Wheelers Hill Secondary College - Senior School Handbook 2025

Year 10 Core Subjects 

Creating Futures Together

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Learning & Wellbeing (including Futures) are compulsory full year subjects for all students. 

ENGLISH 

All English courses aim to extend students’ competence in using language in four main areas:  reading, writing, speaking and listening. 

 

Course Description:        

Teaching methods include the use of assignments and oral discussions, as well as more structured methods designed to teach the formal skills of grammar, spelling, analysis of language used by the media, story and essay writing and comprehension.  Homework involves the completion of work set in class and extra reading.  At all times students are encouraged to respect others' opinions and to learn to cooperate in both work and social situations.  

 

Assessment:                      

This subject uses the following methods of assessment: 

  • Imaginative, reflective and descriptive writing pieces 
  • Oral presentations 
  • Analytical/Comparative essay writing

MATHS  

Students are required to choose either Maths General or Maths Methods.

Students commencing Year 10 next year may choose to take VCE Foundation Maths as an alternative to Year 10 General with teacher recommendation.    

 

MATHS GENERAL  

Course Description:         

The Victorian Curriculum: Mathematics aims to ensure that students:  

  • Are confident, creative users and communicators of mathematics, able to investigate, represent and interpret situations in their personal and work lives and as active citizens  
     
  • Develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency with processes, and can pose and solve problems and reason in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability
      
  • Recognise connections between the areas of mathematics and other disciplines and appreciate mathematics as an accessible and enjoyable discipline to study.  
     
  • Developing competency in the use of ICT skills as they apply to mathematics, particularly the use of CAS calculators.  
     
  • Students continue to strengthen their knowledge and skills in mathematics which further enables each student to study General Mathematics in VCE and beyond.   

Assessment:                       

All mathematics subjects use the following forms of assessment in Year 10:  

  • Tests  
  • Problem-solving tasks  
  • Projects and investigations  
  • Semester Examinations  

Pathway:                            

Students considering undertaking General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 should select Maths General.  

 

MATHS METHODS  

Course Description:       

While still working within the framework and aims of the Victorian Curriculum: Mathematics, this course exposes students to more advanced problem solving and analytical tasks and is an alternative to Math General. The course is suited to students who have a strong appreciation and understanding of mathematics and would like to pursue advanced or multiple mathematics subjects in VCE.   

 

Assessment:                       

All mathematics subjects use the following forms of assessment in Year 10:  

  • Tests  
  • Problem-solving tasks  
  • Projects and investigations  
  • Semester Examinations  

Pathway:                             

Students who wish to undertake Mathematical Methods and/or Specialist Mathematics in VCE are strongly advised to select and undertake Maths Methods.   

 

Special requirements:    

Participation in this course is dependent on performance in Year 9 Mathematics. Students may be required to undertake a selection examination.  

SCIENCE  

Course Description:        

Year 10 Science gives students the opportunity to further develop their scientific skills in predicting outcomes, testing ideas, solving problems, thinking critically and developing evidence-based conclusions.  Students learn about global concepts and processes in Biology, Psychology, Chemistry and Physics. They develop practices to learn about scientific knowledge, as well as an understanding of Science’s contribution to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives.  

 

Year 10 Science is delivered as two semester length units with one focusing on aspects of Biology and Psychology and the other Physics and Chemistry. This allows students to develop scientific awareness and skills necessary to participate actively in everyday life, as well as exposing them to the key sciences studied at VCE. These units may be undertaken concurrently or sequentially. 

 

Assessment:                     

All Science courses use the following methods of assessment: 

  • Extended experimental investigation presented as a scientific poster. 
  • Practical experiments and write-ups 
  • Research assignments 
  • Topic tests 
  • Semester examinations  

HUMANITIES  

Course Description: 

The Humanities in Years 10 covers the following areas of study: Geography, History, Economics/ Business, and Civics and Legal Studies.  

Geography: Students consider changes in the characteristics of places and the implications of these. They consider significant spatial distributions and patterns and evaluate their implications, and consider interconnections between and within places and changes resulting from these, over time and at different scales. This further develops their understanding of geographical concepts, including place, space and interconnection. 

 

History will study such topics as: World War Two and the significance of the Holocaust, gaining an overview of other significant events in the 21st century, and investigating ideals attitudes and cultural perspectives of people living through these events. The study of history also provides opportunities to develop transferable skills of empathy, critical and creative thinking such as the ability to explore questions, imagine possibilities and construct arguments. 

 

Economics/ Business explores the ways individuals, families, the community, businesses and governments make decisions in relation to the allocation of resources. It aims to enable students to understand the process of economic and business decision-making and its effects on themselves and others, now and in the future. 

 

Civics and Legal Studies is essential in enabling students to become active and informed citizens who participate in and sustain Australia’s democracy. Through the study of civics and Legal Studies students investigate political and legal systems, and explore the nature of citizenship, diversity and identity in contemporary Australian society. 

 

Assessment:             

Humanities uses the following methods of assessment: 

  • Source analysis 
  • Essay writing 
  • Topis tests 
  • Research assignments 
  • Written reports 
  • Oral presentations 
  • Examinations   

LEARNING & WELLBEING (including Futures)  

Course Description:       

This course will be studied by all Year 10 students for the whole year. The topics covered will examine the nature of the Australian workforce and a range of post-school options related to career choice. The course will also provide training in a variety of areas including exploring and analysing interest areas, courses and careers, goal setting, time management and developing healthy relationships with peers and adults. 

 

During the year, students can undertake a work experience placement, Industry visits and the opportunity to work in the community on a voluntary basis. They research work-related practices throughout this unit. 

 

Assessment:                      

This subject uses the following methods of assessment: 

  • Goal Setting 
  • Career Portfolio 
  • Occupational Health and Safety Certificates 
  • Class Presentations