MESC Senior School Handbooks

Selecting Subjects at Year 10

Selecting Subjects at Year 10

The Year 10 curriculum at Mount Eliza Secondary College is based on a core and elective program. It is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge for entry into either a VCE or VCE VM pathway.  Students in Year 10 will be exposed to the same expectations in Senior School, giving them an opportunity to experience curriculum and learning relevant to potential senior pathways. 

 

All students will study Mathematics, English, Science and Health and PE for the entire year and will participate in a CONNECT program. Students will study a Humanities subject for a minimum of one semester. Students may study a Unit 1/2 (Year 11) subject. Over the year the students will study further semester length elective subjects. This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in preparation for Years 11 and 12 across a wide variety of subject whilst providing an opportunity for students to pursue study within areas of particular interest to them. 

 

We ask students to choose carefully. Assistance in making choices can be gained from a number of areas: your mentor, the Careers Practitioner (Mrs Leanne Paterson), subject teachers, and the Year 10 and 11 coordinators are happy to provide advice.

 

When making choices students should give thought to their career aspirations and select subjects based on their own preference NOT those of their friends. If students choose a subject that they are good at and enjoy, there is a good chance of success.

 

Each unit is assessed fully during each semester. Therefore, it is essential that students keep up with their assessment tasks and submit work by the required due dates. Many practical subjects also have large written components which are compulsory.

 

The following information is a guide to subject selection.

 

1.  All students complete the CONNECT program throughout Year 10.

 

2. Students must complete the following compulsory units.

  1. ENGLISH                            Semester 1 and 2
  2. MATHEMATICS                Semester 1 and 2
  3. SCIENCE                            Semester 1 and 2
  4. HEALTH AND PE              Semester 1 and 2
  5. HUMANITIES                    Semester 1 OR 2

3. Students MUST select ONE Semester of Humanities in Year 10. Please see the section “Year 10 Elective Subjects”

 

4. Students may complete a VCE subject during Semester 1 & 2 whilst in year 10. Your course counsellor will discuss your individual circumstances regarding this option. The VCE subject could be a VET subject (students wishing to study a VET subject are highly encouraged to begin study in Year 10). During course counselling, Personal Learning Reports and Academic Results will be used to determine appropriate subject selection. 

 

The purpose of this is to:

  • provide opportunities for students to extend and challenge themselves beyond the programs offered at Year 10;
  • stimulate the ongoing development of a culture supportive of striving for excellence;
  • provide opportunities for students to increase their university entrance scores by completing a program of six studies with study scores;
  • introduce students to the demands of VCE studies.

Please refer to the description of VCE and VET subjects in the second half of this booklet.

 

The recommendation is to choose subjects which:

  • you like and are interested in;
  • you are good at; and ones where
  • you would like to further develop your skills.

Students should also think about what they would like to study in Years 11 and 12 to 

ensure that they develop the necessary skills and knowledge in these areas during Year 10.

 

a) Students may choose to expand their learning in Languages by choosing to study:

  1. a Languages Other than English elective (INDONESIAN)
    1. This elective runs for the entire year so counts as two electives.
    2. If students wish to be eligible for the VCE (Baccalaureate) one of the requirements is to complete a VCE Language at VCE Units 3 and 4. If students wish to be eligible for the VCE (Baccalaureate) they will also need to study this language throughout Years 9-11
  2.  an English elective

b) All Year 10 students are encouraged to select subjects from most, if not all of the following broad Areas of Learning:

  1. The Arts
  2. Humanities
  3. Technology
  4. Outdoor Education
  5. Science

During the counselling process the breadth of student's subject selections will be examined and adjustments made if required. 

 

School Based Apprenticeship & Traineeship (SBAT)

 

School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships are also a recognised program.

In order to participate in this program, students need to find an employer willing to participate in the scheme. The College will then assist the student and the employer to make the necessary arrangements with a registered training organisation. An additional cost is associated with the monitoring of the apprenticeship.

 

 

**Any student interested in a VET subject or an SBAT should discuss this with 

Mrs Leanne Paterson, Careers Practitioner/Pathways & VET Coordinator. 

Many of the VET courses available are listed in the VET Subjects section**