Curriculum

Pre-K is a school readiness for children the year before commencing Kindergarten. It is designed to provide a strong foundation of early literacy and numeracy skills to prepare your child for the move to Kindergarten.

The Pre-K program works towards Early Stage One outcomes across all curriculum areas set by NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Students are introduced to the College through enriched, fun and engaging learning experiences as part of a school readiness program based on the College's Teaching and Learning Framework.

Thematic units will encourage experimentation, guided discovery of facts and a connection to the real world. Pre-K is a dynamic learning environment filled with investigation, and engaging opportunities for structured and self-directed play.

Our program provides a warm and supportive community where each child feels safe and nurtured, being a valued part of a Christian environment with an integrated Christian Education program.

The College adheres to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Curriculum. Within our teaching and learning programs opportunity is provided for differentiated learning, learning support, enrichment programs and the development of thinking skills.

Subjects taught by classroom teachers are:

Specialist teaching staff are responsible for:

All students are involved in Sport and PE lessons on a weekly basis. The Junior School swimming carnival, cross country carnival and athletics carnival are highlights in the sporting calendar. Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 participate in a Water Fun Day, Fun Run and an Athletics Carnival.

Learning and Enrichment

The Junior School has a Learning and Enrichment Team comprising of teaching staff and teachers’ aides. 

Learning and Enrichment offers students a wide range of support options. The Team work with students, teachers and their families to achieve the best possible outcome for each student; whether this be by providing scaffolding for students to access the curriculum, or opportunity for students to be extended where appropriate.

Some areas of learning support and enrichment include:

As well as the core subjects, English, Mathematics, History, Geography and Science, students are required to complete several subjects in Years 7 and 8. From Year 9 onwards, students are gradually able to choose subjects that are of personal interest and will gradually specialise as they progress through their Senior School years. PDHPE is a requirement throughout Years 7 to 10. Subjects offered are relevant to university entrance or a vocational focus and from 2015 the Vocational Education and Training (VET) course, Entertainment Industry. Students may also have the opportunity to complete a subject at a local TAFE College or a distance educational institution to supplement their senior studies. Students with different learning styles are catered for within our programs and those who require Disability Provisions can apply for assistance within specified guidelines. Extension activities and flexible progression enable students to move more rapidly through work and to branch into areas of special interest. Work activities are targeted to student achievement levels so that those requiring additional assistance can achieve success and a growing confidence in their own ability. Learning is provided in an imaginative, purposeful and enjoyable environment. All courses offered adhere to the requirements of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Years Seven and Eight

These first two years in the Senior School lay the foundation for the rest of the academic years and begin with an orientation program for students entering into Year 7. Orientation is a significant part of our program and is designed to give Year 6 students a taste of Senior School life, incorporating peer support, team building activities and the opportunity to begin the formation of new friendships which will support them along their journey. Year 7 also participate in a transition program which is designed to teach skills implicit to success in Senior School.

The subjects studied in Years 7 and 8 provide a variety of learning experiences. Good study habits, time management, and effort application to work are reinforced in all academic areas. All programs are NESA approved and the work completed by students assists them in making important choices about career and study paths for the future.

Subjects studied are:

Year 8 students study one language after having received instruction in several languages in Year 7.

Years 9 and 10

Years 9 and 10 continue with the foundation work laid in the first two years of Senior School. Core subjects continue to be taught – English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, PDHPE and Christian Education. Students are now able to begin to develop their preferences at the beginning of Year 9 by choosing two elective subjects from a variety of courses offered in Technology and Applied Arts, Creative Arts and PDHPE. These elective courses are studied for two years. Subjects offered may differ from year to year according to the requirements of the student body.

These courses include:

In addition to regular classes, all students in Year Ten participate in Careers Education giving them the opportunity to research and investigate vocational paths through class activities, career workshops, work placement experiences and one-to-one careers interviews. Year Ten students participate in “Australian Business Week”, a program designed to give students a more practical understanding of life in the business world. The College also runs a service program towards the end of Term Four where students can assist others in the College and its wider community.

Years 11 and 12

In Years Eleven and Twelve the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) sets requirements for the award of a Higher School Certificate (HSC) that provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue tertiary qualifications, vocational training and/or employment, and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) necessary for entry into university studies following the completion of formal schooling. A Record of School Achievement (RoSA) is also awarded to students who are eligible. Students are expected to complete minimum of 12 Units of study in Year 11 and 10 Units of study in Year 12, including English as a mandatory subject. The curriculum offers a wide range of subjects to suit students’ interests, abilities and career paths, and students can choose from a selection of courses, differing from year to year according to the requirements of the student body.

These courses include:

Students may also study subjects not offered at the College by distance, such as a language through the Open High School or other subject(s) through Distance Education programs and/or TAFE courses. Students are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own learning as they progress through the Senior School. Study skills camps, study days, time management programs and development of higher order thinking skills are all embedded into every curriculum area to ensure students obtain the best education possible.

Continuous Feedback for Years 7 to 10

The College is seeking to continue to improve communication and feedback to students and parents around achievement in assessment work that students are completing as part of their course requirements. The College has moved to a new reporting model which will provide students and parents with greater feedback on individual tasks, utilising Edumate.

All subjects will now be providing written feedback on individual tasks which can be accessed by students and parents. Students will also have the opportunity to provide their own reflection on their performance on each task and the feedback that has been provided. This level of engagement will provide students and parents with regular and more relevant feedback on each task providing greater capacity for success in future tasks.

Continuous assessment will partially count towards the report grade for each student. The amount of continuous assessment that makes the report grade is variable depending on individual subjects and number of Summative Assessment tasks held in a semester.  Please refer to Edumate and this table when considering the construction of your child’s final report mark as it now encompasses both the Summative and Continuous Assessment Task results for the semester.

Benefits of Continuous Feedback

We encourage parents to engage frequently with student results on Edumate at the bottom of the student profile page.