Student Life


Curriculum

The School curriculum is broad, catering for a wide variety of student interests. The School encourages each student to reach the highest level of academic achievement commensurate with their ability. Teachers seek to find the talents of each individual and adapt their teaching styles to achieve the greatest outcome of learning for that student.

Pre-Prep encompasses direct instruction, free play and guided play experiences. These four year olds have their own enclosed area filled with a variety of games, equipment and space for play.

The Preparatory School, Kindergarten to Year 6, covers the six key learning areas determined by the NSW Board of Studies. With the installation of Interactive Whiteboards in every classroom from K-6, the students have the latest in educational technology, keeping them abreast of the changes to the modern world's communication systems. A structured and holistic approach to English through the Spalding method ensures a strong foundation in literacy for all students. The Mathematics syllabus is complemented by 'Mathletics', an online tutorial and interactive programme and competition with students at other schools, which is used at school and home and is both enjoyable and educational .

After the broad basic education in the first two years of Secondary School, the curriculum is flexible and allows a student to be directed towards entry into all tertiary institutions as well as occupations in the rural, commercial, industrial and civil fields. Students are prepared for the NSW School Certificate (Year 10) and the Higher School Certificate (Year 12). As a student's interests and talents are acknowledged, by both themselves and teachers, career paths are recognised and the student is thus placed in an advantageous position of being able to use the facilities of the School to pursue their own path.

A broad academic streaming system operates in the upper Preparatory School and throughout some of the Secondary School.  To prepare students for the HSC full scale examinations under formal supervision occur twice each year.

Students are counseled in their subject choices from one level to the next. Their choices are made simple through assistance and examinations help them to recognize their strengths. Information days and booklets are provided for all students and parents to explore course content and expectations. Students are coached in planning and organising their time, study skills and examination preparation. Homework policies are in place from Kindergarten to Year 12, as are assignment and assessment schedules in the Secondary School. Under the direction of the Director of Learning Enrichment, additional programmes operate for Gifted and Talented education and Literacy and Numeracy extension.

In the Secondary School, full school reports are sent to parents twice a year, supplemented by two interim reports, and in the Preparatory School, three full school reports are sent out each year. Formal Parent/Teacher interviews are held at three times each year, although parents are always welcome to welcome to make appointments at the School to discuss their child's progress with the staff.

Educational and Technology resources include a colour television video system to all classrooms, wireless and fibre optic network access and interactive whiteboards in many of the classrooms.