Building on skills gained in junior materials classes, this year long course builds both practical (hands on) and design skills. After ensuring appropriate workplace safety, students build a range of skills through a series of practical activities.
For their chosen advanced furniture projects, students develop a portfolio including a design brief, research, design sketches and an evaluation.
Essential skills in measurements and calculations, quality standards, teamwork, communication, documentation, ethical and sustainable practices are developed supporting further VCE and VCAL study in the subject.
Projects may also incorporate the use of CAD and laser cutting technologies.
Students will consider a range of materials and different finishes will be explored and adapted to suit the needs of the project.

Within the year 10 Applied Computing course students work within the problem-solving methodology to analyse problems, design and develop solutions, prior to evaluating their solution.
The first part of the course looks at techniques for data analysis using database and spreadsheet software.
Following Project Management techniques and software, students use, review and compare primary and secondary sources of data whilst adhering to relevant legislation. Having completed their research, students create an infographic as a visual representation of their findings.
The course will also introduce students to object oriented programming using Python.
They will be introduced to relevant terminology and concepts and will be able to create simple programs with branching and iterations (loops).

Python is one of the most popular programming languages today.
In addition, students will develop their understanding of how networks function in order to communicate and provide a global resource.
This brings potential security issues and students will investigate security threats and practises aimed at reducing risks and potential harm. The course provides an introduction to VCE Applied Computing (Data Analytics).
The underpinning skills of analysis, research and critical/ creative thinking support a variety of VCE subjects.

Astrophysics and Organic Chemistry

This course is designed for Year 9 and 10 students who are thinking about studying VCE Chemistry and / or Physics.

In this course, students will learn about the types of bonding involved in ionic, covalent and metallic compounds. They will study organic chemistry and learn how to name and draw hydrocarbons. Students will apply this knowledge to investigate the reactions of hydrocarbons and explore compounds such as carboxylic acids and haloalkanes.

They will also explore many of the really interesting topics in Physics which include astrophysics, circular motion, black holes, quantum mechanics, the Big Bang, dark matter, dual nature of light and much, much more.

While not a prerequisite for VCE, this course will be a great preparation and introduction to some of the content in the VCE course. It is suitable for Essential Science students and Year 9 students thinking of completing a Year 11 Science subject in Year 10.

Cracking the Code

• Do you like solving puzzles?
• Solving crimes?
• The game of Cluedo?
• Using computers?
• Cracking codes?
• Discovering secrets?
• Do you see yourself as a future hacker?

Cryptography is the art of writing and solving codes

In this subject students will learn complex encryption and decryption methods, developing their mathematics and problem solving skills. Students will first look at the history of cryptography and develop basic skills and knowledge relating to ancient ciphers (dating back to the time of Julius Caesar). Students will delve into solving complex logic problems as well as learn new maths skills relating to about number theory, prime number theory as well as binary and modular arithmetic. Students will also develop their coding capabilities. Finally, with these skills, students will study modern cryptography methods and their role in IT security, such as keeping your credit card details secret or keeping online information hidden from hackers.

Note: Students ideally require their own laptop to undertake this subject.

Skills & Knowledge

In the Victorian Curriculum, there is no learning area based specifically around Cryptography, however the skills learnt in this unit draw from various aspects of the curriculum (both learning areas and capabilities), providing students with an opportunity to meet several outcomes. Specific links are made below in the proposed Scope & Sequence. Generally, the course includes links with the following:

Learning Areas

• English
• Mathematics
• History
• Digital Technologies

Capabilities

• Personal & Social Capability
• Ethical Capability
• Critical & Creative Thinking

The aim of the Dromana College Cycling Program is to foster a cycling culture to enable students to gain valuable skills and knowledge about cycling and racing, and to provide challenging and positive experiences for participants. A maximum of 30 students from Years 9 and 10 can be accepted into the program, due to staffing limitations. Students would improve on basic, intermediate and advanced off road riding skills through theory and practical sessions. Students need to apply and need to be accepted to the program.

Students would do the following activities:

• Undergo an extensive skills based training regime tailored for individual needs undertaken at school and at followed up at home.
• Understand training and racing food requirements and the role of hydration.
• Care and maintenance of their personal equipment including the servicing and maintenance of their riding gear, and their mountain bikes.
• Study the theory behind gear ratios, tyre pressures, different lube characteristics, and hydraulic braking
• Descending and hill climbing techniques, accelerating and braking techniques and cornering to negotiate obstacles.
• Become more environmentally aware of the impact of users such as mountain bikers on the native vegetation and wildlife. Parents are required to organise the regular bringing of the mountain bike to school.

Cost: $75.00 per term, or $300.00 for 12 months’ involvement. This is to cover the reduced ratio of students to staff for risk management of cyclists.
This subject is not offered beyond Year 10

PLEASE NOTE: MAXIMUM 30 STUDENTS FROM YEAR 9 AND YEAR 10

This subject introduces students to the concept of sustainability and encourages an understanding of the complex interactions between the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability. Attracting students from a range of fields, Design for a Sustainable Future will bring a multidisciplinary team perspective to the research, analysis and problemsolving aspects of creating positive change towards sustainability within our school. This subject aims to give students a sense of empowerment and achievement in addition to tangible leadership and design skills which will feed into a range of later year study areas.

In small teams, students will be required to critique, design and present an action plan aimed at resolving a sustainability issue that impacts current and future generations. This subject provides students with the opportunity to enhance, demonstrate and document work-ready skills appropriate to their personal areas of interest.

Areas of study within this course will be: waste management, sustainability of materials, recycling, composting, permaculture, entrepreneurship, leadership, critical analysis, ethical and sustainable production, safety in product design, technology in sustainability, community development.

The year 10 Photography elective will run for the year.

Semester One involves traditional photography in the darkroom, where students will be learning about exposure times and aperture functions. In Semester Two, students will be working with digital cameras and computer software to help enhance their work.

The study of Literature is an exciting course that develops and extends students who are already enjoying the study of English. The course relies upon lively debate amongst class members to develop and extend an understanding of a variety of different texts including films, novels, poetry and plays. Coursework includes creative responses, spirited discussion and analytical thinking and writing.

This broad selection of tasks encourages students to become independent and critical thinkers. These skills will assist students in their future academic study and life-long careers. Students interested in undertaking VCE Literature are strongly encourage to undertake Year 10 Literature

Music Extension provides music students with the opportunity to learn extended musical concepts. Students perform regularly, including lunchtime performances and school concerts, which allow them to develop confidence in performances in a variety of settings.

Students are required to perform repertoire from the relevant themes or styles presented to them weekly. They use general listening and specific aural skills to enhance their performances and knowledge of the elements of music, style and notation to arrange, compose and share their music. Students are also required to analyse recordings and videos of their own performances, as a way to improve and self-evaluate their technical and performance skills.

In order to undertake this subject, it is compulsory for students to have prior/current experience playing an instrument (or voice) and ongoing music lessons.

Introduction to Psychology

Psychology reaches into every part of our lives. It is an incredibly diverse and fascinating subject that considers virtually every aspect of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. No matter what your current interests are, how well you want to do at school or what job you want in the future, psychology can help you develop an understanding of yourself and those around you. Topics include:

• What is the relationship between the structure and function of the brain?
• How is it that the brain allows us to experience emotions like fear, sadness and excitement?
• What factors contribute to behaviour change in social situations?
• How does stress affect the human body?
• How can research methods be used to create scientific experiments?

This elective will also help you prepare for VCE Psychology and a future career in the following:

• Social work and welfare support
• Education
• Advertising, sales and marketing
• Research
• Clinical practice
• Sports
• Criminal justice system – forensics

Ever wished you could choose what you wanted to study in school? The Project offers you the opportunity to do that. You choose one of the following project types:

• An extended dissertation (c2000-3000 words)
• Creating an artefact (a thing!)

Sample project ideas:

• Should human cloning be allowed? (dissertation)
• Is graffiti an art form? (dissertation)
• Why is the Ashes such an important cricket event? (dissertation)
• Create an illustrated children’s book (artefact)
• Design your own fishing lure (artefact)
• Create a website for a particular purpose (artefact)
• Build you own computer app (artefact)

The Project develops skills in project management, time planning, research and referencing, essential skills for VCE and University. Each project requires you to develop a project proposal, create a project log (diary) showing your progress and monitoring. You will undertake research from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary, and analyse your findings, using them to enhance your project.
After completing your project, you give a short presentation about your project and its outcomes.

You must be self-motivated and able to work independently- the project is led and driven by you.

This is a VCE course that also works toward a VET Certificate II in Sport and Recreation (completed over two years). In order to receive the certificate, the students must complete all units successfully over both years. Successful completion of this certificate provides entry into the sport and recreation industry.
VCE/VET Certificate III Sport and Recreation (not offered at Dromana College) is a scored assessment and contributes to the students ATAR the same way any other VCE class would. This is a highly theoretical course and while students will be participating in some practical activities, the focus of practical sessions will be on planning, conducting and coaching sessions versus participating in them.

Students who undertake VET Sport and Recreation 1 in Year 10 are eligible to undertake VET Sport and Recreation 2 in Year 11.

Year 10 VET Sport and Recreation 1
This course enables students to learn and apply practical skills in terms of workplace health and safety, responding to emergency situations and applying first aid and organising personal work schedules through applying relative software packages in the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Industry.

St John Ambulance Cadet Program is a national self-funding charitable organization, active in every state and territory, dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. St John has been active in Australia for over one hundred years, and are part of a wider international organization with a long and honourable history.

Students will complete:
Year 9:     HLTAID001        Provide First Aid
Year 10:   HLTAID006        Advance First Aid
Year 10:   HLTAID0078      Advance Resuscitation

Operations Branch volunteers in their familiar black and white uniforms provide the highest quality first aid coverage at sporting and community events. Students strive to complete their Preliminary First Aid certificate, which gains them entry to St John Ambulance and prepares cadets for duty with adult members of the Operations Branch.

NOTE: Students must have completed the St John Ambulance Cadet Program in Year 9 and please be aware that this course does not continue beyond Year 10.

Senior Maths Enhancement is aimed at students enrolled in Mathematical Methods Unit 1 and 2 who wish to consolidate their skills and knowledge.

In Year 9 / 10 students can access the Tipoff Basketball Program as part of their electives. The program is run in association with the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association and focuses on building students basketball skills, ability to work in teams and to have an understanding of health and fitness. The program offers students the opportunity to complete their referee accreditation and level 0 coaching course, as well as various excursions to leaders in the field of Basketball specific training.

NOTE: This course is not offered beyond Year 10

In this subject, students will follow the design process in response to client briefs from the Industrial, Environmental, and Communication fields of design.

Students will experiment with a variety of methods, media and materials, including pencil rendering, technical drawing, painting, model-making, and digital methods, with students able to access all programs in the Adobe CC suite via the Technology Portal.

Students will build their awareness of how designers use the elements and principles of design to communicate ideas visually.

This area of study leads into VCE Visual Communication Design Unit 1 – 4, and will be both practical and theory based.

Please note, students will require an A3 visual diary if they choose this subject.

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary science that explores the interactions and interconnectedness between humans and their environments and analyses the functions of both living and non-living elements that sustain Earth systems.

Unit 1: How are Earth’s systems connected? (2020)

In this unit students examine Earth as a set of four interacting systems: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Students apply a systems perspective when exploring the physical requirements for life in terms of inputs and outputs, and consider the effects of natural and human-induced changes in ecosystems. They investigate the physical environment and its components, the function of local ecosystems and the interactions that occur in and between ecological components over different timescales. Students consider how the biotic and abiotic components of local ecosystems can be monitored and measured.

Unit 2: How can pollution be managed? (2019)

Students investigate the extent to which humans modify their environments and the consequences of these changes in local and global contexts with a focus on pollution, biodiversity, energy use and climate change; they explore the conceptual, behavioural, ethical and technological responses to these changes. VCE Environmental Science provides for continuing study pathways within the field and leads to a range of careers. Diverse areas of employment range from design, including landscape or building architecture, engineering and urban planning, environmental consultancy and advocacy, which may involve employment in air, water and/or soil quality monitoring and control, agriculture, construction, mining and property management and water quality engineering. Environmental scientists also work in cross-disciplinary areas such as bushfire research, environmental management and conservation, geology and oceanography.

NOTE: Environmental Science Unit 3 /4 is not offered at Dromana College.