10 Subject Selection

Subject Selection - Year 10

  • Students should use the Student Reflection form to assess their current performance in advance of choosing their pathway and subjects (where relevant) for the following year. Student Reflection form link
  • Students are encouraged to follow their interests/strengths in selecting a program that leads logically to their preferred future (see Pathways).
  • Students are encouraged to undertake a broad educational program if they are unsure of their specific pathway.

Program choices

There are three program choices for Year 10 students:

Program 1: mainstream Year 10 leading directly to VCE or VCE (Vocational Major)

Program 2: PreVOC leading directly to VCE (Vocational Major)

Program 3: Big Picture Learning Australia leading directly to the International Picture Learning Credential (and VCE VM certification)

 

Program 1: mainstream Year 10 leading directly to VCE

Below is a table outlining the options for Year 10 mainstream. 

All students must take English, Health/PE, Mathematics, Religious Education and one semester of Science.  Students then have five electives across the two semesters.  Students may choose any five electives from any subject area.  Please pay attention to the notes section to guide your decision making.

Year 10 Subject Descriptors

Accelerated Learning Program

The Accelerated Learning Program is open to all Year 10 students wishing to take a subject from the year level above.  Students can accelerate into a maximum of two VCE studies. There are some subjects that are not considered appropriate to accelerate except in very exceptional circumstances:

  • Languages
  • Biology, Chemistry and Physics
  • Pre-Methods/Methods/Specialist Mathematics

Students wishing to accelerate need to meet the following requirements to be accepted into, and maintain their place, in the ALP. 

  • Minimum 90% attendance
  • Achieve an aggregate score of 80%+ in their chosen subject area
  • Submit all tasks in all subjects
  • Teacher endorsement from a teacher who has taught you in a relevant subject area
  • Level 3+ in Agency in Learning Competency – the ‘self-regulated learner’.

Review

All students in the ALP will have their performance reviewed on a semester basis against the same criteria above.  Should you no longer meet these requirements, you will be removed from the program at the end of the semester and assigned to a subject from your year level.  The reason for this is because the ALP is about students excelling and if you are not, you are best to try again in the following year or choose a different subject that might suit you better.

Program 2: PreVOC leading directly to VCE (Vocational Major)

PreVOC is an applied learning program offered to Year 10 students to prepare them for a pathway that leads to the VCE (Vocational Major) or VCE (VM) or the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) which will give them a broad range of life, employment and further educational skills. Students who undertake this pathway can still undertake a selection of electives, however they are unable to complete VCE in Yr11/12 and is structured to support students to enter a VCE-VM, VPC pathway or employment.

Student must apply to enter the PreVOC class and undertake an interview with their parents and the VCE (VM) Leader and the Assistant Principal (Student Learning and Wellbeing) to ensure they are suitable candidates for the program and understand the pathway they are selecting. These application forms are available by emailing or messaging Applied Learning Leader.

There are three core components that can form part of a PreVoc program:

1. The School Based Curriculum

2. Work placement

3. VET

The core subjects offered as part of the PreVoc are Literacy, Numeracy, Ready Set Go! And VET Certificate II Active Volunteering.

Students will also complete two work experience blocks throughout the year (Term 2 and Term 3) for one week each.

Students will gain skills and experience in a range of areas which will include development of their literacy and numeracy as well as personal development skills and work-related skills. There will also be a strong focus on applied and authentic learning experiences and students will aim to develop their understanding of the world of work and employability and life-skills.

It is anticipated that after a successful year in this program students will be able to transition smoothly to either the VCE-VM or VPC. Students who apply for the PreVoc program are interviewed along with their parents/carers to make sure that this pathway is the most suitable option for their future.

A sample PreVoc Program may look as follows:

Literacy and Numeracy

In literacy and numeracy, students will develop their general skills that are applicable to real life and workplace situations. These may include but are not limited to:

Literacy – Reading, Oracy and writing for knowledge, reading and writing for self-expression, oral communication skills through a range of different methods such as letter and email writing.

Numeracy –Topics covered include money, shopping, travel, tax, using measurement, shape, numeric and graphing concepts.

Ready Set Go! (VCE Industry and Enterprise Unit 1)

This is a core PreVoc subject where students study a combination of personal development skills and work-related skills.  This unit allows students to develop and explore issues of social and civic responsibility, community building and their own ideas through projects here at school. The subject also focuses on student self-esteem and self-worth through creating opportunities for students to “step-up” and challenge themselves and accept extra responsibilities. This subject involves project work, collaboration and practical activities.
 
In addition to this, as part of this subject students complete VCE Unit 1 in Industry and Enterprise. Within this unit, students will study the following topics to prepare them for the workplace:
 
  • Workplace Participation
  • Building a Career Pathway
  • Developing Work Related Skills
  • Workplace Effectiveness

This unit can be used towards their VCE –VM or VPC units in year 11 and 12.

Within this unit, students will undertake a minimum 35hours work placement.  Work placement provides students with a valuable insight into different career pathways for their future.
 

VET Active Volunteering

Students will complete Certificate II Active Volunteering through their PreVoc studies. This nationally recognised qualification is broad in nature to provide students a wide and varied insight into the sector. Students will participate in a number of volunteering experiences in a range of local organisations. Students will be well-placed for future employment and further study and will gain valuable practical exposure to a range of duties and tasks. This exposure will aid students in finding parts of the sector they are passionate about versus roles or careers they may wish to avoid in the future.

PreVoc FAQs

Program 3: Big Picture Learning Australia leading directly to the International Big Picture Learning Credential and the VCE VM certification)

From 2026, Clonard College will offer 17 Year 10 students the opportunity to join a very different way of ‘doing’ school called Big Picture. This is an alternate learning design and experience. Big Picture video link

Contacts

If I need to know more, who should I ask? 

If you have questions about specific subjects:

Ask the relevant Learning Leader who will either answer the question or direct you to someone who can:

  • RE: Ms Liz Sullivan
  • English / Literature / Creative Writing: Ms Brianna Shannon
  • Science: Ms Sarah Normington
  • LOTE / Technology: Mr Eoghan Brownen 
  • The Arts: Ms Jo Wiltshire
  • Humanities: Mr Luke Keane
  • Mathematics: Mr Ned Holland
  • Health & PE/Outdoor Education: Ms Meg Poirier

If you have questions about Pathways:

  • VCE: Ms Lisa Bolitho
  • Applied Learning Leader: Mrs Sarah Clark
  • VET: Ms Maggie Smith
  • Careers Practitioner: Ms Steph Baulch

If you have questions about subject selection processes:

Ms Jo Ryan Assistant Principal (Learning and Wellbeing)