By Mrs Louise Wallace-Richards, Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary School

This year, I have the pleasure of teaching a Year 10 English class again. Year 10 is the year we tackle some challenging texts in preparation for senior literature studies. This includes Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth and classic novels with universal themes. Like Shakespeare’s works, these themes are timeless in what they say about human nature and the struggles involved in pursuing dreams while remaining morally grounded.

Some of the approaches to teaching English in Year 10 fit closely with a Year 11 and 12 literature course, such as the focus on how the text is influenced by when it was created and the author’s beliefs. Others, such as the 'Shorts' unit, where we compare short films, short stories and articles focusing on the same theme, fit more into the Year 11 and 12 English course approach.

The topics my class has covered in our recent Shorts oral presentations have been varied. Many students tackled challenging topics such as the futility of war, mental health, body image, the impact of guilt on our consciousness, the decline of fact and whether true happiness lies beyond wealth.

The works of Stephen King, Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The Yellow Wallpaper) and Ray Bradbury (The Pedestrian); filmmakers including Martin Scorsese; and TED Talks were analysed, leading students to make judgements about which texts conveyed the themes most effectively. I was pleased to see many appreciate the short story over a short film through its use of entertaining language!

Many efforts are made throughout the year in all subjects to balance the teaching of a Year 10 student while also preparing them for their senior studies, helping them to hone the skills they have been developing since they first entered the school in Kindergarten. This is particularly important for English teachers to accomplish, given that all students must study English or literature in the Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) program.

Midway through every academic year, students in Year 10 throughout Australia make decisions about their future studies and careers. This is a big ask when most are only 15 years of age and looking at a projected retirement age of 67. In whichever state they are studying, it is a year when many acronyms suddenly become important. For our Year 10 students and parents at Radford College, the BSSS, the AST and the ATAR are the ones that come to be known as key terms to be understood for the senior years of study.

Save the date

To help students and parents navigate these acronyms and ensure that students make informed decisions about the subjects they wish to study in their senior years, on Tuesday, 24 June, from 6.00 pm, the College is holding an information evening for all 2026 Year 11 parents and students. It will be held in the Collegians Centre, with presentations by the Principal, Mr Christopher Bradbury, and other senior Secondary School staff, including Acting Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Mr Jason Golding; Acting Dean of Senior Studies, Mrs Alyssa Maier; and Head of Student Pathways, Mr Dale Casburn. After the presentations, Heads of Departments and subject teachers will be available to provide more information (individually or in small groups) on courses.

In Week 2 of Term 3, students will meet one-on-one with a senior member of staff to discuss their subject choices and will be referred to the relevant staff for further advice where needed. For maths, prior testing and teacher recommendations will be provided to parents and students to inform decision-making.

Each year, Radford prepares its Year 10 students effectively for their senior years through the knowledge, skills and understanding they develop in Years 7-9. It is done through carefully and thoughtfully planned and implemented events and approaches that help all students make the right decisions about what to study in Years 11 and 12.