Learning
Year 10

The Curriculum at Year 10 is made up of 12 Core and Elective subjects. These subjects are designed to align with VCE pathways for our students and continues to target students’ interests.

Core Subjects

Religious Education

Students at Year 10 can choose to undertake one Semester of school-based Religious Education OR can select to accelerate with VCE Unit 1 Texts and Traditions.

English

English is a year-long core subject for students at Year 10. Students are also able to select an English elective to further enhance their love of Literature.

Mathematics

There are three options available in Year 10 Mathematics:

1. Modified Mathematics. Students of Modified Mathematics study a range of topics that provide practical mathematical and numeracy skills. Strong emphasis is placed on the use of mathematics in different contexts encountered in everyday life in the community, at work and at study.

Students who study Year 10 Modified Mathematics will not meet the prerequisite to study any of the VCE mathematics subjects. Year 10 Modified Mathematics is reserved for students who wish to develop the fundamental skills of mathematics. Mathematics teachers will provide recommendations prior to selections at the end of the year.

2. Pre-General Mathematics. Year 10 Pre-General Mathematics has been designed for students entering VCE General Mathematics Units 1 to 4.

The CAS Calculator is introduced at the very beginning of the year and will be incorporated into all topics.

3. Pre-Methods Mathematics. Year 10 Pre-Methods Mathematics is designed for students entering VCE Mathematical Methods Units 1 to 4. Students who study Year 10 Pre-Mathematics Methods may also qualify for any of the VCE Mathematics options available (i.e. General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and/or Specialist Mathematics).

The CAS Calculator is introduced at the very beginning of the year and will be incorporated into all topics.

Year 10 Mathematics subjects are year-long subjects. This means students will not be able to switch from one subject to the other in the middle of the year. As with all subject selections, students and parents are encouraged to consider their choices carefully.

Pathways in mathematics: General 1&2 in Y10
Download icon
Pathways in Mathematics: Year 9 -12
Download icon

Science

The Year 10 Science selections are:

  • General Science
  • Biology / Psychology
  • Biology / Chemistry
  • Chemistry / Physics

Please note that the two Biology and Chemistry electives will have some degree of overlap. It is highly recommended that students wishing to continue with a Science in Year 11 select a corresponding elective. This will support their skill development and preparation for VCE.

Humanities

Students will select from:

  • Civics
  • Geography
  • Commerce
  • History
  • Project Design

Students who select to accelerate in a Unit 1 & 2 Humanities subject, will not be required to select a Humanities elective.

Languages

Languages at Year 10, German, Italian or Indonesian, are year-long subjects and will occupy two elective choices.

Choosing Electives

  1. Students must select at least TWO Humanities Units.
  2. Students selecting Language subjects (German, Indonesian or Italian) must undertake the subject for both semesters in addition to having studied the subject for both semesters in Year 9.
  3. Students selecting a VCE subject must select both Units.
  4. Students may undertake no more than Four Elective Units from one Learning Area.
  5. Normally, Students may undertake only ONE VCE study during Year 10.

VCE Acceleration at Emmaus

The benefits of VCE Acceleration are many as students can gain valuable experience and insight into what it takes to complete a VCE subject and sit a VCE exam. It can assist students in prioritising their time, focusing their energy and maximizing their ATAR.

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) is based on up to six VCE results and is calculated using:

  • Your best score in any one of the English studies (English, Literature, English Language) plus
  • The scores of your next best three studies (which together with the English subject make the ‘Primary Four’), plus
  • 10% of the scores for any fifth and sixth study completed (these are called increments)

A student who completes a subject early will have an advantage over a student who only completes five studies because 10% of the sixth study is included in the ATAR calculation.

Subject to the conditions outlined in the VCE Acceleration Policy, students will be given the opportunity to undertake a VCE study during Year 10. This will be undertaken in Semesters 1 and 2 and represents two elective choices. This presents students with an opportunity to experience the learning conditions that apply to VCE studies and provides an opportunity to undertake Units 3 and 4 studies whilst in Year 11 (if minimum requirements are met).

It is expected that students who complete an accelerated subject (Unit 3 & 4) study in Year 11 will still complete a full Year 12 program with five Unit 3 & 4 studies. Acceleration in Year 11 is offered on the proviso that the student completed five Unit 3 & 4 studies in Year 12.


Undertaking Unit 3 & 4 Studies in Year 11

Students who successfully complete a VCE Subject in Year 10 will be given an opportunity to undertake Units 3 and 4 in that subject in Year 11.

A student wishing to be selected for any of the Unit 3 and 4 VCE subjects on offer during Year 11 must have:

  • satisfactorily completed core and elective subjects in Year 10.
  • scored 65 in both VCE Units at Year 10.
  • achieved a score of 65 or better in English.
  • strong teacher and Learning Area Leader recommendation.

Note: Students will normally be permitted to undertake only one Unit 3 and 4 sequence in Year 11. Should students be permitted to undertake a Unit 3 and 4 sequence in Year 11 they must still undertake 5 subjects plus Religion in Year 12.


Year 10 Program

Core Subjects (Consists of 8 Units)

  • Religious Education x 2 Units
  • English x 2 Units
  • Mathematics x 2 Units (Pre-Methods Mathematics OR Pre-General Mathematics OR Modified Mathematics)
  • Science x 2 Units

Elective subjects (Students Choose 6 Units)

LEARNING AREA
English • English Language
• Literature
The Arts • Art – Mixed Media and Printmaking
• Art – Painting
• Dance
• Drama
• Theatre StudiesMedia
• Music
• Visual Design Communication – Interior Design
• Visual Design Communication – Packaging Design
Health and Physical Education • Outdoor Education
• Health and Fitness
• Physical Education
The Humanities • Civics
• Economics
• History• Geography

• Project Design

Languages • German A & B
• Indonesian A & B
• Italian A & B
Technology • Robotics
• Food
• Textiles
• Wood
• Computing

VCE Subjects available in Year 10

  • Accounting
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Business Management
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • Food Studies
  • General Mathematics
  • Geography
  • Health and Human Development
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • Legal Studies
  • Media
  • Music Performance
  • Physical Education
  • Product Design and Technology
  • Psychology
  • Theatre Studies
  • Visual Communication Design