Subject Packages

These subject packages are subject to change from year to year.

To prepare the girls for their subject choices for Grade 10, 11 and 12 (F.E.T.) we have printed below:

(a) A SUMMARY of how the choice should be made. (b) The SUBJECT PACKAGE GROUPS (c) F.E.T. EDUCATION REOUIREMENTS (d) TERTIARY EDUCATION REOUIREMENTS

(a) SUMMARY OF A PUPIL'S PACKAGE:

English		Compulsory Subjects
Afrikaans
Life Orientation
Maths or
Maths Literacy

PLUS

Choice of 3 subjects from 1 GROUP of subjects

(b) THE SUBJECT PACKAGE GROUPS:

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS: (FUNDAMENTALS)

GROUP 1:	GROUP 2:	GROUP 3:
English	Life Orientation	Mathematics
and		or
Afrikaans		Maths. Literacy

CHOICES:

CHOOSE ONE FROM EACH GROUP OF SUBJECTS AS LAID OUT IN THE TABLE THAT FOLLOWS (ELECTIVES)

Example:		Group 5
		Drama, Life Sciences & Accountancy.

Group	Subject 1	Subject 2	Subject 3
1	Physical Science	Life Sciences	History
2	Physical Science	Life Sciences	Accountancy
3	Physical Science	Life Sciences	Consumer Studies
4	Drama	Life Sciences	History
5	Drama	Life Sciences	Accountancy
6	Drama	Life Sciences	Consumer Studies
7	Business Studies	Life Sciences	History
8	Business Studies	Life Sciences	Accountancy
9	Business Studies	Life Sciences	Consumer Studies
10	Physical Science	Geography	History
11	Physical Science	Geography	Life Sciences
12	Physical Science	Geography	Accountancy
13	Physical Science	Geography	Consumer Studies
14	Drama	Geography	History
15	Drama	Geography	Life Sciences
16	Drama	Geography	Accountancy
17	Drama	Geography	Consumer Studies
18	Business Studies	Geography	History
19	Business Studies	Geography	Life Sciences
20	Business Studies	Geography	Accountancy
21	Business Studies	Geography	Consumer Studies
22	Physical Science	Visual Arts	History
23	Physical Science	Visual Arts	Life Sciences
24	Physical Science	Visual Arts	Accountancy
25	Physical Science	Visual Arts	Consumer Studies
26	Drama	Visual Arts	History
27	Drama	Visual Arts	Life Sciences
28	Drama	Visual Arts	Accountancy
29	Drama	Visual Arts	Consumer Studies
30	Business Studies	Visual Arts	History
31	Business Studies	Visual Arts	Life Sciences
32	Business Studies	Visual Arts	Accountancy
33	Business Studies	Visual Arts	Consumer Studies
34	Physical Science	Computer Application Technology	History
35	Physical Science	Computer Application Technology	Life Sciences
36	Physical Science	Computer Application Technology	Accountancy
37	Physical Science	Computer Application Technology	Consumer Studies
38	Business Studies	Computer Application Technology	History
39	Business Studies	Computer Application Technology	Life Sciences
40	Business Studies	Computer Application Technology	Accountancy
41	Business Studies	Computer Application Technology	Consumer Studies

REPORTING PERFORMANCE

ACHIEVEMENT RATING CODES	RATING	MARKS
7	Outstanding achievement	80 — 100
6	Meritorious achievement	70 — 79
5	Substantial achievement	60 — 69
4	Adequate achievement	50 — 59
3	Moderate achievement	50 — 59
2	Elementary achievement	30 — 39
1	Not achieved	0 — 29

(c) F.E.T. EDUCATION REOUIREMENTS:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING AN N.C.S. (GENERAL)

To obtain the National Senior Certificate (N.S.C.) a learner must achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level, and 30% in three subjects, provided that a complete portfolio of evidence in the school-based assessment component is submitted in the subject failed.

The ratio of the external exam to the site-based assessments is 75%:25%, with the exception of Life Orientation, where the internal assessment will be 100% of the total mark. A further 25% may be allocated to subjects that, by their nature, require other forms of school-based assessment such as practicals, orals etc.

(c) F.E.T. EDUCATION REOUIREMENTS:

You will require the following minimal results in the FETC (General):
To commence study for a:

Higher Certificate:	National Senior Certificate (N.S.C.) Relevant institutional requirements.
Diploma:	N.S.C. plus 4 subjects from designated list at a rating of 3 (40—49%) excluding Life Orientation Relevant institutional requirements.
First Degree:	N.S.C. plus 4 subjects from designated list at a rating of 4 (50— 59%) Relevant institutional requirements. For tertiary education a learner must achieve a minimum of 40% in Life Orientation. C.A.T. is not a designated subject but learners can take it providing that, should they wish to go to university, they must have two other designated subjects besides the four compulsory subjects.

Designated subjects: are those subjects which are believed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are needed for success in degree studies. The designated subjects are additional to the compulsory subjects.

The designated subjects we offer at Our Lady of Fatima are as follows:

* Accounting	* Life Sciences
* Business Studies	* Mathematics
* Dramatic Arts	* Mathematical Literacy
* Geography	* Physical Science
* History	* Visual Arts
* Consumer Studies

CHOOSING SUBJECTS:

In choosing subjects from this list a learner must also keep in mind the subject requirements for the career that she intends to follow. Many qualifications in the fields of science, engineering, technology, health sciences and business & economic sciences require a learner to achieve at a specific level in Mathematics (rather than Mathematical Literacy). In addition some institutions have specific requirements for certain courses of study.

As a rule of thumb then the following is pertinent

Do well in the medium of instruction and at least four designated subjects over and above languages. Be mindful of the institutional admission requirement. For courses where Mathematics is a faculty requirement, Mathematics (and not Mathematical Literacy) should be included as a designated subject.

WHAT IS A SUBJECT?

Historically, a subject has been defined as a specific body of academic knowledge. This understanding of a subject laid emphasis on knowledge at the expense of skills, values and attitudes. Subjects were viewed by some as static and unchanging, with rigid boundaries. Very often, subjects mainly emphasised Western contributions to knowledge.

In an outcomes-based curriculum like the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 – 12 (General), subject boundaries are blurred. Knowledge integrates theory, skills and values. Subjects are viewed as dynamic, always responding to new and diverse knowledge, including knowledge that traditionally has been excluded from the formal curriculum.

A subject in an outcomes-based curriculum is broadly defined by Learning Outcomes, and not by its body of content. In the South African context, the Learning Outcomes, should, by design, lead to the achievement of the Critical and developmental Outcomes. Learning Outcomes are defined in broad terms and are flexible, making allowances for the inclusion of local inputs.

WHAT IS A LEARNING OUTCOME?

A Learning Outcome is a statement of an intended result of learning and teaching. It describes knowledge, skills and values that learners should acquire by the end of the Further Education and Training band. Learning Outcomes are packed into subjects

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT STANDARD?

Assessment Standards are criteria that collectively provide evidence of what a learner should know and be able to demonstrate at a specific grade. They embody the knowledge, skills and values required to achieve the Learning Outcomes. Assessment Standards within each Learning Outcome collectively show how conceptual progression occurs from grade to grade.

SUBJECT CHOICE DECISION MAKING

1. THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS IN GENERAL:

	When deciding on a subject package for matric, you need to ask yourself the following:
	1.1	What are my abilities
		Which subjects am I best at? Which aptitudes did my aptitude test point towards? What skills do I have?
	1.2	What are some of my interests?
		Which subjects do I enjoy most? What general interests do I have?
	1.3	What are my needs and values?
		What do I consider to be important? What would I like to achieve in my life?
	*Only after considering the above three points I could ask myself:*
	1.4	What are my possible future career plans?
		What subjects are compulsory for my chosen career? What subjects are useful? Do not be concerned if as yet you are not sure what career to follow when you leave school. Make sure that you leave as many options open as possible.

2. WHO ELSE CAN HELP YOU MAKE A DECISION?


	2.1	Your teachers have been teaching you their particular subject for some time now and should have some idea as to how you would fare if you continued in that subject up to matric level.
	2.2	Your teacher-counsellor has spent many guidance lessons assisting you with this decision. She has access to I.Q. and aptitude test results and all your previous marks, as well as the requirements for tertiary education, which should also help you.
	2.4	Your parents need to be consulted. They would like to feel that you are making the best possible choice which would fit in with your abilities, interests and future aspirations.

3. A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH PROCESS OF DECISION MAKING?


	3.1	You know your objective: You want to choose a package which suits you best and allows you as many options open as possible.
	3.2	You have gathered the necessary information: Not only have you done self-analysis, but you also have information about the subjects and what they can lead to.
	3.3	You need to examine alternatives: After asking yourself the questions mentioned previously in this section, jot down some alternatives. Consult teachers where necessary. Discuss these with your parents. As we did in class, first look at those subjects which are often compulsory requirements for certain courses i.e. Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology. Check on the minimum marks we suggest as well as your answers to the questions mentioned previously in this section. Then, examine the suitability of the other subjects: Refer again to your abilities, interests, etc.
	3.4	You need to make a decision: After examining all the angles, you should be able to hone in on one choice. Be objective. Do not choose a package because you think it may be easy or your friend is doing it. Remember: YOU are the person who will be following this course for the next three years of your life!