About the Electives

Electives - Making The Choice

How to make the choice? Following are some of the factors which students and parents may consider together. Please pray about the best subject options to suit your skills and interests, discuss the electives between yourselves, talk to teachers about what each subject entails and be fully informed before making your choices. Factors to consider include:

Giftedness:

A student who is particularly gifted in a certain area may choose that subject to develop the gifts God has built into him / her.

Interest and Motivation:

A student will gain most from a subject he / she enjoys and is prepared to work at. Elective subjects give a student the chance to choose subjects on this basis and develop an area of interest. Interest and motivation are the key factors in subject choice.

Call Of God:

While students at this stage are too young to be considering a call to a career or ministry, it may be important if a student feels a leading from the Lord in a certain direction to, at least, not put off options in that direction.

Further Study:

Students considering further study in a particular field after leaving school (eg. University, TAFE, etc.) may wish to choose subjects that lead toward such study. Stage 5 subjects are not pre-requisites for HSC subjects, however, study of Stage 5 Courses can set students up for a confident start in their HSC.

Remember

1. Choose ELECTIVE SUBJECTS carefully - choose subjects you will enjoy.

2. Make it your choice - not because of friends, teachers, etc.

3. Discuss the information provided carefully with parents / guardians, and contact teachers.

Please note that electives are offered subject to organisational considerations and will run according to the interests of students.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

Commerce

Commerce gives students the practical knowledge and skills to confidently navigate real-world situations. Students explore personal finance, consumer rights, business, the sharemarket, the Australian legal system, employment, and Australia's place in the global economy. Alongside this knowledge, the course builds critical thinking, research and problem-solving skills that are valuable well beyond the classroom.

Whether students are interested in pursuing business, law or economics, or simply want to feel more confident managing their own affairs, Commerce provides a relevant and practical foundation for life.

Drama

Drama is a dynamic and creative subject where students learn through performance, collaboration and hands-on experiences. Through practical workshops, performances and creative projects, students develop confidence, communication and teamwork skills while exploring storytelling, character and theatrical performance.

Drama encourages students to think imaginatively, work collaboratively and step into the shoes of different characters and perspectives. Students learn to create, perform and respond to dramatic works while developing skills in acting, directing, improvisation and production. The course provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively, build resilience and confidence, and engage with contemporary and theatrical styles in a fun and supportive environment.

Food Technology

The study of Food Technology provides students with a broad knowledge of food properties, processing, preparation, nutritional considerations and consumption patterns. It addresses the importance of hygiene, safe working practices and legislation in relation to the production of food. Students develop food-specific skills, which can be applied in a range of contexts enabling students to produce quality food products.

The major emphasis of the Food Technology syllabus is on students exploring food-related issues through a range of practical experiences, allowing them to make informed and appropriate choices with regard to food. Students develop the ability and confidence to design, produce and evaluate solutions to situations involving food. They learn about Work Health and Safety issues, and learn to select and use appropriate ingredients, methods and equipment safely and competently.

Industrial Technology: Timber

The Industrial Technology courses develops a student's ability for innovative and creative thought through the planning and development of design projects related to real-life needs and situations.

Students identify needs and opportunities, research and investigate existing solutions, analyse data and information, generate, justify and evaluate ideas, and experiment with tools, materials and techniques to manage and develop design projects. Through the development of their design projects and the analysis of the design work of others, students reflect on the impact of design on society and the environment.

The Stage 5 Industrial Technology syllabus builds upon the knowledge, skills and experiences developed in mandatory technology education of Year 7 and 8.

Computing Technology

Studying Computing Technology 7–10 enables students to develop skills in the specific application of computing technologies and to develop digital solutions applicable to a range of industrial, commercial and recreational contexts.

Computing Technology 7–10 focuses on computational, design and systems thinking. It also develops data analysis and programming (coding) skills. The knowledge and skills developed in the course enable students to contribute to an increasingly technology-focused world.

When studying Computing Technology 7–10, students have opportunities to develop skills in analysing data, designing for user experience, connecting people and systems, developing websites and apps, building mechatronic systems, and creating simulations or games. Students use hardware and software to manage and secure data. They also investigate the social, ethical and legal responsibilities of using data as creators of digital solutions while considering privacy and cybersecurity principles.

Industrial Technology: Engineering

The study of Industrial Technology provides students with opportunities to engage in a diverse range of creative and practical experiences using a variety of technologies widely available in industrial and domestic settings. This includes study in the focus areas of engineering

They develop knowledge and understanding of materials and processes. Related knowledge and skills are developed through a specialised approach to the tools, materials, equipment and techniques employed in the planning, development, construction and evaluation of quality practical projects and processes. Critical thinking skills are developed through engagement with creative practical problem-solving activities.

Music

The Year 9 and 10 Music course is designed to develop students’ understanding and appreciation of music through a wide range of practical and creative musical experiences. Students build skills in performance, composition and listening while exploring a variety of musical styles and genres.

The course also develops students’ ability to read, analyse and perform music, reinforcing key music theory concepts and encouraging students to further develop performance skills on an instrument or voice of their choice. Elective Music provides excellent preparation for students considering Music study at HSC level.

Students are also encouraged to participate in private music tuition and extracurricular musical opportunities where available, although this is not essential for the course.

Physical Activity & Sports Studies

This is a Board Developed Course aimed at giving students opportunities to participate in a range of sports as well as gain an understanding of the principles behind sports and exercise.

Physical Activity and Sports Studies aims to enhance students’ capacity to participate effectively in physical activity and sport, leading to improved quality of life for themselves and others.

Students engage in a wide range of physical activities in order to develop key understandings about how and why we move and how to enhance quality and enjoyment of movement.

Physical Activity & Sports Studies (PASS) will consist of 2 periods of practical and 2 periods of theory per week. Students who choose PASS in Yr 9 and Yr 10 will be at an advantage when studying the PDHPE course in Yrs 11 and 12.

As part of the practical component of this course, students will participate in a variety of sports such as: archery, badminton, in-line hockey, kayaking, golf and tennis.

Photographic & Digital Media

Photographic and Digital Media provides opportunities for students to enjoy making and studying a range of photographic and digital media works.

It enables students to represent their ideas and interests about the world, to engage in contemporary forms of communication and understand and write about their contemporary world.

Photographic and Digital Media enables students to investigate new technologies, cultural identity and the evolution of photography and digital media into the 21st century. Students are provided with opportunities to make and study photographic and digital media works in greater depth and breadth then through the Visual Arts elective course.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts as an elective subject can be very rewarding for both those who have a general interest in art as well as those who are artistically gifted.

The Visual Arts course consists of planned learning experiences where students make artworks inspired and informed by art from varying movements in Australia and the wider world. Students will experience a wide variety of media, working in both 2 and 3 dimensions, drawing on diverse themes and sources for subject matter.

Excursions beyond the classroom are essential for broadening the scope of students’ direct visual responses. The outcomes for Visual Arts are based on students learning through practical experience.

Textiles Technology

The study of Textiles Technology provides students with knowledge of the properties, performance and uses of textiles. They explore fabrics, yarns, fibres and colouration. Students examine the historical, cultural and contemporary perspectives on textile design and develop an appreciation of the factors affecting them as textile consumers.

Students investigate the work of textile designers and make judgements about the appropriateness of design ideas, the selection of materials and tools, and the quality of textile items.

Textile projects give students the opportunity to be creative, independent learners and to explore functional and aesthetic aspects of textiles.

Agricultural Technology

The study of Agricultural Technology provides students with opportunities to experience aspects of an agricultural lifestyle through direct contact with plants and animals. The study of a variety of enterprises allows students to make responsible decisions about the appropriate use of agricultural technologies.

Students explore career opportunities in agriculture and related service industries and investigate the viability of Australian agriculture through management of issues relating to the sustainability of agricultural systems, as well as the relationships between production, processing and consumption.

Distance Education Electives:

Subjects such as French, Italian, Japanese and any other subject offered by the Distance Education Unit will also be available to students.

Please note, students are only allowed to choose One (1) Distance Education Elective.

Approval to study via Distance Education is subject to the Principal’s permission.

Distance Education incurs an additional cost to enrol in the Southern Cross School Of Distance Education (Typically Apx $300 per year)

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VET Courses

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses contribute to the broad education of students. They have the capacity to engage and challenge students to maximise their individual talents and capabilities for further education and training and lifelong learning.

Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school or through TAFE NSW or other training providers.

Students in Years 9 and 10 may access VET courses through two curriculum pathways:

Stage 5 VET Board Endorsed courses

Early commencement of Stage 6 VET courses.

VET courses incur an additional cost to families and operate offsite.

To register your interest email michellea@sccollege.nsw.edu.au

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