Year 9
The Transition School curriculum aims to build on the
solid foundation from Junior School and extend students prior to their entry
into Senior School. Students now get some choice of their elective studies but
continue with a core of subjects (English, Maths, Science, Humanities). In Year
9 all students must study Physical Education but can try out for our Academy
Subjects (Baseball, Basketball and Touch Football). Japanese is now also an
elective, and whilst Humanities is compulsory, students continue studying
specialist areas of History, Geography, Civics and Business. Students in Year 9
choose two electives in Year 9 from the Arts and Technology strands. In Year 10
students choose five electives on a semester basis, one of them must be History
(in line with the National Curriculum).
Students will no longer have a ‘Key Teacher’ as they did
in the Junior School but will move around to specialist areas for their
subjects. Their Special Programs Teacher really becomes a key point of contact
for parents and students alike. In the Transition School we take a very strong
‘case management’ approach to a student’s education. The Head of Department,
O.W.L. and year level Deputy Principal monitor students’ progress very closely
to ensure they continue on a successful pathway.
In Year 9 students continue with the Duke of Edinburgh
scheme, aiming to achieve bronze level by the end of Year 10. We have a camp in
Year 10 which enables students to complete the adventurous journey component of
the program. During Special Programs classes, students work to complete the
other aspects of their scheme.
Year 10
In
Year 10 students consolidate their focus on career goals and continue with
their individualised Senior Education Transition Plans (SET Plans) as the main
focus of Year 10 Special Programs. Parent interviews are conducted in to assist
students in making effective subject choices for Years 11 and 12. In this phase
‘The Runcorn Way’ of establishing a senior pathway becomes critical. Parent Information
Evenings are held to pass on information about the Senior Phase of Learning. We
encourage all parents to attend these nights.