Teaching & Learning – Year 10

Introduction to Year 10 Subject and Elective selections.

Key Staff

Mr Andrew Millar

Head of Curriculum

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Year 10 Curriculum

• Subjects

  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • PDHPE
  • Religious Education
  • Science

• Electives

  Plus Each Year 10 student will select two electives (subject to availability) from:

  • Agricultural Technology
  • Chinese
  • Commerce
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • Elective History
  • French
  • Graphics Technology
  • Elective History
  • Industrial Technology – Timber
  • Industrial Technology – Metal
  • Industrial Technology – Engineering
  • Computing Technology
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Music
  • Physical Activity and Sports Studies
  • Photographic and Digital Media
  • Visual Arts.

  Please note that your son must select the same electives as at his current 2025 school, unless they are NOT offered at St Joseph’s College

• Accelerated HSC Offerings

  • Business Studies (Commerce)
  • Mathematics
  • Studies of Religion 1 Unit

Important information

• What are the mandatory/compulsory subjects for Stage 5 at Joeys (Years 9 & 10)?

  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics (new syllabus implemented in 2024)
  • Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

  *Outdoor Education (Colo) – Year 9 only (4 days)*

• How many elective subjects will a student study at Joeys in Years 9 & 10?

  • At Joeys, boys study TWO intensive 200-hour elective courses across two years of study (Years 9 and 10).
  • This is equivalent to 3 lessons per week, with 6 lessons per timetable cycle (2 weeks).

  NOTE:
  There is an opportunity to study an additional elective, Think Quest, outside the timetable.

• Can a student change their elective choice in Year 9 and/or 10?

  • NO – students are required to study their electives for TWO years (‘pick and stick’). Of course there are exceptions to this rule.
  • Importantly, the boys will have the opportunity to change electives in the first 3 weeks of Term 1 2025.

• Are there prerequisites for HSC Courses?

  • The only subjects that must be studied in Years 9 and 10 in order to continue in Years 11 and 12 are the Language Continuers’ courses i.e. Chinese, Japanese, Latin and French.
  • While the content may be foundational, all other subjects can be studied (and excelled at) in Year 11 even if not selected in Years 9 and 10.

  NOTE:
  Subjects including Drama (not studied in Years 7 and 8) and Music provide clear pathways to HSC study and, therefore, it may be desirable to choose them as an elective in Years 9 and 10.

• What about the Accelerated Courses?

  • Students at Joeys can accelerate a range of subjects, including:

  1. Mathematics – sitting HSC Advanced Maths in Year 11 (one year early)
  2. Studies of Religion 1 – completing Year 11 SOR1 instead of Year 10 Religious Education
  3. Business Studies – completing Year 11 Business Studies instead of Year 10 Commerce

  NOTE:
  More information will be provided in Year 9 2026.

• What does quality subject selection 'look like'?

  • Selecting the Right Subjects for the Right Reasons.
  • Factors to consider :

  1. Expected interest in a subject
  2. Strengths as a person and learner
  3. Academic skill set and work habits
  4. The types of assessment (e.g. balance of practical versus theory; inquiry versus tests etc.)
  5. Future subjects and/or career pathways * as mentioned, not a major consideration *

** Year 10 2026 Subject Selection Presentation

Elective Subject Selection Information