Overview

In this unit students explore the origins of religions and the role of religions in the development of society, identifying the nature and purpose of religion over time for the individual who is searching for meaning, and for society which is shaped by religious structures, beliefs and ethics. They investigate the contribution of religion generally to the development of human society.

Students examine how religions are shaped by 9 Aspects and how individuals, groups and new ideas have affected and continue to affect religious traditions.

The unit provides an opportunity for students to understand the relationships that exist between individuals, groups, new ideas and religious traditions in the Australian society in which they live.  They will participate in an excursion that visits a range of other faith traditions.

Unit Prerequisites

The study of Religious Education is compulsory for each year of study at Avila College. In Year 10, students must study a Religious Education unit for the whole year. Year 10 students may choose either Religion and Society Unit 1 or Texts and Traditions Unit 1 or Youth Ministry 1.

Areas of Study

There are three areas of study:

• The nature and purpose of religion
• Religion through the ages
• Religion in Australia

Assessment

A variety of assessment is used in this unit:

• Research
• Essay
• Visual &/or Oral Presentation
• Media Analysis
• Examination

View Religious Careers Bullseye

Overview

In this unit students examine the place of texts and their literary forms within a religious tradition. Story-telling is one of the major literary forms in religious traditions; other forms include law, prophecy, sacred songs, reflection and instruction. Students explore the importance of texts at the source of a tradition and how their meaning for the earlier and continuing tradition might be found and described. The process of searching for and giving expression to the meaning of text is called exegesis. This unit introduces students to basic methods of exegesis using texts from the Bible to bring about a deeper awareness of how texts came about, and the meaning of texts to the religious tradition. This unit also explores how texts have been used by people both within and beyond the religious tradition to bring meaning to issues or ideas in a new cultural setting. This unit requires the study of texts in a variety of literary forms.

Unit Prerequisites

The study of Religious Education is compulsory for each year of study at Avila College. In Year 10, students must study a Religious Education unit for the whole year. Year 10 students may choose either Religion and Society Unit 1 or Texts and Traditions Unit 1 or Youth Ministry 1.

Areas of Study

There are three areas of study:

• The importance of sacred texts to the tradition
• The exegesis of text
• Sacred texts and later traditions

Assessment

A variety of assessment is used in this unit:

• Open Book Test
• Research
• Exegesis
• Presentation
• Examination

View Religious Careers Bullseye

Overview

In this unit, students will learn about the relevance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for young people; the core principles of youth ministry; discipleship for young people in a contemporary context; and devising a youth ministry experience. Students will also learn to:  Investigate the relevance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for young people today; develop an understanding of the core principles of youth ministry;  examine the concepts of discipleship within a modern context, including the World Youth Day (WYD) phenomenon; and plan and participate in an introductory youth ministry experience.

Students will also learn about what it means to be a Christ-centred leader in contemporary society; leadership skills and techniques to be utilised within youth ministry; planning, facilitating and evaluating a youth ministry experience; and key principles of Catholic social teaching. Students will also learn to: define and evaluate Christ-centred and servant styles of leadership; develop effective leadership skills and techniques in youth ministry;  plan, lead and evaluate a youth ministry experience;  apply Catholic social teaching principles to modern contexts and integrate with leadership styles.

Unit Prerequisites

The study of Religious Education is compulsory for each year of study at Avila College. In Year 10, students must study a Religious Education unit for the whole year. Year 10 students may choose either Religion and Society Unit 1 or Texts and Traditions Unit 1 or Youth Ministry 1.

Areas of Study

There are numerous areas of study:

• The relevance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for young people
• The core principles of youth ministry
• Examine the concepts of discipleship within a modern context, including the WYD phenomenon
• Plan and participate in a class-based Youth Ministry experience
• “The Leader in You” video series
• Evangelisation
• Leadership skills and techniques within youth ministry
• Planning, facilitating and evaluating a youth ministry experience
• Catholic social teaching and Pope Francis’ ‘Integral Ecology’

Assessment

A variety of assessment is used in this unit:

• Liturgy Preparation
• Journals
• Oral presentation
• Retreat Preparation & Delivery

Pathways

• Youth Minister
• Leading youth ministry

View Religious Careers Bullseye

Overview

All students study English as a core subject. The English curriculum is built around three interrelated strands of: Language, Literature and Literacy.

Together the strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating.

Assessment

Assessment consists of text responses, oral presentations, creative writing, language analyses and end of semester exams.

Overview

The Year 10 Mathematics course is a standard Mathematics course, which is designed for students to cover all content areas.  A focus of this course is to build students’ understanding of skills and concepts through a variety of techniques, such as solving problems both with and without the CAS calculator and undertaking investigations that include both routine and non-routine style questions.  Students develop their ability to solve problems independently and are guided in obtaining knowledge from a variety of sources.

Students engage in activities which develop:

• knowledge of facts and technical skills
• depth of conceptual understanding
• ability to communicate using clear and precise mathematical language
• ability to tackle non-routine problems in an organised and systematic way
• ability to apply what has been learned to solve real life problems
• ability to conduct investigations using mathematics
• logical reasoning and understanding of proof at the appropriate level of sophistication
• practical ability in measuring, estimating and making sensible use of calculators

Overview

The Year 10 Mathematics A course is designed for students requiring more challenging work, with a greater emphasis on worded problems and investigations. To cover the content of this course students need to work at a faster pace and become more independent and proactive about obtaining knowledge from a variety of sources. Students cover all the content of the Year 10 Mathematics course but concepts are explored in more depth and a greater emphasis is placed on analytical skills. There are also a number of topics that only the Mathematics A students will explore. It is highly recommended that students who study Mathematics A participate in the Australian Maths Competition.

Both Mathematics and Mathematics A cover a selection from the following strands:

• Number and Algebra
• Measurement and Geometry
• Statistics and Probability

Students are required to learn, practise and apply mathematical algorithms, routines and techniques. The use of technology (CAS calculator and laptop) is incorporated into the course. This allows the students to grasp a better understanding of skills and solve more complex questions.

Assessment

Assessment is based on facts, skills, tests, problem solving and application tasks.

There is continual assessment throughout the year with reports issued at mid year and at the end of year.  Two examinations, (technology enabled and technology-free) are held at the end of each semester.

Pathways

Mathematics is an asset in a range of careers including commerce, health industries, finance, retail and engineering. Students are advised to consult widely with careers teachers and University/TAFEs to find out what prerequisites and recommended course of Mathematics are needed to study in the students areas of interest.

Overview

Foundation Mathematics is recommended for Year 10 students who are intending to enrol in the VCAL stream in Year 11 or a Year 11 student who is not enrolled in Year 11 General Mathematics or Year 11 Mathematical Methods.

This course by itself is not an adequate preparation for any further studies of VCE Mathematics. In this subject there is a strong emphasis on the use of Mathematics in practical contexts encountered in everyday life.

The areas for study in both units are

• Space, Shape and Design
• Patterns and Number
• Data
• Measurement

Assessment

Assessment will include Investigations, assignments and projects.

There will be skill tests which will use a range of technologies where appropriate and skill tests without calculators.

Overview

The Year 10 Health and Physical Education curriculum engages students in critical inquiry processes that assist students to research, analyse, apply and appraise knowledge in health and movement fields. In doing so, students will critically analyse and critically evaluate contextual factors that influence decision making, behaviours and actions, and explore inclusiveness, diversity and social justice.

The knowledge, understanding, skills and dispositions students develop through movement in Health and Physical Education encourage ongoing participation across their lifespan and in turn lead to positive health outcomes. Movement competence and confidence is seen as an important personal and community asset to be developed, refined and valued.

Students undertake units of work ranging from nutrition, health benefits of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing and community health to themed based physical activities such as invasion games, striking & fielding games, net & wall games, fitness and dance.

Assessment

Avila Health and Physical Education students will approach learning by utilising their critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration skills. In doing so, they will develop the key character qualities of curiosity, initiative, persistence, adaptability, leadership and social awareness. Students will undertake a variety of common assessment tasks which include:

• Collaborative tasks
• Reflective journals
• Self and peer assessments
• Theoretical tests
• Skills assessments

Pathways

• VCE Health and Human Development
• VCE Physical Education

Overview

In this course of study, students explore the history of the modern world and Australia from 1918 to the present, with an emphasis on Australia in its global context.

The twentieth century became a critical period in Australia’s social, cultural, economic and political development. The transformation of the modern world during a time of political turmoil, global conflict and international co-operation provides a necessary context for understanding Australia’s development, its place within the Asia-Pacific region, and its global standing.

Assessment

• Essay
• Document Analysis
• Research Task
• Examination

Overview

Students can apply to accelerate in History according to acceleration requirements.

Overview

This unit is an alternative to mainstream History.

In this unit, students explore “Our Australia” and investigate the historical formation of the Australian Identity, Australia’s historical development from the 1900’s to the present and its place in the world.

Students also analyse the impact of war, migration and the movement of Aboriginal rights and freedoms and how they all contributed to the shaping of Australia’s identity.

Assessment

Assessments may include:

• Timeline task
• Film analysis and summary
• Document Analysis
• Reading Comprehension tests
• Oral quiz
• Note: There is no examination for this subject