Curriculum Structure - Year 7 to 10

Year 7 Curriculum

In year 7 all students study a common course, with all the subjects being compulsory. This provides students with a very broad range of learning experiences from all the key learning areas. Although students have a greater range of subjects and work with more teachers in different rooms across the school, they remain in their Home Group for all these subjects to develop and consolidate new friendships and ease the transition from primary school.

The year 7 curriculum provides the opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, understandings and skills which will enable them to achieve success as they progress towards the middle years. Students complete a common course so they can make informed choices when elective subjects become available. The year 7 curriculum consists of the following subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• SOSE (Studies of Society and the Environment) including History, Geography and Social Studies
• LOTE (Language other than English) Japanese
• Health and Physical Education
• The Arts including Art and graphics, Music and Drama
• Technology including Home Economics and Textiles, Technology Studies and Information Technology

Year 8 Curriculum

The year 8 curriculum consists of a combination of compulsory and elective subjects to ensure the fundamental understandings and skills are learned and at the same time to provide some opportunities for students to focus on areas in which they have developed an interest. One of the innovations at Emerald has been the opening of our new learning centre and our integrated program that links English, SOSE and Information Technology; and Maths, Science and Information Technology. These two integrated programs provide more time to build the fundamental skills in the disciplinary subjects and foster a rigorous approach to effective learning through cooperative learning, leadership opportunities, developing thinking skills and ownership over projects. The year 8 curriculum consists of the following compulsory subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• SOSE (Studies of Society and the Environment) including History, Geography and Social Studies
• Health and Physical Education/Sport

Elective subjects:

Year 9 Curriculum

The Year 9 curriculum begins to extend student choice and provides greater pathways for students. Although compulsory subjects remain, there is more choice within these areas for students to select electives based on their interest, past success and future intentions. The Year 9 curriculum consists of the following compulsory subjects:

• English or English Literature
• Mathematics
• Health
• The Individual Development Program - First Aid & Fitness, Workforce Planning, Personal Best
• SOSE Core

Elective subjects:

Year 10 Curriculum

The Year 10 curriculum provides more guidance for students in choosing their preferred pathways, workforce planning, alternative courses and links into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Students have the opportunity to study a VCE subject in year 10 if they prove capable.

Career/Vocational Programs

Students in Year 10 participate in Career Education classes on a rotational basis, as well as completing a week of Work Experience in June and December. Some students also select to include one of the 'Growth & Pathway' programs offered through Box Hill Institute, or the 'Vocational Introductory Programs' offered through Swinburne University - TAFE Sector. These programs are studied for one semester and students doing one of these programs undertake one less subject at school during that semester. Vocational Preparation courses are both engaging and beneficial, as they provide modules for those involved from National Training Packages. Some of the areas on offer during 2008 are:

• Building Trades
• Automotive
• Engineering & Manufacturing
• Fashion & Jewellery
• Hospitality
• Hairdressing
• Electrical
• Child Care
• Welding & Fabrication
• Native Animal Conservation
• Fix your own Computer and more.

English or English Literature remains compulsory. Mathematics offers an advanced unit, a mainstream unit and a Business Maths unit for those seeking a year 10 pass. As with Year 9, students need to complete an elective from each learning area (apart from LOTE, which is optional) in the elective columns: