Catalyst • Junior Secondary Curriculum • Handbook 2019
Actioning learning:
engagement through choice, relevance and rigour
Our Year 7-9 curriculum is designed to offer students
significant breadth in their academic program,
exposing them to rich learning experiences across
all major disciplines. Students also have significant
choice in what they study throughout their junior
secondary experience. In each semester every student
will study two Discovery courses of their own choice.
So a student with a strong interest in technology and
design who is also increasingly curious about business
and finance may choose to study both the Engineering
and Small Business Project courses.
The concept of ‘learning by doing’ is also a key tenet
of our Catalyst model. Positive learning outco mes are
realised when students see relevance in what they are
learning and are invested in a proactive way in the
learning experience. The opportunity for our students
to engage in student-centred projects that challenge
each student to explore the curriculum in interesting
and meaningful ways provides another opportunity
for them to better understand their unique skills and
talents and grow their love of learning.
Through our junior secondary model we continue
to demonstrate our commitment to providing
a rigorous, relevant and diverse education that
empowers all students to reach their potential.
It is this unique structure that enables us to focus on
skills and understandings important for all students
whilst still offering them the flexibility to pursue
subjects that align with their interests, passions and
academic strengths.
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