From the Director of Studies

Mrs Lucy Collett

Year 8 - Elective Choices for Year 9, 2022

Overview

Last week, Ms Heidi Anthony and I had the opportunity to talk to Year 8 about the upcoming Elective Choices for Year 9 2022. (slides from this presentation are currently available on the Year 8 Teams page)

We presented on the structure of the pattern of study in Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5) and the importance of making good decisions regarding elective choices.

In addition to their mandatory subjects, students will have the opportunity to select 3 electives from a possible 18 available subjects.

Students also had a short presentation from Mrs Serena Lewis regarding an exciting new initiative – we are introducing a new elective for 2022 called Scholars English. The design of this course is such that we are hoping to nurture the abilities of our potential Stage 6 Extension English students (years 11 and 12). English Scholars is a School-Endorsed Course which has been designed to engage and inspire those students who are passionate about English Literature. It will suit students who enjoy reading, writing and literary criticism and is specifically aimed at students who are currently performing at a high standard in their English.

There is also an opportunity for able Mathematics students to be extended through our Accelerated Maths Elective (invitation only).

The Language and Communication elective replaces Be Heard and is a literacy-based subject aimed at developing communication, innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, digital literacy and engagement with the wider world.

Selection Process and Information

Elective choices will be online this year. This replaces the face-to-face subject selection event for parents that used to run prior to 2020. Information will be shared with students and parents through an online link that will be available from the end of Week 9. The link will be emailed to students and parents.

On the online site you will find presentations from Ms Heidi Anthony, Head of Teaching and Learning and Mrs Lucy Collett, Director of Studies. Students and Parents will also have the opportunity to browse pages for each of the elective offerings. There will be links to the Curriculum Handbook pages as well as resources created by subject teachers. These resources may be in the form of videos, PowerPoints or brochures.

Please encourage your child to start talking to their current teachers, Mentors and Heads of Departments about the opportunities available next year. This is an exciting time for students as they take responsibility and make decisions for themselves that will shape their pattern of study for Stage 5 and beyond.

The online platform allows you and your child access to a plethora of information. Students will have the term break and the first 2 weeks of Term 3 to make their decisions. Elective choices will be due by Friday 23 July 2021.

The online site will also have detailed instructions on how to access the online selection form. Further information regarding the launching of the online subject information site will be forwarded to you and your child during Week 9.

Year 10 - Subject Selections for Year 11, 2022

Overview

This week, Ms Heidi Anthony, Head of Teaching and Learning will have the opportunity to talk to Year 10 about the upcoming Subject Selections for Year 11 2022. (slides from this presentation will be available on the Year 10 Teams page)

She will present on the structure of the pattern of study in Years 11 and 12 Stage 6) and the NESA rules and policies that determine the structure and assessment. Ms Anthony will also talk to the importance of choosing subjects based on interest, enjoyment and aptitude. Research shows that success is achieved with consistent effort that is more likely to occur when students study subjects they are interested in.

Selection Process and Information

Subject selections will be online this year. This replaces the face-to-face subject selection event for parents that used to run prior to 2020. Information will be shared with students and parents through an online link that will be available from the end of Week 9. The link will be emailed to students and parents.

On the online site you will find presentations from Ms Heidi Anthony, Head of Teaching and Learning and Mrs Lucy Collett, Director of Studies. Students and Parents will also have the opportunity to browse pages for each of the subject offerings. There will be links to the Curriculum Handbook pages as well as resources created by subject teachers. These resources may be in the form of videos, PowerPoints or brochures.

The online platform allows you and your child access to a plethora of information. Students will have the term break and the first 2 weeks of Term 3 to make their decisions. Subject selections will be due by Friday 23 July 2021.