Learning and Teaching

Learning and Teaching

Learning and Teaching

Our Learning and Teaching program is informed by the Papal Encyclical, Divini Illius Magistri of Pius XI which describes the purpose of education from a traditional Catholic perspective ensuring that every child has an opportunity to be formed into the true and perfect Catholic.

Our classical curriculum is planned carefully to ensure the development of the whole child, including their intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional and social dimensions. Knowledge, skills and understanding are presented as a developmental sequence of learning from Foundation – Year 10 based on the Australian Curriculum through the traditional Catholic lens. Students participate in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages.

In the Kolbe Learning Centre our students are supported and guided through a rich range of learning opportunities, with a primary focus on laying solid foundations in literacy and numeracy. In our Foundation to Year 4 classes allow students to develop the fundamental knowledge, skills and behaviours within their range of core subjects. In Years 5 and 6 our aim is to deepen the students’ learning and nurture individuals who can take responsibility for their own learning. Students engage in learning across all areas identified in the Australian Curriculum. Students have specialist lessons for Latin, Art and Music.

In the MacKillop and Bosco Learning Centres, students attend their core subjects in gender specific classes and their electives in composite year levels. The focus of these learning centres is to build the students knowledge, skills and capacity to apply this in a variety of contexts.

In Years 7 and 8 the focus is initially on the transition from the Kolbe Learning Centre into their respective secondary setting and as the students continue to progress through Years 9 and 10 there is the enhancement of more complex and sophisticated thinking. Students are given the opportunity to think more broadly and deeply using skills, behaviours and virtues such as Fortitude, Industriousness and Patience across all subject areas as they prepare to undertake their VCE.

As students enter the Aquinas Learning Centre to undertake their VCE, they are able to select a course of study which appeals to their interests and aligns with their capabilities. This allows each student to evaluate their strengths, make decisions based on their future pathways, and tailor a program to suit their needs.

Individual students with particular interests can also access a range of other VET programs in consultation with staff and in collaboration with TAFE.

Assessment and monitoring of student progress occurs routinely throughout their education. The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student performance and is based on an understanding of how students learn. This information allows us to report credibly to families on student achievement.