We are a Catholic community committed to empowering every learner
to serve and enrich our changing world

Curriculum

Learning Environment

The College operates as a Middle School and Senior School learning environment catering for the needs of Early Adolescents and Later Adolescents respectively.  It is consistent with the requirements of the Curriculum Framework in Years 7 to 10.  The main focus of the learning is the development of independent and interdependent learners.  The College has created a set of nine Learning Outcomes that forms the basis of the curriculum. 

Commencing with Year 7 in 2009 the College has introduce the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme (IBO MYP) progressively from Year 7 to Year 10. At the same time, the College is introducing a 1:1 Laptop programme for students in Year 7 in 2009, which will progress through the Middle School.

Breadth of Curriculum  

The curriculum operates across the nine learning areas of the College: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages (Italian, Indonesian), The Arts, Physical and Health Education and Technology for students from Year 7 to Year 12.  The curriculum in the Middle School is broad based spanning all nine learning areas, however in Senior School this becomes more focussed as student subject choice increases.

Choice of Curriculum

There are varying degrees of student choice in the curriculum.  In Year 7 students have a prescribed curriculum consistent with the requirements of the IB MYP.  They are also required to study a second language.  Students in Year 8 and 9 students can select subjects across the specialist curriculum in The Arts, and Technology.  Once students enter Senior School in Year 10 they are able to select their subjects, with the exception of Religious Education, English and Mathematics, and begin to specialise..  In Years 11 and 12 this choice extends to all courses but must include an English course and Religion and life. Students in Senior School select six subjects. The Year 10 curriculum and the specialist curriculum in Year 9 are semesterised to increase student choice of subjects.

Provision for Student Needs

The College provides for the needs of each student by offering a range of courses.  As well as offering a standard mainstream curriculum the College also has an Educational Support Centre where an individualised curriculum is available for students.  In mainstream the College offers a range of support mechanisms through the Learning Centre and a team of learning support teachers, which includes additional support in literacy and numeracy, and enrichment and extension programmes in Years 7 to 9. In year 9 and 10 the College selects students into the Cambridge IGCSE Science course.   In many subjects extension programmes and enrichment activities are offered to students as extension to existing curricular.

Assessment and reporting

The College curriculum is outcomes focused in years 7 to10 and the assessment and reporting is consistent with this philosophy.  Assessment is open ended and ongoing, and is both formal and informal.  It is directed by the principles of the Curriculum Framework.  The College reports to parents twice a year providing information regarding academic progress and work ethic.  Academic progress is reported against Learning Area Outcomes using levels and bands which provide a clear indication of student progress from one reporting period to the next.  Work Ethic is reported by a series of observations of personal attributes.  Each reporting period is supplemented by the provision of Parent Teacher Student Interviews to provide a more detailed discussion of student learning.

Progressing from Year 7 in 2009 the assessment and reporting programme for Middle School will be replaced by the IBO MYP assessment and reporting requirements resulting in the opportunity for students from Year 10 2012 to be credited with the IBO certificate.

Assessment and reporting in Year 10 to 12 is consistent with the course requirements for the Curriculum Council resulting in the award of the West Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Post-compulsory Curriculum

The College offers a wide range of courses in Senior School at Stage 1, 2 and 3.  These courses lead to entry to tertiary institutions, TAFE and employment. The College also offers a range of VET programmes including INSTEP and a range of TAFE Certificate I and Certificate II courses.  The Careers Advisor is available to offer assistance in subject selection into Year 10, 11 and 12.