‘New’ Year 10 Structure

As the College continues to implement our Strategic Plan – Taking it to the Next Level, we have now finalised the structure for the ‘new’ Year 10 program to begin next year. This is in line with our vision for learning and teaching and represents the next stage for our current Year 9 students to be implemented in 2010.

 

Year 10 is a transition year between Year 9 and Years 11 & 12. Students will have the opportunity to explore their options within subjects that will lead to vocational or tertiary studies. It is envisaged that students will be able to experience some of the vocational options in a practical way and continue with the service opportunities from the Year 9 Footsteps program.

 

An enrichment type program will also be offered in Year 10 which will link a range of generic skills into a number of courses throughout the year to enhance the students’ learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom. This program will involve the students participating in a number of PREP Sessions (Perseverance, Reflection, Enrichment & Planning) throughout the year.

 

Students will study Core and Elective subjects with the view to exploring areas that they may be considering for Years 11 and 12. The courses will be designed to prepare students for their studies in later years.

 

 

Courses of Study
Integral to the success of the transition year will be the linkages that need to be made between Footsteps in Year 9 and the requirements and expectations of study in Years 11 & 12. It is important to ‘raise the bar’ for Year 10 students so the students realise what the expectations of senior study are – this is irrespective of the type of package being considered for Years 11 and 12.

 

To achieve this, a greater depth of study is considered to be important in ‘raising the bar’. An increase in rigour for all courses is to be incorporated to ensure the boys begin to experience first hand the expectations and the standard of work required for study in Years 11 & 12. An example of this would be to use such things as the assessment requirements for Year 11 and 12 in Year 10 courses. In addition, the two
elective subjects will be given more time than Year 9 electives in the timetable.

 

To continue with the engagement of students as they move from Year 9 to Year 10 it is important that choice is provided for the boys – this is within all core courses as well as elective subjects and in the PREP Sessions. Choice at times will be guided with students needing to
undertake a range of activities or tasks that will meet certain requirements as set out by the College or by particular subject areas.

 

PREP Sessions will be whole as well as part days scheduled at various times throughout the year. These will involve students participating in a range of workshops and activities in which they will undertake the development of a range of generic skills pertinent to their needs in specific subjects. PREP Sessions will also be planned to incorporate activities such as: community service, excursions and time for reflection.
All students will study the following courses:

Course Writing – Years 5, 6 and 10
Over the coming months we will be finalising the preparations for Year 10 next year with all of our Heads of Department now leading teams of teachers in writing new courses in all subject areas for Year 10.

 

In addition to Year 10, there is also a significant amount of working continuing with learning and teaching in the Middle Years (Years 4 – 8). Over the coming term or so we will be writing new courses for all Year 5 and 6 courses with teachers from across the College involved in various writing teams to continue with our desire to implement a continuum of learning and teaching from Year 4 through to Year 12.