Compulsory Subjects

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The courses offered by the School come with recommendations from teachers based on the achievement of student Grades for the successful attainment of a WACE course. This is based on many factors, including reference to their knowledge of a student and their work habits/standards, and referencing their professional knowledge and experience. Formal prerequisites may exist for entry into courses. They are not arbitrarily chosen; instead, they are based on a wealth of knowledge about the degree of difficulty of the Year 11 or 12 course and the statistical probability of success of a student with a particular Grade in Year 10 or 9. The School, of course, recognises that students will mature and develop in their understanding and work habits.

Year 11 students selecting a course against recommendation must complete an Academic Contract which allows for a review after Term 1. The Academic Contract is aimed to provide the student with strategies and support to achieve reasonable success in this course. Students who, despite efforts to maintain a satisfactory pass in that course, find that their achievement is below this standard will be advised to change course/s and/or Pathways. The ultimate decision rests with the School.

From the Year 10 preliminary selections, a timetable grid will be prepared which will best suit the needs of most students. At this stage, some students may need to review their initial selections. There are no guarantees for meeting a student’s initial choices.

Along with the Subject Selection processes, there is a list of web addresses further guide information and decisions for TAFE entry, University Entrance requirements and course prerequisites.

ATAR Pathway courses are completed with an external WACE examination in Year 12, worth 50% of the course. General Pathway courses include an Externally Set Task in Year 12, worth 15% of the course.

Students undertaking the ECU UniPrep in Schools program must be on a General Pathway at the commencement of the course. UniPrep in Schools is an Endorsed Unit with students successfully completing University course work during one semester each of Years 11 and 12. Students wishing to undertake this program are recommended based on their Year 11 Mid-Year Examinations and confirmed by the end of Term 3.

All students must choose at least one of the English courses. From 2021, students are permitted to study both English and Literature, with both courses counting towards ATAR Ranking.

It is recommended that all students choose one of the Mathematics courses. Students selecting the Mathematics Specialist ATAR course must also take the Mathematics Methods ATAR course. Students will choose the remaining courses according to their interests, aptitudes and career goals.

For a Year 12 student to gain Secondary Graduation with a Western Australian Certificate of Education, courses selected must include at least one from those in List A and one from those in List B. For the full list of courses, refer to the Breadth of Study Requirements table.

During Term 4, Year 10 students and their parents will have the opportunity to review their initial choices to make changes, if desired. The great majority of Year 11 students will continue with their subjects into Year 12 in the following year. Subject reviews occur during Years 11 and 12, which may require a student to reallocate their course load.