Year 10 Subject List

Year 10 students study English, Mathematics, Science, History, HPE and Exploring Identities and Futures and may choose the equivalent of 5 semester subjects from the choice list below. 

English (full year compulsory): English, English as an Additional Language, English Studies, Creative Writing 

Mathematics (full year compulsory): General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods

Science (1 semester compulsory plus 1 semester elective Science)

History (1 semester compulsory)

Exploring Identities and Futures (compulsory, worth 10 Stage 1 credits)

Science (Semester 2 compulsory elective options): Animal Behaviours, Extra-terrestrial Exploration, Forensics, Psychology, Science Inquiry, Sport Science 

Global Studies (1 semester elective subjects): Dark Side of Power (Stage 1), Geography, One World: International Leadership (Stage 1)

Health and Physical Education (HPE) (1 semester compulsory options): Health and Physical Education or Healthy Lifestyle Choices 

(Elective semester options): Elective Physical Education, Health, Outdoor Education, Sports Academy (1 per semester)

Arts (elective semester or full year subjects): Dance, Drama, Filmmaking, Visual Art, Visual Design 

(1 semester elective subject): Music Experience

(elective full year subject): Music Advanced

Technologies (elective semester subjects): Advanced Manufacturing, Child Studies, Computing and Creative Industries, Food and Nutrition, Innovators Academy - STEM, Metalwork, Photography, Robotics and Electronics, Textiles, Woodwork

Languages (elective full year subjects): French Beginners, French Continuers, German Beginners, German Continuers, Japanese Beginners, Japanese Continuers

Vocational Education (VET) Programs at REC (1 semester elective subjects): Pre-Voc - Automotive Pathway, Pre-Voc - Construction Pathway, Pre-Voc - Cookery (Certificate I Hospitality), Pre-Voc - Digital Media (Game Programming Foundations), Pre-Voc - Early Childhood Education, Pre-Voc - Hairdressing

* Choice of subjects will only be offered where there are sufficient student numbers to form viable classes.

Click here to see subject pathways throughout the year levels.

Read below for course information about compulsory subjects. 

For further details about choice subjects, please navigate to the individual subject tabs above.

* MATERIALS AND SERVICES CHARGES

Each year the school prepares the curriculum budgets using the Department for Education regulations. Within these regulations some subjects incur a subject charge to cover additional costs beyond the standard curriculum delivery. Specific subject fees are detailed within this curriculum guide. Charges are reviewed annually and will be circulated to families in Term 3.

English / Length: Full Year (Compulsory)

Course Content

In Year 10 English, students select from a range of specifically designed courses aimed at preparing them effectively for their appropriate pathway in the SACE. They study 1 of the 4 courses below for the full year:

English

This course builds upon the knowledge, skills and understanding of Middle School English. During the year students extend their knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. Through the study of a range of texts, students will continue to develop their understanding of how authors and creators make meaning, as well as improve their literacy skills. 

Assessment

Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard. There will be a range of major assessment pieces that will involve writing, speaking, creating, viewing and listening. Students will demonstrate a high level of analytical skills and understanding of literature. 

Additional Details

• There may be a cost throughout the year for optional activities and opportunities that align with the Learning and Assessment Plan. 

English as an Additional Language

English as an Additional Language is designed for students for whom English is a second language or an additional language or dialect. These students have had different experiences in English and 1 or more other languages. Students who study this subject come from diverse personal, educational and cultural backgrounds. 

Assessment

Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard. There will be a range of major assessment pieces that will involve writing, speaking, creating, viewing and listening. Students will demonstrate a high level of analytical skills and understanding of literature. 

Additional Details

• English as an Additional Language is for students identified as having a non-English speaking background, meaning the main language spoken by the student at home is not English.

• There may be a cost throughout the year for optional activities and opportunities that align with the Learning and Assessment Plan. 

English Studies

The focus of this course is discussion and analysis of a range of literature, including novels, poems, plays and a range of other written and visual texts. During the year, students extend their knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating.

Assessment

Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards. There will be a range of major assessment pieces that will involve writing, speaking, creating, viewing and listening. Students will demonstrate a high level of analytical skills and understanding of literature. 

Additional Details

• A high level of achievement in Year 9 English is recommended and there is a strong focus on reading and analysis. 

• There may be a cost throughout the year for optional activities and opportunities that align with the Learning and Assessment Plan. 

Creative Writing

The focus of this course is to produce, develop and improve a number of texts, with the goal of creating 2 substantial texts during the year, 1 each semester. Students study a range of texts from authors of various backgrounds to understand influences on and stylistic features of these texts. Students will also critique and reflect on their own work and others’, to develop their analytical and collaborative abilities. 

Assessment

Students create a range of imaginative texts including 1 major piece per semester, as well as a small range of analytical activities. Tasks are designed to promote collaboration in the creative writing process, and develop grammar, vocabulary and editing skills.  

Additional Details

• Creative Writing can be studied as the compulsory English choice for the full year, but can also be studied as an elective for the full year. If you choose to study Creative Writing as an elective, select English as your compulsory English choice, and then Creative Writing for 2 of the elective choices.

• A high level of achievement in Year 9 English is recommended, as there is a strong focus on writing creative texts.

• There may be a cost throughout the year for optional activities and opportunities that align with the Learning and Assessment Plan. 

Mathematics / Length: Full Year (Compulsory)

In Year 10 Mathematics, students select from 1 of 2 specifically designed courses aimed at preparing them effectively for their appropriate pathway in the SACE. They study 1 of the courses below for the full year:

General Mathematics

Course Content

The course is designed for students seeking a General Mathematics or Mathematics for Work and Life course in Stage 1, which is suitable for most jobs. It aims to develop investigative, application and problem-solving skills. These skills are acquired by the application of maths to the solution of everyday problems. Topics include: trigonometry, equations, number and powers, coordinate geometry, money and finance, algebra, area and volume, statistics and probability.

Assessment

In class assessment, topic tests and folio tasks.

Additional Details

• Successful completion of Year 9 Mathematics is a prerequisite.

Mathematical Methods

Course Content

The course is designed for students seeking a Mathematics Methods A, B, C and/or Specialist D course in Stage 1, which has a more theoretical base. It aims to develop investigative, application and problem-solving skills. These skills are acquired by the application of maths to the solution of everyday problems. Topics include: trigonometry, equations, number and powers, coordinate geometry, money and finance, algebra, area and volume, statistics and probability.

Assessment

In class assessment, topic tests, folio tasks and 2 end of semester exams.

Additional Details

• Successful completion of Year 9 Mathematics with achievement of an A or B is a prerequisite.

Science / Length: 1 Semester (Compulsory)

Course Content

Students are required to complete 1 semester of Science and 1 semester of elective Science in Year 10.  This foundational course is designed to enhance students' scientific literacy, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills that are vital both for their future academic pathways in science and for making informed decisions in everyday life. Students will explore a variety of scientific principles and methodologies, fostering a deep understanding and appreciation of the role of science in the modern world.

Assessment

Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. There will be a range of major assessment pieces which involve science as a human endeavour, science inquiry and science knowledge. 

History / Length: 1 Semester (Compulsory)

Course Content

This course builds upon the skills developed in Years 7-9 Global Studies. During the semester students will focus on developing their understanding of the events of the 20th century which have shaped our contemporary world, including WWII and events that have shaped modern Australia.

Assessment

Students are assessed against the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. There will be a range of major assessment pieces which involve source analysis, research and report writing.

Additional Details

• There may be a cost throughout the year for optional activities and opportunities that align with the Learning and Assessment Plan.

Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) / Length: 1 Semester (Stage 1 SACE, Compulsory)

Exploring Identities and Futures supports an exploration of student’s aspirations; creating future visions that are expanded to encompass their lives beyond careers and exploring who they want to be, not just what they want to do. The subject supports students to learn more about themselves and their place in the world, and enables them to explore and deepen their sense of belonging, identity and connections to the world around them. This subject is foundational in preparing students for their SACE journey and the knowledge, skills and capabilities required to be thriving learners. As an introduction to the SACE, students will be empowered to take ownership of their future and where their pathway leads, exploring interests, work, travel and/or further learning.  

Course Content

Exploring Identities and Futures represents a shift away from viewing students as participants in learning to empowered co-designers of their own learning. Students will be responsible for exploring learning opportunities, exercising their agency and building connections with others. In this subject, students:  

• develop agency by exploring their identity, interests, strengths, skills, capabilities and/or values, and making choices about their learning 

• demonstrate self-efficacy through planning and implementing actions to develop their capabilities and connecting with future aspirations 

• apply self-regulation skills by contributing to activities to achieve goals, seeking feedback and making decisions 

• develop their communication skills through interaction, collaboration, sharing evidence of their learning progress and developing connections with others. 

 Assessment

• assessment type 1: exploring me and who I want to be  

• assessment type 2: taking action and showcasing my capabilities. 

Additional Details

• SACE Credits: 10 (Stage 1 SACE).