Year 10

Year 10 at Carey is the first of three years in our well established and highly regarded Senior School. Students build on the experiences and learning they have gained in the Middle School, and prepare themselves for their graduating qualification, either the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or the Victorian Certificate of Education. In the same way as the focus in Middle School was to support students as they become increasingly independent learners, teachers assist students to be reflective both about what they learn, and how they go about learning. Again, as they did in Middle School, Year 10 students make substantial use of their notebook computers as tools for learning. 'Real world learning' continues, in the form of excursions, Outdoor Education, Service and enrichment activities.

Whilst there are many similarities with their Middle School experience, there are a number of differences in the ways students learn and are assessed in Senior School. Year 10 students undertake formal examinations in June and November; they all undertake a VCE study; they have an opportunity to create unique course pathways that span a number of year levels and may encompass either VCE or IB subjects.

Students who wish to undertake studies out of their year level must either be studying an acceleration unit in Year 9, which continues into Year 10, or apply to do an IB or VCE study, for which they must satisfy a number of criteria, including:

Have achieved results of an 'A' standard in all semester one subjects
Demonstrate they are well organised and motivated to succeed
Demonstrate strengths in the subject area of the proposed Year 11 subject

See the VCE Acceleration/IB Anticipation page for further details and the application form.

Year 10 at Carey is structured to allow for a range of courses to be undertaken. In essence, there are

Common subjects, undertaken by all students. Further information about these studies can be found on the Common Subjects page
The opportunity to undertake year-long electives, such as LOTEs, and IB/VCE subjects. Further information about these studies can be found on the Year-Long Electives page and the VCE Acceleration/IB Anticipation page
Semester length elective units, which are all at Year 10 level. How many of these units a student undertakes is dependent upon the number, if any, of year-long studies undertaken by the student. Further information about these units can be found on the Semester Electives page

As you read these Year 10 unit descriptions, you will notice the inclusion of essential questions. Carey teachers frame their planning and development of courses using essential questions. These questions help to ensure that our students are challenged to explore the deeper issues and concepts underlying the subjects that we teach.