Year 10  >  Common Subjects

Choosing a Mathematics course at Year 10

There are three courses of Mathematics offered at Year 10 level. General Mathematics, Mainstream Mathematics and Mathematics Extensions.

General Mathematics is provided for students who have not experienced success in their recent study of Mathematics. This course can lead to the study of VCE General Mathematics B.

Mainstream Mathematics follows on from the standard Year 9 course and provides access to IB Mathematical Studies and Mathematics (SL) as well as VCE General Mathematics B and Mathematical Methods CAS Units 1 and 2. However, past experience has shown that a very strong result in Mainstream Mathematics is needed for the successful study of Mathematical Methods CAS.

Mathematics Extensions is the best preparation for students wishing to study Mathematical Methods CAS Units 1 and 2 and IB Mathematics (SL). Students who have successfully studied Year 9 Acceleration Mathematics, Year 9 Higher Level Mathematics or those with a strong result in the standard Year 9 course, and who wish to study Mathematical Methods in Year 11, should choose this course.

Note:
1.To ensure that all students are studying a suitable course, individual performance is reviewed on a regular basis. Movement between courses is possible as Year 10 Mathematics courses are timetabled concurrently.

2. Students currently studying Year 9 Acceleration Mathematics may elect to do the Victorian Certificate of Education Mathematical Methods CAS: Units 1 and 2, IB Mathematics Standard Level or Year 10 Mathematics Extensions. A one year study of IB Standard Level Mathematics is excellent preparation for students wishing to study IB Higher Level Mathematics in Year 11 and 12.

3. Students intending to study Chemistry or Physics in Year 11 are advised that IB Mathematics and VCE Mathematical Methods, rather than IB Mathematical Studies and VCE General Mathematics B are strongly recommended.

Students unsure of their course selection should consult with their current Mathematics teacher or the Head of Senior School Mathematics and Information Technology, Ms Meredith Plaisted.

Other units

All students undertake studies in the following subjects.  Details of each can be found by clicking on their title below.

Carey students begin their VCE program in Year 10 with the compulsory study of Unit 1 of Religion and Society. International Studies Unit 2 is also available to Year 10 students as a semester based elective.

Other VCE units (undertaken at the Year 11 level) may be chosen if a student has performed well in an acceleration program or via a formal application process. It should be noted that Units 1 and 2 studies are of the quality and quantity expected at the Year 11 level academic programs.

Year 10 students wishing to apply to study an IB Anticipation subject or VCE Acceleration subject are required to submit an application which shows they have

• achieved results of an 'A' standard (or nearly so) in all Semester 1 subjects;  
• demonstrated talent in the subject area of the proposed VCE/IB subject.
• demonstrated they are well organised or motivated to succeed;