Secondary School
In secondary school, from the age of around 13 – 14 years, specialists in their field teach the students as they are challenged to awaken their capacity for rational judgment and thinking. The curriculum, building on and extending the subjects covered in the primary school, unfolds a rich panorama of world and life through the sciences, arts, humanities and practical subjects. Understanding arises through students wrestling with the questions they confront in the study of the different subjects. This calls upon their independent judgement and stimulates original thinking. With their inner activity aroused in this way, students find their place in the world as they learn to know and work into it. This is what gives them their ground for independence and frees them to follow a path into life that allows them to grasp and shape their future.
The secondary school invites students to think in ways that are not merely abstract but also socially responsible and morally engaged, while also working to develop practical skills of human value.
Now the school walls start to disappear. Our location in the heart of the city allows farming experiences to take place at the Collingwood Children’s Farm. Sports teachers can use external facilities for swimming, tennis, and rockclimbing. Museums, galleries, workshops and studios are all close at hand. Mathematics in year 10 features a surveying project – trigonometry becomes practical – making real maps. Environmental science utilises the nearby Yarra River, the students walk to geological sites at Dights Falls, and local history has a rich canvas to explore in the local area.
New concepts continue to be presented through the main lesson format during the mornings. As the children move into late primary and then into secondary school, the afternoons become increasingly structured, and different specialist teachers come into the class more often.
The great disciplines of humanity: art, geography, history, literature, mathematics, science, music are brought in a comprehensive way to all students.
The secondary school invites students to think in ways that are not merely abstract but also socially responsible and morally engaged, while also working to develop practical skills of human value.
The Class teacher period continues through until the end of year eight. In some cases the teacher from the primary classes will continue on the journey with the class all the way through to the end of class 8. In many cases, on the other hand, it is appropriate for the teacher and the class for a careful handover to occur. This may occur towards the end of class 4 or class 6. Our teacher mentoring and review processes help to ensure that the right teacher is provided and supported at all stages of the class teacher period.
From class 9 onwards, the class teacher is replaced by two class guardians; teachers, mentors, friends, organisers/co-ordinators, counsellors, and career advisors to the students. They form the nucleus of a group of teachers who teach the secondary school students. Subject teachers are people who love their subject.
Year 9 is a very special year with our extraordinary camp program.