Year 10 Subject Selection Video
Web Preferences
Open | Wednesday 24 July
Close | Friday 9 August
In Year 10, personal choice and responsibility for learning are greatly encouraged. This is in keeping with research that shows adolescents learn better when they feel they are involved in their own learning.
Core Subjects and Elective Options
At Year 10 you must undertake:
- Religious Education Semester 1 and 2
- English Semester 1 and 2
- Health and Physical Education Semester 1 and 2
- Mathematics Semester 1 and 2
- Two units of Science
- One unit of History
- Three semester length units of Electives (can include additional Science, History or VET electives)
Guidelines for undertaking VCE Units at Year 10:
- Students must receive endorsement to undertake VCE units. See the Year 9 Year Level Coordinator to find out more
- A maximum of two VCE Units across two subject areas is permitted in Year 10
- A single VCE unit may be undertaken in a subject area
Homerooms
All Year 10 students are in homeroom groups for the Wellbeing for Learning Program, Religious Education and Health & Physical Education.
Year 10 Program
In Year 10 the study of a Language is optional but highly recommended. Students are advised to speak directly to their Language teacher (French, Indonesian, Italian), to discuss Languages options leading into VCE and their Senior School studies. All Year 10 subjects are examined at the end of Semester 1 and 2. Students must select 3 elective units in addition to 2 Science units.
Each unit is undertaken for one semester. The number of classes for a particular subject will be determined by the level of interest among students. Thus, it is extremely important for students to select subjects they want to do. Students who change their mind after subject selection may only enter subjects that are already timetabled, and which have places available in classes.
Selection of Subjects
When choosing units, students should consider their future pathways. Students should also consider whether any particular unit:
- interests them
- will extend their knowledge
- is deemed a wise choice by parents and teachers
- involves presumed knowledge for further studies. Eg: Languages
Before making any elective choices, it is vital that students consider all the information relating to each subject. If you need help with subject combinations that would suit your interests or the pathways you are considering, have a look at the sample pathways. They are a guide only, many other combinations can be chosen. Avila College’s timetable is constructed according to students’ choices each year. A change of mind may be possible but students must be aware that a limited range of choices may be left.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Students are able to widen their horizons and gain a nationally recognised certificate by completing a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program within their Year 10 program.
Avila offers three VET courses taught on campus:
- Hospitality Certificate I and II Hospitality
- Creative Practice Certificate II
- Sport and Recreation Certificate III
Students can apply to study a VET course with an external provider, which is studied off campus and incurs an additional cost.
Go to VET study options.
VET programs are part of the VCE, VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate programs and also contribute to the completion of nationally recognised qualifications. A VET course can make a contribution to the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
For more information about VET please contact Pathways Coordinator Ms Jenny Dunn.
Assessment
Continuous monitoring of students’ learning is important for feedback purposes, lesson planning and to assist with future planning. Students undertake a variety of assessment that develops their skills and knowledge. These tasks are graded. Students are expected to keep all their work and to regularly revise in preparation for their exams. Where extended or mid-term holidays are taken, the student’s learning may be seriously disadvantaged. End of semester examinations are held for each subject in Year 10. These provide a valuable indication of a student’s suitability to accelerate into a 3 & 4 unit sequence in Year 11. Unit 3 & 4 subjects are mostly assessed by an examination so the ability to prepare for exams and complete them well is an important indicator of suitability for a Year 11 Unit 3 & 4 subject.
Examinations must be undertaken at the scheduled time to ensure the integrity of the assessment process. Where a student’s Assessment Task performance is not at or above the expected level, the opportunity to undertake acceleration in VCE may be withheld. Year 10 students who receive an ‘Ungraded’ for several Assessment Tasks may be asked to attend a formal interview with the Deputy Principal and or the Director of Learning and Teaching. Should improvement not occur based on the plan devised, then parents may be required to attend a further interview with the student. In cases where a student has not satisfactorily completed her Year 10 studies, the options for future pathways will be explored. Learning Conversation nights are an invaluable method of receiving feedback. We encourage students to attend with their parents.
Acceleration
The timetable grid for senior students (Year 10 to 12) has been aligned to provide access to genuine acceleration opportunities. At Year 10, there are several VCE subjects suitable for highly able students to select. Undertaking a VCE unit provides an excellent experience for students capable of advanced study. However, places are offered subject to the number of students interested. As a result, a VCE Unit 1 or 2 subject which was offered one year may not have the sequel run the following year, and students may have a year’s gap before they undertake it as a 3 & 4 Unit.
Acceleration Options
- Accounting 1 & 2
- Agriculture and Horticulture 1 & 2
- Applied Computing 1
- Art Creative Practice 1 & 2
- Politics 1 & 2
- Biology 1 & 2
- Business Management 1 & 2
- Theatre Studies 1 & 2
- Food Studies 1 & 2
- Geography 1 & 2
- Health & Human Development 1 & 2
- Legal Studies 1 & 2
- Mathematical Methods 1 & 2
- Modern History 1 & 2
- Music Performance 1 & 2
- Physical Education 1 & 2
- Physics 1 & 2
- Product Design and Technology 1 & 2
- Psychology 1 & 2
- Visual Communication Design 1 & 2
Highly able students, with a strong attendance record, who wish to apply for acceleration must show clear evidence of all the following criteria:
- Academic results must be 75% according to report in core areas
- Engagement in learning will also be considered
- Personal supporting statement
- Self-reflection of learning traits
Applications for acceleration open on Wednesday 24 July 2024 and close on Friday 2 August 2023. Students will be advised of the outcome by Wednesday 7 August 2024.
It is important to note:
- Priority is given to Year 11 students in Units 1 & 2 subjects and to Year 12 students in a Unit 3 & 4 sequence.
- As classes are scheduled based on the number of students selecting the subject, it is not possible to guarantee entrance to the 3 & 4 Unit in that subject in Year 11
- Overall performance in Year 9, including excellent attendance and strong work habits, is a key consideration for endorsement for acceleration into a VCE subject in Year 10.
- Entrance to a 3 & 4 Unit in Year 11 is dependent on very strong grades for assessment tasks in most subjects, particularly those closely related to the Unit 3/4 subject.
Providing for Individual Differences
Students with Additional Learning Needs (‘SWANS’) receive extra support. Support from our team of Learning Support Officers occurs in some English and Science classes, and all Foundation Maths classes. It is probable that they (the SWAN learner) are already a part of our Learning Enhancement class that replaces Language in Years 8 and 9.
In Year 10, this is structured differently, and is offered by invitation only.
Learning Enhancement; History is a semester length unit that replaces mainstream History. It follows a similar course content to that of mainstream History but is differentiated to cater for learning needs. A Learning Support Officer also supports this class.
Learning Enhancement; English is a semester length unit that replaces one unit of Science. Thus, SWAN students are able to undertake one, not two, units of Science. A Learning Support Officer also supports this class. Please note that participation in this class implies a VCE-VM or VPC pathway is to be pursued.
Learning Enhancement; Foundation Maths is a Unit 1 and 2 VCE Maths class that caters for students that have experienced challenges in Maths throughout secondary school. It is offered at Year 10 by invitation only. It is suited to those that have undertaken an academically adjusted Maths program in Years 7-9. It does not prepare students for studies in VCE Maths, and therefore implies that Maths will not be undertaken in Year 11 and 12.
Work Experience
Work experience enables students to become part of the workforce and further develop their employability skills. There is no set time for Work Experience. Students are encouraged to choose time slots that have the least impact on their studies, such as during the term break or before the summer holidays. Work experience is not possible over the summer break. The government requires students to undertake a preparation program and two online tests about Occupational Health & Safety before they are permitted to undertake Work Experience. (See Careers Teachers: Ms Jenny Dunn or Mrs Madeleine Franken). The first of these modules is undertaken during a Careers Day in Year 9.
