To compliment Grade 9 and 10 learning in core subjects, students also select three elective subjects which are studied for the full year.  Elective subjects provide Grade 9 and 10 students with the opportunity to extend their learning in a specific area of interest or undertake learning that links to their future study or career pathways.

It should be noted that, in most cases not studying a particular elective should not preclude the study of that subject or related subjects at Senior Secondary level (Grades 11 and 12).  Maintaining a high level in the compulsory subjects is fundamental for success in post Grade 10 studies.   However, subjects such as Music, Languages Other Than English (French) and Extension Mathematics will assist students who have a clear goal of studying in these areas during Grade 11/12.  Students considering careers such as Medicine or Engineering should also seek guidance on their elective choices.  Subject teachers are able to advise  students on subject selections and post Grade 10 study options. 

While students may be offered a comprehensive range of subjects in the initial stages of the subject selection process, some subjects may not attract sufficient student interest to make them viable in any given year and many practical subjects have limited class sizes due to workplace health and safety requirements. 

Students are asked to choose subjects in order of preference. Fourth and fifth elections require careful consideration, as it may not be possible to accommodate all student choices and timetabling restrictions in 2021 will mean that students are unable to change subjects after the start of the school year.

Although most Grade 9/10 Electives are two year courses, they can be studied in Grade 9 or 10 as a single year course.  Teachers have structured their electives so as different skills and topics are covered on alternate years. For more information please consult the subject outlines in this booklet for further information.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and subjects such as Woodwork have an extra levy to cover materials and general subject costs.  Any additional costs for an electives is included in the subject description in this Handbook.   Additional costs will be applied to your annual Fees and Levy will be applied to your annual invoice for the year.

The Elective Choice Process

At the start of the subject selection process students will be briefed on the course content for subjects.  They will be provided with log in information to select their courses on line.  Students are encouraged to seek more information from the teachers of elective subjects. 

Students are asked to select subjects beyond their first choices, as it may not be possible to provide every student with their first choice of electives. At times some subjects will not gain enough enrolments to be viable and some practical subjects have occupational health and safety requirements that limit class sizes.

Please Note: Students are advised to choose carefully as increased student numbers and timetabling restrictions in 2021 will mean that students are unable to change subjects after the start of the school year.

Grade 9/10 Electives 2021

Humanities

• English Extended
• Introduction to Psychology and Sociology
• French
• Introduction to Legal Studies
• Geography
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Film Studies
• Economics and Business

Mathematics and Sciences

• Mathematics Extended
• Science Extended
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Marine Science
• Life Science/Biology

The Arts

• Music
• Visual Arts
• Ceramics and Sculpture
• Drama
• Photography and Digital Media

Technology

• Design in Wood
• Materials and Design Technology
• Food Studies
• Digital Technologies
• Design and Textiles

Physical Education and Health

• Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze and Silver
• Sport Science

Vocational Education and Training

• VET Hospitality – Front of House
• Introduction to Construction
• Introduction to Automotive (Grade 10 students only)
• VET Maritime Operations (Grade 10 students only)
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care (Grade 10 students only)
• Introduction to Kitchen Operations

Course Descriptions

English Extended

The Grade 9/10 English Extended course focuses on extending students' reading, writing and oral language skills. This course gives the students a chance to encounter a variety of interesting and engaging texts, from novels to film.  The course allows students to further hone their communication skills, write creatively and develop their personal writing style. Students will be given the chance to express their ideas through a variety of different modes. English Extended further develops concepts and skills covered in the Grade 9 and Grade 10 core English course.

Units include:

Course A: Man’s inhumanity to Man:

Texts:

Term One: Night  - A Holocaust Autobiography by Elie Wiesel

Term Two: One Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey OR What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Term Three: Wolf Lullaby by Hilary Bell – A play text

Term Four: Inquiry Project

Course B: Journey

Texts:

Term One: The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

Term Two: Novel and Film: The Life of Pi

Term Three: A Streetcar Named Desire – play text  + Film: A Streetcar Named Desire 1951 with Marlin Brando and Vivien Leigh

Term Four: Novel: Lovely Bones (Digital Text)

Film: Lovely Bones

Contact Teacher:  Ms Bree Crocker

Introduction to Psychology and Sociology

This subject looks at human behaviour from Sociological and Psychological perspectives. The course provides a broad overview of the disciplines of Sociology and Psychology, stressing major terms, concepts, and some basic theoretical perspectives. Students studying this subject will have the opportunity to understand human behaviour and brain development, as well as group and collective behaviours. Through various practical activities they will learn how to conduct research scientifically and ethically and undertake individual and group research projects.

Students are able to study this course in either Grade Nine or Grade Ten, or as a two-year course.

Topics include:

• Socialisation
• Youth culture
• Sleep and dreaming
• The family institution
• Gender
• Memory and forgetting
• Collective behaviours
• Research Methods
• Criminal profiling
• Sub-cultures and deviance
• The dark side of human nature
• Different styles of learning

Contact Teacher: Miss Erin Graham

French

French in Grades 9/10 continues on from the language studied during Grade 8. Students work towards achieving higher levels of comprehension, including the use of strategies to help them understand unfamiliar written or spoken language. In addition, communication skills in the language are extended to include sustained writing exercises such as small plays, letters and simple descriptions.  French grammar is explored in greater depth, and vocabulary acquisition is accelerated.  Emphasis is placed on spoken French, and students are given the opportunity to express themselves in both spontaneous and studied dialogue. Intercultural themes will be used to enhance students’ vocabulary and awareness of other cultures, with a particular focus on France.  

Contact Teacher:  Ms Jill Britton

Introduction to Legal Studies

The law underpins how our society works and protects our rights while enforcing our responsibilities. In Introduction to Legal Studies, students will learn how to be active, engaged and productive citizens by exploring what the core values of being a good citizen are, learning how laws are created and enforced, investigating current legal and moral issues in society and examining the role the law and the Government plays in addressing those issues, both here in Australia and globally.

Students will gain core knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and will develop the skills needed to effectively communicate their arguments and viewpoints to others, to justify and support their arguments with valid evidence, whilst respecting and tolerating different perspectives and cultural understandings. Global issues such as racism, climate change and equality will be explored, while also looking at the impact of these issues at the local level. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice how to advocate for people’s rights through debates, mock trials and role plays, with an excursion to the local courthouse to have the opportunity to see the idea of justice in action.

Contact Teacher:  Mrs Nickie Birchall

Geography

The study of Geography draws on students’ curiosity about the diversity of the world’s places and their peoples, cultures and environments. It enables students to appreciate the complexity of our world and the diversity of its environments, economies and cultures. Students can use this knowledge to promote a more sustainable way of life and awareness of social and spatial inequalities. In a world of increasing global integration and international mobility, it is critical to the wellbeing and sustainability of the environment and society that young Australians develop a holistic understanding of the world. This requires deep knowledge and understanding of why the world is the way it is and the interconnections between people, places and environments over place and time.

Students explore the impact of our actions on the environment and how climate change is impacting our lives locally, and the lives of others globally. Topics explored include Biomes and Food Security, Global Interconnections, Environmental Change and Management, and the Geographies of Human Wellbeing.

Contact Teacher:  Mrs Angie Mitchell and Mrs Nickie Birchall

Introduction to Philosophy

This subject focuses on philosophical thinking and investigating topics that have challenged society for centuries.

Some of the key questions and topics studied during the year will include:

• What is Philosophy, Philosophical thinking and arguments.
• Epistemology: The difference between fact, belief and opinion
• Great Philosophers and their ideas.
• Ethics and Society
• Freedom and Determinism.
• The philosophy of Religion.
• Metaphysics: Being, knowing, time and space.
• What is Art?
• How should we be governed?
• Science and Philosophy.

This subject requires students to be actively engaged in discussions and presentation of arguments to the class will be an assessed element of the course.  Students must be prepared to share their ideas and have their thinking challenged.

Introduction to Philosophy will have a significant reading, report and essay writing component.

Contact Teacher:  Miss Erin Graham

Film Studies

This aim of this course is to teach the history of film and how it has progressed and expanded as a type of literary texts into the 21st century. Students will learn about film mechanics, camera angles, film terminology and editing. They will also study three different types of genre film to gain an understanding of film type and the impact on the audience. Students will study adaptation and how various forms of literature can be made into cinematic film. The final topic is putting the learned skills into practice, writing, filming and editing a film of their own.

Contact Teacher:  Mrs Angie Mitchell

Economics and Business

In Economics and Business, students develop their understanding of the ways decisions are made about the allocation of resources by considering the Australian economy, its place in the broader global economy and the interdependence of participants in the global economy. They explore reasons for variations in the performance of economies and investigate the role of governments in managing economic performance to improve living standards, along with the reasons why economic performance and living standards differ within and between economies. Students explore how businesses respond to changing economic conditions and consider different strategies that can be used by consumers, businesses and governments to improve economic, business and financial outcomes. They learn about the roles and responsibilities of participants in the workplace, including the way that businesses can manage their workforce to improve productivity and to respond to changing economic conditions.

Contact Teacher:  Mrs Nickie Birchall

Mathematics Extended

This course is designed to provide capable Mathematics students with the opportunity for extension and enrichment in Mathematics. Students are able to acquire an understanding of many challenging topics taken from the Australian 10A Mathematics Curriculum as well as various problem solving competitions including the Australian Mathematics Trust Challenge and Enrichment stages.

Grade 9 and 10 students who are thinking about continuing their study of Mathematics to Grades 11 and 12 will find this course immensely beneficial.  Topics studied will include some of the following:

• solving and graphing linear algebraic expressions
• trigonometric relationships
• Pythagoras’ Theorem
• composite shapes
• probability of two-step experiments
• similarity and congruence of triangles

Students will learn and use Web 2 tools such as Desmos and Geogebra to enhance their learning.  The course content alternates each year to enable students to undertake this subject in both Grade 9 and Grade 10. 

Mathematics after Grade 10

At Guilford Young College, Grade 11 students can choose a Mathematics course from the least demanding Workplace Mathematics 2 or General Mathematics Foundation 2, to the more challenging General Mathematics 3, Mathematics Methods 3 or 4, or Mathematics Specialised 4.  Students, who wish to study the challenging Mathematics Specialised course in Grade 12 are recommended to study Mathematics Methods 3 or 4 as a pre-requisite in Grade 11.

Contact Teacher:  Mr Ben Hibbert

Science Extended

This course is designed to provide students who love science or are interested in furthering their science skills with the opportunity for extension and enrichment. Students are able to acquire a deeper and broader understanding of many of the topics taken from TQA3 Physical Science and TQA3 Biology Courses. Students will be given the opportunity to enter many science competitions such as the Science and Engineering Challenge and PICSE Science Investigation Awards.

Students are given the opportunity to undertake a 10 week Inquiry investigation, where the student is able to design and carry out an inquiry into the area of their choice.

Grade 9 and 10 students who are thinking of continuing their study of science in 11 and 12, will find this course really valuable. Topics being studied will include some of the following:

• Structure and function of the southern ocean, ocean currents, trade winds, coriolis effect, ocean temperature and their effects on biodiversity
• pH scale, acidity and alkalinity, aqueous solutions
• Chemistry of the southern ocean, ocean acidification and the implication on biodiversity local and global economy
• Properties and structure of atoms, chemical reactions,
• Carbon compounds, organic compounds, alkanes and cycloalkanes
• Chemical calculations and the mole concept, formulas mass, percentage compositions, empirical and molecular formulae
• Nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, radiation, half-life
• Inquiry project design. How to design and carry out an effect scientific experiment.
• Forms of energy, gravitational potential and kinetic energy, work, power and energy, application, calculations and experiments
• Excursions to academic and industry sites of interest.

The course content alternates each year to enable students to undertake this subject in both Grade 9 and Grade 10.

Contact Teachers: Ms Lilli Hyatt

Earth and Environmental Science

Earth and Environmental Science is designed to encourage and challenge students and to develop their sense of inquiry and investigation. Students participate in a wide range of activities in their investigation of issues related to the environment and from human interaction with the environment. This subject is for any student who is interested in learning about how the environment has been shaped and how they enjoy getting their hands dirty. Students who are interested in how forest and Earth systems work and how we can protect them.

Contact Teacher:  Miss Lilli Hyatt

Marine Science

The Marine Science elective allows students the opportunity to study a variety of marine based topics including but not limited to marine biology, Oceanography, Aquaculture and Antarctic Studies. This course will be taught through a combination of theory and hands on practical activities.  Students will also get the opportunity to complete their own inquiry investigation, which can be entered in the Science Talent Search Competition.

Contact Teacher: Miss Lilli Hyatt

Life Science/ Biology

Any student that is pursuing nursing, medicine, medical research, pharmacy, botany, zoology, agriculture and veterinary sciences or students who are interested in how the body and the environment work and interact with each other. Students do not have to be high academic achievers to participate in this subject. This course is a great entry for any students wanting to study Life Science or Biology in Grade 11 or 12.

Contact Teacher: Miss Lilli Hyatt 

Music

In this course students study contemporary instruments and may hire an orchestral instrument through the College. They will gain in technical proficiency and will be expected to perform on various occasions in a range of ensembles for various purposes.

Students will study Music from various historical and social contexts and from various world traditions. They will engage in analysis, composition and arranging. Students will learn musical notation and become proficient in the language of Music, such as melody, rhythm, harmony, tone-colour, timbre, form and structure. Musical practice is supported by the continuous development of aural skills and theoretical understanding.

Focus topics include:

• Band Basics – small group performances
• Anthem Anathema – original composition
• Wired for Sound – electronic experimentation
• Solo Solos – critical analysis of performances

Contact Teacher:  Mr John Barnes

Visual Art

Grade 9/10 Visual Art is a creative and challenging course that gives students the opportunity to engage in a range of fine art, sculptural and mixed media themes, techniques and presentation formats. This course focuses on engaging students with the work of historical and contemporary artists, famous artworks and the art making process and on helping students to learn more about themselves as artists.

Students will create, problem solve and develop independent learning skills and the ability to think outside of the square.

Students are given a variety of projects where they may explore a range of visual art mediums such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. Students will develop an understanding of how the mode of display of an artwork can enhance its meaning.

Students work closely with a visual art diary to document their processes, research and artwork analysis. There is a large focus for students in this course on the development of skills in artistic research, art history and art language as a means of better understanding their own work and processes. Students will also be engaged in local contemporary art making practices with excursions to MONA and other local galleries.

Other opportunities may also include:

• Art Exhibitions
• Artist Visits
• Installation
• Collaborative work
• Engagement with Art Themes
• Independent work
• Mixed media

Contact teacher:  Miss Jessica Lewis and Ms Allison Jones

Ceramics and Sculpture

Grade 9/10 Ceramics and Sculpture is an enriching course that will extend your skills and knowledge within a range of sculptural themes, techniques and display formats.
Students will continue to work within a range of traditional and alternative ceramic techniques and will be introduced to working on a larger scale. Students will be encouraged to engage with local ceramic and sculptural artists to inspire their own work and will further their knowledge of sculpting, firing and glazing their clay work. Students will also engage in sculptural projects in other mediums, including recycled materials they have sourced themselves.

Students work closely with a visual diary to document their processes, research and analysis of artworks, which helps them develop their art theory skills and understanding.  There is a large focus for students in this course on the development of skills in artistic research, art history and art language as a means of better understanding their own work and processes. 

Students experiment with a variety of more independent projects throughout the year that build their hand building, sculpting and design skills.

Other opportunities may also include: 

• Studio visits with local ceramic and sculpture artists
• Potential of working on a school-based, collaborative installation
• Excursions and workshops with local galleries and art centres
• Artist research and collaboration
• Visit to artist studios for wheel throwing workshops and experience
  
  

Contact teacher: Ms Allison Jones and Miss Jessica Lewis

Drama

The Drama curriculum offers students a diverse series of learning opportunities as well as developing an appreciation of the richness of the Art Form.  Students learn through Drama performance, including a broad range of activities such as improvisation, role-play, text interpretation, theatrical performance and stagecraft.  To develop skills in Drama, students will draw on elements of dramatic play such as spontaneity, imagination, improvisation, role-play, exploration and free association of ideas. They use voice and movement to sustain character and situation. They use focus, tension, space and time to enhance drama. They incorporate language and ideas and use devices such as dramatic symbol to create dramatic action and extend mood and atmosphere in performance. They shape drama for audiences using narrative and non-narrative dramatic forms and production elements.

In Senior Drama, students will look specifically at a historical dramatic form – Greek Theatre (Term 1), as well as the Elements of Performance and Production (Term 2 & 3) and Play building – Monologues and Duologues (Term 4). Students will also go to see three live performances and learn how to write critically about their experience.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their artistic ideas and skills in performance through exploring a wide variety of experiences such as:

• confidence building
• interpreting texts
• improvisation
• solo, small group and full class public performances
• movement skills
• vocal skills

Contact Teacher:  Ms Bree Crocker

Photography and Digital Media