Year 9 into 10 Subject Selection and Senior

Studies

Ms Marie Perry

Director of Teaching & Learning

Monday 19 March, 2007

Curriculum Philosophy

• Core learning enhanced by electives

• Broadening the experiences

• Demonstrating the rigour and types of assessment tasks to be expected

Core Curriculum• English

– Semester 1 – common core program

– Semester 2 – core program or modified program

• Mathematics– Semester 1 – common core

program– Semester 2 – core program

or modified program

Core Program

• Science– Term program

covering: Biology, Science 21, Physics & Chemistry

• SOSE– Term program

covering: Ancient History, Economics, Geography & Modern History

• HPE & RE

Considerations

• Electives may only be offered in one Semester

• Choose subjects:– that may be of interest– that you enjoy– that develop skills and

knowledge for Year 11 subjects

– just for the experience

Year 10 SET Planning

• QCE– Queensland Certificate of Education

• Senior Statement– Lists all subjects studied at school and the

results obtained, including QCST results

• Tertiary Entrance Statement– For OP eligible students (1-25)

QCE – Senior Phase of Learning

Queensland Certificate of Education

• Recognises a broad range of learning options

• 20 units of credit – banked into a learning account

• Minimum standard of literacy and numeracy required

Pathways

• There are many different ways to achieve learning goals:– OP Eligible Pathway

• Minimum 5 Authority subjects• All boys will study 6 subjects

– Selection Rank Pathway• Combination of Authority, Authority Registered

subjects & Vocational Education• Results used to calculate a Selection Rank not an

OP

OP – Overall Position

• Requires study of a minimum of 5 Authority subjects, at least 3 studied for all 4 Semesters

• Is scaled using results from the QCST

• Is reported in 25 bands (1 being the highest)

• Is used to determine entrance to courses of study at universities and colleges

OP Ineligible

• Receive a Selection rank– 99 being the highest– Maximum achievable is 91 (OP 6 equivalent)– Must complete less than 20 Semesters of

Authority subjects– Combination of Authority, Authority

Registered and/or VET subjects– Students have exactly the same eligibility to

apply to QTAC providing they reach the cut-offs and meet pre-requisites

Points to Consider

• Particular subjects do not necessarily lead to a better result

• Individual ranking within a subject is of prime importance

• Simply passing a subject (Sound result) will not guarantee a good OP

• QCST results scale subject results

A Tale of Two Students

• Student A: OP1

• English: VHA• Japanese: VHA• Maths B: VHA• Maths C: VHA• Chemistry: VHA• Physics: VHA• QCST: A

• Student B: OP1

• English: VHA• Maths B: VHA• Biology: VHA• BOM: VHA• Visual Arts: VHA • Drama: VHA• QCST : A

OP vs OP Ineligible

Student A – OP Eligible

QCST: A

English: HA

Economics: SA

Legal Studies: VHA

Maths B: HA

Biology: SA

Visual Arts: SA

OP - 9

Student B – OP Ineligible

QCST A

English: HA

Maths A: HA

BOM (3 Sem): SA

Visual Arts: HA

Design Technology: VHA

Selection Rank: 83 = OP equivalent 9

Possible Selection Ranks

• SAT – a completed SAT = SR 71 (OP13)• (except UQ – admission based on this will

be delayed one year)• Cert III – SR 68 (OP 14/15)• Cert IV – SR 74 (OP 12/13)• Diploma – SR 82 (OP 9)• Advanced Diploma – SR 91 (OP 5)

The Secret to Success…

• Hard work• Perseverance• Dedication• The will to succeed• Always giving of your

best• Setting goals

Remember...

• Consider your strengths and weaknesses• Be guided by your interests and aspirations• There is no one course of study that will guarantee a

high OP

• The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: Find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it, put your soul into it - every bit of energy

and ambition and natural ability you have (John Rockefeller)