TRAC Subject Selection Pathways to Possibility

The subject selection period is always an intriguing time in the College calendar. Our Year 8 and 10 students move through a range of processes leading up to their selection of electives for Stage 5 and HSC or International Baccalaureate courses for Stage 6. It is a particularly exciting time for Year 8, who finally after nine years of formal education get to have some choice around at least some of their curriculum time for the next two years. Students choose two subjects they can undertake for 200 hours (in some cases 100 hours) over Years 9 and 10. There is a breadth of subject offerings in Year 9 2027, including more than 20 options that cover an array of practical, technical or theory based approaches - many courses include all three! All students in Year 9 2027 will undertake English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and Its Environment, Christian Studies, PDHPE and the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh. The two electives they undertake allow them the opportunity to engage more deeply in areas they like and/or are good at. There are no subjects that function as prerequisites for Stage 6 studies, apart from languages in the HSC stream. The Stage 6 process actually commenced several weeks ago, with senior leaders in the College meeting with students and parents with the goal of establishing an understanding of what their future goals might be, what current learning habits look like and where they could go next to find out more. That process will continue over the next month with two more meetings where we dive deeper into stream and elective courses and utilise the expertise of our Careers Advisor Ms Naomi Gill and IB Director Mr Anthony Bosco. Last Wednesday evening saw the Stage 6 Subject Selection Evening, with all faculties providing insight around the courses on offer; we also had an excellent array of university and vocational providers present to facilitate more nuanced conversations about the many pathways to possibility. The message for Stage 6 is essentially the same as that for Stage 5 - do what you enjoy and are good at. Students can become anxious around not knowing what they want to do in the future; I would argue most actually do not know, and that is fine. My advice is, do not despair or become stressed, it is about keeping doors open and simply striving to achieve your best. There are many pathways into work and further studies, with most universities no longer having prescribed pre-requisites for courses. Along with early entry processes, offerings of Board Developed Courses, Content Endorsed Courses, School Based Apprenticeship and Trainee (SBAT) options, non-ATAR, College based Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Industry Curriculum based courses, it can all appear a little overwhelming, especially for the uninitiated. TRAC's teachers and support experts are there to help students and their families navigate the transition from 13 years of school to the wider world. In Term 4, Year 10 students will engage in the Senior Success program, which will build confidence in what Year 11 looks like and allow any adjustments to courses to occur under the guidance of the same mentor and coaching team. The core message is that we are here to help guide that process. For each student we can provide the guidance, support and care that ensures their learning needs can be met. For each student we are confident there is a pathway to possibility; it is a key part of our core commitment as a College to our community. Mr Anthony Heffer