Years 9 & 10

Years 9 & 10

As well as continuing their study in the core subjects, students in Years 9 and 10 have the opportunity to select electives from across all Learning Areas. In Year 9 these electives are known as Breadth Subjects and in Year 10 they are known as Pathways Subjects (as students start to consider their pathway into the senior years and beyond).

Core Subjects

All students in Years 9 & 10 take part in a core curriculum. At Kyneton High School, the Middle Years core subjects are English, Maths, Humanities, Science, Health & Physical Education and Home Group (Yr 9). In these subjects, students learn the same content and skills and completing the same assessment across all classes in the same subject.

Elective Subjects – Breadth and Pathways

In Year 9 Breadth subjects allow students some choice in the subjects they take, while ensuring the curriculum at Kyneton High School offers the entire breadth of the Victorian Curriculum. These choices allow students to explore subjects they are interested in, or are already really passionate about.

Pathway subjects give Year 10 students greater choice in the course they study as they begin to consider their pathway into Senior School and beyond.

Students may choose from breadth and pathway offerings in Arts (visual and performing arts), Languages, Humanities, Physical Education, Science, and Technology. This flexibility allows students to explore the a range of fields of study before making decisions about their Senior School program.

The Year 10 Accelerated Learning Program

To meet high-ability students at their points of need and readiness, we run Year 10 Advanced English and Mathematics classes. Students are selected for these classes based on close analysis of their learning achievements and learning behaviours.

These classes will follow the Victorian Curriculum but work at a pace that allows for further and deeper extension of learning as students prepare for an academically focused VCE pathway in Year 11. The advanced classes also prepare students to undertake VCE Literature and VCE Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics.

All current Year 9 students are considered in the selection process for these classes. The class composition is determined by the English and Maths Learning Area Leaders, the Student Excellence Program coordinator, the Assistant Principal and the Principal.

Some high-ability and high-achieving students are also invited to apply to enrol in a ‘Step Up’ subject as a part of the Accelerated Learning & Student Excellence program. This means starting a Year 11 VCE subject early in lieu of two Year 10 pathway electives.

Note: Participation in the accelerated program is not a pre-requisite for any specific VCE subject/s, and students in all Year 10 Core classes will be well-prepared to choose between a VCE and a VCE-Vocational Major pathway.

The Year 10 Applied Learning Major

As an alternative to the Year 10 Core Program, we run a Year 10 Applied Learning Major. This program follows the Victorian Curriculum, but with a lens of preparation for the VCE Vocational Major program at Year 11 & 12.

Students will be selected for the Applied Learning Major based on teacher recommendation in consultation with the student and their parents. For more information, please contact Kate Rantall, the Applied Learning Learning Area Leader – kate.rantall@education.vic.gov.au. There are limited places. The program includes subjects in Literacy, Numeracy, Work and Personal Development Skills, Health, Physical Education, Careers and Work Experience, as well as two pathway electives.