Year 10  >  Making Choices - Year 9 to Year 10

Some issues to think about

During Term 3 of Year 9 you will be asked to make subject choices which will provide the foundation for your final two years of schooling. These choices may also ultimately affect your access to tertiary courses and your career path.

It is therefore very important that you read the information contained in pathways@carey carefully, as well as make full use of the resources available to you - people, publications and information sessions -  before making your decisions.  Any combination of subjects which does not fall within the School's Subject Selection Guidelines should be discussed with a member of the Curriculum team.

As you enter Year 10 level there are some significant questions related to subject choice which you will have to consider:

• how do I choose subjects or combinations of subjects that will keep my options open for future study?
• should I study a subject at IB/VCE level and, if so, which subject is most appropriate? If selecting this option, the application to study an IB/VCE subject needs to be completed promptly and delivered to the office of the Deputy Head (Curriculum) in Middle School.
• should I continue with the study of a Language Other than English (LOTE)?
• am I leaning towards study of the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the Victorian Certificate of Education?  Which issues do I need to consider in contemplating this decision? See the IB and VCE sections in pathways@carey for detail about these alternatives.
• which pathway should I take for the final two years of schooling, and beyond?

Pathways for the final two years of schooling

The decision as to whether to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the Victorian Certificate of Education does not have to be made until well into Year 10; however you should bear in mind that - providing you meet the criteria set down, which include obtaining appropriate results at Year 9 level - an IB or VCE study taken in Year 10 can provide excellent preparation for both courses. 

Students may apply to take one IB Standard Level subject, chosen from the list below.  Students contemplating this option should make an appointment with Carey's IB Co-ordinator to discuss their proposed course of study. 

Students who are undecided about whether they will select the IB or the VCE when they are in Years 11 and 12, but who wish to study a Year 11 subject, are advised to apply for an IB subject, which is both useful preparation for the IB program, and a pathway to Units 3 and 4 in the VCE.

Please note: Undertaking an acceleration course does not suit every student in Year 10, however, as students develop skills throughout Year 10, it may be appropriate to select an acceleration VCE subject in Year 11. Students may apply in Term 3 of Year 10 to complete a Unit 3 and 4 study in Year 11 without any Unit 1 and 2 background. For further information refer to the VCE section.

Science Choices for Year 10

Most students will choose to undertake the two semester units of Year 10 Science. Other students may choose one unit of Science which will allow them to select subjects more suited to their needs.

Those students successful in applying for acceleration or anticipation in a Year 11 Science must also choose to study one semester unit of Year 10 Science. 

Students approved to study a VCE Units 1/2 Science subject may be able to study both Year 10 core Science units.

All students must carefully consult science course information for Years 10, 11 and 12. They should also consult with their science teachers and House mentors for help with their choices.