Subject Choice Policy

Subject Choices
The following subject choices are available for 2013:

Grade 8
Pupils will be required to take the following subjects:


 * English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences (Life Sciences &amp; Physical Sciences), Human &amp; Social Sciences (Geography &amp; History), Economic Management Sciences (Accounting &amp; Business Studies), Technology (includes CAD), Life Orientation (includes Physical Education), Arts and Culture (includes Art, Music &amp; Drama)
 * One of: Afrikaans or IsiZulu as a First Additional Language
 * One of: Enrichment Art, Enrichment Drama, Equine Studies or Enrichment Music or, on recommendation, Extra Afrikaans or Extra Mathematics, and Accelerated Mathematics.

Grade 9
Pupils will be required to take the following subjects:


 * English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences (Life Sciences &amp; Physical Sciences), Human &amp; Social Sciences (Geography &amp; History), Economic Management Sciences (Accounting &amp; Business Studies), Technology (includes CAD), Life Orientation (includes Physical Education), Arts and Culture (includes Art, Music &amp; Drama)
 * One of: Afrikaans or IsiZulu as a First Additional Language
 * One of: Enrichment Art, Enrichment Drama, Equine Studies and Enrichment Music or, on recommendation, Extra Afrikaans or Extra Mathematics, and Accelerated Mathematics.

Grade 10
For Grade 10 the choice will be as follows:


 * English and Life Orientation compulsory
 * One of: Afrikaans or IsiZulu as a First Additional Language
 * One of: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
 * One of: Business Studies, Geography, Accounting, Life Sciences or Engineering, Graphics & Design
 * One of: Geography, Visual Arts, Physical Sciences, Information Technology or Business studies
 * One of: History, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Dramatic Arts or Equine Studies

Pupils will be required to offer a choice of subjects which satisfies the National Senior Certificate.

Grade 11
For Grade 11 the choice will be as follows:

Pupils will be required to offer a choice of subjects which satisfies the National Senior Certificate.
 * English and Life Orientation compulsory
 * One of: Afrikaans or IsiZulu as a First Additional Language
 * One of: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
 * One of: Equine Studies, Geography, Information Technology, Life Sciences; Business Studies, Visual Arts
 * One of: History, Geography, Physical Sciences, Dramatic Arts, Accounting
 * One of: Business Studies, History, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences

Grade 12
For Grade 12 the choice will be as follows:


 * English and Life Orientation compulsory
 * One of: Afrikaans or IsiZulu as a First Additional Language
 * One of: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
 * One of: Life Sciences, Geography, Dramatic Arts, History, Accounting, Equine Studies
 * One of: Physical Sciences, Geography, Visual Arts, Business Studies, Information Technology
 * One of: Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Business Studies, History

Pupils will be required to offer a choice of subjects which satisfies the National Senior Certificate.

Grade 9 Subject Choice Process
The subject choice process is largely undertaken by the Deputy Head: Academics and the Grade 9 Grade Tutor in consultation with the Head of Admin and Planning and the Head.


 * 1) The Head confirms which subjects will be offered in the Grade 10 year.
 * 2) A preliminary subject choice survey is conducted where pupils have the freedom to choose any three subjects, regardless of grouping.
 * 3) The Grade Tutor collects the survey results.
 * 4) The Head of Admin and Planning collates the survey results and compiles the subject choice package that will be offered in Grade 10.
 * 5) At the start of Term 3, a subject choice information evening is held, hosted by the Deputy Head: Academics. The subject choices will be presented to the parents at this evening. A booklet, with information regarding subject choices and HoD email addresses, may be made available electronically to all grade 9 parents.
 * 6) Pupils have until the end of September to make their final subject choice based on the subject choice packages.
 * 7) The Head of Admin and Planning will make recommendations to parents regarding subject prescriptions that have not been met.
 * 8) Classes and sizes are then published to the Heads of Department for planning purposes.

Changes to the Subject Choice Offerings
From time to time, it is necessary to discontinue subjects and introduce others.

If a subject is discontinued, it will be phased out over a three-year period ensuring that any pupil who has chosen the subject will be able to continue with it until the end of their schooling.

The table below shows a phase-out scenario for a subject which is being phased out.

8th Additional Subjects

 * Advanced Programme Mathematics will be offered to the top Grade 10, 11 and 12 Mathematics pupils from the beginning of Term 1. The respective parents will be invoiced for the tuition and these lessons will take place outside of normal school hours.
 * Advanced Programme English will be offered to competent grade 11 pupils from Term 1 onwards. These classes will also take place after school hours and is for the cost of parents.
 * Music (as a NSC subject) may be offered and is for cost to parent and happens outside of normal school hours.
 * Other subjects offered as an additional subjects will be for the parents’ account after consultation with the Head.

First Additional Language
Afrikaans and IsiZulu (Grades 8 to 12) are offered as First Additional Languages, except for immigrants (see below). However, should a pupil opt for a language in place of Afrikaans or IsiZulu all tuition costs will be for the account of the individual’s parents. The Academic Head will control subject content and other related curriculum and academic matters, however, this is ratified by the Head.

Immigrants
Pupils who have Immigrant Status (as determined by the IEB), or have an exemption from a First additional language (as determined by the IEB), will not be compelled to take a First Additional Language. CAT is offered as an alternative at parent cost and after hours or on a correspondence basis, to be facilitated by the College.