Year 10 commerce

Year 10 Commerce is an introduction to all commercial subjects - Economics, Business and Accounting, and helps you understand the financial world around you. This course is helpful but not a prerequisite, should a student wish to explore commercial subjects in the senior school.

It is a unique course that teaches financial concepts through playing an online simulation game.

Accounting, Business and Economics can be studied through to Year 13. There are a wide variety of commerce-related degrees, diplomas and certificates offered by tertiary institutions or you can simply use the skills learnt in your everyday life.

During the 10 Commerce semester you can expect to learn specific knowledge of:

• financial literacy (loans, interest rates, capital)

• accounting concepts and analysis (how to read a financial statements)

• fundamentals of marketing (the 'marketing mix')

• the decision making process

But in addition, develop transferable skills such as:

• critical thinking 

• being innovative 

• communicating - oral and written

• collaboration

• leadership

• resilience

• self-management

10 Commerce is an introduction to all future Commerce subjects- Economics, Business Studies and Accounting.

You will play a two semester online simulation game running your own clothing store as part of a group. You will be competing against other teams in your class to operate the most successful store. 

Teams will make decisions about what to sell in your store, where it will be located, how to advertise it, what price to charge etc. 

Activities will include:

• brand development (designing a logo, catch phrase, advertisements and infomercials)

• developing customer profiles from a target market

• applying for a loan

• designing a store plan layout

• reviewing market research

• calculating profit figures.

Ultimately you will be aiming to "sell" your business back to your teacher for the highest amount possible to participate in a class auction. 

During the game you will explain how your decisions have been made and it's impact on the business and keep a portfolio of learning documenting your progress. 

Be willing to participate in group and class discussions and work collaboratively. Students that achieve to the highest of their ability will do work often, and stay up to date with tasks.

You will need to enjoy critical thinking, reading, writing, role playing, problem solving and sharing ideas. Parts of the 10 Commerce course will ask you to present to the class and have an expectation of working together, collaboratively, as a group.

Assessment in the Junior School

Learning Progressions are an evaluation of student progress using various modes of learning as evidence (not just a one-off test).  They are based on the New Zealand Curriculum, and show the level at which a student is demonstrating knowledge or skills.  Our Learning Progressions Framework maps out students’ development as they move through Years 9 - 11.  

Within each subject, at the end of a phase of learning (ie. topic, unit or skill), students will be evaluated using these indicators: Emerging, Developing, Proficient, Advancing.  For more information about what these mean, please see the Year 9 - 11 section of our website. 

In addition to reviewing your portfolio of classwork, there will be two main ways you will be assessed:

• you explain a business decision your group has made and the impact on the business, and

• prepare a final report analysing your business performance (such as  include market analysis, mark up and interpretation of profitability)