Year 10

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Lachlan Binnekamp, Hugo McKay and Keian Murphy who were selected for the ISA Football team this week. Best of luck to all of these students when they compete in the NSWCIS Football Championships later this term.

Year 10 Half Yearly Exams

Yr 10 exams will begin this coming Friday and will continue until next Thursday May 13. Students may leave and go directly home after their last exam but must stay at school if they have a morning and afternoon exam. Students must also attend all Sports training. Best of luck to all of Yr 10 students with their exam preparation.

The exam timetable can be found here.

Industry Day

Following the Half Yearly Exams, Yr 10 will attend Industry Day. Final placements have been emailed to all students. Students will need to make sure they dress appropriately, as outlined at our Year Assembly this week. Students will also need to make their own way to and from their company location. Industry Day will be a valuable opportunity for Yr 10 to look at how a company operates and will give students a first-hand experience of what it is like to work in a formal workplace. If you have any questions, please email Simone Salier.  

Subject Selection – Questions and Answers 

On Tuesday, Yr 10 was given the valuable opportunity to meet with a panel of Yr 12 HSC and IB students to ask questions regarding the HSC and IB Courses. Below are a few of the responses from the Yr 12 students to the questions asked on the day. A big thank you to Ms Marita Jansons and Ms Gemma Van de Peer for organising such a worthwhile occasion for Yr 10 to meet with Yr 12 to get incredible insight into the life of a Yr 12 HSC/IB student. 

What is the biggest thing you noticed about the jump from Yr 10 to Yr 11?

  • Toby (HSC): ‘the jump’ is hyped up a lot and sounds to be ‘big and dramatic.’ However, it’s not really that big if you go into Yr 11 prepared to do some work, to put the effort and work in.
  • Anna  (HSC): the jump is good. You get a choice of subjects and you get to study subjects you are interested in. Even though the work is a little harder, it’s easier to do because you’re passionate about the subjects. Anna was excited to be going into Yr 11 to try something new and different – Textiles and Legal Studies.
  • Indiana (HSC): the jump is not really a jump; it’s not as hard or scary as people might think. You’ve already made jumps in Yrs 9 and 10. By Yr 10, you’ve been choosing electives for a really long time. In Yr 11, you are simply continuing this process. Don’t overthink it! You’ve laid the foundations in Yrs 7-9, and practised a lot of the skills you will need for Yr 11.

Why does Yr 10 have value?

  • James (IB): Yr 10 is a good time to test various courses and subjects, to see what you enjoy and like, and areas or subjects where you have particular strengths.

How did you have to manage parental expectations?

  • Phoenix (IB): My parents initally commented on the constant flow of assessments in IB. Phoenix  communicated with his parents about how he was managing his time, and showed them that he was working efficiently and dedicating the necessary amounts of time to specific tasks.
  • Ethan (HSC): Parents ultimately want what’s best for you. Despite their comments about your choices and performance, just do what makes you happy and your parents will be supportive. 
  • Chloe (IB): My parents had high expectations, but a strategy that worked for them was communicating the nature of the courses, expectations and experiences. This is what fosters independence and growth.
  • Indiana (HSC): My parents were very supportive. If there is a discrepancy between parental expectations and reality, communicate with them. If you want to improve, get extra support from school or consider a Tutor. Yrs 11 and 12 is about working with your parents.
  • Josh (HSC): Talk to your teachers if there’s a clear disconnect in achievement and expectations. Teachers can always help by offering reassurance if you’re on the right track, or suggesting strategies if you are not.

What do you do to maintain balance?

  • Anna (HSC): Make sure you do something else to avoid going insane, such as sport, art, or a club. Anna’s advice is to get to school early (by 1 hour) and get your work done when you are fresh and awake then your afternoons are free.
  • Ethan (HSC): Learn to reward yourself. Put in your hard work during the week, and don’t forget to do something fun with your friends on the weekend. It is important to switch off from school life.

Tips and hints – Anything you wish you’d worked on in Yr 10 to better prepare?

  • Phoenix (IB): Invest in learning how to revise by doing practice exams and past papers. If you learn how to do these early, the real tests become easier. This is better than simply doing textbook questions, or going over the content.
  • Indiana (HSC): organise your notes according to the syllabus (for HSC), and practise with past papers.
  • Josh (HSC): Other jumps have already occurred. There is a substantial jump but it is achievable.
  • Chloe (IB): Leave behind expectations of ‘perfection’, and to understand that stress is normal. Practise using the support systems at school. Find balance; avoid going in ‘too hard’.

Did the classroom dynamic change from Yr 10 to Yrs 11 and 12?

  • Josh (HSC): HSC classrooms changed a great deal because all of a sudden, all subjects were electives and everyone wants to be there. There is a great sense of connection and unity; everyone working together towards a common goal.

Mr Nicholas Walker
Acting Yr 10 Advisor
nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133