Year 10 Core Subjects
Creating Futures Together
English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities 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
Link to Victorian Curriculum:
MATHS
Students are required to choose either Foundation Mathematics, General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods.
FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS
Course Description:
This subject provides an alternative Year 10 Mathematics pathway for students who may benefit from a more supportive and applied approach to learning. It is designed for students who have found previous mathematics studies challenging and are considering a practical mathematics pathway in senior school.
Entry into this subject is based on the recommendation of the Year 9 Mathematics teacher, in consultation with students and families.
The course focuses on consolidating essential skills from Years 7 to 10 and builds confidence through hands-on, project-based learning. Students will explore how mathematics applies to everyday life, future careers, and real-world decision-making.
Assessment:
All mathematics subjects use the following forms of assessment in Year 10:
- Tests
- Projects and investigations
- Semester Examinations
Pathway:
Students who wish to undertake Foundation Mathematics in either their VCE or VCE-VM studies are strongly advised to select this course.
Special Requirement:
Participation in this is by the recommendation of their Year 9 teacher.
MATHEMATICS GENERAL
Course Description:
This course is designed to deepen students’ understanding of key mathematical concepts and processes in the areas of Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability.
General Mathematics encourages logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to make connections between mathematical ideas and other disciplines. Students will also build their skills in using technology, including CAS calculators, to support their learning.
This subject leads to Year 11 General Mathematics and will introduce students to some of the necessary Year 11 skills to ensure that students have a strong foundation moving into VCE. It is a requirement that all students have a CAS calculator for this course.
Assessment:
All mathematics subjects use the following forms of assessment in Year 10:
- Tests
- Projects and investigations
- Semester Examinations
Pathway:
Students who wish to undertake General Mathematics in VCE are strongly advised to select this course.
MATHEMATICS 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. 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.
This subject will help prepare students for Mathematical Methods or Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics in VCE and will focus on the necessary skills to go into these subjects. As a result, there is a large focus on number and algebra. It is a requirement that all students have a CAS calculator for this course as there is both a technology active and technology free component.
Assessment:
All mathematics subjects use the following forms of assessment in Year 10:
- Tests
- Projects and investigations
- Semester Examinations
Pathway:
Students who wish to undertake Mathematical Methods or Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics in VCE are strongly advised to select and undertake Mathematical Methods.
Special Requirements:
Participation in this course is dependent on performance in Year 9 Mathematics. Students may be required to undertake a selection examination.
Link to Victorian Curriculum:
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.
Year 10 Science offers General and Advanced in both Semester Units.
General
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.
Advanced
Allows students to develop stronger 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. The students will work on developing critical thinking, academic extension, challenges high performing students and keeps them engaged, especially if they have chosen an advanced VCE subject in that Science area.
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
Link to Victorian Curriculum:
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: Student study topics such 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: Students explore 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: Students will be able to explain how 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
Link to Victorian Curriculum: