STUDENT SUPPORT & ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

 

YEAR 7

 

Intervention Classes

 

English SSS

The Intervention English Course offered at Year 7 is the Corrective Reading Program. This program is aimed at engaging students in the practise of reading skills. The program focuses on helping students who may not read at an adequate rate, or who confuse words with similar spelling or who tend to make word prediction errors.

The students are taught word attack skills, participate in group and individual reading exercises, and complete workbook and homework tasks to reinforce the teaching of vocabulary and comprehension skills.

The classes consist of smaller groups of students and cover the content at a steady pace allowing greater one-on-one assistance for the development of the knowledge and skills that need attention
.

 

Mathematics SSS

The Yr 7 Intervention Maths Program is designed to give students who find maths challenging, an opportunity to grasp basic mathematical concepts.

The classes consist of smaller groups of students and cover the Mainstream Maths Course at a slower pace to provide students with the necessary time and assistance required to develop their mathematical skills
.

 

 

Advanced Placement Classes

 

English Advanced Placement

The Year 7 Advanced Placement English Program focuses on expanding student knowledge and understanding of a range of texts and builds on their appreciation of how to use formal language to construct texts for school and real life purposes.  Students learn to conduct formal research and are encouraged to work cooperatively in groups. Students also become actively involved in reflecting, monitoring and evaluating their work and their contribution to group activities.

 

Mathematics Advanced Placement

In the Year 7 Advanced Placement Maths Program, students study Basic Number Skills, Directed Numbers, Percentages and Algebra. Throughout the year students are expected to complete Application Tasks and several Analysis Tasks.  Students participate in a range of investigations and competitions designed to challenge their understanding and skill application in Mathematics.

 

Science Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Science Program in Year 7 provides an introduction to Science including the use of scientific equipment and the ability to carry out practical experiments. Students are also trained in the safe use of laboratory equipment and to conduct investigates and individual research.

 

Humanities Advanced Placement

In the Advanced Placement Humanities Program, students are introduced to the study of Geography and History including the relevant methodology for conducting historical investigations. Students study various types of maps and learn the skills needed to read maps, including BOLTSS, compass reading and the understanding of latitude and longitude. They study the various geographic features and environmental issues associated with countries within the Asia-Pacific region.  They undertake investigations of notable persons and significant periods in Ancient History.

 

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YEAR 8

 

 

Intervention Classes

 

English SSS

The Yr 8 Intervention English Program is designed to explicitly develop students’ functional language, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills. The students are expected to develop note-taking skills and compose pieces of writing using a variety of literature styles. Students have increased opportunities to enhance their oral language skills and research skills. The explicit teaching of grammar is tailored to the needs of each individual.

The classes consist of smaller groups of students which allows for extensive individual attention
.

 

Mathematics SSS

The Yr 8 Intervention Mathematics program is a modified course which aims to cater for students who experience difficulties with the development of numeracy skills.  Students undertake Topic Tests, as listed below, as well as an end of Semester Examination. Homework is set on a regular basis. Throughout the Semester, students are expected to complete Measurement, Chance and Data application tasks, and several analysis tasks.

 

 

Advanced Placement Classes

 

English Advanced Placement

The Year 8 Advanced Placement English Program focuses on developing metacognition and communication skills. Students explore key aspects of language structures and strategies to extend their Oral and Writing Skills. The Course centres upon the analysis of themes and issues related to the set novels. Students experiment with a variety of writing styles and text types appropriate for different purposes and audiences. They participate in research related to issues of significance in their lives, and they contribute to group activities related to deconstruction of novels and other written texts.

 

Mathematics Advanced Placement

The Year 8 Advanced Placement Maths Program aims to familiarise students with key mathematical concepts including Number Skills, Pythagoras' Theorem, Algebra, Indices, and Further Algebra.  Students keep an organised Theory Book and Exercise Workbook.  Throughout the program students undertake problem solving and analysis tasks, and use ICT and CAS TI-89 calculators regularly in order to develop advanced mathematical strategies and skills.  There are several Assessment Tasks that evaluate student knowledge of routine and non-routine problems as well as an End of Unit Examinations.

 

Science Advanced Placement

In the Year 8 Advanced Placement Science Program students explore the universe and geological processes and factors leading towards the formation of volcanoes, various rock types and the universe. The Physics Unit explores the motion of objects in terms of simple combinations of forces and it explains how mechanical systems direct and modify force and motion. Students learn about the operation of direct current series and parallel circuits and the technologies associated with its behaviour. Students also undertake a CREST a negotiated investigation into a scientific topic of interest.

 

 

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YEAR 9

 

 

Intervention Classes

 

English SSS

The Yr 9 Intervention English Program is a modified course which focuses on developing and extending students' oral language and writing skills within a smaller class environment.

Students explore ideas through language, study a range of literary styles, and experiment with a variety of forms appropriate for different audiences with specific emphasis on the further development of literacy skills.

 

Mathematics SSS

The Yr 9 Intervention Maths Program is a modified course which caters for students who experience difficulties with numeracy skills.

The students are encouraged to utilise the mathematical skills they are taught in class and apply them to solve application and analysis tasks.

Students undertake Topic Tests as well as an End of Semester Examinations. Homework is set on a regular basis.

 

 

Advanced Placement Classes

 

English Advanced Placement

The Year 9 Advanced Placement English course focuses on further developing students’ oral language and writing skills.  Students explore ideas through language and study of a range of literary styles.  Students experiment with a variety of genres and develop a folio of writing for different purposes and audiences.  They develop their ability to analyse and evaluate ideas contained in different texts and print and electronic media.

 

Mathematics Advanced Placement

The Year 9 Advanced Placement Maths Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to be extended in order to prepare for Senior Mathematics.  This Course covers the topics of Number Skills, Algebra, Indices, Measurement, Statistics and Probability.  Students participate in a variety of mathematical competitions including The Australian Mathematics Competition, The mathematics Challenge and The Connell Wagner Bridge Building Competition.

 

Science Advanced Placement

In the Year 9 Advanced Placement Science Program students are provided with the opportunity to study the Chemical and Physical Sciences. In the Chemistry strand, students investigate the nature of materials, natural and synthetic. Atomic structure and chemical bonding are studied. The characteristics of plastics, ceramics and metals are examined. The Physics Strand covers the nature of light and the technologies associated with its behaviour.   A further CREST investigation is undertaken at this level.

 

 

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YEAR 10

 

 

Intervention Classes

 

Mathematical Foundations

This Unit is designed for students who wish to undertake the VCAL Certificate and are not interested in following a pathway which that leads to the study of mathematics in VCE. Students will be introduced to Statistics and Probability, Consumer Mathematics, Ratio, Rates and Similar Figures, Linear Equations and Graphs and Trigonometry.

 

 

Advanced Placement Classes

 

English Advanced Placement

The primary focus of the Year 10 Advanced Placement English Program is on the study of the Literature Genre. The Program is intended to prepare students for the study of Literature at VCE level by offering a broad range of literary texts and text types, including the study of the Shakespearian theatre, contemporary Australian short stories, and Twentieth Century American literary classics. In the course of this program, students write sustained and cohesive narratives that experiment with different techniques and write persuasive texts dealing with complex ideas and issues. In their presentations, students make effective use of the structures and features of spoken language to deal with complex subject matter in a range of situations.

 

Accelerating into VCE subjects

Students who have been in Advanced Placement from Years 7 - 9 are encouraged to accelerate into up to two VCE subjects.  For advice on the most appropriate courses to consider, students are encouraged to speak with their Year 9 Advanced Placement teachers. Please click here to view the VCE subject offerings.

 

 

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Building a Cubby at St Albans-VCAL Students

Progressive work on Edmund Rice Trade Training Centre 2009

Annual Parade Vs CLC Debate

ACC Junior Champions 10-11-09

Year 9 Field Trip to Sovereign Hill

Year 10 Outdoor Ed Mitchell River

Term 1 |  Term 2 |  Term 3 |  Term 4


23-Nov -
27-Nov
Year 9 Outdoor Education Week

23-Nov -
27-Nov
Year 8 Examinations

23-NovFinance Committee Meeting 7.30pm

23-NovACC Principal's Meeting 9.30am-12.30pm at Parade

23-NovStaff Group Meetings

24-NovHomework Club 3.30-4.30pm

24-NovTeaching and Learning Team Meeting 3.30pm

24-Nov -
27-Nov
Year 10 Examinations

25-NovBoard Executive Meeting 12.30pm

26-NovSSS Advanced Placement Team Meeting 3.30pm