Senior School

Making Year 10 Count  

Article by Sarah Incani, Year 10 Leader  

Some students feel that Year 10 is an unusual year. They still remember their time in Middle School, yet also fast approaching the tail end of their schooling journey. Because of this, it is sometimes seen as a ‘holding year’ – a time before things ‘really matter’.  

However, Year 10 is one of the most important years, the foundation for VCE. 

Having success in VCE pathways begins now, when students learn how to organise their time with an increased load of homework, meeting deadlines, acting on feedback and persisting when work becomes challenging. Year 10 is where students start shifting from guided learners to independent ones. 

Across the year we often see a noticeable growth in confidence. Students begin to ask more questions, communicate more openly with teachers and take greater ownership of their learning. This develops when they are allowed to attempt difficult work and reflect on feedback. Some struggle at this stage is productive; it teaches students how to respond when learning is no longer immediate — a key skill for VCE. 

Year 10 is also an important opportunity for exploration. Providing students an avenue to try new subjects, challenge their assumptions and discover strengths they may not yet recognise. Students who use this year to explore their interests tend to make calmer and more confident decisions during subject selection because their choices are based on experience rather than guesswork. 

Parents play an important role during this transition to VCE. Highlighting some of the points discussed at the Parent Information Evening on Monday night, the most helpful support is often not solving problems for students. Instead, guiding them to plan ahead, manage deadlines and reflect on how they approached their work.  

Here are five ways that you can support your Year 10 student this year: 

1. Focus on routines, not results

    Consistent homework habits now matter more than individual grades. 

    

2. Ask about preparation 

   “How did you study?” is more helpful than “What score did you get?”

    

3. Encourage independence 

   Allow students to manage deadlines and experience natural consequences. 

    

4. Support exploration 

   Choosing subjects based on interest and curiosity leads to better long-term outcomes than choosing what appears easiest. 

    

5. Normalise challenge 

   If the subject content feels difficult at times, it can be an indicator that growth is happening. 

    

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2. Each fortnight, the College Careers Team publishes a newsletter providing students and parents with the most up-to-date career information, events and opportunities.  

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