Stage 5 Electives Update

Our Year 8 students have begun the process of picking their electives for next year.

In Homeroom classes, they have been watching video clips produced by each KLA Coordinator about their elective choices and completing a workbook.

We would normally have a Stage 5 Elective Information Evening in Week 7 of the term.

However, given the current circumstances with COVID-19, the College has decided to release a Stage 5 Information Video instead.

Stage 5 Elective Information Video

In the Stage 5 Elective Information Video, Mr MacMaster, Mrs Ursino (Stage 4 Academic Care Leader) and Mr Bombardiere (Director of Studies) will present information about why Stage 5 is important, how to make good choices and the elective selection process. There will also be a short preview of each of the electives on offer for next year.

The Stage 5 Elective Information Video can be accessed via the Stage 5 Electives Digital Space (follow link) and will be available from 7.00pm on Wednesday 2 September. This is required viewing for all Year 8 students and their parents and we would encourage you to watch it with your Year 8 son.

Stage 5 Elective Selection forms will then be given to students on Thursday during Homeroom and students will have 2 weeks to submit.

Here are the electives on offer at the College for Year 9 2021:

Stage 6 Course Selection Update

Stage 6 Course Selection is all about ensuring the right students choose the right courses. Making sure that students choose courses that suit their abilities is an essential component of their success and happiness in Year 11 and Year 12.

To this end, students in Year 10 are provided with a range of opportunities to discern the best course choices for them. Year 10 students have already completed Information Workshops and interviews to help them make the best choices. They have studied the Stage 6 Course Selection Digital Space and watched KLA Coordinators provide advice about each of the courses.

At the end of Week 4, students successfully submitted their Stage 6 Course Selection Forms.

The next stage will involve course confirmation. This will involve families finding out which course will run next year and course lines. Students will then confirm the courses they have chosen.

The process should be concluded by the end of this term.

CURRICULUM OFFERINGS STAGE 4 – 6

The courses offered in Year 7 – 12 form a coherent progression and move from mandatory subjects in Stage 4 to some choices in Stage 5 and finally to predominately student choices in Stage 6.

The table below illustrates how your son progresses through different Key Learning Areas through their choices at school:

KEY LEARNING AREA

(and Coordinator)

STAGE 4

Year 7 - 8

STAGE 5

Year 9 - 10

STAGE 6

Year 11 – 12

All Subjects Mandatory

Mandatory Core Subjects & 2 Electives

Only English and Religious Education Compulsory

Religious Education

Mrs. Cathie Clarke

Director of Mission

Catholic Studies

Catholic Studies (Mandatory)

Studies of Religion 1

Studies of Religion 2

English

Mrs. Michelle Gardiner

English Coordinator

English

English (Mandatory)

English Advanced

English Standard

English Studies

English Extension 1

English Extension 2

Mathematics

Mrs. Melissa Giles

Mathematics Coordinator

Mathematics

Mathematics (Mandatory)

Pathway 5.3
Pathway 5.2
Pathway 5.1

Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Standard

Mathematics in Trades

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Extension 2

Science

Mr. David Clarke

Science Coordinator

Science

Science (Mandatory)

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Investigating Science

Science Extension

PDHPE

Mr. Gregory Bingham

PDHPE Coordinator

PDHPE

PDHPE (Mandatory)

Physical Activity & Sports Studies (Elective)

PDHPE

Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation

Fitness

HSIE – G/B

Mrs. Lucy Martin

Geography/Business Coordinator

Geography

Geography (Mandatory)

Commerce (Elective)

Business Studies

Economics

Geography

Retail Services (VET)

HSIE – H/L

Mr. James Gersbach

History/Legal Coordinator

History

History (Mandatory)

International Studies

(Elective)

Ancient History

Legal Studies

Modern History

Extension History

TAS - A

Mrs. Hayley Mahoney

Agriculture Coordinator

Mandatory Technology (Agriculture)

Agriculture (Elective)

Agriculture

Primary Industries (VET)

TAS - IA

Mr. Brendan O’Flynn

Industrial Arts Coordinator

Mandatory Technology

(Industrial Arts)

Industrial Technology – Electronics (Elective)

Industrial Technology - Engineering (Elective)

Industrial Technology – Metals (Elective)

Industrial Technology – Timber (Elective)

Graphics Technology (Elective)

Construction (VET)

Design & Technology

Engineering Studies

Industrial Technology – Metals/Multimedia/Timber

TAS – C

Miss Lydia Khoury

Computing Studies Coordinator

Information & Software Technology (Elective)

Software, Design & Development

Information Processes & Technology

Information, Digital Media and Technology (VET)

Industrial Technology Multimedia

Computing Applications

LOTE

Miss Lydia Khoury

LOTE Coordinator

Italian

Italian (Elective)

Beginners & Continuers Languages (External)

CAPA – PA

Mr. Bernard Malone Performing Arts Coordinator

Music

Music (Elective)

Drama (Elective)

Music 1

CAPA – VA

Ms. Elissa Ferenc

Visual Arts Coordinator

Visual Arts

Visual Arts (Elective)

Photographic and Digital Media (Elective)

Visual Arts

Photography, Video and Digital Imaging

Year 11 Final Examinations

In Weeks 9 – 10, Year 11 students will complete their Final Examinations. Over the next few weeks, students will be finishing units of work and preparing for these examinations during their classes. They will also be spending time during their Academic Care sessions developing their study skills.

Students will be completing the following exams:

Date

Morning Session (8.45am)

Afternoon Session (12.40pm)

1st Week of Exams (Week 9)

Monday

14 September

ENGLISH Advanced (2 hours)

ENGLISH Standard paper 1 (2 hours)

ENGLISH STUDIES (1 ½ hrs)

MUSIC I (1 hour)

SOFTWARE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT (2 hours)

Tuesday

15 September

MODERN HISTORY (2 hours)

VISUAL ARTS (1 ½ hours)

INFORMATION PROCESSES & TECHNOLOGY (2 hours)

AGRICULTURE (2 hours)

ECONOMICS (3 hours)

PHYSICS (2 hours)

INVESTIGATING SCIENCE (2 hours)

Wednesday

16 September

BIOLOGY (2 hours)

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (1 ½ hours)

TIMBER PRODUCTS
METALS

Thursday

17 September

MATHEMATICS ADVANCED (2 hours)

MATHEMATICS STANDARD (2 hours)

MATHEMATICS IN TRADES (1 hour)

Music Practical Performances (12.00 - 3.00pm)

Friday

18 September

CHEMISTRY (2 hours)

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (1 ½ hours)

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (VET) (2 hours)

RETAIL SERVICES (VET) (1 hour)

BUSINESS STUDIES (2 hours, 10 minutes)

2nd Week of Exams (Week 10)

Monday

21 September

STUDIES OF RELIGION I (1 ½ hours)

STUDIES OF RELIGION II (2 ½ hours)

CONSTRUCTION (VET) (1 ½ hours)

ENGLISH EXTENSION 1 (2 hours)

MATHEMATICS EXTENSION 1 (2 hours)

Tuesday

22 September

PDHPE (2 hours)

ANCIENT HISTORY (2 hours)

Wednesday

23 September

LEGAL STUDIES (2 hours)

SPORTS, LIFESTYLE AND RECREATION (1 hour)

Thursday

24 September

GEOGRAPHY (2 hours)

During the Final Preliminary Examinations:

all classes will be suspended, and students only need to attend school on the day of exams
all students are to attend school on Friday 25 September
morning exams will start at 8.45am and afternoon exams will start at 12.40pm.
students wear full school winter uniform to all exams
arrive at least 20 minutes before exams

Absence from an exam

If students are absent from an exam, they are to:

contact the school on the morning of the examination to leave a message for the Academic Coordinator
complete a Student Assessment Appeal Form. The form must be returned to the Student Office by the first morning of the student’s return to school. Independent (medical) evidence is necessary.

Notice for HSC Students

NESA has issued the following advice on behalf of the NSW Government:

HSC Students to Have COVID-19 Test Results Faster

Students taking the 2020 HSC exams will now have their COVID-19 test result fast tracked through pathology. They simply need to advise the nurse or doctor doing the test they are HSC students.
Results will be fast-tracked to reduce disruption to their studies and exams. NSW Health wants to reduce potential anxiety around getting tested and ensure students self-isolate at home until results are known. This will help protect the whole community.

It is important that all HSC students:

Stay 1.5m apart where possible
Wear a mask if physical distancing isn’t possible
Get tested ASAP if they have even the mildest of symptoms
Tell the clinician doing the test they are an HSC student and to mark the referral ‘Urgent - HSC student’
Stay home and self-isolate until results are known
Receive a negative test result before returning to school; showing the school a screenshot of an SMS result is sufficient
Call the contact number provided by the clinic if results are not received within 36 hours

As social young adults, senior students may be at greater risk of COVID-19 than the younger children at school. They’re also more likely to be out and about in situations which could put them at risk of COVID-19 if they don’t stay vigilant. Find the nearest testing clinic at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics.

Study Skills

… from Dr. Prue Psalter

STICKY NOTES AROUND THE HOUSE FOR EXAMS

Studying for a Test?

Place post-it notes around the house.

Keep the notes for each subject in a certain spot so in the exam you can think, Maths formulas – on the toilet door!

From the VET Desk

Mr Luke Morrissey

2019 MWLP Student Work Placement Awards