Teaching & Learning

OVERVIEW

Curriculum Overview | Core Curriculum: Years 7-10 | Religious Education | Pastoral Care
Information and Communication Technologies | Literacy & Numeracy
Soccer Excellence | Football Development Squad | Basketball Academy | Hockey Institute
Years 7 & 8 | Years 9 & 10 | VCE | Showbiz Factory | Cultural Enrichment in the Curriculum
Debating and Public Speaking | Enhancement | Educational Support Faculty
After School Homework Program (ASH) | Envirofriends | Facilities | Outdoor Camps

Curriculum Overview: St Monica's College offers a curriculum that is contemporary, global in vision and caters for a multicultural body of students of a wide range of academic ability. The College believes that such a curriculum enables students to take their place in Australian society with strong personal values that foster respect of self, others and the environment, an appropriate sense of responsibility, confidence based on Christ's teachings, sound knowledge, and appropriate vocational skills. The curriculum strives to achieve academic excellence as well as breadth and depth of content and is delivered in a challenging, student centred and engaging manner. The curriculum is structured to foster an appreciation of life long learning amongst the College community and there is strong commitment to developing independent, self directed learners.

The College acknowledges the role that parents play as their children's primary educators. The enhancement of student learning is viewed very much as a partnership between parents, staff and students. Full written reports are provided twice a year at the end of Terms Two and Four and are supplemented by Interim Reports to parents at the end of Terms One and Three. Parent Teacher Interviews are available four times a year after each formal reporting period. Other informal communication about a student's progress occurs via telephone calls, meetings, letters or entries in Student Planners and via criterion sheets used for assessment of learning outcomes throughout the year.

Core Curriculum: Years 7-10: The Year Seven to Ten curriculum provides students with grounding in core subjects as well as opportunities to explore a wide variety of elective subjects in order to find out what they are good at and what they enjoy, before they specialise in Years Eleven and Twelve. Innovative teaching and learning practices are encouraged

Religious Education: Religious Education is taught within the curriculum at all levels. Our program is designed to foster an understanding of and respect for the diversity of cultural and religious traditions of students and their families. A Christian environment permeates all aspects of school life. Many varied activities are organised for different year levels. These activities give our students opportunities to participate, show initiative, take leadership roles and develop their spirituality. Liturgical celebrations help students in their understanding, appreciation and integration of their life experiences. The Religious Education curriculum encourages and supports collaboration amongst teachers, students, parents, parish and diocesan personnel. It provides opportunities for prayer and reflection in both explicit and implicit ways and acknowledges that religious growth is a gradual and a life long process with important communal dimensions to it.

Pastoral Care: The College has a strong commitment to pastoral care of students. A pastoral period is included in the curriculum for all students in Years 7 to 9. In this period, a Homeroom Teacher works with students to develop positive relationships, provide support and guidance in personal matters and to develop organisational and study skills as well as life skills. Three College Psychologists are available to students, parents and staff.

Uniquely Year 9: The College offers a “Uniquely Year 9” project that celebrates the uniqueness and complexities of life that Year 9 students experience. The program is designed to enhance students’ self esteem, sense of identity and confidence.

Year 10 Discovery Program: What is Discovery?
St Monica’s College strives to provide every student with the best possible education, preparing all students to function effectively in a global society and to support lifelong learning. As Year 10 students move into the senior part of the College at the Davisson Street Campus we feel that there are issues requiring particular attention. The Discovery Program for Year 10 is seen to be the perfect vehicle to address these issues. Areas covered in this program include: Transition, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Emotional Health and Wellbeing, Stress Management, Organisational skills, Problem solving, Drug Education, Ostia on the Edge, Careers and Future Planning, Examinations, Subject Selection. Discovery sessions involve students working closely with their Homeroom Teachers and support staff to ensure they have the most appropriate preparation for their transition into the senior years of their education.

Retreat Program:Retreats are organised for all Year 12 students in small groups, throughout the year. These are both overnight and day retreats and are held at various locations around Melbourne, including the College's country property "Ostia" at Strath Creek. All Year 10 students participate in the "On the Edge" Retreat Program held at Ostia. Students are organised into homeroom gender groups. Over a period of two days they explore a variety of different themes relevant to their age and gender.

Community Service and Social Justice Activities: All students in each year level are encouraged to participate in a range of community service and social justice activities. Each year level focuses on one or more organisations for the entire year. Students have the opportunity to participate in awareness and fundraising activities, collection of goods, visits to outside events and organisations, and to offer support through practical assistance. An example is the opportunity for Year 11 students to volunteer for the lunch program at Ozanam Community Centre, North Melbourne.

Information and Communication Technologies: Computer technology is accessible at the College in many areas including computer laboratories, a technology centre – The Beehive, College libraries and in many specialist areas such as media rooms, science laboratories and in the Technology and Visual Arts faculties. Through the use of class sets of wireless, notebook computers and trolleys, technology is also accessible in general purpose learning areas. The emphasis is on practices that promote effective learning and teaching and the development of a richer curriculum. Technology is used to create links between the College and the wider community, both at local, national and global levels and to provide conditions conducive to learning, such as real world contexts, connections to outside experts, tools for visualization and analysis, scaffolds for problem solving and opportunities for feedback and reflection. In Information Technology classes that are offered to all students as part of the core curriculum at Years 7 to 10, students develop their competency in using a range of software, as they complete work set by Subject Teachers in other key learning areas. At the same time, they have access to staff expertise as they develop their skills using these technologies.

Literacy and Numeracy: There is strong commitment to the acquisition of basic generic skills such as information research skills, literacy and numeracy skills and the development of higher order thinking. The enhancement of student literacy and numeracy is a high priority. Literacy is integrally related to learning in all areas of the curriculum and enables all individuals to develop knowledge and understanding. Literacy has been targeted as a major curriculum focus with all teachers sharing responsibility for developing students' reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and critical thinking skills. In addition, students in Year Seven have time tabled Literacy and Numeracy classes. In 2003 the College was acknowledged through a State Award for excellence in Numeracy and in 2004, was one of only fourteen schools across Australia to receive a National Literacy Award for excellence.

Soccer Excellence: A Soccer Excellence Program is offered to selected students before and after school at Years Seven and Eight. In Years Nine and Ten, this program operates within the timetabled curriculum. The Soccer Excellence Program aims to develop both male and female players to their full potential. Access to the program is by selection trials. The focus of the program is two fold. Firstly, the technical skills of the players are developed after an initial assessment in the areas of technique, speed and endurance. Secondly, aspects of Sports Psychology and realistic goal setting are explored.

Football Development Squad: The Football Development Squad Program aims to develop young footballers with high potential in Years 7 to 10. Players are selected after extensive trials and are coached in the areas of skill development, fitness and rehabilitation, football theory, strength and conditioning and umpiring.

Basketball Academy: St. Monica’s College offers a structured basketball program. This aims to give the students opportunities to undertake morning and afternoon training sessions and compete at various levels of competition via selection to the school team and the Academy Development squad. The Basketball Academy program is headed by the Director of Basketball and offers experienced and dedicated coaching with the entire coaching panel registered through Basketball Australia via the National Coaches Accreditation Scheme. Training sessions are conducted in the mornings with a breakfast program, as well as in the afternoons.
Additional information on Soccer, Football and Basketball, is available under “Sport”.

Hockey Institute: The Hockey Institute commenced at St Monica’s College in 2007. The program openly invites students of all ages and abilities, and develops them into knowledgeable, skilful and competent hockey players.
Additional information on the Hockey Institute is available under “Sport”.

Curriculum at Years Seven and Eight: All students study the same core subjects at Years Seven and Eight. These include English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Civics, Physical Education, Technology Studies and subjects associated with the Visual and Performing Arts. In Years Seven to Nine, students also study a Language Other Than English. They select a language in Year 7 and then study that language for three years. St Monica's College offers French, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek and Spanish. There is strong commitment to the Performing Arts at St Monica's. A Music Program has been developed at Year Seven so that all students are able to experience the rewards of playing an instrument and of playing with other musicians. Students have the option of being part of the Junior Concert Band, the String or Jazz Ensembles and of accessing instrumental or voice lessons taken by sessional staff.

Subjects offered at Years 7 & 8

Curriculum at Years Nine and Ten: At Years Nine and Ten, the range of available subjects becomes progressively broader. Students study core subjects and elective subjects chosen from a wide range. Options are available for students to request to study selected Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) studies at Year 10. Selection criteria exist for access to these studies at Year 10.

Subjects offered at Years 9 & 10

The Post Compulsory Years - VCE, VET and VCAL: At Years 11 and 12, students are offered a choice of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). The College offers an extensive range of VCE studies. In addition, a range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses is offered, including Certificate II in Electronics, Certificate III Information Technology (Software Applications), Certificate II Business (Services), Certificate II in Fitness and Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations). Our industrial kitchen enhances the delivery of this course. Art students are able to study the University of Melbourne Extension Program in Art History at Year 12.

List of VCE and VET and VCAL Studies offered this year

Cultural Enrichment in the curriculum: The curriculum provides many opportunities for cultural enrichment - choir, concert and jazz bands as well as other music ensembles, instrumental tuition in brass, percussion, string and woodwind, music theory, voice tuition, school drama and musical productions. These include senior and junior productions as well as a Music, Art, Dance and Drama night and participation in Theatre Sports and Dance Showcases. Students are able to participate in the Principal’s Cup for Song and to submit entries in the Principal’s Art Prize.

Showbiz Factory: The Showbiz Factory was implemented to provide students with an opportunity to develop skills in all facets of the performing arts. The program focuses on skills in two areas, - performance and stagecraft. The performance module allows students to explore the areas of Drama, Dance and Voice. Over six weeks, students participate in classes conducted by College staff, rotating each week to provide students with access to a number of areas within the performing arts. Students may participate in the program for two years, with the choice of completing Level One in 12 months or Level Two over 24 months. Students are admitted into this module by audition. The stagecraft module focuses on backstage areas including Lighting, Audio, Stage and Theatre Management. Through formal training with both St. Monica’s staff and external companies, students develop stagecraft skills that prepare them for the industry. The program is split into 3 levels with criteria, gradually increasing in difficulty. Students work on College productions in both the performing arts and liturgy and can participate in this module for up to 6 years. Admission is by staff recommendation and requires students to be up-to-date in curriculum based school work.

Debating and Public Speaking: Debating and Public Speaking programs are offered at all levels and students participate in both internal debates and those arranged by the Debating Association of Victoria. This inter school debating competition allows students to debate against students from other schools in the region. The College has established debating teams at each year level from Year 7 to Year 12. Debating and public speaking help students to develop many personal and academic skills including how to research issues, think clearly and rationally, be assertive, organised and self-confident, as well as how to communicate effectively. Opportunities are provided for students to develop skills in public speaking and to compete in the annual Principal’s Award for Public Speaking.

Enhancement: A special focus is enhancement of gifted and highly able students. Enhancement opportunities are available through Accelerated Mathematics at Year Nine and Specialised Mathematics at Year Ten which emphasise the application of mathematical concepts and skills. Year 10 students are able to access VCE studies. Students are able to participate in competitions such as GLOBE Shakespeare, Tournament of Minds, and a variety of external academic competitions such as the Australian History, Science and Mathematics Competitions.

Educational Support Faculty: At St Monica's we pride ourselves on supporting all students to reach their full potential. We endeavour to provide an Inclusive curriculum that challenges and empowers students so that the dignity and uniqueness of each student is identified, valued and respected. There are over 20 staff in the Faculty who coordinate and oversee the programs for students experiencing difficulty as well as those who have physical, sensory or medical needs that make accessing the curriculum more difficult. Students requiring support are identified by a combination of entry testing, classroom teacher assessments, observation and diagnostic testing.

Our qualified Educational Support teachers are able to provide educational assessments for students to assist with their placement in our programs and the development of a suitable curriculum for them. Our staff operate in the classroom as support personnel, facilitate small groups of students with similar abilities to address a particular need, offer one-to-one support where suitable, and support teachers in developing suitable activities to address students needs. We oversee the programming needs of the more able students and encourage their maximum development with enrichment activities and accelerated courses. Our select entry HORIZONS program compacts the four years from 7 – 10 into three years enabling students to have more options during and after their VCE. HORIZONS program click here for more information.

After School Homework Program (ASH): The aim of this program is to provide a quiet, well resourced area for students to complete homework with assistance from teachers if required. Staff volunteer their time to supervise the program which takes place in the Pamela Coyne Library on Dalton Road Campus from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm every Monday to Thursday. The Program provides students with access to resources, computers and the Internet as well as opportunities to work independently or in a group. The program is voluntary and students sign on as they arrive. They are free to leave as soon as they have completed their homework and do not have to stay until 4.30 pm.

Envirofriends: Students and staff with a passion for environmental issues meet regularly to plan and implement special projects with a green theme. Litter reduction and recycling, revegetation and water and energy efficiency are some of the key foci. Members of the group aim to act as role models to the wider community, showing that being green is simple to achieve and beneficial to all. The College is working closely with the Whittlesea Council on a project along the Darebin Creek, helping to restore the creek to a healthier state. Participation is voluntary and initial contact is via the Envirofriends Representative on each campus.

Facilities: Facilities such as well equipped Science laboratories, specialist rooms for Media Studies and the Visual and Performing Arts, Computer and language laboratories, kitchens, gymnasium, sports facilities and well equipped libraries, greatly enhance the delivery of the curriculum. The 'Beehive', an Information Technology Computer Centre, provides individual access to computers and the Internet as well as individualised assistance for staff and students, both during class time, lunch times and before and after school. Facilities are available in 'The Beehive' for students to be involved in photo and video editing and access is provided to specialist computer software.

Outdoor Camps: The curriculum includes an extensive Outdoor Camps Program. This operates predominantly at Years Seven and Eight. Camps with a special focus, such as snow and ski camps, are offered to Year Ten students. At Year Eleven, a camp is integrated into the curriculum as part of Biology Unit 1 where students investigate a range of marine ecosystems on the Bellarine Peninsula.