Process for Subject Selections

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

This coming week we commence our subject selection process for the 2021 academic year. This can be quite an anxious time for some students and families and we continue our endeavours to ensure our students are as fully informed as possible about their options. We strongly advise students and families to carefully read the Curriculum Handbooks that will be distributed to students and to contact the relevant staff, as listed below, so that together we can assist students in making the best possible decision about their choice of subjects for next year.

Subject Selection Timeline (see details below)

Students currently in Years 9 – 11: 21st July to 19th August 2020

Students currently in Years 7 and 8: 18th August to 1st September 2020

Subject Selection Process (see details below)

Each student will receive a Curriculum Handbook which will be distributed at school during Homeroom.
Students will attend subject information sessions as outlined below.
Students must submit their subject preferences online by the due date, according to the instructions detailed in the email each student will receive.

Process of timetabling

To facilitate our curriculum planning for next year’s subjects, it is important that the deadline for the online submission of subject selection is adhered to by students.
Once we receive the subject preferences from students, the choices listed by students are entered into the timetable programme.
We then use this information to decide on the number and type of subjects that will be running in 2021. In effect, this means that the subject units that Trinity College offers in 2021 are determined by student choices.
Once the demand for subjects has been ascertained, the timetable for 2021 is constructed.
This is the reason that it is imperative that students complete their subject selections online by the due date and that students make the best possible decisions about which subjects they wish to study.
Students will have further opportunities to change their choices later in term 4, once the timetable for 2021 has been finalised.

Whilst we attempt to offer as broad a choice of subjects as possible for students, we also acknowledge that some students may not always get their preferred subject choices. This may be because of the low number of students choosing that subject or due to clashes of students’ choices on the timetable. Our timetable system works to minimise clashes, but unfortunately, they still can occur. We endeavour to ensure that students receive as many of their chosen options but it is not always possible for students to get the exact subjects they have chosen.

Should students have any queries about their subject selections they are advised to contact any relevant staff member. Key points of contact include

Queries about completing the online subject selection process: Mr Sean James (Timetabler)
Career options, VET and School-based apprenticeships: Mrs Julie Demasi (Careers Officer and VET Coordinator)
VCAL: Miss Pam Scott (VCAL Co-coordinator)
Subject content of units: Learning Area Facilitators and subject teachers
Project Based Learning: Mr Pat Seal and Ms Libby Ryan
Overall selection of subjects: Ms Libby Ryan (Director of Learning), Mr Joe McCracken (Pathways), Mrs Cheryl Pefanis (Deputy Principal), as well as homeroom teachers, subject teachers and Year Level Co-ordinators

Please contact Reception staff who will direct you to the relevant staff member. We trust that our team at Trinity College can be of great assistance to you as your child follows the process of subject selections for 2021.

Mrs Cheryl Pefanis

Deputy Principal

SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS

YEAR 7

Year 7 students will receive their Curriculum Handbook on Tuesday, 18th Aug.

Subject Information Sessions

On Tuesday, 18th August, Year 7 students will attend a Subject Information session during Lesson 1.
Students will receive information about completing their subject selections online. A video detailing this process will also be released on our website on this day.
Students will receive an email with their log-on names and passwords after the subject information session.
Year 7 students that have any queries about which subjects to select are advised to contact Mrs Pefanis or Ms Ryan.
By midnight on Tuesday, 1st September, Year 7 students need to have completed their 2021 subject selections online. Students must print a final copy of their selections, ensure that the sheet is signed by a parent/carer and return the sheet to their homeroom teacher.

YEAR 8

Year 8 students will receive their Curriculum Handbook on Tuesday, 18th Aug.

Subject Information Sessions

On Tuesday, 18th August, Year 8 students will attend a Subject Information Session during Lesson 2.
Students will receive information about completing their subject selections online. A video detailing this process will also be released on our website on this day.
Students will receive an email with their log-on names and passwords after this information session.
A video explaining the Project Based Learning programme will be released on this day, for viewing by families and students.
Year 8 students that have any queries about which subjects to select are advised to contact Ms Ryan and Mr Seal
By midnight on Tuesday, 1st September, Year 8 students need to have completed their 2021 subject selections online. Students must print a final copy of their selections, ensure that the sheet is signed by a parent/carer and return the sheet to their homeroom teacher.

YEAR 9

Year 9 students will receive their Curriculum Handbook on Tuesday, 21st July.

Senior Students Information Video

Year 9 students that are interested in studying an accelerated VCE or a VET unit in 2021 should view the Senior Pathways Information Presentation. A link to this presentation will be located on our website, released on the evening of Tuesday, 21st July.

Subject Information Sessions

On Wednesday, 22nd July, Year 9 students will attend a Subject Information Session:

During lesson 2, Year 9 students will be given a general introduction about the process of subject selection as well as further information about accessing an advanced VCE/VET subject.
Year 9 students can also access a video which will provide a general overview of the various VCE/VET subjects on offer at Trinity College. The link to this video will be available on our website after Wednesday, 22nd July.
The process of completing their subject selections online can also be accessed by students via a link on our website. Students will receive an email with their log-on names and passwords after this information session.
Year 9 students that have any queries about which subjects to select are advised to contact Ms Ryan.
By midnight on Wednesday, 19th August, Year 9 students need to have completed their 2021 subject selections online. Students must print a final copy of their selections, ensure that the sheet is signed by a parent/carer and must return the sheet to their homeroom teacher.

Accelerated VCE and VET Units

Year 9 students have the opportunity to access one accelerated VCE or VET subject in Year 10. The academic record of students will be considered to ascertain whether such acceleration is in the best interest of the individual student.
Year 9 students that wish to access an accelerated VCE/VET subject will be informed about the process, which will entail the completion of an application form.
Ms Ryan will consult with staff about the possibility of individual students doing an accelerated course. Students will be interviewed if required and parents will be contacted should there be any queries about the application for accelerated learning.

YEAR 10

Year 10 students will receive their Curriculum Handbook on Tuesday, 21st July.

Senior Students Information Evening

Year 10 students and parents/carers should view the Senior Pathways Information Presentation. A link to this presentation will be located on our website, released on the evening of Tuesday, 21st July. This will be a specific information presentation for Year 10 students, so it is vital that students and their families are aware of the various subject offerings.

Subject Information Session

On Wednesday, 22nd July, Year 10 students will attend a Subject Information session:

During lesson 1, Year 10 students will view Subject Videos, which will provide a general overview of the various VCE/VET subjects on offer at Trinity College.

The process of completing their subject selections online can also be accessed by students via a link on our website. Students will receive an email with their log-on names and passwords after this session.

Process: 23rd July to 7th August

All Year 10 students are expected to attend an Interview with either Ms Ryan, Mrs Pefanis or with Mr McCracken. These individual interview times, as well as the process, have already been distributed to Year 10 students and their families.
Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions, parents are unable to attend these student interviews. However, families are encouraged to contact the person conducting the interview, should they have any queries about the interview
These interview times can be changed at Reception if needed.
Year 10 students must bring with them to their interview any relevant information.
After this initial interview, students may be referred to Mrs Demasi, the Careers Officer, for further consultation about VET and SBAs.
Year 10 students wishing to do VCAL in 2021 must have an interview with Miss Scott. These will be recommended at the student’s Year 10 interview.
By midnight on Wednesday, 19th August, Year 10 students need to have completed their 2021 subject selections online. Students must print a final copy of their selections, ensure that the sheet is signed by a parent/carer and must return the sheet to their homeroom teacher.

YEAR 11

Yr 11 students will receive the Curriculum Handbook on Tuesday, 21st July.

Subject Information Session

Students will attend an information session about the subject selection process on Tuesday, 21st July.

Process

The process of completing their subject selections online can also be accessed by students via a link on our website. Students will receive an email with their log-on names and passwords after these sessions.
Year 11 students wishing to seek advice on their subject selections can book interview times with Mrs Pefanis through Student Reception.
By midnight on Wednesday, 19th August, Year 11 students need to have completed their 2021 subject selections online. Students must print a final copy of their selections, ensure that the sheet is signed by a parent/carer and must return the sheet to their homeroom teacher.

SUBJECT SELECTION TIMELINE FOR 2021 ENTRY

Tues, 21st July:

Year 9 to 11 students will receive their Curriculum Handbooks during homeroom.

Tues, 21st July Lesson 2:

Year 11 students will attend a Presentation about changes to the timetable for 2021, general information about changing a VCE subject and an explanation about the online subject selection process.

Tues, 21st July Evening:

Year 9 and 10 students and families can access the Senior Pathways Information Video, with a link available on the College website. This is essential viewing for Year 10 VCE and VCAL students and their families and recommended viewing for Year 9 students wishing to choose an accelerated VCE/VET subject in Year 10.

Wed, 22nd July Lessons 1 and 2:

Year 9 and 10 students will attend VCE/VET Subject Information sessions.

26th July to 10th August:

Interviews for students in Years 9 - 11

Allocated interviews with all Year 10 students
Optional interviews for Year 9 students with Ms Ryan
Optional interviews for Year 11 students with Mrs Pefanis

Students that experience any problems with the online process must contact Mr James.

Tuesday, 14th August by midnight:

DUE DATE for students in Years 9 - 11 to complete their subject preferences online by midnight.

Students must hand a printed copy of their subject preferences (which has been signed by a parent/carer) to their Homeroom teachers. This copy of their preferences must be printed after students have completed their online preferences.

Tues, 18th August:

Students in Years 7 and 8 will receive their Curriculum Handbooks during homeroom

and will attend Subject Information Sessions during Lessons 1 and/or 2.

Tuesday, 1st September by midnight:

DUE DATE for students in Years 7 to complete their subject preferences online by midnight.