COURSE GUIDE 2026

Description

The Child Studies course explores the stages of childhood from conception to 5 years old, focusing on the growth, health, and well-being of babies and children. Students examine topics such as contraception, teenage pregnancy, and the development of young children. They also have the opportunity to engage and work with children in the community. As part of the course, students care for a “simulator baby” through the “Baby, Think it Over” program.

Description

In Year 10, students can choose to take Japanese for one semester or the whole year. Students with aspirations for exchange opportunities should be studying Japanese for the full year. Students choosing to study Japanese for the whole year can work towards earning 10 SACE credits and will have a strong focus on language development and analysis in preparation for various exchange opportunities. Students aim to develop a fluency in Japanese reading and writing systems, and strive to hold Japanese conversation in familiar and unfamiliar contexts, often through the analysis of texts from authentic Japanese sources.

Description

In Year 10 English students are given the opportunity to build upon creating texts, interpreting, analysing and evaluating texts. Students study and respond to a variety of texts such as:

• Creative Writing
• Novels
• Short Stories
• Poetry
• Bio/Autobiographical Writing
• Films
• Documentaries
• Persuasive writing

Students create a range of texts to articulate complex ideas, including narratives, procedures, reports and text analysis. Students engage with a variety of text types, such as newspapers, films, novels, digital texts and poetry. Students will interact with others, contribute actively to class and group discussions, build on others’ ideas, solve problems, justify opinions and develop and expand arguments. The English Curriculum is built around the three strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Together the strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating.

Description

Year 10 Outdoor Education centers around three areas of focus; Environment and Conservation, Planning and Management, and Personal Growth and Development. Through a combination of theoretical study and practical implementation, students develop skills and understanding in preparing and planning outdoor journeys, building relationships with natural environments, managing risk for outdoor safety, and efficiently navigating and living within outdoor environments. Students also have the opportunity to participate in multiple camps. Please note: This subject will incur additional costs to attend camps/ excursions for aspects such as camping fees, transport, equipment hire and professional instruction.

Description

The Physical Education course is recommended for students with a particular interest in pursuing Physical Education in Senior School. Students focus on developing their practical abilities through data analysis and the use of practical performance assessment instruments to improve individual and team-based outcomes. Topics are negotiated from the following:

• Stages of learning
• Feedback and communication
• Fitness testing/components
• Training methods and principles
• Energy systems
• Biomechanics of movement

Description

In the SHINE program, Year 10 students engage in a semester-long course focused on sexual health and relationships. This program, developed by SHINE SA, aims to equip students with attitudes, skills, and knowledge to make informed choices regarding their own physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Topics covered in the SHINE program include:

• Gender and its societal implications
• Power dynamics in relationships
• Sexual health and sexually transmitted infections
• The influence of media on sexualisation
• Contraception and safe sex practices
• Intersectionality and diversity in relationships
• Pregnancy and parenting
• Support services available for sexual health and relationships

By addressing these important topics, the SHINE program helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of sexual health and relationships, empowering them to make informed decisions and maintain their well-being.

Description

Sport and Recreation is a semester subject that exposes students to a range of different recreational sporting activities they may not typically experience. The assessments aim is to enhance well-being, connection, and participation in physical activity, as well as understanding the benefits it brings to the diversity of people in the local and wider community. The theory components focus on applying decision-making in the context of recreation challenges to devise interventions. Practical areas negotiated in this course include:

• Disc Golf
• Archery
• Cricket
• Lawn Bowls
• Golf
• Squash

Description

In our AFL and Netball Academies, students focus on developing and building high-performance training habits and understanding what this looks like within a team environment. Throughout the course, they will complete structured training sessions designed to improve both skill execution and game awareness in their chosen sport. Students also undertake fitness testing to help create individualised gym programs tailored to their development needs, as well as completing umpiring courses and being introduced to sports trainer practices, including basic injury management and common strapping techniques such as ankle taping. Furthermore, students will be given the opportunity to attend a camp in their chosen sport, where they will tour elite-level facilities and gain an understanding of what happens behind the scenes to prepare athletes to perform at the highest level. The program has been structured to support the development of the “whole athlete”, with a strong emphasis on respect, integrity, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. Students are explicitly taught how to balance the demands of high-level sport, the pursuit of personal performance goals, and maintaining success in their academic studies.

Description

The Year 10 Humanities course concentrates on developing research, study skills and an awareness of important environmental and social issues. Whilst HASS is a compulsory full year subject, students can elect from two of the following options for their Semester 1 and 2 studies.

Ancient History and Modern History

• The Vikings
• Feudal Japan
• Aztec/Mayan Civilisation
• Genocides
• Terrorism in Modern Society
• Freedom

Tourism

• Climate Change: A world on fire
• Sustainable Futures and Tourism
• Eco Tourism
• The Tourism industry
• The Travel Experience

Business Studies

• The Nature of Business
• Economics
• Finance
• Branding

Legal Studies

• Introduction to the Law
• Civil Rights and Civil Law
• Criminal Justice and Law

Description

In Year 10, students can choose to take Japanese for one semester or the whole year. Students with aspirations for exchange opportunities should be studying Japanese for the full year. Students choosing to study Japanese for the whole year can work towards earning 10 SACE credits and will have a strong focus on language development and analysis in preparation for various exchange opportunities. Students aim to develop a fluency in Japanese reading and writing systems, and strive to hold Japanese conversation in familiar and unfamiliar contexts, often through the analysis of texts from authentic Japanese sources.

Description

This course aims to instill in students an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning. It supports students to develop a deep understanding of the mathematical concepts, in preparation for rigorous mathematics courses in stage 1 and 2. Students are expected to choose this subject if they wish to study the following course.

• Two semesters of stage 1 General Mathematics, followed by stage 2 General or Essential Mathematics.
• Two semesters of stage 1 Mathematics, A and B, followed by stage 2 Mathematical Methods or General Mathematics.
• Three semesters of stage 1 Mathematics, A, B and C, followed by stage 2 Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics.

The topics covered in this course place a greater emphasis on Algebra and algebraic reasoning and include the following.

• Number and Algebra: impact of approximation on calculations, expanding and simplifying expressions, linear equations and inequalities, growth and decay functions, using digital tools to solve modelling problems, making and proving conjectures.
• Measurement and Space: trigonometry, right and non-right angled triangles, similarity and congruence proofs, surface area and volume of complex 3d shapes.
• Statistics and Probability: analysing claims, inferential statistics, bias, statistical investigations, conditional probability, chance experiments.

Assessment includes tests and a Mathematical investigation each semester.

Description

This course aims to instill in students an appreciation of the power of mathematics in solving problems in everyday situations. It supports students to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts, in preparation for stage 1 and 2 mathematical courses leading to more practical areas. Students are expected to choose this subject if they wish to study the following course.

• A semester of stage 1 Essential Mathematics to get the minimum required 10 SACE credit points.
• Two semesters of stage 1 Essential Mathematics, followed by stage 2 Community Connections, Mathematics.
• Two semesters of stage 1 General Mathematics, followed by stage 2 Essential or General Mathematics.

This course supports students to develop mathematical fluency, understanding and reasoning skills and helps them to build skills in applying concepts to solve practical problems. The topics covered in this course include the following.

• Number and Algebra: impact of approximation on calculations, expanding and simplifying expressions, linear equations, growth and decay functions in financial mathematics, using digital tools to solve modelling problems.
• Measurement and Space: trigonometry, right triangles, similarity and congruence, surface area and volume of complex 3d shapes.
• Statistics and Probability: analysing claims, inferential statistics, bias, statistical investigations, conditional probability, chance experiments.

Assessment includes tests and a Mathematical investigation each semester

Description

Year 10 Agriculture provides students with industry-focused learning through cattle production, aquaculture, and agricultural careers. Students participate in the Cows Create Careers program while developing knowledge of livestock management, nutrition, welfare, and modern farming technologies. Students also explore aquaculture systems using indoor fish tanks and outdoor yabby production systems, gaining practical experience in water quality management and sustainable food production. The course prepares students for senior agriculture pathways and future careers within the agricultural industry.

Description

The year 10 Science course supports students to further develop their scientific understanding, advance their inquiry skills and appreciation of science as a human endeavour, and to lay the foundation for study of various stage 1 science subjects through a consideration of the following areas.

• Biological Science: Genetics and heredity, natural selection and theory of evolution.
• Earth and Space Science: the Big Bang theory and evidence for the theory, models of energy flow and their use to explain global climate patterns.
• Physical Science: laws of motion and their relationship to road safety.
• Chemical Science: structure of atom and the development of the periodic table, chemical reactions and factors impacting rates of reactions.

Students collaborate with peers to explore issues, design investigations, assess risk and put safety procedures in place, form hypothesis, identify variables, collect and analyse the necessary data and effectively communicate findings through reports. This course provides students with a foundation in the use of scientific method and prepares them for study in the stage 1 science related fields of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology.

Description

Digital Media and Technologies builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills by integrating creative media production with digital technologies to solve authentic, real-world problems. Students apply design thinking, computational thinking, and creative processes to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of specific users and audiences. Throughout the course, students investigate real-world challenges and design, develop, and evaluate a range of digital solutions. Projects may incorporate programming, robotics, game development, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, interactive media, and digital content creation. Students strengthen their ability to analyse problems, plan and manage projects, collaborate effectively, and refine their solutions through testing, feedback, and evaluation.

FOOD TECHNOLOGY The Food Technology course offers activities that develop new and challenge existing skills and knowledge. It encourages students to enhance their initiative, creativity, cooperation, and organisational abilities while fostering reflection and critical thinking among themselves and their peers. The course provides opportunities for freedom and flexibility in practical tasks across the following topics:

• Dietary considerations
• Food culture and history
• Baking techniques

Please note: Students have the option to negotiate size and cost, however this may require additional funding from families.

Description

This subject allows students the opportunity to discover the artistry and skills to design and work with forged metals. Subject topics and skills include:

• Basic metallurgy
• Metal heat treatment Designing for ergonomics
• Tool selection and use
• How to work metals with heat

TEXTILES The Textiles course aims to further develop the practical skills acquired in Year 9. Students undertake two self-directed projects that incorporate a variety of techniques, both by hand and machine. Projects may include garment construction and craft/patchwork items. The course serves as a pathway to Creative Arts – Textiles units in Year 11.

Description

Metalwork encompasses a wide range of metal manipulation processes including machining, heavy fabrication, sheet metal forming, and machine applications. In addition, the course covers the following:

• Orthographic drawing
• GMAW, GTAW and MMAW welding
• Plasma cutting (Manual and CNC)
• Workshop safety
• Smithing and Forging

Design skills, issues, and evaluation are integral to the course. It has a significant practical skills focus and serves as an excellent foundation for students aspiring to enter the industry pathways in Senior School. Please note: Students have the option to negotiate size and cost, however this may require additional funding from families.

Description

Woodwork utilises individually designed assignments using furniture framing joints or solid carcass construction. Students are involved in the following tasks:

• Design drafts and design briefs
• Costing and constructing the project
• Completion of projects utilising available processes and equipment
• Staining and applying a clear finish if desired
• Application of quality control processes to ensure high-quality projects
• Wood turning (possibly available)

Orthographic drawing and oblique drawing are covered, wood turning is available as an option. Students are required to complete at least one project using a Plate Jointing Machine and may utilise a range of portable power tools. Please note: Students have the option to negotiate size and cost, however this may require additional funding from families.

Description

Workplace Practices may be undertaken as a 1 semester (10 Credit) or 2 semesters (20 Credit) subject at Stage 1. Workplace Practices is highly suited for students planning to undertake tertiary study and is also recommended for those students wishing to better understand the skills and abilities needed in the workplace and in everyday life. In this subject, students will further explore their future career aspirations and planning. Student feedback frequently indicates this subject can have life-changing outcomes. This subject enables students to participate in practical learning opportunities including excursions, guest speakers and workplace learning. Students develop their knowledge, skills, and understanding of the nature, type and structure of the workplace. They learn about the value of unpaid work to society, future trends in the world of work, workers’ rights and responsibilities and career planning. Students will undertake 5 days of learning in the workplace (Work Experience) and develop and reflect on their capabilities, interests and aspirations.

Description

In this semester course students learn about an innovator/practitioner in relation to a dramatic style. They participate in practical activities further developing their characterization and presenting to their class peers, along with reflecting on the page to stage process. Students have the opportunity to work as an ensemble, taking on an onstage or offstage technical role to produce a group production to be performed to a public audience. They connect the theory components to the practical by examining the dramatic process reflecting on their growth as an artist. Content may vary depending on student’s prior knowledge, student numbers and the combination of classes. Students need to be available for after school rehearsals to complete group production task.

Description

This music course aims to develop students’ technical skills on an instrument or electronic music software of their choice. Building on previous knowledge, the course provides practical application and experiences in the following areas of music:

• Performance: Development of instrumental skills in solo and ensemble settings
• Music Theory: Understanding chord theory, rhythm, music reading, comprehension, and song analysis
• Composition: Exploring songwriting, recording techniques, and electronic music production

Description

The School Band welcomes students who have at least one year of experience on their chosen instrument or have successfully auditioned. The band performs at both school and community events. Participating in the band offers extensive learning opportunities, including enhanced instrumental skills and personal development. Please note that this unit may require additional time outside of regular school hours.

Description

Visual Arts is a semester long course that extends students in preparation for Stage 1 Arts. Students build on the foundation of previous years focusing on deepening students understanding of art concepts and techniques. The Elements and Principles of Art are reintroduced before developing students’ skills and techniques in drawing, painting and craft media. A deep focus on analysis of artworks is undertaken. A final folio and practical task will summarise their learnings and give students an understanding of Stage 1 Visual Art.