Step Up (9-10)
The Step Up school years are in year 9 and 10 at Geraldton Grammar School where students study specialised subject areas. They undertake formal exams in preparation for their WACE examinations and start taking on a leadership role with various tasks around the school.
All students in year 9 and 10 take the following core subjects: English, Maths, Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, Health and Phys Ed. They also choose from the following options: Media, Music, Drama, Visual Art, Computing, Chinese, Outdoor Education, Physical Education Studies and Applied Technologies. Students choose two of these options which they study for the full year.
An aim in year 10 is to allow students to develop a clearer understanding of their post-school choices, hence we narrow down what they study and ask them to start specialising. The Personal Development Program in year 10 is called the Gateway Program, the aims of which is to give students as much information as possible and to support them in their planning for their post-school lives, whether that be the workforce, tertiary education, or vocational education. We have guest speakers, the students visit expos, there is a five day camp in Perth, and work experience, all aimed at equipping our students with as much knowledge as possible to make good choices. Our students engage in one-on-one counselling on career issues, a process that also involves their parents.