Dear Senior Student

When choosing a program of study, you should consider courses that you enjoy and in which you have demonstrated the ability to do well.  Success at the Higher School Certificate is affected by your interest and ability.  

Education for Life

The skills/knowledge that you develop as you study for the Higher School Certificate will help you to achieve success in your future careers and further studies.  It is important to take advantage of the variety of courses on offer and to avoid specialisation too early.  Skills in communication, team participation, problem-solving and using technology are practised in a wide variety of courses.  These skills are essential for success in both further study and the workplace.  However, courses that develop the spiritual side of a person and those which develop other aspects of the person are also important.  There is more to life than work.

What am I interested in?

The courses you choose will be studied for the next two years. You will have to complete assessment tasks, sit for examinations and attend all classes. Imagine if you choose a subject that you do not presently like.  The hard tasks and the study are easier in a course that you enjoy and which motivates you.  Select courses you are genuinely interested in studying and be fully aware of the assessment demands such as major works that may be part of a course.

What are my strengths, talents and abilities?

You will want to achieve marks that reflect the effort you have put into a course.  If you find the course too difficult then you will not achieve as well as you would in a course more suited to your capabilities.  Be guided by your teachers and be realistic about your own abilities.  Choosing too many courses that require major works or courses with content that you have not been able to handle in Year 10 will not serve you well.  Whilst you need to have challenges, remember that each course requires the same attention.  If you put too many hours into a course because you cannot handle it, then your other courses will suffer. Students choosing to undertake courses that have a major work need to be fully committed to the demands of ongoing work to meet their final goal of a complete end product.

Career/ ATAR course requirements

It is important to check out the requirements for any career or tertiary course you wish to pursue after the HSC.  Many students in inappropriate courses have failed to achieve the required cut-off marks for university courses. If a course requires you to study aspects beyond your abilities, the course may not be for you.  You might need to look at widening your options and looking at associated career areas.  The world after the HSC consists of many pathways - you may choose to follow several pathways before you reach the career of your choice. For further information about careers and requirements, contact Ms Olivieri (Careers Adviser) or Mrs Grills, the VET and RTO Leader (VRL), who will be able to provide you with information about TAFE courses and other vocational areas.

Remember, all courses are equally valuable.  A successful student is one who is well-informed, chooses wisely and listens to the advice of teachers, senior students currently studying the courses and parents.

Subject Selection Protocol at Emmaus

In order to assist you to select wisely, the following dates have been set aside.  In addition to the schedule below, the Leaders of Learning and teaching staff at Emmaus are available to advise about all aspects of your subject choices.  Please access them to assist you in your decision-making.

Your subject selection for Stage 6 is one of the most important life decisions you will make.

Key Dates for Students and Parents

Term 2, Week 8 

Wednesday, 18th June

4:00 - 6:30pm

Subject Selection Information Session

Term 2, Week 10

Monday, 30 June

Subject Selection Online due, printed, parent signature and handed into student services

I encourage all students to discuss their possible courses with students who are currently studying these in Years 11 and 12, as well as Stage 6 course teachers.

Good luck in your decision making.

Mrs Else

Director of Curriculum Administration

How to make my subject choices online?

HELP AVAILABLE

Staff who can assist students in selecting Courses

After reading the course descriptions and other information in this handbook, you may have further questions. Below is a list of key people in different areas who have a special responsibility in the area of the curriculum. If they can't answer your question, they will direct you to someone who can. There are many other people you might consult with (staff, parents, friends, etc).