Year 11 2024 Subject Information Evening

6.45PM

GILLIAN MOORE CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

WELCOME AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Head of Senior School

Mrs Nikki Wyse

Head of Upper School

Mr Tom Riley

7.10PM

GILLIAN MOORE CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS

Director of Studies

Mrs Natasha Stanfield

7.20PM

COLONNADE

FUTURES AND CAREERS

Director of Futures and Partnerships

Mrs Kim Maksimovic

Futures Advisor

Ms Fiona D’Souza

Subject information booklet

Subject Selection Discussions

HALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Head of Senior School

Mrs Nikki Wyse

Head of Upper School

Mr Tom Riley

Director of Studies

Mrs Natasha Stanfield

Director of Academic Excellence

Mr Jake Plaskett

HALL

CAREERS AND FUTURES ADVICE

Director of Futures and Partnerships

Mrs Kim Maksimovic

Futures Advisor

Ms Fiona D’Souza

HALL ENGLISH

Head of Learning Area

Mrs Amanda Reynolds

Courses offered

• English Advanced

• English Standard

• English Extension 1

• English Extension 2 (Year 12)

• English EAL/D

C9 MATHEMATICS

Head of Learning Area

Ms Catrina Kerr

Courses offered

• Mathematics

• Mathematics Standard

• Mathematics Extension 1

• Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12)

C8 SCIENCE

Head of Learning Area

Mrs Kylie Cooley

Courses offered

• Agriculture

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Earth and Environmental Science

• Investigating Science

• Physics

• Science Extension (Year 12)

C5

HISTORY, SOCIETY AND ETHICS

Head of Learning Area

Ms Caragh Warth

Courses offered

• Ancient History

• Modern History

• History Extension (Year 12)

• Legal Studies

• Society and Culture

• Aboriginal Studies

• Studies of Religion (1 unit)

C10 GEOGRAPHY, BUSINESS STUDIES, ECONOMICS

Head of Learning Area

Mr Trevor Lucas

Courses offered

• Business Studies

• Economics

• Geography

C4

LANGUAGES

Head of Learning Area

Mrs Salina Bussien

Courses offered

• Chinese Continuers

• Chinese Extension (Year 12)

• French Continuers

• French Extension (Year 12)

• German Continuers

• German Extension (Year 12)

• Greek Continuers

• Italian Beginners

• Japanese Continuers

• Japanese Extension (Year 12)

• Latin Continuers

• Latin Extension (Year 12)

C2

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Head of Learning Area

Mrs Alison Cruz

Course offered

• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

C3

PERFORMING ARTS

Head of Learning Area

Mr Marcus Stafford

Courses offered

• Dance

• Drama

• Music 1

• Music 2

• Entertainment Industry (VET)

• Music Extension (Year 12)

C6 TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLIED STUDIES

Head of Learning Area

Mr Peter Ellis

Courses offered

• Design and Technology

• Food Technology

• Hospitality

• Software Engineering

• Textiles and Design

C7 VISUAL ART

Head of Learning Area

Mrs Brigiat Maltese

Course offered

• Visual Art

Further information

What is the required pattern of study for completion of

the HSC?

To be eligible for the award of the HSC, students are required by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to study at least 12 units in the Preliminary (Year 11) course and at least 10 units in the HSC (Year 12) course. Students must study a course that fits the following pattern:

1. At least six units from NESA Developed Courses (all courses offered at Pymble are NESA Developed Courses).

2. At least two units of English.

3. At least three courses (including English) of two units value or greater.

4. At least four subjects.

5. A maximum of six units of Science in Year 11 (Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics) and seven units in Year 12 (including Science Extension).

What must a student do to satisfactorily complete the HSC course?

To satisfactorily complete the HSC course, NESA requires a student to:

1. Follow the Preliminary and HSC courses developed by NESA.

2. Apply herself with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school.

3. Achieve the course outcomes.

4. Make a genuine attempt at the assessment tasks set for the course.

5. Sit for, and make a serious attempt at, the HSC examinations.

Which subjects should I choose to study?

There are four important points to bear in mind when considering which subjects to study:

1. Choose subjects that interest you and that you will enjoy studying.

2. Choose subjects and courses in line with your level of ability.

3. Choose subjects and courses that will provide the necessary background for any career paths you are considering. If you are unsure about future career areas, choose subjects and courses that will give you the greatest flexibility.

4. Listen to the information and advice given by your teachers.

NESA Advice for HSC Subject Selection

In addition, ensure that you do the following:

• Seek your teacher’s advice on whether you should be considering English Standard, English EAL/D, English Advanced or English Extension 1.

• If you wish to study Mathematics, ask your teacher for advice on whether you should choose Mathematics or Mathematics Standard. Also ask your teacher whether you should study Mathematics Extension 1.

• Read the Subject Information Booklet carefully so that you are clear about the subjects and courses being offered.

• Listen carefully to the Heads of Learning Area and your teachers about their particular subject area.

• Speak to your teacher, Head of Learning Area or Director of Student Learning if you have any questions. We are here to help you.

• Read the instructions on the Subject Choice Form carefully to ensure that you are choosing an appropriate combination of subjects.

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) – An Overview

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is a number which provides a measure of a student’s overall academic achievement in the HSC in relation to that of other students. The ATAR is calculated solely for use by universities, either on its own or in conjunction with other selection criteria, to rank and select school leavers for admission to university. The ATAR is reported as a number between 0 and 99.95 with increments of 0.05.

The ATAR is based on an aggregate of scaled marks in ten units of ATAR courses comprising the best two units of English and the best eight units from the remaining units.

How your ATAR is calculated

Eligibility for an ATAR

To be eligible for an ATAR a student must satisfactorily complete at least ten units (including at least two units of English) of ATAR courses. Courses completed must include at least three NESA Developed Courses of two units or greater, and at least four subjects.

Which course should I study?

The choice of which course to study should NOT be determined by what is perceived to be the likely effect of scaling. Choice of which courses to study should be determined only by the interests, demonstrated abilities and the usefulness of the courses for the future career plans of the student concerned. The scaling process is designed to allow students to choose according to these principles and not, as far as university selection is concerned, be disadvantaged by their choice. It treats all students on their merits.