College Curriculum Guide

Welcome to the Curriculum handbook at St Andrew’s Catholic College.

This booklet has been designed to provide you with a complete overview of the curriculum offerings from the Primary and Secondary Sectors. Due to its strong enrolments, the College can continue to offer a broad and diverse curriculum to provide for the needs of all its students. Our curriculum offerings are based on the Australian Curriculum in Primary and Secondary Years.  In the Secondary Senior Years, the local (QCE) Queensland Certificate of Education incorporates a wide range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate courses.

A section of this handbook is dedicated to Flexible Learning which incorporates Vocational Education & Training (VET) and community learning opportunities. Apprenticeships, traineeships and trades form an important and essential part of our economic work skills force. It is pleasing to see the increased enrolments in VET subjects at both Certificates II and III as part of the students’ - QCE studies and in some cases ATAR scores.

An ongoing aspect to our curriculum has been offering students opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives Projects throughout the College with Robotics through to Engineering Courses provide students with the opportunity of acquiring 21st-century skills. An inquiry-based learning approach is often used with students to actively engage in linking their studies with real-life situations and contexts.

We know that in a rapidly changing society, 21st-century learners need to be confident with technology, global in their thinking, problem solvers, work collaboratively and ready to adapt to any situation. These are reflected in the Australian Curriculum capabilities embedded throughout the curriculum including:

• literacy
• numeracy
• information and communications technology
• critical and creative thinking
• personal and social capability
• ethical understanding
• intercultural

St Andrew’s Catholic College’s ongoing work with cross-curricular priorities is highlighted for example with strong partnerships in Japan. Clear opportunities are provided to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures through the curriculum. Support is provided for Indigenous students and their families.

Our new Digital Learning Environment, AndIE, will provide a 21st-century digital platform for student learning. Teachers will provide virtual classroom places and students will be able to upload their work for teachers to provide more timely feedback. It will also allow teachers to upload assessment results once they have been finalised providing students and parents with real-time feedback.

This handbook also provides students with information regarding our extra-curricular opportunities and activities on offer throughout the school year. It is important for students to engage in activities and sporting pursuits beyond the classroom which promote a healthy, active and team-orientated lifestyle. Each year we review our offerings to ensure we are meeting the expectations of our students.

In conclusion, Herbert Spencer once said:

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”

At St Andrew’s Catholic College, we empower our students to become life-long learners who will be active participants in social outreach programs and positive citizens in society. We wish you well in your pursuit of excellence and ambition to make a difference within our community.

Mr Ian Margetts
College Principal