1. Year 10 subject selection for stage 6
2017

2. RoSA and the HSC

3. The HSC The Higher School Certificate
is the highest educational award that can be achieved at secondary school in New South Wales.
Indicates the successful completion of Year 12 subjects
reports student achievement in terms of a standard achieved in individual courses

4. HSC Course Structure All courses in the HSC have a unit value
Most courses are 2 units which equates to 120 hours of study and an HSC result out of 100
Some courses are 1 unit. This is equivalent to 60 hours of study and a HSC result out of 50
Many 1 unit courses are extension courses, enabling 3 or 4 units of a course to be studied

5. HSC Requirements Preliminary Course minimum of 12 units
students must satisfactorily complete the Preliminary course before commencing the corresponding HSC course
HSC Course
minimum of 10 units

6. Courses HSC examination (except for Life Skills courses)
Board Developed Course
Board Endorsed Course
HSC examination (except for Life Skills courses)
may be included in the calculation of a student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
includes some Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses
includes Life Skills courses
no HSC examination – school-based assessment only
not included in the calculation of a student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

7. Board Endorsed Course Exploring Early Childhood
Sport, Lifestyle & Recreation
Digital Photography
Ceramics
Visual Design
English Studies
Work Studies
So if students want to go to university they MUST drop this subject at the end of Year 11 but they can’t drop English.
Warning with BEC courses and ATAR: if you have a BEC course you cannot drop any other course if you want an ATAR.
Importance of planning ahead. What’s your end goal?

8. HSC Requirements
Both the Preliminary and HSC pattern of study must include:
2 units of compulsory English
at least 6 units of Board Developed Courses
at least 3 courses of 2 units value or greater
at least 4 subjects (including English)
A maximum of 6 units of Science may be included in each of the Preliminary and HSC pattern of study.
Senior Science can’t be studied with any other science subject in Year 11.

9. English Choices English Advanced
English Extension (must be studied with Advanced)
English Standard
English Studies – Content Endorsed Course (Non-ATAR and requires sufficient student numbers)
English as a Second Language

10. Mathematics Choices Mathematics General Mathematics
Preliminary – Mathematics General
HSC Mathematics General 2
HSC Mathematics General 1 (Non-ATAR)
Mathematics
Preliminary – Mathematics
HSC Mathematics
Mathematics Extension
(must be studied with Mathematics)

11. Extension Courses Preliminary English Extension(1 unit)
Mathematics Extension (1 unit)
HSC
English Extension and 2 (if offered)
Mathematics Extension 1 and 2 (if offered)
History Extension (if offered)

12. Practical Considerations
MAJORS, PRACTICAL PERFORMANCES and SUBMITTED WORKS
Subjects that include majors or performances are:
Society & Culture
Visual Arts and Textiles & Design
Industrial Technology Graphics and Industrial Technology Timber
Music, Dance and Drama
These subjects have a shorter written component in the final HSC exam.
Time management and effort can be serious challenges here.
Approval by Senior executive to complete more than 1 of these courses.

13. Satisfactory Completion of a Course
Students must:
follow the course developed or endorsed by BOSTES
apply themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school, and
achieve some or all of the course outcomes
Complete work placement for VET Board Developed Courses
Make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks
sit for and make a serious attempt at any HSC examinations for a course
Attendance – at least 85%

14. School-Based Assessment
Why is it important?
Contributes 50% of HSC mark (and ATAR if student is eligible)
Determines rank – as important as your mark
Is a course completion requirement
Is used to calculate an HSC mark in the case of a successful Illness/Misadventure appeal

15. HSC Examinations
Contribute 50% of HSC mark (some exceptions – see major works slide)
VET exams are optional, unless you are using the VET course as part of your ATAR.
Some courses have practical examinations and/or submitted works or projects in addition to the written HSC examination. Talk to the Faculties and check your prospectus.
Written examinations are held in October and November each year

16. Difference Between HSC and ATAR?
is for students wishing to gain a place at a university
is a rank NOT a mark (your position compared to others)
provides information about how students perform overall in relation to other students
provides the discrimination required by universities for the selection process
HSC
is for all students
reports student achievement in terms of a standard achieved in individual courses
presents a profile of student achievement across a broad range of subjects

17. ATAR Eligibility Requirements
Satisfactory completion of:
at least 10 units of Board Developed Courses including 2 units of English
at least 4 Board Developed Courses
at least 8 units of Category A courses
No more than 2 units of Category B courses will be used when calculating an ATAR (ie One approved Framework VET course only).

18. Course Selection Considerations
Abilities (Pick the subjects you enjoy and complete them at the highest level possible).
Interests/Motivation
Career aspirations and needs
Syllabus requirements - Practical/Major work components
Subject combinations
Other commitments

19. Work Skills
A pathway designed for students who are interested in starting work immediately after school
Non-ATAR
MUST choose:
English Studies
Work Studies
Senior Science
VET subject

20. Other Considerations What do I want for my future?
What ‘pathway’ best suits me?
Ask for advice from:
teachers
parents
Year Adviser
Careers Adviser
students in Years 11 and 12

21. What to do next?
Speak to teachers here tonight. Get signatures for any choices you make.
Parents to sign sheet tonight
Hand it into Mr Lukins from Tuesday morning in S Block.
Must be ticked off and no forms accepted during class time.