St Mary of the Angels is pleased to present the Year 10 Course Information Hub. This is an important time as students consider pathways and interests as they move toward their senior secondary schooling.
In Year 10, we offer both the standard Year 10 curriculum, and an Applied Learning option for some students. All students, regardless of program, will study English and Mathematics as core subjects.
In the standard Year 10 program, students will also undertake core study in Religious Education, Science and Humanities for both semesters 1 and 2; and will select from three elective studies per semester.
The Applied Learning Pathway is an alternate learning opportunity for students who will likely transition to the VCE Vocational Major (VM) in Year 11. These students will spend one day per week in work placement, supported by the Program Leader and Pathways staff. Applied Learning students will engage in Religious Education studies with a community service focus, and will participate in project based learning which will encompass the study of Science and Humanities. Applied Learning students will select from two elective studies per semester.
Standard Year 10 program:
English
Mathematics
Religious Education
Science
Humanities
3 x electives per semester (may include a VCE subject)
Applied Learning Program:
English with the Year 10 cohort
Mathematics with the Year 10 cohort
2 x electives per semester with the Year 10 cohort
Religious Education (community service focus)
Project based Science and Humanities
One day per week work placement
Students in both the standard Year 10 program and the Applied Learning Pathway may apply to study either the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VM) in Year 11. Students anticipating that they will study VCE in Year 11 are not recommended to study Applied Learning in Year 10. Careful consideration should always be given to ensure adequate preparation for any future VCE studies.
All students will select their preferred pathway via the Year 10 Subject Selection platform that will be emailed to students.
Students who will participate in the standard Year 10 curriculum may be interested in exploring their options to ‘fast-track’ a VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) subject during Year 10. All of these options are described in the Course Information Hub, together with the appropriate application form that must be completed.
A list of the VCE offerings and contact teachers is available so that students can discuss possible choices with the present teachers. Some VCE Unit 1 and 2 courses are inappropriate or unavailable for Year 10 students and these have not been included. The chance to begin some VCE studies in Year 10 could be an advantage for students wishing to study a wider range of VCE subjects, or wishing to complete an extra Year 12 level subject to maximise their tertiary entrance score. The ATAR score for tertiary entrance is made up of a student’s best four scores in their Unit 3 & 4 studies plus ten percent of their next two i.e. six subjects in all. Because St Mary of the Angels students study five subjects in Year 12 this sixth subject, if required, would need to be completed in Year 11.
The offer to fast track a VCE subject will not be open to all students. It is available only to those students who are presently coping well and have demonstrated an ability to work hard and in a self-directed manner. Students would not normally fast track two VCE subjects, as these will culminate in Year 11 and not carry through to Year 12 studies. Year 9 students who wish to undertake a VCE subject next year will need to fill in the relevant application form available from the home page of the Course Information Hub and submit this seeking permission to be admitted to a VCE class. Students who decide to apply to study a VCE subject will be assisted to choose an appropriate subject.
Students may also elect to study from a range of VET options as described in the VET section of the Senior Pathways Information Hub. It is recommended that students undertake VET study during Years 11 and 12, as VET study is a mandatory requirement of the VCE Vocational Major. Students seeking permission to undertake a VET subject in Year 10 need to obtain the relevant signatures and submit the completed form which is again available from the home page of the Course Information Hub. VET subjects incur additional fees, please see the VET section of the Senior Pathways Information Hub for more information.
All students in Year 10 will select from a range of elective studies. This website contains descriptions of these elective units. Students complete 6 units over the year (3 electives each semester), or 4 units over the year for Applied Learning students. At Year 10 there are 4 x 50 minute lessons for each elective unit. Each elective runs for one semester and students are not permitted to study the same elective twice.
In addition to the other electives offered, Year 10 students may elect to study ‘Extension’ electives in English/Humanities and Maths/Science. Students might wish to pursue a keen interest in a particular subject area, reinforce skills or knowledge in key areas, have the opportunity for extension work in a favourite subject or build their confidence in subjects they wish to undertake at VCE level. These extension units are 4 x 50 minute lessons as for all other electives offered.
When students are selecting the pathway and/or electives they wish to study, they should read the unit descriptions, talk to their teachers and parents, think about what they enjoy doing and consider what kind of subjects and pathways they might complete during their senior schooling. Students are encouraged to study a broad range of electives and select units which they will enjoy and which will offer some degree of challenge. At all times, we encourage students to think about the options that will best suit their needs, abilities and work habits. Consultation with our Pathways Leaders, Ms Sherry Atkins or Ms Kirby Shelton, may also be a valuable option.
Elective units will be offered based on student choice, except where the school needs to maintain pathways into VCE subjects. In giving students more choice it is important that responsible and sensible decisions are made, especially in terms of applied learning pathways; VCE, VET, extension pathways and future career options. Staffing, facilities, resources and timetabling will also help to determine which units are finally offered.
Students should also note that places for Year 10 students in VCE or VET subjects are not guaranteed where number thresholds may be reached as priority will be given to Year 11 and 12 students in these subjects.
Students are not restricted in their elective choices although, as mentioned previously, our advice to students is to select broadly from the Curriculum Learning Areas. Students considering VET or VCE pathways are recommended not take both but choose one or the other.
Students need to consider their decisions on all the alternatives available to them and seek input from family and teachers. If you have any questions about the pathways and subject choices offered please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Learning Advisor, subject teachers or Year Level Leader.
All students will receive an email link to submit their subject selections online. Please submit your selections by the date on the Subject Selection Form. Students will also need to submit VCE or VET application forms if wishing to undertake these options by the date on the selection form.