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Curriculum beliefs: Junior Secondary

At Tannum Sands State High School, we believe that:

• Individual students are important—curriculum pathways appropriate to the needs and abilities of each student must be available.
• The Year 7 transition involves recognition of students' achievement, their abilities and their leadership qualities.
• As they begin Year 7, students should have a limited number of teachers and be in consistent class groups for most subjects.
• Any subject studied must involve a significant amount of engaged learning time.
• Students should have a break between each lesson—4 lessons each day with three breaks—this enables them to focus on their work during lessons.
• Students must study subjects from the eight Key Learning Areas (described in the table below) so that they have a broad education.
• The subjects English, Maths, Science, History and Geography and Health and Physical Education are studied for extended periods in Years 7 to 10.
• Students will have access to the study of Elective subjects in Years 7 – 10:

• In Year 7, four (4) term-based electives in a prescribed rotation through electives from The Arts and Technology;
• In Years 8 , two (2) semester-based electives, and one (1) LOTE in each year with freedom of choice;
• In Years 9 – 10, four (4) semester-based electives in each year with freedom of choice.

Students should regularly set and review their goals and be actively involved in subject choices.

Students will have access to differentiated curriculum and assessment, and support identified, as necessary.

Students should be well prepared for success, and to make appropriate choices in the Elective subjects in Years 8, 9 and 10 as a result of the completion of compulsory studies in these subjects in Year 7.

Students should have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of elective subjects.

From a broad education base, students should be able to focus on subjects they enjoy and in which they experience success as they continue their studies through Year 9 and Year 10 and prepare themselves for entry into the Senior School.

Students should have the opportunity to prepare for the senior subjects of Years 11 and 12 as they come to the end of their junior course.

Students in Years 11 and 12 are offered a range of subjects and multiple pathways to their futures.

Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) -Information Sheet (PDF 305kb)