1. The basis for selecting courses

It is important that course selection is made on the basis of preferred post-school destinations and possible future careers. However, selection should be realistic, and in keeping with a student’s academic ability.

Academic Ability

In order to achieve success in many senior school courses, students need to have demonstrated an appropriate degree of academic ability and achievement in Year 10 courses. Without this background, students invariably have difficulty with the course content in Years 11 and 12. It is essential to take note of the numerical IB MYP grades stated as recommended minimum levels of achievement in Year 10 courses at the beginning of each course outline.

Interests

The range of courses offered at the College gives students the opportunity to pursue their particular interests at levels appropriate to their ability.

Teacher Recommendations

Students and parents should seek advice from teachers when selecting courses for either Year 11 or Year 12.

Teacher recommendation is a very good indication of likely success in Year 11 and 12.

Future Intentions

Essentially a student’s course selection will be determined by their academic ability and their post-school ambitions. If achieving a suitable ATAR for university entrance is the preferred goal, a selection of ATAR courses would be appropriate for Year 11. If another pathway, such as TAFE entry, an apprenticeship or direct entry to employment, is the goal then a selection of General courses, certificate courses or endorsed programs would be appropriate.

Students, whether planning to seek early employment, employment after leaving school or to continue with further tertiary studies (TAFE, tertiary or other) should choose courses that will maximise their options for the future. Students should also be aware that many TAFE qualifications can lead to university entry with advanced standing (i.e. an ATAR is not the only avenue to university entrance).

2. Breadth of study

The WACE breadth-of-study requirement is that students must complete at least 20 course units or the equivalent. This requirement must include at least:

• a minimum of ten Year 12 units or the equivalent
• two completed Year 11 English units and one pair of completed Year 12 English units from an English course
• one pair of Year 12 units from each of List A (Arts/English/Languages/Social Science) and List B (Mathematics/Science/Technology).

3. Course selection process and timeline

Course selection is a process that takes some time to complete effectively. The key stages in this process are outlined below.

Before submission of the Course Selection Form

• A mid-year report showing Year 10 achievement will be posted home in Summer term.
• Information sessions will be provided for Year 10 students in Autumn term.
• A Course Selection Information Evening for parents and students will be held in Autumn term.
• Students should conduct individual research using the Careers Adviser’s office, Careers Expos, university and TAFE open days and websites.

Submission of the Course Selection Form

The Course Selection process should be completed on-line by Friday 25 May, 2018. This date is important as it is these course choices that will form the basis of the timetable structure for Year 11 beginning in October 2018. This selection, however, need not be the final one but subsequent changes may be constrained by the timetable structure developed on the basis of the course selections submitted. Instructions on how to complete this process will be provided separately.

After submission of the Course Selection Form

• During Autumn term students and parents can discuss course selections with the Careers Adviser and teachers.
• At the end of Winter term all students’ course choices are reviewed in light of their examination results and Semester 2 report. Letters of concern will be sent to appropriate students.
• Students should also take advantage of the expertise of the Careers Adviser between receipt of the Semester 2 report and the start of Spring term.
• Where possible students are asked to make changes before Monday 8th October 2018. In order to initiate the change, students and parents need to contact the Careers Adviser via email or make an appointment to discuss the proposed change/s.

Changes after the start of Year 11

Course changes can be made once Year 11 studies have commenced in October 2018 and students have until the start of Summer term 2019 to make final course changes. All changes are arranged in consultation with Mr Peter Frusher (Careers Adviser). Any changes must also have the support of the course teacher.

In order to initiate the change, students and parents need to contact the Careers Adviser via email or make an appointment to discuss the proposed change/s. No change of course is allowed until the appropriate contact has been made and discussion has taken place. The full procedure can take two to three days or more, during which time a student must continue with his original course. It is important to realise when contemplating a course change that there are several considerations.

• Does the new course fit with post-school plans?
• Does the new course/s satisfy the criteria for Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and/or tertiary entrance?
• Does the new course fit the timetable structure?
• Is there room in the class?

4. Timetable structure

The timetable is constructed using a number of ‘lines’. A line is basically a group of classes that are taught simultaneously. It follows that students can only take one course from each line in the timetable. Often the number of students selecting a course means that there is more than one class in that course and these classes will normally be placed on different timetable lines to maximise the chances of students being able to study the courses of their choice.

The timetable lines are developed after students have made their course selections by the 25 May deadline. Every attempt is made to set up a line structure that allows each student to study the courses of his choice. However, in a few cases a clash free line structure may not be possible and a few students will have to select an alternative course. Also, if numbers choosing a course are insufficient to establish an effective class group at Scotch College, the course may not operate.

After the lines have been set course changes have to fit the line pattern that has been established, so a student looking to change his courses may find the range available is reduced. Classes may also become ‘full’ and this, too, restricts movement between courses once the school year is underway.

Year 11 students may review their selection of courses for Year 12. As a result a student may consider changing one or more of his courses. These changes will involve important considerations and students should seek advice from their teachers and the Careers Adviser prior to initiating a change.

5. Recommended minimum achievement level in Year 10

Each course outline contains the recommended minimum achievement a student needs to have reached by the end of Year 10. These minimum achievements are based on the performance of students who have selected this course previously and achieved a C grade. Typically those students who do not meet the minimum course prerequisite will find it difficult to achieve a passing grade.