Year 10

Year 10 Overview

The first year of Senior School, Year 10 at St John’s Grammar has been crafted specifically to allow students to seek their own path and build authentic connections with the world beyond school.

By stepping outside their comfort zone, our Year 10 students begin preparing for their future by planning and investigating, and participating in Work Experience, expos and investigations and our Citizenship Program empowers our students to seek authentic connection with their world through service actions. A highlight for many in Year 10 is the Explore and Soar program, which offers personalised camp experiences.

We also offer enrichment and extension for students who are looking for further opportunities to excel, with our flexible timetabling allowing students to complete subjects above their year level. Wellbeing continues to be prominent in Year 10 through the Purposely Well program and passions are nurtured through an extensive extra-curricular program of activities.

A Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program enables Years 7 to 12 students to bring a laptop of their choice for use on the School’s network and students are also given the opportunity to begin University and TAFE studies while being supported at St John’s Grammar through flexible timetabling.

Year 10 Curriculum

During Year 10, St John’s Grammar students begin to refine their career aspirations and, accordingly, their studies. Opportunities to explore Vocational Education Training (VET) or TAFE amongst traditional in-school subjects, allow students to find and pursue their passions. Some students may also elect to study subjects at Stage 1 level while in Year 10.

The core curriculum includes English, Science, Mathematics, Purposely Well, Physical Education, and a semester each of the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and History. A variety of electives including Digital Technologies, Visual and Performing Arts, Enterprise and Law, Food Technology, Media Arts, Philosophy, Psychology, Sports Science, and various manufacturing, design and technology subjects are just a handful of the options available. For those interested in pursuing a wider range of languages, our relationship with the South Australian Secondary School of Languages (SASSL) ensures a broad range of Language subjects to choose from.

To read more about the subjects on offer, view our Senior School Curriculum Handbook

We also offer a number of scholarships in a range of areas. Find out more about what we offer on our Scholarships page.

Signature experiences in Year 10

The Year 10 program opens up opportunities to extend students’ thinking about self and others with numerous travel options and the Stage 1 Personal Learning Plan (PLP). This year long course focuses on contribution to the community and volunteering, as well as career and work education and identifying strengths, interests and personal development.

Two main components of the PLP is the Citizenship Program and the Work Experience Program. Anchored by a three-day commitment to a not-for-profit initiative, the Citizen Program requires students to raise awareness, support and funds for a service organisation of their choice. The Work Experience program also sees our Year 10s commit three days to a placement opportunity of their choice. Many students use this as an opportunity to explore potential future career choices.

A highlight for many Year 10s is the Explore and Soar camp program. Offering personalised camp experiences, students have the choice of options including a ski trip, PADI Open Water Scuba Diver course, a Foodie experience, Arts in Sydney and an outdoor adventure experience in the South East. These camps run for 5 days and are created to offer a range of choice to appeal to different interests.

Pastoral Support

All students are allocated to one of the four Houses, in mixed year level homegroups to enhance multi-year-level camaraderie. Homegroup teachers, Heads of House, as well as the Head of Senior School provide layers of pastoral care for students. Key staff members have undertaken mental health first aid training and support is also available from our Student Wellbeing Coordinator.

Counselling

Qualified counselling support is possible through on-staff counsellors. Students are able to self refer, or can be referred by St John’s Grammar staff, with appointments centrally coordinated to ensure all students have equal opportunity.

Learning Support

A broad range of learners are accommodated within our Exceptional Learners’ Framework. Support at either end of the learning spectrum is provided as well as programs to support those who have unique learning needs around other commitments and responsibilities.

All students also have access to homework clubs as well as tutoring by Old Scholars and staff via the Library.

Extra curricular activities for Year 10s

Extra curricular activities in the Secondary School cover the whole spectrum. We have a very high participation rate of extra curricular activities, with most students taking up an activity in addition to their academic studies.

Students can select from a broad range of sporting activities, a specialist music program, and extensive arts programs including band, orchestra, drama and dance. Pedal Prix, triathlons, ski trips, mountain biking club, Subs in Schools and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme are also among the offerings. House activities include debating, chess, public speaking and inter-House sports.

Student-led clubs are also popular, and there are many leadership positions available for each year level. If a student interest is not catered for, students are supported by Home Group teachers to set up something new.

The important elements of House and School life include a range of House sports, including weekly competitions and inter-House challenges, Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, as well as a number of special days and events such as the Festival of Ideas, and celebrations, such as Book Week and Science Week.