hawkrider
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Preface
Students in Year 8 are now at an important stage in their educational journey as they have the opportunity to select two subjects for more detailed study over the next two years.
This will form a solid foundation to enable them to make decisions for their future after Year 10. Most will continue their studies to the Higher School Certificate. All students, whether leaving at the end of Year 10 or continuing on to the HSC, will have prepared themselves for an increasingly complex society and work place.
Choosing an Elective Subject
When making elective choices it is important to take into consideration:
1. the students ability and interest in the given subject.
2. the desirability for the student to keep options open with regard to possible courses of study in the senior school and future career choices
3. the advice of subject teachers and your careers adviser (if you have one) to give guidance in relation to choices.
How do I choose my subjects
Why subject choices are important for you
The subjects you do at school can often determine the type of career path you select.
What choices do you have?
The choices available at each school are different. But all students study COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (subjects you must study):
Year 9 and 10
Maths
English
Science
PD/H/PE
Geography
History
and ELECTIVE SUBJECTS (subjects you can choose to study) such as:
Commerce
Design & Technology
Drama
Food Technology
German
Information Software & Technology
Music
Physical Activity & Sport Studies
Industrial Technology
Visual Arts
There's more description of these subjects and there's more options you have depending on your school in this link:
Course Descriptions, accurate 2014
Who can help you decide?
Make sure you get help from the RIGHT people.
Three good reason for choosing subjects
1. Ability - choose subjects you are good at.
2. Interest - choose subjects you are interested in.
3. Motivation - choose subjects you really want to learn/
Five bad reasons for choosing subjects
1. Friends - Your friends often have different abilities, interests and motivation from you.
2. Teachers - Don't choose or discard a subject based on whether you do or do not like the teacher. Teachers may be given other classes or change schools.
3. Excursions - Many subjects have excursions. Why endure two years of work you may not particularly like, for one excursion?
4. Rumours - Your peers sometimes make comments about a subject that are not true. Always check out rumours with teachers. They are the experts, not your peers.
5. Easy options - There are no easy option subjects. If someone tells you this, chances are they will probably do poorly.
A note to parents
By the end of Year 8, today's students have already tested themselves against many subjects and interest areas. The ones they enjoy are usually the ones they do well at because those subjects suit their abilities. By helping your child identify these areas of interest and strength you will also be helping them take the first steps to make sensible career decisions.
Students need to learn about the various occupations that may suit them. You can be their window to the world of work.
You can help by:
The choice of career path is one of the most important decisions young people have to make. The part you play in the process of career planning is vital. Your children will look to you for advice and support.
Students in Year 8 are now at an important stage in their educational journey as they have the opportunity to select two subjects for more detailed study over the next two years.
This will form a solid foundation to enable them to make decisions for their future after Year 10. Most will continue their studies to the Higher School Certificate. All students, whether leaving at the end of Year 10 or continuing on to the HSC, will have prepared themselves for an increasingly complex society and work place.
Choosing an Elective Subject
When making elective choices it is important to take into consideration:
1. the students ability and interest in the given subject.
2. the desirability for the student to keep options open with regard to possible courses of study in the senior school and future career choices
3. the advice of subject teachers and your careers adviser (if you have one) to give guidance in relation to choices.
How do I choose my subjects
Why subject choices are important for you
The subjects you do at school can often determine the type of career path you select.
- Doing subjects that you like and that you are interested in make school more enjoyable.
- Everyone is good at something. Doing subjects you are good at makes school more rewarding and satisfying.
What choices do you have?
The choices available at each school are different. But all students study COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (subjects you must study):
Year 9 and 10
Maths
English
Science
PD/H/PE
Geography
History
and ELECTIVE SUBJECTS (subjects you can choose to study) such as:
Commerce
Design & Technology
Drama
Food Technology
German
Information Software & Technology
Music
Physical Activity & Sport Studies
Industrial Technology
Visual Arts
There's more description of these subjects and there's more options you have depending on your school in this link:
Course Descriptions, accurate 2014
Who can help you decide?
Make sure you get help from the RIGHT people.
- Subject teacher - can tell you if you are good at certain subjects.
- Your careers adviser - can tell you what subjects (if any) are required for particular career paths.
- Home Class teacher - can help with ideas.
- Parents - Discuss choices with your parents. Encourage them to speak with the above people if you have different ideas or if they need more information.
Three good reason for choosing subjects
1. Ability - choose subjects you are good at.
2. Interest - choose subjects you are interested in.
3. Motivation - choose subjects you really want to learn/
Five bad reasons for choosing subjects
1. Friends - Your friends often have different abilities, interests and motivation from you.
2. Teachers - Don't choose or discard a subject based on whether you do or do not like the teacher. Teachers may be given other classes or change schools.
3. Excursions - Many subjects have excursions. Why endure two years of work you may not particularly like, for one excursion?
4. Rumours - Your peers sometimes make comments about a subject that are not true. Always check out rumours with teachers. They are the experts, not your peers.
5. Easy options - There are no easy option subjects. If someone tells you this, chances are they will probably do poorly.
A note to parents
By the end of Year 8, today's students have already tested themselves against many subjects and interest areas. The ones they enjoy are usually the ones they do well at because those subjects suit their abilities. By helping your child identify these areas of interest and strength you will also be helping them take the first steps to make sensible career decisions.
Students need to learn about the various occupations that may suit them. You can be their window to the world of work.
You can help by:
- building on your teenager's achievements so far - not just school work.
- talking to your teenager about your current work and what the job involves, both the good and the bad aspects.
- establishing links with an adult (an industry mentor) or arranging work place visits in a career field that interests your child.
- encouraging your teenager to talk to your friends and relatives regarding the work they do.
- pointing out job advertisements in the newspapers.
- pointing out the changing labour market, the role of ongoing training and the creation of new jobs.
- encouraging your teenager to consider gaining a part-time job in an area of interest to them.
- encouraging your teenager to be involved in extra-curricular activities, e.g. sport, music, volunteer work, community service. This helps build on their relational skills, as well as highlighting strengths and abilities.
The choice of career path is one of the most important decisions young people have to make. The part you play in the process of career planning is vital. Your children will look to you for advice and support.
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