The College is committed to the implementation of the Curriculum Framework, which establishes learning outcomes expected of all students from Kindergarten to Year 12.  From this the Teaching and Learning program in Years 5 to 8 is based on the following principles;

v     Academic rigour

v     Learning to learn

v     Autonomous learning

v     Collaborative learning

v     Awareness of self and others

v     Curriculum integration

v     Community service

v     Effective communication with parents

v     Happiness and security promote learning

Years 5 and 6

The Year 5 and 6 academic curriculum has been developed with a clear understanding of the transition and pastoral programs operating within the College.  Each class is taught by one teacher who is responsible for most of the key learning areas. 

A gradual increase in exposure to specialists also occurs in these years and there can be some further grouping of students within the year group. The classroom culture emphasises effort and co-operation as well as competition.

Students study English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, Physical and Health Education, Religious and Values Education, Visual and Performing Arts, Technology and Enterprise, and Languages Other than English. All Year 5 students learn to play a musical instrument as part of the Performing Arts program.

Years 7 and 8

In Year 7 classes are taught by a variety of specialist teachers with one core teacher in several of the key learning areas (approximately 50% of the lessons) who provides both pastoral and academic support.

The Year 7 program includes English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, Physical and Health Education, Religious and Values Education, Visual and Performing Arts, Technology and Enterprise, and Languages Other than English. Students’ understanding of their learning and a growing sense of personal responsibility and accountability for learning are promoted by specific studies in “Learning to Learn”.

In Year 8 academic progress will be guided by one of the core Year 8 teachers, and the Year 8 Co-ordinator works with this team of teachers to ensure continuity of experience across the year group. With a small team of teachers in Year 8, the transition into the Senior School is smoother and academic progress can be monitored more closely.  This is further promoted by the “Stepping Up program” at the beginning of the year, which focuses on learning skills. 

The compulsory subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, Religious and Values Education, Health and Physical Education and a Language Other than English. The total program is enhanced by elements within the English program that focus on speaking and writing skills.

The final component of the Year 8 curriculum is the semester long electives.  These incorporate the Technology and Enterprise and The Arts learning areas. To ensure the students enjoy a balance across these facets of the curriculum they must choose one subject from each of these learning areas per semester. Students can select the Academic Enrichment Elective which focuses on the Future Problem Solving program in first semester and Independent Study in the second semester.