What is Pathways?
Moving from the breadth of the Middle School program, the Pathways years focus on areas of interest, allowing you to forge your own academic journey.
You will study subjects from all learning areas, but free choice allows you to pursue a particular learning area and expand your understanding and skills. Pathways prepares you for Senior School.
We wish you all the very best with making your Pathways subject selections.
For the past two years you have experienced all Catholic College has to offer and we’ve deliberately made sure you completed a variety of subjects. Now, we ask you to explore the subject areas in-depth, so you can determine your own Pathway into the Senior years.
It is important that your choices are guided by your interests and not what your friends are choosing, so choose what you love, not who you’re with.
To help you select your electives, you will get support from your Learning Mentor, your Year 8 teachers and Year Level Leader in Term 3. These conversations and those you have at home should help you think more deeply about life after school and therefore which subjects will be most suited to you.
Programs
There are two programs available as a Year 9 Pathways student. The difference between them is whether you study a language or not. See below how studying a language affects your minimum requirements for each domain.
Advancing into Year 10 Mathematics
Year 9 students may also want to advance into the Year 10 ‘Extension Maths’ subject. If so, you are encouraged to speak to your LM, or your Year 8 Maths Teacher. Students need to complete an application form and a selection process is involved.
Advancing Options
It is unusual for a student in Year 9 to advance into a Year 11 subject, However, if you are interested in this option, please see your Year Level Leader or the Domain instructional Leader of the subject you would like to advance in.
Subject Availability
Every subject offered is dependent on staffing, facilities, resources and timetabling constraints. Therefore, electives may not run. The timing of when a subject is offered in Semester 1 or Semester 2, or when a student studies a subject, is determined by these same constraints. This is another reason why you choose reserve subjects.
Year 10 is a significant step in your Pathways journey, as your subject choices begin to directly shape your transition into Senior School.
At this stage, you are encouraged to build on your interests and strengths by selecting subjects that align with your future goals. Your program should challenge you, support your development, and help keep a range of pathways open as you prepare for VCE, VCE VM, or other post-school options.
Careful consideration of your choices is important. Selecting subjects based on your interests, abilities, and aspirations will help you remain engaged and achieve your best.
As you plan for the final stage of your schooling, take the time to seek advice, reflect on your goals, and make informed decisions that will support your success beyond Year 10.
Guided by your teachers and Learning Mentor, you take part in activities that help you decide your Year 10 subjects and reserve subjects during weeks 1-3 of Term 3.
Programs
There are two programs available as a Year 10 student. The difference between them is whether you study a language or not. See below how studying a language affects your minimum requirements for each domain.
Early Advancement
Looking to expand your knowledge and get a taste of VCE? Our Early Advancement Program is for high achieving students who are up for a challenge.
Advancement Subjects
Although most students undertake a course of study in keeping with their year level, the curriculum is timetabled against Year 11-12, giving you access to VCE and VET subjects to accelerate.
At Year 10 level you can apply for the Early Advancement Program in one Unit 1-2 sequence in VCE or VET.
Applications for early advancement are made on the recommendation of classroom teachers and are always dependent on the availability of places. Students are interviewed as part of that process.
Interested? Have a conversation with your Learning Mentor, Year Level Leader or the VET Leader
Subject Availability
Every subject offered is dependent on staffing, facilities, resources and timetabling constraints. Therefore, electives advertised on the subject selection website may not run. The timing of when an elective is offered in Semester 1 or Semester 2, or when a student studies a subject, is determined by these same constraints. This is another reason why you choose reserve subjects.
Marty Davey
Year Level Leader
Year 9
