Studies, Unit 1-2 Physical Education, Unit 1 & 2 Art Creative Practice
Electives: 7 units 2D Art, 3D Art, Applied Computing, Business Management, Digital Technologies, English Literature, Food Journey, Food for the Future, Geography, Health & PE A, Health and PE B, History, Legal Studies, Performance Skills, Product Design A, Product Design B, Song Writing, Psychology, Specialist Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
(Please note above is a list of elective options, these options are subject to popularity and timetable availability)
Year 10 Double Access Pathway
English: 2 units
Science: 1 unit (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology)
Mathematics: 2 units. Choose either Unit 1 -2 Core Mathematics (or) Unit 1-2 Advanced Mathematics
Personal Development: 1 unit
Homeroom: daily 15 minute session, plus one extended session every Friday.
4 VCE Access units: Unit 1-2 Health & Human Development, Unit 1-2 Legal Studies, Unit 1-2 Psychology, Unit 1-2 Biology, Unit 1-2 Business Management, Unit 1-2 Food Studies, Unit 1-2 Physical Education, Unit 1-2 Art Creative Practice
Electives: 6 units 2D Art, 3D Art, Applied Computing, Business Management, Digital Technologies, English Literature, Food Journey, Food for the Future, Geography, Health & PE A, Health and PE B, History, Legal Studies, Performance Skills, Product Design A, Product Design B, Song Writing, Psychology, Specialist Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
(Please note above is a list of elective options, these options are subject to popularity and timetable availability)
Year 10 VCE-VM Access Pathway
English: 2 units
Science: 1 unit (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology)
Mathematics: 2 units. Choose either Unit 1 -2 Core Mathematics (or) Unit 1-2 Advanced Mathematics
Personal Development: 1 unit
Homeroom: daily 15 minute session, plus one extended session every Friday.
VCE-VM: Unit 1-2 Personal Development Skills
VCE-VM: Unit 1-2 Work Related Skills
Electives: 4 units 2D Art, 3D Art, Applied Computing, Business Management, Digital Technologies, English Literature, Food Journey, Food for the Future, Geography, Health & PE A, Health and PE B, History, Legal Studies, Performance Skills, Product Design A, Product Design B, Song Writing, Psychology, Specialist Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
(Please note above is a list of elective options, these options are subject to popularity and timetable availability)
Personal Development
All year 10 students will be required to engage in a personal development program, closely connected to the homeroom structure. The program is designed to focus on personal, social, ethical and cultural learning targeted at the development of respect, empathy, independence and community engagement. Key experiences within Personal Development include:
Respectful Relationships
Teen Mental Health First Aid
Work Experience (last week of term 4)
Volunteer Work / Community Service program
Senior certificate pathway planning
VCE Access
Students who have shown a strong commitment to their studies and a suitable level of academic achievement during year 9, can consider applying to accelerate their pathway by selecting a VCE Access subject in year 10. The VCE Access program offers a limited number of subjects to year 10 students, allowing them to join year 11 students to complete advanced studies. There are a number of considerations to be aware of, including:
Advantages of VCE Access include:
Completing a Unit 1-2 sequence in year 10 can allow exposure to 3-4 in year 11.
Allows a gradual exposure to the pressures of VCE.
Allows students to interact with and learn from older, more experienced students.
Can support the completion of additional 3-4 studies in year 12, or even a reduced workload.
Possible risks include:
Students have to sacrifice access to certain year 10 subjects - usually electives.
If students are not ready, the workload can be overwhelming and negatively impact confidence and engagement.
Year 10 programs such as work experience and camps can result in absences (although they will be approved).
VCE-VM Access
Students who demonstrate a clear and well informed intention to enter the workforce or TAFE, in year 9 may be eligible to commence a VCE-VM pathway in year 10. Our VCE-VM Access pathway provides the opportunity to meet 4 of their 16 required units early, opening up the possibility of developing a vocationally specific individual learning pathway in years 11 & 12.
Advantages of VCE-VM Access include:
Completing early mandatory units early allows for the possibility to design a specialised course structure tailored to their individual pathway in year 11 and 12
Allows gradual exposure to the VCE-VM course structure
Allows for a students the ability to experience the VCE-VM with the availability change to a traditional VCE course in Year 11
Possible risks include:
Students have less electives to choose from in year 10
If students are not ready, the workload can be overwhelming and negatively impact confidence and engagement.
Now you understand what is required, start exploring some subjects here.