From the Director of Studies

Year 8 Elective Choices for Year 9 2023

Elective choices will be online this year. Information will be shared with students and parents through our new Learning Management System, The HUB, and will be available from the end of Term 2.  

On The HUB you will find information regarding the subject selection process from Ms Heidi Anthony, Head of Teaching and Learning and Mrs Lucy Collett, Director of Studies. Students and Parents will also have the opportunity to browse pages for each of the elective offerings. There will be links to the Curriculum Handbook pages as well as resources created by subject teachers. These resources may be in the form of videos, PowerPoints, or brochures.

Please encourage your child to start talking to their current teachers, Mentors and Heads of Departments about the opportunities available next year. This is an exciting time for students as they take responsibility and make decisions for themselves that will shape their pattern of study for Stage 5 and beyond. 

Ms Heidi Anthony and I will also be talking to Year 8 later this term about the upcoming Elective Choices for Year 9 2022. We will present on the structure of the pattern of study in Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5) and the importance of making good decisions regarding elective choices. In addition to their mandatory subjects, students will have the opportunity to select 3 electives from a large selection of available subjects.

The HUB will allow you and your child access to a plethora of information. Students will have the term break and the first two Weeks of Term 3 to make their decisions. Elective choices will be due by Friday 29 July 2022.

The HUB will also have detailed instructions on how to access the online selection form.

Further information regarding the launching of the online subject information will be forwarded to you and your child at the end of this term. 

Changes to Elective Subjects in 2023

After the successful launch of our English Scholars elective this year, we are introducing a new Mathematics Scholars elective for 2023. This will replace the current Mathematics acceleration program. The design of this course is such that we are hoping to nurture the abilities of our potential Stage 6 Extension Mathematics students (Years 11 and 12). Mathematics Scholars will be a School-Endorsed Course which has been designed as an enrichment opportunity to engage and inspire those students who are passionate about Mathematics. It will suit students who are self-motivated, curious and enjoy problem solving and critical thinking.  The program will introduce students to mathematical concepts and content that sit outside of the compulsory Stage 5 Mathematics course as well as nurture and refine the algebraic, geometric and critical thinking skills required for success at the Advanced and Extension levels in Stage 6.

Students will learn though a combination of guided discovery, project-based learning, analysis, lectures and tutorials, all with a strong focus on participation and enjoyment. Over the course of the two years, those taking the subject will also have opportunity to take part in external competitions and activities centred around mathematical thinking.

It is specifically aimed at students who are currently performing at a high standard in their mathematics but is open to all students with a love of mathematics.

The Language and Communication elective replaces Be Heard and is a literacy-based subject aimed at developing communication, innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy and engagement with the wider world.

Year 10 Subject Selections for Year 11 2023

Subject Selections will be online this year. Information will be shared with students and parents through our new Learning Management System, The HUB, and will be available from the end of Term 2.  There will also be an opportunity to meet the Heads of Department and specialist subject teachers at the Careers event later this term.

On the HUB you will find information regarding the subject selection process from Ms Heidi Anthony, Head of Teaching and Learning and Mrs Lucy Collett, Director of Studies. Students and Parents will also have the opportunity to browse pages for each of the elective offerings. There will be links to the Curriculum Handbook pages as well as resources created by subject teachers. These resources may be in the form of videos, PowerPoints, or brochures.

Please encourage your child to start talking to their current teachers, Mentors and Heads of Departments about the opportunities available next year. This is an exciting time for students as they take responsibility and make decisions for themselves that will shape their pattern of study for Stage 5 and beyond.

Ms Heidi Anthony and I will also be talking to Year 10, later this term, about the upcoming Elective Choices for Year 11 2023. We will present on the structure of the pattern of study in Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6) and the NESA rules and policies that determine the structure and assessment. We will also talk to the importance of choosing subjects based on interest, enjoyment and aptitude. Research shows that success is achieved with consistent effort that is more likely to occur when students study subjects they are interested in.

The HUB will allow you and your child access to a plethora of information. Students will have the term break and the first 2 weeks of Term 3 to make their decisions. Elective choices will be due by Friday 29 July 2022.

The HUB will also have detailed instructions on how to access the online selection form.

Further information regarding the launching of the online subject information will be forwarded to you and your child during Week 9.