Senior Curriculum

Senior Curriculum2023-09-15T14:04:26+10:00
At Marist College Ashgrove we understand the value of education in enabling our students to become knowledgeable, creative, thoughtful and morally responsible young men who engage actively as citizens of the world.

We place great emphasis on nurturing relationships between teachers and students and understand the essential role they play in developing these characteristics, not only to encourage students to discover and become who they are, but because they are important for the successful navigation of the complexities and challenges that this century will bring.

The Senior School takes a holistic approach to teaching the curriculum, with academic and classroom courses supported by co-curricular activities that extend the understanding and application of theoretical learning in a variety of areas such as sport, outdoor education, the arts and community service.

We recognise that students learn in different ways. As such, courses of study allow for a degree of individualisation, flexibility and choice. We emphasise teaching for understanding and not only for knowledge. Staff are experienced in recognising different learning styles and, through an extensive professional development program, well equipped to offer a variety of activities designed to engage students.

Year 7

Students in Year 7 undertake a broad curriculum. They study all eight Key Learning Areas (KLAs) / Core Subjects. This introduces them to core and elective subjects that they can choose in Years 8, 9 and 10.

All Year 7 students are required to study subjects within all of the Key Learning Areas:

  • English
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Humanities and Business
  • Languages – French, Japanese
  • Mathematics
  • Religious Education
  • Science
  • Visual Art
  • Drama
  • Technology
  • Music
Languages

All students are required to study French and Japanese. The language of the classroom is learnt with the emphasis on fluency and spontaneity. The National Curriculum key language criteria is fully supported by the program.

English as an Additional Language support (EAL) may be allocated in the place of the Languages units for some students. Enrolment in the EAL classes is dependent on the approval and recommendation of the Head of Learning Enrichment, EAL/Learning Support teachers and counsellors. Students who have not gone through the correct process for allocation to the ESL courses will automatically be placed in a Language class.

The Arts

All students study four subjects from the Visual and Performing Arts areas – Visual Arts, Digital Media, Drama and Music.

Year 8

Students in Year 8 undertake a broad curriculum. They study Key Learning Areas (KLAs) / Core Subjects and choose two elective subjects.

All Year 8 students are required to study subjects within the following Key Learning Areas:

  • English
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Humanities and Business
  • Mathematics
  • Religious Education
  • Science
  • Design

Students will also choose two (2) elective subjects to study throughout the year from the following list:

  • Digital Technology
  • Drama
  • French
  • Japanese
  • Literacy and Numeracy
  • Media
  • Music
  • Visual Art
Year 9 and 10

The Year 9 and 10 curriculum encapsulates our commitment to providing an holistic education that develops the spiritual, academic, cultural, sporting and personal growth of each boy to prepare them for their futures. Through its foundational philosophy, the core program exposes students to a breadth of learning experiences via multiple disciplines.

In Year 9 students will study Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science and Health and Physical Education for the full academic year and History for one (1) semester.

Students will also choose five (5) elective subjects to study throughout the year from an extensive list including Accounting, Business, Construction Technology, Design Technology, Digital Technology, Drama, Economics, Engineering Technology, French, Geography, Japanese, Legal Studies, Media, Music, Visual Art and Woodwork.

Year 10 sees students continuing with the study of core subjects with a greater opportunity to specialise within these core areas.

CORE UNITS – Students are to study these for a full academic year
  • Religious Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Health and Physical Education or Sport, Fitness and Recreation (Students to choose one of these subjects to study to the full academic year)
CORE UNITS – Students are to study these for one semester each
  • History
  • Science – General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry (Students to choose from one of these subjects)
ELECTIVE UNITS – Students are to choose a total of five (5) units
  • Accounting
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Legal Studies
  • Geography
  • Visual Art (1 or 2 Units)
  • Drama (1 or 2 Units)
  • Media (1 or 2 Units)
  • Music (1 or 2 Units)
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Industrial Graphic Skills
  • Design Technologies (2 Units)
  • Digital Solutions (2 Units)
  • General Science
  • Biology
  • French (2 Units)
  • Japanese (2 Units)
  • Physics
  • Chemistry

The range of elective choices gives scope for students to pursue learning in areas of individual interest and to either commit to a specific area in greater depth, or to explore the educational offerings in more breadth. Student autonomy in elective choice invites students to pursue their passions, to explore the unknown and to be active participants in their own learning.

Year 11 and 12

The Marist College Ashgrove Year 11 & 12 curriculum offering has been devised to provide the widest possible choices for students and to cater for the diversity of the student body. Whilst the majority of students will study subjects which will make them eligible for an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank), many will choose a more personalised program that allows them to achieve vocational qualifications. Both an ATAR and vocational qualifications may be used for tertiary entrance in Queensland. Some students will make choices related to Vocational Education & Training (VET) courses which are more appropriate for their interests and abilities and which will lead to a career pathway through TAFE or industry.

There are three (3) types of subjects; General subjects; Applied subjects and Vocational Education & Training subjects.

General Subjects

A general subject is a subject for which the course of study is based on a syllabus that has been approved and issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). These subjects will be assessed using a combination of internal and external assessment instruments and may be used in the calculation of an ATAR which is the most common selection device used by the tertiary sector. These subjects may also contribute credits towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Applied Subjects

An applied subject is a subject for which the course of study is based on a syllabus that has been approved and issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). These subjects will be assessed using internal assessment and possibly a common internal assessment instrument created by the QCAA. Only one applied subject can be used in the calculation of an ATAR, in conjunction with four (4) general subjects. These subjects may also contribute credits towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Vocational Education & Training (VET)

VET certificates and qualifications can contribute to the achievement of a student’s Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and provide a range of pathways to work, further education and training. Students at Marist College Ashgrove have access to a package of vocational education & training programs that lead to nationally recognised qualifications. These programs include work placements, School-based traineeships and apprenticeships.

In the new QCE system, the achievement of a VET Certificate III or above, in combination with results in four (4) general subjects, can contribute to the calculation of a student’s ATAR. The approach recognises the role that VET plays in senior studies, while also ensuring that students have a sufficient breadth of academic subjects to cope with the demands of tertiary study.

Year 11 & 12 Students Study
  • An English subject (English, Literature or Essential English)
  • A Mathematics subject (Essential Mathematics, General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods)
  • A Religion subject (Religion & Ethics, Study of Religion or Certificate III Christian Ministry and Theology)

They will also choose three (3) elective subjects from a wide selection, including, but not limited to:

  • Accounting
  • Ancient History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Design
  • Digital Solutions
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English
  • Film, Television and New Media
  • French
  • Geography
  • Japanese
  • Legal Studies
  • Specialist Mathematics
  • Modern History
  • Music
  • Music Extension*
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Visual Art
Applied Courses
  • Drama in Practice
  • Industrial Graphic Skills
  • Sport and Recreational Studies
  • Visual Arts in Practice
Vocational Education and Training Courses
  • NAT10432 Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
  • BSB50120 Diploma of Business
  • BSB302120 Certificate III in Business
  • MEM20422 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
  • SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality
  • SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness
  • MEM30522 Certificate III in Engineering (Technical)
  • FSK20119 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
  • CPC10120  Certificate I in Construction
  • CPC20220 Certificate II in Construction Pathways
  • AHC21216/AHC32816 Certificate II and III in Rural Operations
  • School Based Traineeship or Apprenticeship (supported by the College if acquired by the student)
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