Year 10 Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has certainly been a busy few months for Year 10, with our students reaching an exciting point in their schooling where conversations about their senior years, future pathways and life beyond school are beginning to take centre stage.
Looking Ahead – Senior Studies and Subject Selection
One of the biggest milestones for Year 10 has been the subject selection process for Year 11. Our Subject Selection Night provided students and families with an opportunity to learn more about the courses available in Stage 6 and begin making informed decisions about the subjects and pathways that best suit each individual student.
Choosing subjects for Year 11 can feel like a big decision, and we have encouraged students to think beyond simply choosing what their friends are doing. Instead, this is an opportunity to consider their strengths, interests, future goals and the subjects in which they feel they can be successful. Whether students are considering university, TAFE, an apprenticeship, employment or are still completely unsure of what comes next, there are many different pathways available to them.
Our Year 11 students also generously gave their time to participate in a Year 10 and Year 11 forum, giving an honest student perspective on senior school life. They discussed the increased expectations of Stage 6, workload, assessment, organisation and the changes they experienced moving from Year 10 into Year 11. Hearing directly from students who have recently made this transition was a valuable opportunity for Year 10 to ask questions and gain a better understanding of what lies ahead.
Exploring Strengths and Future Pathways
Students have had several opportunities this year to explore who they are, what they are good at and where those strengths could potentially take them. Through the MyStrengths program and workshops, students were encouraged to recognise their individual strengths and consider how these can influence their choices, relationships, learning and future pathways. This complemented our broader careers focus by reminding students that there is no single definition of success and that recognising what they bring to the table is an important part of planning for the future.
Year 10 students also attended the Macarthur Careers Expo, where they were able to explore a wide variety of employment, training and further education pathways. Experiences such as these allow students to discover careers they may never have previously considered and, importantly, begin asking questions about what they need to do now to reach their future goals.
A select group of students also had the opportunity to attend the Fast Forward Program at Western Sydney University. Visiting the Kingswood campus and participating in the program gave students the chance to experience highlights from various faculties, see what further education can look like and begin viewing university as one of the many pathways available after school.
Careers Week
Careers Week was another fantastic opportunity for our students to look beyond the classroom and consider the enormous variety of possibilities available after school. Across the week, students had access to a range of industry-focused sessions covering areas including support, sport, hair and beauty, cyber and information technology, science and research, policing, hospitality, fashion design, real estate and aviation pathways.
We were also fortunate to welcome guest speakers for a Careers Panel with the entire Year 10 cohort. Students heard directly from people with different experiences and pathways into the workforce, helping to reinforce that careers do not always follow one straight line. There are many ways to build skills, gain qualifications, change direction and find an area that suits your interests and strengths.
A huge thank you to Ms Jakab and everyone involved in organising and supporting these opportunities for Year 10.
Becoming Responsible Digital Citizens
Year 10 participated in the Optus Digital Thumbprint Program, giving students an opportunity to consider an increasingly important part of their lives; their digital footprint. The program explored areas including online safety, cybersecurity, digital identity, respectful online interactions and making responsible decisions in digital spaces. As students become increasingly independent and begin thinking about employment and their futures, understanding that their online choices form part of their wider reputation is an important message to carry forward.
Leadership Through Sport
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the Year 10 students who have stepped forward to assist with the Year 8 Sporting Gala Day and the Year 7–8 Sport Inspire Day. Their willingness to take on leadership roles, assist younger students and contribute to the successful running of these events has been impressive. Opportunities like these allow our students to demonstrate leadership in a very practical way. Seeing Year 10 students encouraging younger students, taking responsibility, sharing their enthusiasm for sport and representing the school positively is something they should be very proud of.
A Reminder of Our Expectations
While there have been so many exciting opportunities for Year 10 this year, the everyday things still matter. As our students move towards the end of their junior schooling, we want to see them taking greater ownership of their learning and really making the most of the time they have left before entering their senior years.
Students are expected to arrive at school by 8:45am, in full school uniform and prepared and ready to learn. Regular attendance, punctuality, having the right equipment and bringing a positive attitude to class all make a difference. Just as importantly, we want students to make a genuine effort in every lesson, complete classwork to the best of their ability, keep track of assessment requirements and deadlines, and take pride in the work they submit.
These might seem like small habits, but they become increasingly important as students transition into Stage 6, where there is a much greater expectation of independence and personal responsibility. Year 10 is the perfect time to start building those habits now.
Part of becoming an independent learner is also knowing when to ask for help. We strongly encourage students to speak with their classroom teachers if they are unsure about a concept, need clarification about an assessment task, have fallen behind or simply need some extra support. Asking questions is part of learning, and seeking help early gives teachers the opportunity to support students before a small concern becomes a much bigger one.
For any students who have received an N-Warning, please remember that the warning is an opportunity to get things back on track. Students should read the information provided carefully, speak directly with their teacher about what needs to be completed and ask for assistance where needed. The important thing is to respond promptly, make a genuine effort to address the outstanding requirements and show that you are taking responsibility for your progress.
We also remind students that representing Mount Annan High School extends well beyond their academic work. Whether participating in sport, attending an excursion, engaging with a guest speaker, supporting younger students or simply interacting with others around the school, we expect Year 10 to demonstrate our core CREST values of Cooperate, Respect and Strive. These are not just school expectations; they are qualities that will serve our students well as they move into their senior years, the workplace and the wider community.
As we move towards the final stages of Year 10, we encourage every student to start asking themselves: What are my strengths? What do I enjoy? Where do I want to go next, and what can I do now to help myself get there?
There is absolutely no expectation that every student has their future completely mapped out at 15 or 16 years old. What we do want is for students to make the most of the opportunities available to them, ask questions, seek support, give things a genuine go and begin taking ownership of the decisions that will shape their next chapter.
We are incredibly proud of the many ways Year 10 students continue to grow, lead and contribute to the Mount Annan High School community, and we look forward to supporting them through the remainder of the year.
Ms. Gallimore & Mr Tran
Year 10 Advisors