All secondary school students embark on a Learning Journey through their high school years.

As shown in the 'Learning Journey,' Year 7 is an important transition year as students move from their primary school experience and settle into their secondary school years. Year 8 and Year 9 are important foundational years for students as they gain confidence and further knowledge as they prepare for the final years of secondary school.

Year 10 is another important transition year as students move from their junior secondary school experience and settle into their senior secondary school years. In Year 10, students complete the final year of the Prep–Year 10 Australian Curriculum, which provides the foundation knowledge and skills required for senior schooling.

In Year 10, we will work with students and their parents to develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan or similar. Each student's  SET Plan will help them:

• Structure their learning in Years 11 and 12 around their abilities, interests and ambitions
• Decide which subjects and courses they should choose to achieve their learning, further education and training, and career goals.

The SET Plan is the state-wide process for current Year 10 students to review their course of study to ensure that they are on the best pathway for their final two years of senior schooling, leading to attainment of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and successful transition to post schooling pathways. Any subject changes for Year 11 are encouraged to be made during the SET planning process as subject changes will be limited once Year 11 has begun due to the restrictions in patterns of study across year 11 and 12.

Year 11 & 12 is an exciting time for senior secondary students. They can choose what to study from a wide range of subjects and courses that count towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The QCE is Queensland's internationally recognised senior schooling qualification. Achieving one is a sign of academic and personal success. The QCE is flexible and allows students to design the pathway that's right for them — whether that's heading to university, skilled work, TAFE or other training. This approach supports engagement in learning and helps students to develop skills for success in the future.

SUBJECTS

YEARS 7 – 10:

At Shailer Park State High School, we deliver the Australian Curriculum in Years 7 - 10. There are eight (8) distinct Learning Areas within the Australian Curriculum – English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Health & Physical Education, Languages, Arts and Technology – with required time allocations for each year level. Our school timetable is developed to meet these specifications.

In Years 7 – 10, all subjects are grouped into these eight distinct Learning Areas. All subjects within each Learning Area are written and assessed according to the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. All classroom teachers are also grouped according to the subjects being delivered within each Learning Area. This group of teachers is called a Faculty and are co-located within dedicated buildings around the school. At Shailer Park SHS, each Faculty is led by a Head of Department who is the curriculum leader for this Learning Area. The Faculty Head of Department is an important person to contact regarding questions relating to the curriculum or assessment items for a particular subject for all year levels.

YEARS 11 & 12:

In Year 11 and 12, all subjects are written and assessed by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). The QCAA develops the following senior syllabuses in Queensland:

• General and General (Extension)
• Applied and Applied (Essential)
• Short Courses

The Subject Handbook (PDF, 1.4MB) is designed to assist students in making appropriate subject choices for their studies at Shailer Park State High School while on their Learning Journey. To assist in the decision making of subject selections at each year level, this Subject Handbook will help to:

• Broaden your knowledge of the various subjects on offer
• Explain how these subjects prepare students for senior school subjects
• Explain pathways for senior secondary students to prepare for post schooling education and employment
• Provide requirements for obtaining a QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)
• Provide requirements for obtaining an ATAR (Australia Tertiary Admission Rank).

In selecting subjects, it is important that students consider:

• Areas that are of interest
• Ability
• Career pathways - university, TAFE, work and prerequisites associated with these
• Job requirements
• Subject prerequisites
• Keeping options open and having a back-up plan

Students should not choose a subject based on:

• Friends taking it
• The teacher who has taken it in the past
• Possibility of an excursion
• They've heard it's easy
• They have heard they need to do it even though you hate it and haven't passed it previously

How can parents help?

• Encourage students in their learning and in developing sound study techniques
• Provide a supportive learning environment in the home showing a daily interest in what their child is doing
• Encourage participation in subject activities
• Being aware of the school's expectations and assessment programs
• Helping children with their time management and encouraging them to begin planning for assessment as soon as it is handed out
• Discussing the topics studied in their child's subjects
• Taking opportunities to meet the teacher to discuss their child's progress
• Encouraging participation in extra-curricular activities
• Supporting school excursions