Scotch College

Guide to Year 10 Subject Selection 2012

INTRODUCTION

During Year 10 at Scotch College boys will continue an exciting and important phase of secondary education – the middle years.  Their experiences and achievements in Years 9 and 10 will assist them in making sound decisions about what they will study in the vital VCE years and beyond.  While there continues to be a set of core studies, English, Mathematics, Science (which is composed of trimesters of Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and a combination of Christian Education, Physical Education and Health Education, there is also the opportunity to select from a range of semester length elective units.  These elective units provide an introduction, or a continuation from Year 9 studies, to areas of study that lead to VCE Units.  They allow boys to explore strengths, interests and preferences before committing to a subject in VCE.

Three elective units may be selected each semester.  It is important that boys make good use of these elective units, exploring a range of possible subject and semester combinations.  Each boy will be guided in the course selection process by his Head of House and House Tutor, who will act as a mentor on the boy’s behalf.  This process will assist each boy in his decision-making.  He will be able to obtain advice from the Course and Careers Services.  Boys may also seek information from their Class Teachers and Heads of Department.  Unlike Year 9, Languages is an elective in Year 10; studying a Language takes the place of two electives, one each semester.  However, all boys are encouraged to continue with a study of Languages for as long as possible.

The Structure of Year 10 is as follows:  Note:  The timetable is designed around a 36 period 6 day cycle.

Semester One

Maths	English	Science	CE	PE	Elective	Elective	Elective
6	5	5	2	3	5	5	5

Semester Two

Maths	English	Science	CE	PE	Elective	Elective	Elective
6	5	5	2	3	5	5	5

While boys are not expected to commit themselves to a set of VCE subjects until towards the end Year 10, they should make use of the opportunity provided by the Year 10 electives to become better informed and familiar with subjects that may develop into the focus of their VCE studies. Planning grids including Year 10 and VCE can be found at the back of this booklet.  All VCE studies at Scotch College have a Year 10 subject that leads to it.

 

The following should be taken into account when choosing a Year 10 program:

• continuing Languages - in addition to the inherent benefits of studying a language other than English, Unit 3 and 4 Languages studies attract ‘bonus’ points toward the study score
• personal interests
• academic strengths and learning styles
• tertiary and career pathways

As many of the Year 10 electives have been very popular in past years, all boys must list their selection in order of preference. Timetabling is a complicated and complex process that sometimes creates clashes and thus difficulties in meeting all the wishes of every student. Nonetheless, meeting each boy’s requests is the goal of the timetabling process at Scotch College. 

Please contact the relevant Head of House, Mr Brian Woolacott, Dean of Studies or Mr Robert McLaren, Head of Upper School if you have any queries about this guide or the process of subject selection. 

Mr R J McLaren

Head of Upper School  

rob.mclaren@scotch.vic.edu.au