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THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS The Year 9 elective program is semester based. The learning model for the electives will be based on student directed enquiry in which students are encouraged to explore their own investigations, while building skills such as curiosity, flexibility, perseverance and critical thinking. Assessment will be focused on skills, with ongoing formative assessment and feedback appropriate to the task and subject. A final grade will be awarded at the end of each semester. Most electives can be taken for either one or both semesters. However: • The Advanced Maths and Sports Science electives must be taken in both semesters. • The Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Forensic Science, and Outdoor Education electives can only be taken in one semester. • If students are considering a long-term pathway in Languages or Music, we recommend that they take these subjects for the full year. The following steps will guide you through the coures selection process: • Attend the Building Futures Showcase on Thursday 20 May 2021. • Read the information in the Course Guide about the courses being offered to Year 9 students in 2022. • Spend time considering the electives on offer and speak to teachers if you need advice. • Discuss possibilities with your parents/carers. • Choose a range of full year (two units) and half year (one unit) courses to make up a total of six units of study. Use the table on page 36 to help you with this. • Nominate a further four units of courses to be used as reserves if necessary. • Course selection will be completed online via the Web Preferences Student Portal. This portal will open on Friday 28 May and close on Friday 4 June 2021. • A few days prior to the Portal opening, each student will receive an email containing instructions on how to access the portal to record their preferences. • If you have not received this email by Thursday 27 May, please follow these steps: • Search your inbox for 'Web Preferences Access Guide' (this is the subject of the email sent to you) • Check your junk mail folder • If you still can’t find the email, contact Mr Solari (msolari@smc.tas.edu.au) and ask for a new copy to be sent. • Students will be informed of their allocated electives in early November. ST MARY’S COLLEGE YEAR 9 COURSE GUIDE 2022
