Year 11 Subject Selection

From 2024 a full Year 11 study load is 6 subjects per semester plus the wellbeing line.

English: SACE stipulates that all South Australian Stage I students must complete two semesters (20 credits) worth of a Stage I English subject. Students must achieve a C grade or above to complete the subject successfully and gain their SACE.

Mathematics: SACE stipulates that all South Australian Stage I students must complete one semester (10 credits) worth of a Stage I Mathematics subject. Students must achieve a C grade or above to complete the subject successfully and gain their SACE. It is a Pulteney requirement that students who wish to continue with a Mathematics subject at Stage II must enrol in a full year (20 credits) of a Stage 1 Mathematics subject. Students who have successfully passed their first semester, gaining their compulsory 10 Numeracy credits, and do not wish to continue with Mathematics at Stage II, may be able to choose an alternate subject in Semester 2 which is more aligned to their pathway.

Stage 2 Compulsory 10 Credits: The SACE board is currently renewing the Research Project, which is a compulsory 10 Credit subject at Stage 11 level. This will become Activating Identities and Futures. After a successful pilot of Exploring Identity and Futures in 2023, Pulteney will continue to work closely with the SACE Board as to the most appropriate course for our students in 2024. Students must achieve a C– grade or above to complete the subject successfully and gain their SACE. Pulteney delivers the subject in Year 11, rather than Year 12 so that students have the best opportunity to choose from a wider array of subjects in Year 12 in preparation for their tertiary studies. The skills developed from this course will support students in all their Stage II studies.

Students will undertake one Wellbeing line which includes, House, Chapel and Wellbeing programs, Futures education, as well as other experiential learning opportunities for students to develop their agency as learners.

Students are able to tailor all other subjects to their individual passions and interests.

It is an expectation that students will undertake a full study load for the duration of both semesters. This will ensure that students have the best opportunity to meet SACE expectations and obtain all the necessary credits to be a viable candidate for tertiary education entrance.

Should a student, due to exceptional circumstances, wish for subject withdrawal to be considered, they are to approach their subject teacher and Head of House to have detailed discussion regarding the potential consequences. Following this discussion, students must obtain written parent approval for withdrawal to be considered and potentially approved.

A reduction in study load in Year 11 can only be approved by the Head of one ninety.

Alleviations to subject loads are more readily considered should a student be undertaking (or have undertaken) a VET course or other external course(s) which will award (or have awarded) SACE credits.

Students have the opportunity to change from one subject to another at the beginning of the individual semesters. However, this change must take place before the end of the second week of Term 1 and Term 3. Following this, changes will not be considered.

Should a student wish to make the decision to change subjects, they are to approach their subject teacher and Head of House to have detailed discussion regarding the potential consequences. Following this discussion, students must obtain written parent approval for the final decision to be considered and potentially approved.

Students are, however, encouraged to plan their subjects carefully the year before and avoid disruptions to the start of studies by requesting changes at the start of the year.

Yes you can! For more information please see our VET page

Subjects studied at Stage 1 will not impact on a student’s eligibility for tertiary entrance. However, students are advised to choose carefully in Year 11 to set up a pathway for their Stage II studies which will ensure they qualify for tertiary entrance in the field of their choosing.

Tertiary course prerequisites are different for each individual institution. Further differences exist from state to state. Students are therefore highly encouraged to visit or contact the individual institutions they are considering.

Subject counselling is a round table discussion involving the student and the people who know them best as a person, and a learner: parents and caregivers and Heads of House. Expert advice from the Coordinator of Futures, SACE coordinator and Head of Inclusive education 7-12 is available on the day. The partnership formed between parents and the school is vital in supporting students to plan a study program which will best enable their academic success. As such we welcome parents to attend the subject counselling interview.

However, many students are certain of their subject choices and their career pathways and have discussed these regularly with their parents. In recognition that senior students should be responsible and empowered to have carefully considered their pathway in consultation with their parents, parent attendance on the day is not mandatory.

The subject selection process at Pulteney follows this pattern each year (click on the image to enlarge):

What do I do next to support my child in selecting their subjects? (click on the image to enlarge)

To further assist you with subject selection, a list of contact addresses can be found below. Subject specific questions should be directed to the Learning Area Leader. More general enquiries should be directed to your child’s Head of House.