Years 8 to 10
Our Years 8, 9 and 10 students are supported to make more significant choices about their study options. Elective subjects such as Young People and the Law, Environmental Sciences and our flagship Marine Science program help students to identify and pursue their passions.
Students continue to study Humanities and Social Science, Mathematics, English, Science, Physical Education, Health Education and Religious Education up until the end of Year 10. They are also required to study a language other than English until the end of Year 8, and are encouraged to continue languages as an elective in Year 9 and beyond.
Advanced programs in Physical Education, Dance, Drama, Visual Art, Media and Music in Years 9 and 10 encourage our girls to explore and challenge their physical and creative potential and are designed to prepare them for future studies in Years 11 and 12.
The following table lists our Years 8 to 10 subjects and demonstrates how studies progress throughout Senior School:
YEAR 7 | YEAR 8 | YEAR 9 | YEAR 10 | YEARS 11 & 12 | |
MATHEMATICS |
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Mathematics: Essentials General | |||||
Mathematics: Applications ATAR | |||||
Mathematics: Methods ATAR | |||||
Mathematics: Specialist ATAR | |||||
ENGLISH |
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English General | |||||
English ATAR | |||||
Literature ATAR | |||||
SCIENCE |
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Physics ATAR | |||||
Chemistry ATAR | |||||
Human Biology ATAR | |||||
Human Biology General | |||||
Environmental Sciences | Environmental Sciences | Biology ATAR | |||
Marine Science | Marine Science | Marine and Maritime Studies ATAR | |||
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES |
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History ATAR | |||||
Geography ATAR | |||||
Economics ATAR | |||||
Future Problem Solving | Politics and Law ATAR | ||||
Young People & the Law | – | ||||
LANGUAGES |
Japanese | Japanese ATAR | |||
Italian | Italian ATAR | ||||
French | French ATAR | ||||
Language and Literacy (French) | Multicultural Studies | – | EALD ATAR | ||
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY |
i3 | – | |||
Digital Design | |||||
Design, Construct, Innovate | Mechatronics | ||||
Enterprise & Business Technology | Accounting & Finance ATAR | ||||
Business Management & Enterprise ATAR | |||||
Business Management & Enterprise Gen | |||||
TECHNOLOGIES |
– | Caring for Children | Children, Family, Community ATAR | ||
Children, Family, Community General | |||||
Tech. Drawing | – | ||||
Textiles | Textiles | Fashion & Graphic Design | Materials Design & Technology (Textiles) ATAR | ||
Fashion & Graphic Design | Materials Design & Technology (Textiles) General | ||||
Food Technology | Food Science Technology ATAR | ||||
Food Science Technology General | |||||
MEDIA |
– | Media Extended | Media ATAR | ||
Media General | |||||
PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION |
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Certificate II Sport & Recreation | |||||
Certificate III Sport & Recreation | |||||
Introductory PE Studies | PE Studies ATAR | ||||
Sports Science | |||||
Advanced PE | |||||
Fitness for Life | |||||
OUTDOOR EDUCATION |
Year 7 Camp | Year 8 Camp | Year 9 Camp | Outdoor Education | Year 11 Camp |
Year 10 Camp | |||||
VISUAL ARTS |
Visual Arts ATAR | ||||
Visual Arts General | |||||
Certificate III Design Fundamentals | |||||
PERFORMING ARTS |
Music | Music Extended | Music ATAR | ||
Dance | Dance Extended | Dance ATAR | |||
Drama | X | Drama Extended | Drama ATAR | ||
RELIGIOUS STUDIES |
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Philosophy | – | ||||
CAREERS |
– | – | – | Workplace Learning | |
Money & Careers | Careers & Enterprise General |
Arts and Sport
Our students are also encouraged to pursue their interests and develop their talents by participating in our vibrant arts and sports programs.
MUSIC
Our classroom music courses cover music literature, the history of music, music theory, music perception, music performance and techniques of composition, including melody writing and arranging for ensembles and harmony.
Music is an optional subject in Years 8, 9 and 10 for students who are undertaking vocal or instrumental lessons. Students explore music theory, culture and history, and extend their aural skills. Optional Music classes in Years 8 to 10 adequately prepare students aspiring to study Music in Years 11 and 12.
Instrument and voice lessons are given privately by specialist music teachers who visit the School each week. Lessons are 40 minutes in duration and are scheduled throughout the school day.
DANCE & DRAMA
All students in Year 8 participate in Dance and Drama classes. In Year 8, students build on the foundations learned the previous year in semester-based courses. Our focus in Year 8 is exploration, experimentation, key skills development and building self-confidence.
From Year 9, Dance and Drama classes are offered as electives. In Dance, students explore contemporary and modern, jazz and street styles. They are also afforded opportunities to choreograph and present original pieces. In Drama, students learn a variety of acting techniques and explore different styles of theatre. They work with scripts, devise their own original works and try their hand at design and directing roles.
An extension course is available to Year 10 students who are considering studying ATAR Dance or Drama courses in Years 11 and 12.
SPORT
In the Senior School, all students participate in a variety of individual and team sports, including:
Athletics | Cricket | Handball | Soccer | Tennis |
Australian Rules Football | Floorball | Hockey | Softball | Touch Rugby |
Badminton | Fitness circuits | Netball | Swimming | Volleyball |
Basketball | Gymnastics | Self-defence | Swimming rescue certificate | Water Polo |
Interhouse sporting events are also an important part of school life and all students participate in our Interhouse Swimming and Athletics carnivals. Fun, enthusiastic participation and team spirit are the hallmarks of these events. Students are also encouraged to compete in our Interhouse diving, cross country and gymnastics events.
St Mary’s is a member of the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA) interschool sport competition. Students are selected on merit at the start of each season from interhouse carnival results and/or trials.
Additional physical education subjects:
Our Year 9 students can participate in two additional physical education periods per week via our Advanced Physical Education program or one additional period per week via our Fitness for Life program, which aims to keep students active as they participate in activities including aerobics, gym circuits, Pilates and yoga.
Our Year 10 students can choose to study Sports Science, a theory-based course that explores how the body works and adjusts with exercise; Advanced Physical Education, consisting of two periods of practical activities; or Introduction to Physical Education Studies, a four-period option that combines a practical and theory component as a lead-in to ATAR Physical Education studies.
Learn about our enrolment process
St Mary’s is all about girls discovering their best. We want our students to be engrossed in the exploration of ideas, to be self-motivated and self-directed, to delight in trying something new and to contribute positively to the community.