Curriculum
St. Mary’s College Curriculum
Framework is based on the Victorian Essential Learning
Standards (VELS).
The Victorian
Essential Learning Standards include standards at six levels. These
levels are broadly associated with the years of schooling
from Years Prep to 10. The relationship between the levels
and the years of schooling is:
• Level 1 -
Preparatory Year
•
Level 2 - Years 1 and 2
•
Level 3 - Years 3 and 4
•
Level 4 - Years 5 and 6
•
Level 5 - Years 7 and 8
•
Level 6 - Years 9 and 10
The Victorian Essential Learning Standards are set in three
main strands or areas. They are:
-
knowledge and understanding
from the key subjects of English, Science, Mathematics,
Humanities, Languages and The Arts;
-
physical, personal and social
skills such as being active and healthy, development of
self confidence, managing personal learning and working
with others;
-
other essential skills that
apply across curriculum areas such as thinking, design,
problem solving, communicating, and using information and
communications technology.
The Curriculum Framework at St.
Mary’s College incorporates a ‘thinking
curriculum’. By implementing a thinking curriculum
students acquire knowledge through processes of enquiry and
engagement. This involves the use of such learning tools as
De Bono’s, Thinking Hats, Bloom's Taxonomy, Gardner's
Multiple Intelligences, the Inquiry Approach and more. This
approach is all about catering for individual learning
styles leading towards the integration of learning,
teaching and assessment.
In a thinking curriculum students are required to plan,
evaluate, solve problems, construct ideas, discuss and test
theories, make decisions, etc in multi-disciplinary ways
– all of which promote higher order thinking
processes as they engage students in deep learning. In
order to achieve such outcomes students and staff require
access to appropriate facilities and accessible
technologies.
The College Master Plan is evidence of it’s ongoing
commitment to the attainment and maintenance of
appropriate and up-to-date learning facilities and
technologies.
Assessment
against the different standards for different levels
enables teachers, schools and parents to form a clear
picture of student progress throughout the stages of
learning from Years Prep to 10.
Years Prep to 4 –
Laying the foundations
In these years
the curriculum focuses on developing the fundamental
knowledge, skills and behaviours in literacy and numeracy
and other areas including physical and social capacities
which underpin all future learning.
At this level the daily Literacy and Numeracy Blocks are a
priority. Both areas are critical in laying the foundation
for all future learning. Opportunities for the development
of each student’s social, physical and thinking
skills are provided through an Integrated Studies approach
which complements student learning and development in the
core subjects of Literacy and Numeracy. Also incorporated
in the weekly program is Religious Education. At this
level, the students attend weekly specialist classes in
Music & Performance, Art, Italian and Library.
Years 5 to 8 – Building breadth and depth
In these years
students progress beyond the foundations and their literacy
and numeracy becomes more developed. An expanded curriculum
program provides the basis for in depth learning within all
domains in the strands.
At this level, the emphasis on learning broadens.
Opportunities for the development of each student’s
social, physical and thinking skills are provided via an
expanded curriculum. Apart from Literacy and Numeracy,
Religious Education, Art, Music & Performance, Italian
and Library the students study Science, SOSE, Woodwork,
Home Economics, Information Technology, Visual
Communication, Materials Technology, Food Technology,
Health Education, Physical Education & Sport.
Years 9 to 10 –
Developing pathways
In these years
students develop greater independence of mind and
interests. They seek deeper connections between their
learning and the world around them and explore how learning
might be applied in that world. They need to experience
learning in work and community settings as well as the
classroom. They are beginning to develop preferred areas of
their learning.
At this level the emphasis is on developing pathways. From
the wide range of subjects listed above the students make
choices about which subjects they wish to study.
Throughout the year, students are required to participate
in Study Days, Career Days, Work Experience, Retreats,
Driver Education, Fitness & Wellbeing Program and much
more.
Reporting
St Mary's College is compliant with required reporting procedures
in English and Mathematics.
We are well placed to make a complete transition to the
new system by the end of 2008.