Welcome to Stage 6!
This website contains information and guidance to assist you as you select your stage six electives.
From the Director
of Studies
Our Courses
All subjects taught at CHCCS cater for a diversity of student interests and teacher expertise. Below is our offering.
Alumni Tips
Don’t just take our word, here’s what previously graduated students have to say about Stage 6 at CHCCS
HOW MANY YEARS WERE YOU AT CHCCS?
Six! Year 7 until Year 12.
Six! Year 7 until Year 12.
SUBJECTS TAKEN AT CHCCS:
Years 9 & 10 – PASS and Marine Studies
Years 11 & 12 – Biology, PDHPE, Indonesian, Advanced Maths and Advanced English
ADVICE ON SELECTING SUBJECTS:
I think it’s helpful to choose the subjects you are interested in, rather than prioritising subjects you think you will need for university or for a better ATAR.
HSC RESULT:
ATAR 78.5
ADVICE ON HOW YOU ACHIEVED SO WELL AT HIGH SCHOOL:
Oh that’s flattering, I think what I began to learn in high school was ‘the balance’.
The balance being not just between your subjects and schooling, but also on your family, your friends and social life, your mental health and wellbeing, your hobbies, your sports or exercise, your church, etc. Working out how to manage this balance is key!
UNIVERSITY AND COURSES ATTENDED:
University of Newcastle – 1 year
Charles Sturt University – 3 years
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS COURSE:
I initially chose Nursing with the intention of gaining credit for the Paramedics course – Paramedics was always the goal!
MOST UNUSUAL JOB I HAVE HAD:
Housekeeping in a Canadian hostel. Mostly involved cleaning vomit out of 200 bins. Those were the days...
WHERE I AM WORKING AND LIVING NOW:
I currently live in Wellington, New Zealand. I am a paramedic with Wellington Free Ambulance here.
A WORD OF ADVICE/ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A YEAR 10 STUDENT LOOKING AT THEIR FUTURE:
Hi guys! Like I mentioned earlier – try to remember the balance. Education is important, but it makes up only one aspect of you. There are still many others that need attention! Good luck and enjoy, there will be a time soon when you look back and miss your schooling days!
PS. if you have any questions about paramedics – ask my Mum (Mrs. Marsden) for my email!
HOW MANY YEARS WERE YOU AT CHCCS?
8 years, I came to CHCCS at the end of Year 4.
8 years, I came to CHCCS at the end of Year 4.
SUBJECTS TAKEN AT CHCCS:
Standard English, 4 Unit Maths, Chemistry, PDHPE and Industrial Technology
ADVICE ON SELECTING SUBJECTS:
Choose the subjects you’re going to enjoy learning. Then you’ll have the passion to study for it a lot more.
HSC RESULT:
ATAR 97.40, Band 6 in 3 Unit Maths, Chemistry and Industrial Technology.
ADVICE ON HOW YOU ACHIEVED SO WELL AT HIGH SCHOOL:
I enjoyed the subjects I studied. When HSC exam period came around, I took leave from work and set out a schedule for the 5 weeks of what to study each day. I allocated this time as if I was still going to school.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDED:
Griffith University, Gold Coast.
COURSE/S STUDIED:
Bachelor of Exercise Science, now currently finishing a Master of Medical Research.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS COURSE:
I wanted a course where I could incorporate sport and use my brain. I thought that was going to be physiotherapy, but quickly realised that I preferred research in sport science.
MOST UNUSUAL JOB I HAVE HAD:
Making the ID cards for new university students at Orientation Week.
WHERE I AM WORKING AND LIVING NOW:
Still live on the Gold Coast, now working at Griffith University teaching Statistics for Exercise and Health Science students, as well as working in Student Administration at Griffith University.
A WORD OF ADVICE/ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A YEAR 10 STUDENT LOOKING AT THEIR FUTURE:
Though time at school may feel stressful right now, in a few years you will forget the stress and remember the good times. Enjoy your time at school, start to practice habits of learning, and if you don’t know something, ask your teacher! Never leave a class not understanding the concept that was being taught.
HOW MANY YEARS WERE YOU AT CHCCS?
5 years (Years 8-12)
5 years (Years 8-12)
SUBJECTS TAKEN AT CHCCS:
Year 11 & 12: English Advanced & Ext, Maths Advanced & Ext, Biology, Chemistry, Legal Studies.
Year 9 & 10: electives were Agriculture, Art and Marine Studies.
SHORT ADVICE ON SELECTING SUBJECTS:
Talk to the teacher about the subject first. That’ll give you a better idea of what the content is, and whether they think you’re suited to it. Also, if you can, choose a few different types of subjects e.g. not all "major work" subjects, not all science. Even if it means choosing one that’s a bit more unnatural for you, it’ll mean your brain doesn’t get tired from doing the same sort of thing ALL the time.
HSC RESULT:
ATAR 97.15
ADVICE ON HOW YOU ACHIEVED SO WELL AT HIGH SCHOOL:
I learnt how to summarise, how to see the big picture. I didn’t get too far behind, usually by working for a little bit most nights Mon-Fri and making sure my class notes were complete, so they could be used for later summarising. Enjoying extra things in school meant that I could still look forward to school even if schoolwork was in a hard season. I also enjoyed things outside of school – especially sport and time with friends.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDED:
Griffith University, Gold Coast. Moore Theological College.
COURSE/S STUDIED:
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS COURSE:
I wanted to be a vet, or maybe something else in the science field. This was a broad course that showed me the options for future study or jobs, while still learning lots in the course itself. It was also at a university in a location I wanted to live.
MOST UNUSUAL JOB I HAVE HAD:
Unrelated to my degree, I worked in giving students their robes and hats on university graduation day. As part of my degree, I was involved in a study that measured how long stingrays could last in low-oxygen water before turning on their survival mechanisms (don’t worry, we then turned the oxygen back up and the stingrays lived another day!).
WHERE I AM WORKING AND LIVING NOW:
Living in Sydney, studying at Bible College. I’m hoping to work in a university Christian group, opening the Bible with people who know Jesus and people who don’t.
A WORD OF ADVICE/ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A YEAR 10 STUDENT LOOKING AT THEIR FUTURE:
Lots of decisions ahead – but also lots of opportunities to know and love people and to try different things. It’s easy to accidentally live in the future, always planning or worrying. A better place to live is the present: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90. Read the whole thing, it gives good perspective!)
OUR RECOMMENDED DO'S!
How to make the best choices about your subjects
- Choose subjects according to your interests. You are more likely to do well if you enjoy what you are doing!
- Choose subjects according to your strengths.
- Ask questions of the teachers about what is involved in their subject.
- Know if you have any prerequisites courses which you are required to study for entry into your desired university course.
OUR RECOMMENDED DONT'S!
Mistakes to avoid in making subject decisions.
- Don’t choose more than 2 courses with major projects. Major projects take considerable time to complete to a high standard. Having more than 2 subjects with major projects will occupy a significant amount of your available time in Year 12.
- Don’t choose subjects based on scaling for a better ATAR if you do not excel at the subject. You are more likely to receive a better ATAR if you get a high mark in an easier subject than a lower mark in a difficult subject.
- Don’t apply too much weight on university RECOMMENDED areas of learning. You must also consider your skillset in each subject and how the course may impact your ATAR. Talk to our Careers Advisor, Mrs. Jackson, to see if your university has subject requirements for a course you are interested in.
- Don’t choose a subject based on your friend’s selection. Although it is nice to take classes with friends, it may be more beneficial to your learning if you select the subjects you are interested in and are talented at.
Got a Question?
Fill out the form below and we will be in touch.