Year 10 Elective Subjects

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS AT YEAR 10

Year 10 DRAMA ELECTIVE

Do you dream of contributing to the exciting world of performing arts?

In this elective, students will expand their communication and collaboration skills to explore and respond creatively to drama, in a variety of performance styles. Students will have the opportunity to refine their use of playmaking skills (including brainstorming, improvisation and rehearsal) to create and present both student devised and scripted performances for audiences. Students will engage in practical workshops to develop their expressive skills (voice, movement, facial expressions) and performance skills (focus, timing, actor/audience relationship) and expand their knowledge on the use of production areas to enhance performance. They will document their playmaking process and view and evaluate student devised and professional performances. This subject is an excellent choice for students interested in pursuing pathways into VCE Performing Arts.

Proposed Subject Cost:   Drama Elective:   $50 per Semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 ENGLISH LITERATURE ELECTIVE

A critical study of literature throughout history, analysing different forms of writing and story-telling. This elective is designed as a pathway towards studying VCE Literature. Students will develop an appreciation of the aesthetic features of texts and learn how to deeply and critically analyse them. They will also create a writing folio where they can experiment and refine their own writing style in a range of challenging forms.

A broad variety of literature will be studied, with an emphasis on building skills to prepare for VCE Literature.

Proposed Subject Cost:   English Literature Elective:   $30 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 FOOD STUDIES ELECTIVE

Food Studies coursework gives students an opportunity to have hands on experience with a range of ingredients, equipment and preparation and processing techniques.  Each week students will investigate and generate ideas in single lessons and be provided the time to cook a product in double lesson. 

Master Chef: This Unit in Year 10 Food will focus on the science of food. Just like Heston Blumenthal and other famous chefs you will investigate the wonders of the kitchen and cook using your understanding of ingredients. For example, why does sugar turn into toffee when heated to a very high temperature or how do the properties of eggs allow a quiche to set. Learning about food science gives you a greater understanding of what role each ingredient plays in a recipe and therefore the knowledge to modify or create your own recipe.

Becoming an informed Foodie: This Unit in Year 10 Food will focus on food production and the environment. Topics that will be explored include farming practices and sustainability; choosing seasonal produce and ethically sound foods; developments in new technologies and feeding an increasing world population. Double lessons will involve cooking products based on these topics.

As with all year levels in Food Studies there is a focus on safety and hygiene and food preparation skills and techniques. Each lesson students receive feedback from the teacher which reflects the student’s classroom behaviour, time management, cleaning and overall quality of their product.

Proposed Subject Cost:   Food Studies Elective:  $210 per Semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 ADVANCED HEALTH & PHYSICAL  EDUCATION ELECTIVE

The Advanced Health and Physical Education elective at Year 10 provides a sound introduction to the content students will learn in the VCE subjects: 

• Physical Education 
• Health and Human Development 

The physical education component of the course will allow students an opportunity to develop and acquire an understanding of the sports science behind how the body functions and moves. Theoretical concepts will include a range of anatomical, biomechanical, physiological and skill acquisition principles. In relation to health, students will examine health and wellbeing as dynamic concepts that are influenced by various health indicators. Students will consider Australian and global contexts as they investigate variations in health status between populations at local, regional, and global levels. Practical lessons will be used to apply theory and consolidate learning.

Proposed Subject Cost:    Advanced Health & Physical Ed. Elective:   $45 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 HUMANITIES - HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY ELECTIVE

* Please note that ONE elective unit of Humanities is COMPULSORY for Year 10

This elective provides an opportunity for students to consider important questions through learning and understanding how societies are influenced by historical, geographical, economic, and social factors. The program will provide students with the opportunities to explore world events and their impact on rights and freedoms. They will apply their learning to identify and investigate an area of personal interest. Areas of study may include WWII and other conflicts, civil rights issues and the impact of globalisation in areas such as popular culture, the environment movement, migration experiences and politics. Some of the big questions that may be explore are …  

• Rights and freedoms - does everyone have them?  
• Should we accept all refugees? 
• Do we need war to achieve peace?  
• Freedom fighters or terrorists? 
• Does anyone really win a war?  
• Environmental sustainability - is it a myth? 
• Can I make a difference?  

Proposed Subject Cost: Humanities - History/Geography Elective: $35 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 HUMANITIES - BUSINESS, LEGAL AND POLITICS ELECTIVE

* Please note that ONE elective unit of Humanities is COMPULSORY for Year 10

This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills that form the foundation on which people make sound decisions - consumer, financial, business, legal and employment issues. 

• Basic principles of Economics – scarcity, demand and supply, the government’s role in managing the macro economy 
• Personal budgeting - with an emphasis on borrowing and investing students evaluate features of Australia’s political system, and identify and analyse the influences on people’s electoral choices. They compare and evaluate the key features and values of systems of government, and analyse Australia’s global roles and responsibilities.  

Proposed Subject Cost:   Humanities - Business, Legal and Politics Elective:  $45 per semester             

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 INDONESIAN ELECTIVE

If you consider yourself a global citizen, a future traveller, Asian pop-culture fanatic or just love learning languages - then Year 10 Indonesian is for you! The study of language prepares students for a world in which intercultural communication and understanding are becoming increasingly important. With Indonesia on the rise to becoming one of the largest democratic economies in the world, the Australian Government is currently re-strengthening its ties with Indonesia, it will be more important than ever we have skilled Indonesian language speakers in Australia. 

In this elective, students can expect to make more connections with Indonesian language and culture than experienced before. We plan to immerse ourselves in the ‘Indonesia in Melbourne’ experience through a city visit experiencing Indonesian foods, markets, film and pop culture that exists here in Australia. In the classroom, you will learn through texts and activities that draw on the contexts in which languages such as Indonesian are used in Australian society, including the many study and occupational fields in which a second language is useful, locally and globally. By the end of Year 10, students will have a functional level of competency in Indonesian. 

This semester-based elective will build upon the knowledge acquired from Years 7 to 9. Students’ knowledge and understanding of Indonesian structures will increase and their communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing will develop through the study of Indonesian in context.   Topics students will study include:  

• Film studies including film reviews  
• Cities. How to ask for and give directions, using current city maps, including a city scavenger hunt 
• Food and Markets. How to barter and shop in Indonesia.  
• Environmental issues, including a visit to Melbourne Zoo to follow the Indonesian trail.  

Study Tours are offered to continuing language students in Indonesian, where possible. We are awaiting department approval to resume Overseas Study Tours. 

Proposed Subject Cost:   Indonesian Elective:   $65 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 MEDIA ELECTIVE

Within an increasingly digital society, interaction with media technologies is an essential part of everyday life. Would you like to learn the skills to master media communication and creation?

Media offers students opportunities to engage with media & technology to understand, analyse and create media products. This course will explore a range of media forms including: photography, film, animation, radio, print and digital media. When exploring these forms, students will be using media technology from cameras and micro drones to studio lighting and Photoshop. Students who undertake Media will engage in the program not just as a creator but also as a critical audience member, learning about the various techniques utilised by Media creators to engage and influence audience members within different forms and genres of media. Through this course, students will improve their creative, digital communication and critical thinking skills. This course is highly beneficial for those looking to pursue VCE Media Studies.

Proposed Subject Cost:   Media Elective:   $90 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 PRODUCT DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVE

(Wood, Metal, Plastics and Jewellery)

We live in a changing world with a rapidly growing population and we have natural resources that we need to protect, so it is vital to learn how to utilise design to create environments that are healthy and sustainable. The Design Technology curriculum is one of the few opportunities that students have to develop a way of thinking that involves the need to test ideas and think outside of the square.

The skills and knowledge which students establish in Design Technology are transferrable to all walks of life. The primary skills which you will learn are the ability to think critically and creatively, to be able to brainstorm ideas and then to deliver a variety of solutions to any particular given complex design situation. Students engage in a range of practical activities during the development of a design project. The syllabus focuses on students using a variety of technologies and tools in the production of quality design projects.

Students work in three different spaces throughout the semester including the woodwork room, metal and jewellery workshop and the Design Studio.

Students are required to complete a minimum of three and a maximum five units of work which address at least three areas of design. In each of the projects, students will learn how to be creative in their thinking, planning and designing whilst developing a wide range of useful skills. Students enjoy the variety of tasks and challenging nature of design and technology, which enables them to maximise their individual talents and capabilities for life-long learning.

This is the ideal subject if you are interested in working creatively with your hands. You will learn about hand and power tools and how to use them safely and effectively, how to weld using a MIG and Oxygen/Acetylene welders, participate in practical workshops and build your own unique projects. 

Jewellery students have the option of creating beautiful jewellery in Design Technology. They develop skills in fine sawing, soldering, filing, shaping with punches, polishing and use of equipment. 

Proposed Subject Cost:  Product Design and Technology Elective: $110 per Semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 ADVANCED SCIENCE ELECTIVE

This elective will cover science skills, including critical and creative thinking across various subjects in preparation for VCE - Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Psychology. 

This elective will cover topics across Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Psychology to an advanced level in preparation for VCE studies, covering the key science skills including experimental design and the scientific posters. 

Topics covered may include the following: 

Proposed Subject Cost:   Advanced Science Elective:   $50 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 TEXTILES ELECTIVE

Are you into fashion and design?  Do you like sewing or have a good eye for what you could make out of a piece of material? Then Textiles is for you!

In this course you will be given the opportunity to design and construct your own creations both from a recycled garment and from a pattern and your choice of material. You will research a fashion designer of your choice andinvestigate their design ideas and garments and learn how to read and sew from a pattern to make a garment of your choice. Theory and practical sewing are components of this course and all lessons will be hands on using sewing machines and hand sewing techniques.

Proposed Subject Cost:   Textiles Elective:   $130 per Semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 VISUAL ARTS ELECTIVE

For the past 65,000 years art has been one of the most important means of communicating ideas and images, from Cave Art to Street Art. It defines who we are as individuals and our identity as a nation. Art is a powerful tool which encourages you to become a more aware, curious and creative person who can positively impact our world.  

In Visual Arts students create artworks based on their own personal experiences and surroundings. Themes explored provide the student with a deeper understanding of their own environment and culture and the world of art.  The course aims to encourage students to: 

• Think critically and act creatively 
• Encourage visual imagination 
• Develop practical skills in a wide range of artistic techniques and media areas such as drawing, painting, printmaking, stencilling, slip casting, ceramics, and sculpture.  

Students will keep a Visual Arts Diary in which they will document their different experiences during the art course. The Visual Arts course in Years 10 is a perfect way to lead into the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting Unit 1 & 2 study. (Formerly Studio Arts) 

*You do not have to be a great artist to elect Visual Arts; we will teach you the skills. All that you need is to be enthusiastic and open to new ideas.  

Proposed Subject Cost:   Visual Arts Elective:   $95 per Semester  

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed

Year 10 VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN ELECTIVE

In this study students learn the basis of all design – The Design Elements & Design Principles. They learn how to draw in freehand and use drawing instruments. Students use computer software and manual methods to develop designs for clients and specific target audiences. Students explore communication, industrial and environmental design, including; Architectural, Fashion and Promotional design.

Students will develop an understanding of how ideas and information can be shown visually and learn how to research and analyse examples of visual communication to inform and influence their own work. Students will also develop skills in research, using different media, materials, methods and working to a given design brief.

Proposed Subject Cost:   Visual Communication Design Elective:   $80 per semester

As an elective, this subject will only proceed if enough interest is sought and confirmed