3/4 subject year 11 - School restriction

[Blueivy_2000]

Hey there,
I am going to be in year 11 in 2018. I want to do the following subjects:
- Accounting 1/2
- Methods 1/2
- LOTE 1/2
- Chem 1/2
- Biology 3/4
- English 1/2

At my school there a rule which states that a student cannot do a 3/4 in year 11 unless they average <70% as there year 10 overall average. I received the following results:
- English: 64%
- PE: 82%
- Maths: 48%
- Issue studies (compulsory year 10 humanities subject): 74
- Emerging technologies (compulsory year 10 humanities subject): 78
- Cells to system (Year 10 biology enrichment corse):62%
Note: 1 of my tests for this subject got lost during the process of marking hence the teacher(not sure why) gave me an assumed 31% mark on that test and failed me. Also, my exam for this subject did not go too well because of poor work management and me taking on other things such as cadets and not balancing it with my work right. However, I know I could have done better.
- Science: 69%

That gave me an overall average of 64%. My school is not allowing me to do biology 3/4 next year and have "recommended" me against it as I did not meet the requirements. I have learnt to manage my time and have been working very hard. They forgot to move me out of biology 3/4 hence for the 2 week year 11 orientation period I did 3/4 biology which made me realise that I am capable to doing it next year. I got a 80% on the practice SAC.

I understand that it is my fault I did not meet the requirements but I really want to do the subject. Can a school STOP you from doing a VCE subject you want? Not to mention, the school did not inform me that my 3/4 had not biology request has not been accepted. I bought all the material and books for it

 I'm not sure how to make my school allow me to do bio 3/4 next year. I also don't want to move as I go to a selective school (John Monash Science School).

Completing 6 subjects is important to me as 1. I want to get the highest possible ATAR as I want to get into med 2. I know I am capable. I have began tutoring and am willing to work hard. Also, I have taken many steps to improve my time management in preparation for next year. Although I messed up some scores in year 10 I really want to do biology 3/4 next year.

In year 10 semester 1, my results where higher than 70% overall but because I took on work and cadets and did not manage time effectively my average dropped by a lot.

I am keen to do PE 3/4 next year as well, any 3/4 honestly. At this point I'm not even sure what to argue. Should I ask to do 3/4 bio even though my exam scores do not reflect my ability to or PE 3/4 where my exam results do reflect my capability to do well and the only problem is my >70% average.

Any help or advice would be VERY much appreciated.

[Quantum44]

Bio 3/4 is a great subject to do in year 11 and as you are interested in med, it would be ideal. Since you have done the orientation and purchased the materials already, it would be ridiculous for them to try and stop you doing the subject. I’d suggest that you get your parents to contact the school and demand that you be allowed to undertake bio 3/4. Your 80% in the practice SAC should provide good evidence that you can cope and are working hard to improve your grades. I’ve seen situations like these before and you will definitely be allowed to do bio 3/4 if you are tenacious enough as the school will not offer that much resistance.

[exit]

I recommend sending a letter or note to your year level coordinator or speaking with them, outlining the changes that you made to ensure that you will be on top of things for Bio 3/4. However they can still disallow you from doing Bio 3/4 unfortunately.

If they don't let you there's nothing wrong with moving schools. JMSS is overrated IMO

[Yertle the Turtle]

As exit said, talking to your year level coordinator or VCE coordinator should be your first action. Personally, I am not in favour of doing a 3/4 in Year 11 as it gives you a disadvantage, but I see that many people do take this option, and if you really want to, inform the school of this. If you don't contact them, they won't know. Sadly the school can stop you doing this subject, but there shouldn't be a problem with doing Bio 1/2 instead and having a six subject Year 12 load.

[snowisawesome]

As exit said, talking to your year level coordinator or VCE coordinator should be your first action. Personally, I am not in favour of doing a 3/4 in Year 11 as it gives you a disadvantage, but I see that many people do take this option, and if you really want to, inform the school of this. If you don't contact them, they won't know. Sadly the school can stop you doing this subject, but there shouldn't be a problem with doing Bio 1/2 instead and having a six subject Year 12 load.

Most schools don't allow 6 subjects in year 12 AFAIK

[Aaron]

Here's the deal:

Can a school STOP you from doing a VCE subject you want?

Technically, no. A school can provide a strong recommendation not to based on academic achievement.. but that's as far as it goes. Unless the subject does not run due to lack of staffing or funding for the subject. Obviously, if the subject you want clashes with one you're already doing.. then that presents a separate issue.

The only exemption I am aware of is a religious affiliation - a school can mandate that you do a specific subject on those grounds (e.g. religion&society)

At my school there a rule which states that a student cannot do a 3/4 in year 11 unless they average <70% as there year 10 overall average.

This is probably implemented with good reason. At the school where i'm at, we recommend students moving into General from Year 10 who receive less than 50% on their end of year exam not to do General, but that's all we can do legally.

Most schools don't allow 6 subjects in year 12 AFAIK

You can do as many as you want (provided minimum is met). The limitation at the school level is timetabling/blocking.

[snowisawesome]

Here's the deal:
Technically, no. A school can provide a strong recommendation not to based on academic achievement.. but that's as far as it goes. Unless the subject does not run due to lack of staffing or funding for the subject. Obviously, if the subject you want clashes with one you're already doing.. then that presents a separate issue.

The only exemption I am aware of is a religious affiliation - a school can mandate that you do a specific subject on those grounds (e.g. religion&society)
This is probably implemented with good reason. At the school where i'm at, we recommend students moving into General from Year 10 who receive less than 50% on their end of year exam not to do General, but that's all we can do legally.

You can do as many as you want. The limitation at the school level is timetabling/blocking.

My school "strictly prohibits" 6 subjects in year 12