Year 9

Year 9 is traditionally one of the most challenging years for students. It requires a carefully tailored program that is both relevant and stimulating, that meets and exceeds the many demands and expectations of this year level.

The Year 9 program maintains the stability and structure gained through the study of core and elective subjects.

Core subjects at Years 9 and 10 include:

Electives

• Arts – Art, Digital Media, Drama, Music, Photograph
• Technology – Design Technology, Food Studies, Graphics, ICT, Textiles

The Year 9 curriculum is further complimented by 2 camps, designed to promote learning outside the bounds of the classroom and to allow students to gain experiences they may otherwise not obtain. The focus of these camps is co-operation, curriculum, community and celebration.

Year 10

At Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College we have designed a curriculum that allows students to explore a range of subjects related to their interests and vocational aspirations, whilst at the same time, maintaining a breadth of subjects that enable students to keep their options open. Each Year 10 student will study the compulsory subjects under the Victorian Curriculum; these are: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Health & Physical Education

Year 10 is very much a preparation for the VCE and VCE Vocational Major and our Year 10 curriculum empowers the students with the knowledge and skills to make informed and appropriate subject choices as they enter their Senior Years.

Year 10 students are able to do a VET subject or VCE subject.

Applied Learning (VET Subject)

Students can choose a VET Program as part of the Year 10 Learning Program.

This means students will be undertaking training in a specific vocational area, for example hospitality, engineering or plumbing with VCE credit built in. This training will give credit towards the satisfactory completion of the VCE or VCE Vocational Major and it will give students a nationally recognised vocational qualification. The vocational qualification will provide students with access to further training, for example at a TAFE institute, and may improve their chances of getting work when they leave school. These programs may be completed over two years or a longer period if required and generally must begin at the start of each school year.

VCE Acceleration

At Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College we are committed to assisting students manage their pathway towards achieving personal best. The College provides selected Year 10 students the opportunity to accelerate into a VCE subject within their Year 10 program and Year 11 students to accelerate into Unit 3 & 4 subjects.

The benefits of a student accelerating include:

• Gaining an early understanding of the level of rigor needed to successfully undertake VCE and Year 12 subjects
• Setting up a pathway to completing six Units 3/4 subjects as part of a VCE, which can assist in the calculation of a student’s ATAR score at the end of Year 12
• Providing access to an additional subject which interests a student and may not fit into a Year 12 program.

Work Experience

All Year 10 students undertake Work Experience in Term Two.

Work Experience provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn about an industry of interest, and can help them make more informed decisions about future careers. The College believes that it is of great value for students to build their resumes, by gaining a wide range of experiences which give them insight into the world of employment, not only in the local Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires, but also across Victoria. Students are encouraged, where possible, to organise their own placements, as the week aims to help them to gain confidence in communicating with, working with, and relating to, people outside the their normal circles of contact. The exact nature of the role within an organisation will vary, but in many instances it may be that employers offer a ‘shadowing’ role and some ‘hands on’ experience in a range of settings.