Wesley College Subject Selection Booklet 2019 VCE and IBD This booklet provides essential information on how to choose a course of study that will cover the next two years of your education at Wesley College. It aims to give a plan of action on how to choose the right pathway to post-school options. The decision to choose either the two year VCE program or the two year IB Diploma will be facilitated through an interview with a careers counsellor and the guidelines found in this booklet. There are some essential requirements that must be met to successfully complete both the VCE and the IBD; otherwise we believe that students should choose subjects that reflect their strengths, interests and abilities. In addition to the resources provided in this booklet, you must also use the 2019 Senior Years Curriculum Guide that can be found at http://www.wesleycollege.net/about-wesley/curriculum.aspx A soft copy of this booklet is available at https://www.wesleycollegecareers.net/subjectselectionresources We wish you well on this exciting final stage of your secondary education! The Careers Team Sue Bester (GW) sue.bester@wesleycollege.net Alison Wray (GW) alison.wray@wesleycollege.net Elise Hodge (SKR) elise.hodge@wesleycollege.net Sam Rapisarda (SKR) sam.rapisarda@wesleycollege.net 1
Process and Deadlines: Year 11 2019 Subject Selection All Year 10 students must complete a Subject Approval Form prior to entering their on-line subject selection. Each Year 10 student must ask their Year 10 Maths teacher to sign off on their Year 11 Maths choice and their VCE Unit 2 teacher to sign off on their VCE Units 3 & 4 choice (if applicable). Tuesday 17 July onwards Individual meetings with Careers Counsellors commence for all Year 10 students. Thursday 19 July Students and parents attend the Year 11 2018 Curriculum Information Evening (7.00pm 9.00pm, Cato Hall). Thursday 26 July Students attend Subject Information Sessions (Period 3 Maths Annexe and Science classrooms). Subject Approval Form (pink) will be distributed to students. Thursday 2 August Submission of Subject Approval Form (pink) to Senior School Office. Monday 10 August Online subject selection system opens. Monday 20 August Online subject selection system closes. (12:00noon) Curriculum Information Use the 2019 Senior Years Curriculum Guide to discover the details of the VCE and IBDP curriculum, subjects available, grading structures and study requirements. Features of the VCE Curriculum is developed with a local perspective Final grades are based on a normal distribution Internal Assessment (SACs) mostly completed in class with no drafting process English is compulsory. Other subjects can be selected from all offerings. Features of the IBDP Curriculum is developed with a global perspective Final grades are criterion based Internal Assessments (IAs) completed both in class and outside class with a drafting process Maths and Language are compulsory. Other subjects are selected from discipline groupings. 2
How do I choose my subjects? Choosing subjects for your final two years of schooling is a very important decision and the more research you do, the better that decision will be. Make sure you check all prerequisites for tertiary study in your small black book Year 10 guide to VCE subject selection for 2021 university entry. Discuss your choices with your Careers Counsellor, teachers and family. Please keep in mind that you are the one who will need to do all the homework, assignments and exams, so chose according to your strengths. Do not choose your subjects or program based on what your friends are doing. You need to have high aspirations for your future after Wesley and keep your options open. Big Career Questions 1. After doing the Morrisby, what do you notice is important for you in a career? 2. If you could learn about anything, what topic would you learn about and why? 3. Describe a time you felt successful? 4. If you had more time in your schedule, what would you like to do with it? 5. As you think about your future career, what adults might help you think about or reach your future career goals? 6. What are you currently doing that is helping you prepare for your life after school? Socially? Academically? Career Related? 3
Important Subjects to Consider When selecting subjects for Years 11 and 12, one of the most important considerations is to keep your options as open as possible and not limit your choices for further study. Use the Year 10 Guide to VCE subject selection for 2021 university entry booklet that was provided to you late in Term 2. This lists all of the prerequisite subjects for tertiary entry or you can use the Prerequisite and Course Explorer tool on the VTAC website www.vtac.edu.au Please keep in mind that the VTAC tool only lists subjects taken in the VCE so you will need to mentally convert that to IBDP subjects. Below are some things to consider. Maths Speak to your Maths teacher about which level might suit you best. Science Creative Arts Humanities and Social Sciences Having a mathematics subject in either Year 11 or 12 is important for a range of university courses. Education, science, health, business, design, information technology and engineering courses generally require some level of mathematics. As well as being a prerequisite for many tertiary courses, a solid maths background is often a requirement for more vocational careers such as trades or the Police Force. It is recommended that you do the highest level of maths that you are capable of to maximise options: VCE Specialist Maths (HL Mathematics in IB) is a challenging course and ideal preparation for engineering, mathematics and some specialised commerce degrees. VCE Mathematical Methods (SL Mathematics in IB) is required for many courses in commerce, engineering, radiography, pharmacy, computer science, surveying, aviation, science or biomedicine. Mathematical Studies in IB or VCE General Maths/Further Maths is a very practical and applied mathematics curriculum which will support tertiary studies in a range of disciplines. When deciding on a Science subject, Chemistry leaves most options open. Chemistry is a prerequisite for many degrees in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biomedicine. For Engineering either Chemistry or Physics is recommended, while Chemistry, Physics or Biology are also very important if considering a career in Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy or Science. Some tertiary courses or institutions will only accept Biology, Chemistry or Physics as a science subject for prerequisite status. In areas like the creative arts where selection is often based on a portfolio of work, you should consider choosing relevant subjects in the VCE or a subject in Group 6 if you are doing the IB. Most humanities and social science courses do not have prerequisites other than English, however studying a similar subject in your VCE or IB may give you an idea as to whether you are interested in the content and themes of this discipline. For example, studying Legal Studies may help you determine if you would like to do further study in Law, or Business Management may help you decide if you would like a course in Economics, Management, or Marketing. Likewise, Computing at school is not a prerequisite for any IT course at university, but studying it at school may give you an insight as to whether this is a possible career to consider. If you love writing and researching, consider doing a subject like History or Geography. If you love sport, consider PE and Biology in VCE, or Sport Exercise and Health Science in IB. When choosing VCE or IB studies, choose studies that you enjoy, you are good at, provide you with options, and reflect your study interests. Speak with your careers counsellors, VCE and IB coordinators or other teachers to get an impartial opinion on your strengths. Check out the Wesley Careers Centre on the portal, particularly the VTAC information for Year 10s under the Secondary School heading. You could also look at the Career Targets for possible careers leading on from various school subjects. Get as much information as you can; study choice is your personal decision and requires you to think carefully about what you are good at, what you are interested in and which studies help keep your options open. 4
IBDP Planner for Years 11 and 12 2019 and 2020 Use this template to draft your possible IBDP subjects. All students must study six subjects. It is compulsory for students to select a subject from each of Groups 1 to 5. For the sixth subject, students may either choose a subject from Group 6 or from Groups 1 to 4. The six subjects are studied concurrently over the twoyear duration of the course. Three subjects are studied at Higher Level and the remaining three at Standard level. *Note that some subjects are not available at both SL and HL. Group Subjects HL/SL 1 Language and Literature 2 Language Acquisition 3 Individuals in Society 4 Sciences 5 Mathematics 6 The Arts (or select an additional subject from Group 1,2,3 or 4) English A: Language and Literature English A: Literature Chinese A: Literature External Language A Language B: English Language B: French Language B: German Language B: Japanese Language B: Mandarin Spanish ab initio Business Management Economics Environmental Systems and Societies Geography History Psychology Biology Chemistry Design Technology Environmental Systems and Societies Physics Sport, Exercise and Health Science Mathematics HL Mathematics SL Mathematics Studies Film Music Theatre Visual Arts In addition to the 6 subjects, the IB Diploma Program includes the DP core of- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), the Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). You will need to indicate on the subject selection system, both the subjects and whether you wish to take them at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). There is some flexibility around these levels as you move into the senior years. 5
VCE Planner for Years 11 and 12 2019 and 2020 Use this template to draft your possible VCE subjects: you would normally do 6 subjects in Year 11 and 5 subjects in Year 12. Remember that English is compulsory in the VCE. There is some flexibility to change subjects during the VCE. Year 11 2019 Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3 Subject 4 Subject 5 Subject 6 Example English Units 1 & 2 (or Literature or EAL) Maths Methods Units 1 & 2 Business Management Units 1 & 2 Physical Education Units 1 & 2 Health & Human Development Units 1 & 2 Biology Units 3 & 4 Year 12 2020 Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3 Subject 4 Subject 5 Example English Units 3 & 4 (or Literature or EAL) Maths Methods Units 3 & 4 Business Management Units 3 & 4 Physical Education Units 3 &4 Health & Human Development Units 3 & 4 Are you considering studying a Vocational Education & Training (VET) subject in VCE? If so, which one and at which institution? Are you considering studying at University Extension Studies subject? If so, which one and at which institution? 6
Checklist: Subject Selection Year 11, 2019 Student Checklist: 1. Check all subject descriptions listed in detail in the 2019 Curriculum Guide on the portal: http://www.wesleycollege.net/about-wesley/curriculum.aspx Click on VCE and IB for program and subject description 2. Compile a list of preferred subjects using the VCE and IBDP planners on Pages 5 & 6. Discuss your choices with your parents/guardian. 3. Refer to your personalised Morrisby website to see suggested subjects (look under Planner/Options at 16) 4. Prerequisites- This is vital! Use the little black booklet Year 10 guide to VCE subject selection for 2021 university entry. Look at the VTAC website to check tertiary courses that might interest you to ensure that you are not limiting your options http://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/prerequisiteplanner.html Please note that the majority of publications refer only to VCE prerequisites. Check individual institution sites for IB prerequisites. 5. Talk to your Year 10 teachers for more information if still unsure 6. Check with your Maths and Science teacher about choice of subjects for Year 11-12 7. Prepare for your appointment with your Careers Counsellor by completing the Career Pathway Plan. 8. For VET subjects, please speak to Ms Jo Eager, VCE Co-ordinator 9. For University Extension subjects please speak to Ms Jo Eager, VCE Co-ordinator 10. Attend Uni Open Days in August. Dates are advertised on Careers Centre on the Portal under the Events and Calendar tab. Subject Selection is due online: Opens Friday 10 August- Closes Monday 20 August Careers Counsellors Ph: 8102 6655 Sue Bester (GW) sue.bester@wesleycollege.net Alison Wray (GW) alison.wray@wesleycollege.net