Commerce

Course Description

Commerce prepares you for life as you develop some excellent, practical skills which can be used at home or school, or in your future career. Some of the practical skills you learn in Commerce include how to:

Be a wise consumer
Manage your own finances
Start and run a small business
Write a resume and apply for a job

Commerce is not only an interesting subject; it is genuinely beneficial for your future.

What will I learn about?

There are some core topics that must be covered and some elective topics where your teacher will have a choice in what you study.

Core topics are:

Consumer & Financial Decisions
The Economic & Business environment
Employment and work futures
Law, society and political involvement

We also have chosen elective topics like:

Investing your money
Promoting and Selling
Running a Business
Travel
Towards Independence

What will I learn to do?

Student learning in Commerce promotes critical thinking and the opportunity to participate in the community. Students learn to identify, research and evaluate options when making decisions about issues that confront consumers and business owners. They also develop research, communication and ICT skills which can be applied to a range of business, consumer and work situations.

Why should I choose Commerce?

If you watched the video, you will know that Commerce is all about giving you the confidence and skills to handle life. Whether it be purchasing cars and houses, or just the weekly shopping, you need how to look after your money – we call it being a wise consumer! We teach you how to get a job, how to earn money, invest money and spend it. We cover the things you are just expected to know about from the time you turn 18 but often don’t – insuring your car, investing your money for the next 40 years of your life, voting (democracy in action) and all about our legal system and government. We mix in some fun topics around starting a business, promoting and selling and going on a holiday for good measure.

What kind of students should do Commerce?

Students of all ability levels can choose Commerce but it suits those who take a natural interest in the way society works. If you have never been curious about the way adults do things or how you will have to fend for yourself when you leave home, then maybe you won’t be interested – but then again, maybe this is why you are EXACTLY the person who needs to do Commerce!

Is Commerce practical?

Since Commerce is all about the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the big game of “life”, it is the most practical subject you could choose.

What excursions do you go on for Commerce?

We try to take you out into the world to experience the things we talk about in the classroom, hence we have traditionally taken each Year 9 group to the Easter Show at Homebush and grounded our “Promotion and Selling” topic by going to Jamberoo Recreation Park near the end of Year 10.

What are assessments like in Commerce?

Assessments are mostly done in class time and sometimes in groups. We do not have half yearly or yearly examinations of course content. Assignments are practical affairs requiring some research into society activities e.g. court trials, new laws, setting up a business with a creative idea etc.

Will Commerce help me in Senior School?

YES! Whilst it is not compulsory, attempting Commerce in Years 9 and 10 provides you with the confidence (and knowledge) to help you launch into Business Studies, Legal Studies and Economics for your senior schooling.

Record of School Achievement

Satisfactory completion of 100 or 200 hours of study in Commerce during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement.

Student Testimonials

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