Embedded Files
Stage 5 Electives
key concepts
key concepts
Year 9 - Part of a Learning Continuum
Year 9 - Part of a Learning Continuum
Stage 4 - Welcome to High School
In Stage 4 (Years 7 - 8), students are introduced to specialised Key Learning Areas and they develop basic skills in these disciplines through engaging in a broad range of compulsory experiences.
Stage 5 - Developing Important Skills
In Stage 5 (Year 9 - 10), students continue to develop important skills in core subjects but they also have the opportunity to choose two electives in which they begin to explore specific areas of strength and interest.
There are also opportunities for further differentiation in Stage 5. Mathematics, for instance, is differentiated into three different pathways. Students also develop workplace skills in different subjects and have the opportunity to engage in Work Experience at the end of Year 10.
Stage 6 - Preparing for Further Education and Workforce
In Stage 6 (Years 11 - 12), students choose their own pathway through the HSC. Students who are aiming towards attending University complete courses aimed towards an ATAR. Students who are using Stage 6 study as a launching pad into TAFE and work, study a range of Vocational Education and Training courses that equip them with skills they will need. The only compulsory courses in Stage 6 are English and Religion (students choose their own level in each of these).
How is Year 9 different?
How is Year 9 different?
ROSA
In Year 9, students begin studying for their Record of School Achievement. This is a cumulative credential that students receive when they leave school at any time after completing Year 10 and before the HSC. The ROSA features students' Grades from all their Stage 5 subjects including their electives.
Preparing for Stage 6
While students choose their own courses in Stage 6, their choices are determined by their achievements in Years 7 - 10. If, for instance, a student works hard at Mathematics and accesses the highest level of skills in Years 9 and 10, Mathematics Advanced and Extension are available to them. The school sets Minimum expectations in a range of more challenging HSC courses.
The NSW Government has made it compulsory for all students to continue their education until they are 17 years old. Only students who have a full-time job can leave at the end of Year 10.
HSC Minimum Standards
In Year 9, students begin preparing for NSW HSC Minimum Standards Testing. Students will begin this testing in Year 10. Students will need to pass these tests in order to gain their HSC. Literacy and Numeracy skills are also essential to students' achievements in Stage 6 and are important life skills.
Representing the College
Year 9 is different because it provides students new ways to represent the College in Sporting, Co-curricular, Leadership and Academic activities. Students are encouraged to become involved in a range of social justice activities, immersions and leadership activities offered.
Awards
Students are encouraged to become involved in the new Merit award system instituted by the College as well as the broadening set of Academic and Co-curricular Awards available to students in Year 9.
Workplace Preparation
Particularly in elective courses but also in the PDHPE syllabus, students develop workplace skills that are vital for finding part-time jobs and forging their future careers. The College also has a voluntary Work Experience Program that will function at the end of Year 10. Students are encouraged to meet with our Head of Transition and Careers.
High Expectations
In Year 9, there will be higher expectations placed on students. Assessments and Examinations will become more rigorous and there are expectations about completion of work. In order to progress into Year 11 the NSW Government expects students to demonstrate diligence in their coursework and satisfactory attendance patterns.
Attendance & Assessment Tasks
If a student will be absent for an extended period of time, they will need Principal's Approval.
If a student is away for an assessment task, they need to submit medical documentation to their subject teacher (Year 9). They will need to complete a Student Assessment Form in Year 10.
Year 9 - Compulsory & Elective Courses
Year 9 - Compulsory & Elective Courses
Core development in compulsory courses
There are five compulsory areas of study in Year 9 and 10.
Catholic Studies is compulsory for all Catholic schools. Students continue to in their faith development throughout Stage 5. Their engagement in this course prepares students for Studies of Religion courses in Stage 6.
English is compulsory throughout school. In Year 9 and 10, while they study similar units, there is differentiation in students' study of English that leads to Stage 6 Advanced and Extension English for the more capable students, Standard English for the majority of students and English Studies for students focusing on Vocational Education and Training in Year 11 and 12.
Mathematics is compulsory until the end of Stage 6. In Year 9 and 10, Mathematics is differentiated into skill levels that will prepare you for different levels of Mathematics in Stage 6.
Science, History/Geography and PDHPE are also compulsory until the end of Stage 5. In these courses, students develop skills essential to their engagement in society and their achievement in Stage 6.
Choice in Elective Courses
At St Gregory's College, students will complete one 2-year (200 hour) Major Elective and two 1-year (100 hour) Minor Electives. One of these will be studied in Year 9 and the other in Year 10.
By completing these electives, students can begin developing specialised knowledge and skills in particular areas of interest and skill.
While students will have a short amount of time at the beginning of Year 9 in which to change their courses. Once this time is over, they will be expected to stay in their chosen course until the end of Year 10.
Pathways from 7 - 12
Pathways from 7 - 12
The table on the left indicates the courses offered by the College in Stages 4 (Year 7 - 8), Stage 5 (Year 9 - 10) and Stage 6 (Year 11 - 12).
While there are no electives that students must study in Year 9 - 10 that are prerequisites for courses in Year 11 - 12, having skills you developed in Year 9 and 10 does sometimes help.
There are many courses that are offered in Stage 6 and these emerge out of students' mandatory studies in Years 7 - 10.
Stage 5 is a good chance for students to develop skills across a broad range of courses and discover the courses they enjoy most.
Stage 5 Matters.
Stage 5 Matters.
The table beneath indicates some of the recommendations for different courses in Stage 6. Particularly in Mathematics, if students do not attempt particular pathways in Year 9 - 10, it will be difficult for them to attempt specific courses in Year 11 - 12.
Page updated
Report abuse