Senior School Subjects

English is based on the study of language and texts, both literary and non-literary. Students learn to interpret, evaluate, create, discuss and perform texts through writing, reading, viewing, speaking and listening.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
English	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Literature					✔	✔

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Mathematics is an integral part of a general education. It can enhance our understanding of the world and the quality of our participation in a rapidly changing society.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Mathematics	✔	✔	✔
Mathematics 1				✔
Mathematics 2				✔
General Mathematics					✔	✔
Essential Mathematics					✔	✔
Mathematical Methods					✔	✔
Specialist Mathematics					✔	✔

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Science familiarises students with the tools, equipment, resources and behaviours associated with the successful and enjoyable learning of science.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Science	✔	✔	✔
Biology				✔	✔	✔
Chemistry				✔	✔	✔
Physics				✔	✔	✔

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With a broad range of subjects on offer, commerce enables students to develop their knowledge and transferable skills in these areas.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Enterprise Education			✔
Accounting				✔	✔	✔
Business				✔	✔	✔
Economics				✔	✔	✔
Legal Studies				✔	✔	✔

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The humanities develop a deeper understanding of societies, cultures and people, as well as consider challenges for the future.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Geography	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
History	✔	✔	✔	✔
Ancient History					✔	✔
Modern History					✔	✔

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Christian Education is a core subject based on the teachings of the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ, and recognises the importance of a reasoned approach to the Christian faith.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Christian Education	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

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Health and physical education develops knowledge about behavioural, cognitive and health promotion theories, as well as the human body and its physical application.

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	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Health and Physical Education	✔	✔	✔
Core Physical Education				✔	✔	✔
Health Studies and Physical Education				✔
Health					✔	✔
Physical Education					✔	✔

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The study of languages develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, while promoting an understanding of varied perspectives and cultures.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Chinese	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
French	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
German	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Japanese	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

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Societies have used technology to transform the world we live in. The technologies promote the place of every student as a valued member of the global technological community.

	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Digital and Design Technology	✔	✔
Digital Solutions and Technology			✔
Introduction to Engineering			✔
Design				✔
Digital Solutions				✔	✔

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The arts develop students’ creative and practical skills across a variety of art forms.

+4

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Drama	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Music	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Art	✔	✔	✔	✔
Visual Art					✔	✔
Music Extension (Composition, Musicology or Performance)						✔

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	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Technology Entrepreneurship Connect (TEC)	✔
High Resolves		✔
Big History			✔

What is Senior Pathways?
Students in Years 11 and 12 at Somerville House are required to maintain a full academic program equivalent to six subjects. Students may choose to study a Vocational Education and Training (VET) recognised course as the equivalent of one or two out of these six subjects. This is called a Senior Pathway course.

Structure of VET learning
Students undertake VET learning at a Certificate III or Diploma level, in one of the following ways: 

• Attending classes one day per week maximum at a TAFE Queensland or private Registered Training Organisation (RTO) (Off-campus Vocational Education)
• Studying the qualification online through TAFE Queensland or a private RTO
• Completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) (towards a Certificate III)

Objectives of the VET-eligible Senior Pathway are to provide:

• Additional ranges of subjects of interest and benefit to students, via access to external institutes 
• An alternative pathway and possible entry into tertiary study
• A career head start

Benefits of choosing a Senior Pathway

• Upon successful completion, VET qualifications give a student between 4 and 8 credits towards their Queensland Certificate of Education
• Enhancement of an application to university with a pre-existing qualification*
• Possibility of increasing the Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER), and therefore possibly opening up further options for entry into university in Queensland
• Possibility of reducing the future time spent at a university in Queensland by approximately one year after completing a Diploma level qualification*
• Increased communication, vocational and other employability skills
• Gaining practical skills and knowledge at an adult learning level