YEAR 10 COURSE GUIDE 2026
Nazareth College is a Catholic Co-educational Regional Secondary College. Est, 1986
“And He returned to Nazareth, and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon Him.”
Luke 2:40
Nazareth College is a learning community centred on the person of Jesus Christ.
Through learning and teaching in the Catholic tradition we foster a culture of faith, wisdom and knowledge.
Nazareth College offers six years of comprehensive post-primary education to all students. Subjects undertaken in Years 7 to 10 are designed to prepare students for their entry into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
Nazareth College’s Years 10 -12 curriculum focuses on each student’s personal pathway. The curriculum and pastoral care programs cater for a diverse range of needs and interests and ensure access to further study, training and work.
The curriculum at Nazareth therefore has the essential features of a comprehensive curriculum in the Catholic context. It has breadth, balance, coherence, continuity and inclusiveness, whilst promoting a sense of lifelong learning in our students.
In the Year 10 academic program, students continue studies with compulsory choices from the core subjects – Religious Education, Pastoral Program, English, Mathematics, Humanities, Health & Physical Education and Science – and select five other semesterised elective units from The Arts, Languages and Technology, including additional choices from Humanities, Health & Physical Education and Science.
Some students in Year 10 may be best suited to the LEAP program which combines both Applied Learning and academic pathways. While this provides an ideal preparation for the Vocational Major (VM) course which may be undertaken in Years 11 and 12, it also has the flexibility to allow students to choose a VCE Year 11 pathway.
For Year 10 students, acceleration of a Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subject is possible, by invitation, hence providing the possibility for high achievers to eventually complete six VCE Units 3 and 4 study sequences.
Students undertaking VCE at Year 11 will choose ten semester-based units, plus English or Literature or English Language and Religious Education as core subjects. Alternatively, students in Year 11 have the option of completing the Vocational Major (VM).
Students at Year 12 choose four Units 3 and 4 elective sequences from across the curriculum and must study English or Literature or English Language and Religious Education as core subjects. The Vocational Major (VM) program requires students to study core units, along with studentchosen VET studies.
The Student Progress Policy requires that students achieve an average of 50% in pre-requisite Year 10 subjects to ensure that all students have a good grasp of the skills and knowledge required to take them further in Year 11 VCE subjects in the following year, so that they can experience success, and deepen their understanding of the subject matter. Failure to achieve the 50% average could have a significant impact on subject choices and, consequently, on career aspirations.
Students wishing to enter Vocational Major (VM) or LEAP (Year 10) must attend an information evening and submit a separate written application. This application will detail their intended field of work and/or apprenticeship. Parents will be required to attend an interview with the Applied Learning Coordinator for approval to enter VM or LEAP Nazareth College prides itself in catering to the needs of high achievers. High achievers are identified by the use of NAPLAN, PAT and reporting data. Laurel high achievers in English and Maths are invited to be part of the Knowledge stream in our flexible Year 7,8 and 9 Program for differentiated learning.
The Year 7,8 and 9 English and Maths program allows students to choose their own level of learning for units of work so that learning is personalized. Students who achieve good academic results can then choose to participate in Year 9 Advanced English or Maths; and to accelerate in Year 10. High achievers in Science are invited to be a part of the separate Laurel Science class
from Year 7 to 9. These classes undertake the Science curriculum at a faster pace, allowing for acceleration right through to VCE. Students also participate in STEM/ Science-based extracurricular activities.
Successful completion of all High Achiever Subjects may place students in a position to accelerate into one or two appropriate VCE Units 1 & 2 subjects in Year 10. The High Achievers Program will enable completion of up to two VCE Units 3 & 4 subjects in Year 11, allowing students to undertake University Enhancement courses in Year 12 as both an early start to Tertiary Studies and an additional ATAR boost.
Continued good academic performance is necessary for students to remain in the High Achievers Program. Acceleration in a VCE subject is reliant on students achieving high academic results across subject areas.
LEARNING AREA YEAR 7
YEAR 8
Religious Education Religious Education # Religious Education #
English
Mathematics Mathematics #
YEAR 9
Religious Education #
English #
Literature elective
Mathematics # Mathematics elective “Connections in Maths”
Science Science # Science # Science #
Humanities Humanities # Civics & Citizenship Economics Geography History
Health and Physical Education
Languages Italian # or Japanese #
The
Humanities # Civics & Citizenship Economics Geography History
Physical
Italian # or Japanese # (Continue from previous year)
Humanities # Civics & Citizenship Economics
Geography History
Health and Physical Education # or Year 9 Soccer Education # or Year 9 Basketball Education # or Year 9 Volleyball Education or Year 9 AFL Education
Italian # or Japanese # (Continue from previous year)
Digital Art
Drama
Media
Music
Visual Communication Design Technology
Digital Game Development
Food Technology
Information Technology
Learning about Learning
Robotics
Textiles Technology
Wood Technology
Applied Learning
Elective Subjects
Cookie Monster
CHOOSE 6 ELECTIVE UNITS
(Including a Language which is 2 units) from:
The Arts, Technology, Languages, Health & Physical Education and Literature.
(Each elective is for the duration of one semester).
Religious Education
#
English #
Mathematics
Science
Humanities
# One or more of:
Religious Education Youth Ministry Music Ministry
# One or more of:
English
EAL English
Advanced English Foundation English
# One or more of:
Mathematics – Foundation
Mathematics
Advanced Mathematics
# One or more of:
Real Life Science
Genetics and Biological Sciences
Pharmaceutical and Environmental Chemistry
Physical & Earth Sciences Psychology
# One or more of:
Business and Enterprise
Global Economics and Finance
Geography History
Law and Order Politics, Power and Society
YEAR 11 (VCE UNITS 1 & 2)
# One or more of:
VCE Religion & Society (Unit 2 only)
Youth Ministry Music in the Spirit
# One or more of:
VCE English
VCE EAL English
VCE Literature
VCE English Language
VCE Foundation Mathematics
VCE General Mathematics
VCE Mathematical Methods
VCE Specialist Mathematics
VCE Biology
VCE Chemistry
VCE Environmental Science
VCE Physics
VCE Psychology
VCE VET Laboratory Studies
VCE Accounting
VCE Business Management
VCE Economics
VCE Legal Studies
VCE Modern History
VCE Geography
VCE Politics (U1&2 coming 2027)
VCE VET Business
YEAR 12 (VCE UNITS 3 & 4)
# One or more of:
VCE Religion & Society
School-Based Religious Education
Youth Ministry
# One or more of:
VCE English
VCE EAL English
VCE Literature
VCE English Language
VCE Foundation Mathematics
VCE General Mathematics
VCE Mathematical Methods
VCE Specialist Mathematics
VCE Biology
VCE Chemistry
VCE Environmental Science
VCE Physics
VCE Psychology
VCE VET Laboratory Studies
VCE Accounting
VCE Business Management
VCE Economics
VCE Legal Studies
VCE History: Revolutions
VCE Geography
VCE Politics (U3&4 coming 2028)
VCE VET Business
Health and Physical Education
# One or more of:
Advanced PE
Health & Human Development
Outdoor & Environmental Studies
PE & Recreation
Languages Italian Japanese (Second Language)
The Visual Arts Art Making and Exhibiting
Concept Art and Digital Rendering (CAnDR) Media
Visual Communication Design
The Performing Arts Drama & Theatre Studies Dance Music
Technology Studies Design & Technologies
Food Technology
Information Technology
Wood Technology
Textiles Technology Mechatronics
Applied Learning
(LEAP and VCE VM)
(LEAP Program) (5 days on campus)
Community Action
Cookie Monster
VET Certificate II subject of choice (on campus at Nazareth) Core Year 10 subjects.
VCE Physical Education
VCE Health & Human Development
VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies
VCE VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
VCE Italian
VCE Japanese (Second Language)
VCE Art Making and Exhibiting
VCE Media
VCE Visual Communication Design
VCE Theatre Studies
VCE VET Dance
VCE VET Music Performance
VCE Applied Computing
VCE Food Studies
VCE VET Cookery
VCE VET Information Technology
VCE Product Design & Technology: Wood
VCE Product Design & Technology: Textiles
VCE Systems Engineering
VCE - Vocational Major Program (4 days on campus): Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills, Work Related Skills and VCE Religion & Society (Unit 1)
Must include a VET Certificate II or III subject of choice AND a oneweek structured work placement per term.
VCE Physical Education
VCE Health & Human
Development
VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies
VCE VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
VCE Italian VCE Japanese (Second Language)
VCE Art Making and Exhibiting
VCE Media
VCE Visual Communication Design
VCE Theatre Studies
VCE VET Dance
VCE VET Music Performance
VCE Data Analytics
VCE Food Studies
VCE VET Cookery
VCE VET Information Technology
VCE Product Design & Technology: Wood
VCE Product Design & Technology: Textiles
VCE Systems Engineering
VCE - Vocational Major Program (4 days on campus): Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development
Skills, Work Related Skills and Religious Education
Must include a VET Certificate II or III subject of choice AND a oneweek structured work placement per term.
VET in VCE Courses
These courses are on and off-campus.
As well as other VCE VET courses listed above, other on-campus VET subjects include: Active Volunteering, Beauty Services, Salon Assistant (Hairdressing)/ or (Barbering). For a full listing of the wide range of VET courses available to Nazareth College students, please see the VET Brochure on the Nazareth College website under Learning > Subject Selection
# CORE (One or more required)
Should you have further questions about courses after reading this course guide, you may contact either your child’s subject teachers or the relevant Instructional Leader, as listed below.
Applied Learning Ms Caitlin Mackay Caitlin.Mackay@nazareth.vic.edu.au
English Mr Mark O’Sullivan Mark.OSullivan@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Health & Physical Education Mr Andrew Moore Andrew.Moore@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Humanities Ms Donna Watts Donna.Watts@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Languages Ms Kathleen Taura Kathleen.Taura@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Mr John Powell John.Powell@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Learning Enhancement Ms Emma Wray Emma.Wray@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Mathematics Mr Peter Louis Peter.venmanilouis@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Performing Arts Mr Simon Landid Simon.Landid@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Religious Education Mr Peter Nathan Peter.Nathan@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Science Mrs Sally Ferns Sally.Ferns@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Visual Arts Mr Rosario Ripper Rosario.Ripper@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Technology Ms Kate Goodwin Kate.Goodwin@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Careers and Pathways Coordinator Mrs Elena Flodstrom Elena.Flodstrom@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Careers and Pathways Adviser Ms Theresa Lochery Theresa.Lochery@nazareth.vic.edu.au
HEADS OF HOUSE
Head of House Chisholm Mrs Gill Coyle Gill.Coyle@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Head of House Knox Mr Rodney Diaz Rodney.Diaz@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Head of House MacKillop Mr Joshua Cowan Joshua.Cowan@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Head of House Mannix Ms Antigone Kappas Antigone.kappas@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Head of House McAuley Ms Gabriella Spano Gabby.Spano@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Head of House McCormack Ms Hayley McMillan Hayley.Mcmillan@nazareth.vic.edu.au
Over the two semesters, all students in Year 10 will complete four Compulsory Subjects, then choose at least one semester each from Science, Humanities and Health & PE, and then choose five additional Elective Subjects from the list below.
Please note that Year 10 LEAP students will have certain additions and restrictions to the course below.
Please see LEAP section for details.
These subjects are taken over two semesters:
• Religious Education or Youth Ministry
• Pastoral Program
• English or Advanced English or Foundation English
• Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics or Foundation Mathematics
Students must also choose at least one semester unit from each of:
• Humanities
• Science
• Health & PE (practical)
Elective subjects are available from the key learning areas of:
Performing and Visual Arts
• Drama
• Media
• Music
• Art Making and Exhibiting
• Visual Communication Design Technology
Food Technology
• Information Technology
• Textiles Technology
• Design & Technologies
• Wood Technology
Humanities
• Accounting
• Business Management
• Economics
• Legal Studies
• Modern History
• History: Revolutions
• Geography Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Psychology
Languages
• Italian
• Japanese Health & Physical Education
• Physical Education
• Sports Science
• Health Education
• Outdoor Education English
• Writing – Media and Literature
Course Handbooks can be found on the Nazareth College website at www.nazareth.vic.edu.au/subject-selection/
• Place subject names in the boxes below.
• Please note that LEAP students do not need to use this form.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (2 semesters)
• Religious Education
• Youth Ministry
• Music Ministry
ENGLISH (2 semesters)
• English
• EAL English
• Advanced English
• Foundation English
MATHEMATICS (2 semesters)
• Mathematics
• Advanced Mathematics
• Mathematics – Foundation
SCIENCE (1 semester)
• Core Science
(If doing Two Science Electives, Core Science is not required. If you are wanting to undertake VCE Science, a minimum of 2 Science subjects must be completed in Year 10.)
HUMANITIES (1 semester)
• Business and Enterprise
• Global Economics and Finance
• Law and Order
• History
• Geography
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION (1 semester)
• Health and Physical Education
• Sports Science
• Health Education
• Outdoor and Environmental Studies
FREE CHOICES
May also include additional Humanities and Health & Physical Education subjects as listed above
• Life Within Us (Science)
• Environmental Chemistry (Science)
• Mission to Mars (Science)
• Italian (2 semesters so 2 choices)
• Japanese (2 semesters so 2 choices)
• Drama & Theatre Studies
• Media
• Music
• Dance
• Studio Arts
• Visual Communication Design
• Food Technology
• •nformation Technology
• Textiles Technology
• Design & Technologies
• Wood Technology
• Writing – Media and Literature
• Accelerated VCE subject (by invitation only) = 2 semesters, so 2 choices
COMPULSORY CHOICE:
COMPULSORY CHOICE:
COMPULSORY CHOICE:
COMPULSORY: Core Science
COMPULSORY CHOICE:
COMPULSORY CHOICE:
SOURCE OF INFORMATION
LOCATION/CONTACT
Course and careers information websites Nazareth College Careers: www.nazarethcollegecareers.com
My Future – Australia’s Careers Information Service: www.myfuture.edu.au
Youth Central link: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Job and Careers Guides www.goodcareersguide.com.au www.education.gov.au (Follow the Schooling and Getting ready for work pages)
Open Days – University & TAFE See Newsletter, Noticeboards for details
Careers Staff, Applied Learning Coordinator, Heads of House, Learning Area Leaders and Subject Teachers
Careers Centre in the Joseph Centre Various offices
Reference Books (including Handbooks and Course Guides) Careers Centre Resource Centre
TAFE (Technical and Further Education) TAFE handbooks in the Joseph Centre
TAFE Courseline: 131 823 and www.tafe.vic.gov.au
Holmesglen: www.holmesglen.vic.edu.au
Box Hill: www.bhtafe.edu.au
Chisholm: www.chisholm.vic.edu.au
Swinburne: www.swinburne.edu.au
Federation: www.federation.edu.au
Kangan Institute: www.kangan.edu.au
Melbourne Polytechnic: www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
TAFE Gippsland: www.tafegippsland.edu.au
Victoria Uni Polytechnic: vupolytechnic.edu.au
William Angliss: www.angliss.edu.au
University websites Monash University: www.monash.edu.au
University of Melbourne: www.unimelb.edu.au
RMIT: www.rmit.edu.au
Victoria University: www.vu.edu.au
Australian Catholic University: www.acu.edu.au
Deakin University: www.deakin.edu.au
Swinburne: www.swinburne.edu.au
Federation: www.federation.edu.au
Latrobe: www.latrobe.edu.au
Prerequisites Guide on VTAC qrco.de/vtac_prerequisites
VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) “Where to Now” booklet on VCAA website qrco.de/wheretonow www.vtac.edu.au
VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
English Foundation
VCE English Language Units 1 & 2
VCE English Language Units 3 & 4
English
Advanced English
VCE English Units 1 & 2
VCE Literature Units 1 & 2
VCE English Units 3 & 4
VCE Literature Units 3 & 4
EAL English (English as an additional language)
VCE EAL/Bridging EAL Units 1 & 2
VCE EAL English Units 3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 12.
Foundation
Mathematics
VCE Foundation Mathematics Units 1 & 2
VCE General Mathematics Units 1 & 2
Mathematics
VCE Mathematical Methods Units 1 & 2
Advanced
Mathematics
Acceleration
Pathway available: General Maths Units 1 & 2 in combination with Advanced Mathematics for approved students.
If doing Specialist Maths 1 & 2, students must also do Maths Methods 1 & 2 in Year 11
VCE Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 2
VCE Foundation Mathematics Units 3 & 4
VCE General Mathematics Units 3 & 4
VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 & 4
If doing Specialist Maths 3 & 4, students must also do Maths Methods 3 & 4 in Year 12
VCE Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
Religious Education
Youth Ministry
VCE Religion & Society Unit 2
CSYMI/ACU Youth Academy
Music Ministry
VCE Religion & Society Units 3 & 4 Acceleration
VCE Religion & Society Unit 3 & 4
CSYMI/ACU Youth Academy (invitation only)
Religious Education (non-VCE)
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
Students must choose a minimum of ONE Science subject at Year 10 Level. It is recommended that students who
• do not wish to pursue a Science pathway choose Real Life Science.
• who wish to study a VCE Science Subject choose TWO Science electives: including the appropriate feeder Year 10 subject as shown below.
For example, students interested in studying VCE Biology should choose the Genetics and Biological Sciences elective at Year 10 level.
Students who are accelerating into a Unit 1 and 2 VCE Science subject may choose another Year 10 Science subject as an elective but are not required to do so.
Real Life Science
Genetics & Biological Sciences
VCE Biology Units 1 & 2
VCE Chemistry Units 1 & 2
Pharmaceutical & Environmental Chemistry
Psychology
Physical & Earth Sciences
VCE Environmental Science Units 1 & 2
VCE Psychology Units 1 & 2
VCE Physics Units 1 & 2
VCE Biology Units 3 & 4
VCE Chemistry Units 3 & 4
VCE Environmental Science Units 3 & 4
VCE Psychology Units 3 & 4
VCE Physics Units 3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
A minimum of one semester of a PE or health class must be taken in Year 10.
VCE Physical Education Units 1 & 2 Advanced
Health & Human Development
VCE Health & Human Development Units 1 & 2
Outdoor & Environmental Studies
VCE Physical Education Units 3 & 4
VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies Units 1 & 2
VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies Units 3 & 4
VCE Health & Human Development Units 3 & 4 PE & Recreation
VCE VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
VCE VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
1 & 2
1 & 2
Geography
3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
Music
VCE VET Certificate III in Music Industry (Performance) Units 1 & 2
VCE VET Certificate III in Music Industry (Performance) Units 3 & 4
Drama and Theatre Studies
VCE Theatre Studies Units 1 & 2
VCE Theatre Studies Units 3 & 4
Year 10 Dance
VCE VET
Certificate II Dance (with some Certificate III modules)
VET Certificate II Dance (with some Certificate III modules)
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
VCE Applied Computing Units 1 & 2
Information
Technology
Food Technology
Wood Technology Build a Ukulele
Design & Technologies
Textiles Technology
Mechatronics
VCE VET Information Technology Certificate III
VCE Food Studies Units 1 & 2
VCE Product Design & Technologies: Wood Units 1 & 2
VCE Data Analytics Units 3 & 4
VCE VET Information Technology Certificate III
VCE Food Studies Units 3 & 4
VCE Product Design & Technologies: Wood Units 3 & 4
VCE Product Design & Technologies: Textiles Units 1 & 2
VCE Systems Engineering Units 1 & 2
VCE Product Design & Technologies: Textiles Units 3 & 4
VCE Systems Engineering Units 3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
Art Making & Exhibiting
Concept Art and Digital Rendering (CAnDR)
VCE Art Making & Exhibiting Units 1 & 2
VCE Art Making & Exhibiting Units 3 & 4
The diagram below shows the possible pathways and prerequisites for each subject from Year 10 to Year 11 and then Year 12.
5 Days on Campus
Students wishing to explore Applied Learning & competency based courses at Year 10 must select the following combination:
VET Certificate II TAFE subject of choice offered on campus*
English – Foundation
One Mathematics Subject
Real Life Science
Community Action
One Religious Education Subject
Health or PE
Plus 3 student-choice Year 10 electives
N.B. Students may proceed to either VCE Vocational Major, or VCE in Year 11 or include a VET in their VCE
* Choice of on campus VET includes:
• Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
• Laboratory Skills (Science)
• Business (Administration)
• Retail Cosmetics
• Beauty Services
• Dance
• Music Performance
• Active Volunteering
• Cookie Monster (Marketing & Kitchen)
• Hairdressing
• Barbering
