Our Curriculum

The curriculum prepares students for successful transition to, and participation in secondary and tertiary education, and the world of work depending on the age, interest and needs of the students.  Students learn English through a range of subjects and senior students are given the opportunity to gain SACE credit for completing the PLP (Personal Learning Plan) and Studies of Intensive English across the curriculum (ISEC).

Subjects

  • English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)

  • Personal Learning and Wellbeing (PLW)

  • Personal Learning Plan (PLP) - SACE* and non-SACE

  • Integrated Learning (Citizenship and Work Studies)

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Design and Technologies offerings including Cooking, Horticulture and Woodwork

  • Digital Technologies (ICT)

  • History and Geography

  • The Arts (Visual Arts, Drama, Music)

  • Health

  • Physical Education (including an aquatics program)

* SACE - South Australian Certificate of Education

Courses

Students can enrol for: 10-80 week Intensive Secondary English Course (ISEC)

Learner Pathways

Students English language capabilities are assessed on enrolment to determine the most appropriate class and level.  They are placed in one of 4 levels: Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced and Transition, depending on their written and oral communication skills and previous education.  Students usually spend 1 -2 terms in each level.  Students with a higher proficiency in speaking, reading and writing may only study at the school for 20 weeks at Advanced and Transition levels.

Where possible, students are placed in junior or senior classes according to their age.

There are 3 learning pathways in the school:

  • Pathway A is for students who have had minimal or severely disrupted schooling before their arrival in Australia.  Students in this pathway can spend up to 8 terms in the school.

  • Pathway B is for students who need to spend an extra term at Foundation and Intermediate levels to consolidate their literacy and numeracy skills.  Students in this pathway spend up to 6 terms in the school.

  • Pathway C is for students whose schooling has not been disrupted.  Students in this pathway can spend up to 4 terms in the school depending on their level of English competence.

Assessment and Reporting

Students are assessed regularly and at the end of each term a written report is sent to parents/caregivers. An English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) Learning English Achievement and Proficiency (LEAP) levels reflecting the student's English language proficiency is allocated at all levels demonstrating their progress.

Transition

On the completion of the Transition level, most students transfer to their local government high school and into year levels recommended by their teachers.

Students spend up to 3 days at their selected high school during their final term for orientation and enrolment.

An Exit report is sent to the new school.  This report outlines the student’s level of English proficiency and other relevant information to ensure a smooth transition.