Scotch College

INTRODUCTION Year 10 — 2009

During Year 10 at Scotch College students 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 and Physical Education, including Health Education, they will have the opportunity to select from a range of semester length elective units as well . These elective units provide an introduction or a continuation, from Year 9 studies, to areas of study that often lead to VCE Units . Year 10 electives allow students to explore their strengths and their preferences before committing to a subject in VCE .

Three elective units may be selected for each semester . It is important that students make good use of these elective units, exploring a range of possible subject and semester combinations . Each student will be guided in the course selection process by his House Tutor, who will act as a mentor on the student’s behalf . This process will assist each student in his decision-making . He will be able to obtain advice from not only his House Tutor but also the Head of Year and Course and Careers Services . Students may also seek information from their Class Teachers and Heads of Department .

Year 10 Curriculum Assocations

While students 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 document . All VCE studies at Scotch College have a Year 10 subject that leads to it .

Some issues that every student entering Year 10 should consider:

Continuing LOTE - in addition to the inherent benefits of studying a language other than English, Unit 3/4 LOTE studies attract ‘bonus’ points toward the study score .

Selecting Year 10 and VCE Units:

• Because of personal interest

• That maximize academic strength and learning styles

• That lead to desired tertiary and career pathways

• That prepare one for a changing global community

As many of the Year 10 electives have been very popular in past years, all students 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 student’s requests is the goal of the timetabling process at Scotch College .

Please contact Mr Geoff Wemyss, Head of Year 10 (2009) or Mr Ken Wheat, Head of Upper School if you have any queries about this guide or the process of subject selection .

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 students 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 document. All VCE studies at Scotch College have a Year 10 subject that leads to it.

Some issues that every student entering Year 10 should consider:

Continuing LOTE - in addition to the inherent benefits of studying a language other than English, Unit 3/4 LOTE studies attract ‘bonus’ points toward the study score.

Selecting Year 10 and VCE Units:

• Because of personal interest
• That maximize academic strength and learning styles
• That lead to desired tertiary and career pathways
• That prepare one for a changing global community

As many of the Year 10 electives have been very popular in past years, all students 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 student’s requests is the goal of the timetabling process at Scotch College.

Please contact Mr Geoff Weymss, Head of Year 10 (2009) or Mr Ken Wheat, Head of Upper School if you have any queries about this guide or the process of subject selection.

Mr G Weymss	Mr K N Wheat.
Head of Year 10.	Head of Upper School.
geoff.weymss@scotch.vic.edu.au	ken.wheat@scotch.vic.edu.au.