Learning & Innovation

Subject Selection

Year 10 Subject Selection is upon us. On the 17th of June, Year 10 students will attend a subject selection session with Heads of Department to discuss pathways, subjects, and minimum requirements. Year 10 students are standing at a major crossroads in their schooling life: choosing their subjects for senior high school. For many students, this can feel incredibly daunting. It feels like the first major academic decision they have to make, with pressure building up about careers, university, or training pathways. As a community, our goal is to take the stress out of this process and turn it into an exciting opportunity.

One of the biggest traps students fall into during subject selection is picking a course because they think it "looks good" on a resume, or because they heard it scales well for university entry. Another common trap is simply following friends into a classroom.

The reality is much simpler: students excel in subjects they actually enjoy.

Senior school requires a significant step up in workload, independent study, and critical thinking. If a student is genuinely interested in a topic - whether it is Ancient History, Advanced Mathematics, Visual Arts or a vocational trade pathway - they are naturally more driven to do the readings, complete the projects, and push through when the content gets tough. Passion drives effort, and effort drives results.

Parents and carers: you know your child’s quirks, their resilience levels, what makes them tick, and when they are feeling overwhelmed. While the final decision ultimately rests with the student, having deep, honest conversations at the kitchen table about these choices is vital.

These discussions help map out the realistic boundaries of different pathways. If a student is aiming for a highly demanding academic load, a parent can help evaluate if they have the time-management skills to match; or how to balance it with extracurricular commitments. Conversely, if a student wants to pursue an apprenticeship or alternative training pathway, parents can offer invaluable real-world perspective and support.

If you have any questions about specific course prerequisites or pathway structures, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or the relevant head teachers.

Elevate Education: Term 2 Webinar Schedule

Through our continued partnership with Elevate Education, we are able to offer parents opportunities to attend a series of valuable webinars aimed at assisting your child through pivotal moments in their schooling. The remaining Term 2 Elevate Webinar schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday 17th June: Ask Me Anything (Live Q+A)
• Wednesday 1st July: How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress

Registration Link: https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Vince Papa

Director of Learning & Innovation