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Middle School Curriculum
The curriculum is structured around a middle school (Year 8 and 9) and a senior school (Year 10, 11 and 12). In the middle phase of learning in Year 8 and 9, the curriculum is centred on Life Tasks.
A Life Task is an integrated, planned sequence of learning activities aimed at increasing intellectual engagement and promoting local and global connectedness for all students. The Life Task approach is a student centred, outcomes based approach integrating learnings from the from the eight national Key Learning Areas
Students are provided with a common program that provides for study from each of the eight national Key Learning Areas. In Year 9 a core program of English, Mathematics, Science, Study of Society and Environment and Health and Physical Education is supplemented by an optional program.
Sport is a compulsory element of the middle school curriculum and throughout the year students have the opportunity to play competitive sport against other schools or to engage in recreational and enrichment pursuits such as dance, golf, surfing, web page design, fitness and strength conditioning.
Senior Curriculum
In Year 10, students are required to study six subjects with Mathematics, Science and English being compulsory. Year 10 is viewed as crucial bridge into Years 11 and 12 and is a time when students are exposed to the rigour and independent learning approaches expected in Queensland Studies Authority Year 11 and 12 subjects. Developing a Student Education and Training Plan and completing a Certificate 1 in Work Education is also an integral component of Year 10 and a vital link to Years 11 and 12. A pre-vocational Trade Skills Acquisition program based around the manufacturing and construction industries is also offered to selected students in Year 10.
Beerwah State High School offers thirty-eight subjects in Years 11 and 12, ten of which are Study Area Specifications. The curriculum allows students to pursue multiple pathways including a rigorous academic program, a contemporary arts program, a skills based vocational program or a combination of these.
Students in Years 11 and 12 at Beerwah State High School study six subjects unless special permission is given by the Principal to study five. English is compulsory and all students must also study at least one Mathematics subject. All other subjects are offered for students to select through a survey and the subject lines are developed from students’ preferences. Students then select subjects within these ‘student choice’ driven lines.
Year 11 and 12 students attend school four days a week, beginning at 8.00am and studying 5 x 70-minute lessons in a day. In 2006, Thursday is the non-timetable day for Year 12 and Wednesday for Year 11.
On the non-timetabled day, students have a range of options. They are encouraged to participate in school based traineeships or work placement. In 2005, 35% of the total senior cohort were engaged in school based traineeships. As one of the learning outcomes all students are expected to achieve by the end of Year 12 is experience in, and understanding of the world of work, students are also encouraged to find paid part-time employment. This day also provides an opportunity to revise, study and to do assignments. At certain times during the year, the school holds tutorials of workshops and extension activities.
Other Curriculum Features
A specialist Athletics Excellence Program operates from Years 8 to 10 and a specialist Music Excellence Program operates from Years 8 to 10. A range of alternative education support programs is also offered for students during the middle years. Human Relationships Education, particularly through Program Achieve is incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Beerwah High School has joined with six nearby state primary schools to form the Glass House Coalition of State Schools. The seven schools have developed a common curriculum framework based on Life Tasks, providing for a seamless learning journey from Year 1 to Year 12.
Gifted and Talented Programs
The needs of gifted and talented students are provided for through various enrichment programs offered by studies areas. Such activities include Days of Excellence, Opti-Minds Challenge, Debating, Public Speaking, Mathematics, English, Computing, Geography and Science Competitions, and extended opportunities in a variety of study areas. Beerwah High also has a Gifted and Talented links program with Sunshine Coast University.
Special Needs
Special Needs teachers assist students with specific learning difficulties (for example, difficulties in reading, spelling or an inability to cope with basic Mathematics) by collaboratively designing and implementing educational programs more suited to a student’s individual needs. Students identified with special needs may receive in class support, individual support programs, withdrawal sessions or individual student help with class work and assignments.
A Competence in Literacy and Numeracy (CLAN) program offers students in year 8 who have weaknesses in either literacy or numeracy, the opportunity to work intensively on strategies which will improve functional literacy / numeracy.
Extra Curricular Activities
Many opportunities exist for student participation in a range of extra-curricular activities. Beerwah High has a strong tradition of involvement and success in sports. A variety of sporting activities are offered to male and female students - an important aspect of which is that most are team sports. There are six interhouse events during the year - Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals, Triathlon, Run The Corridors and Cheer Cup.
Other activities include discos held once a term, the annual Battle of the Bands, public speaking (Rostrum, Jaycees, Apex and Lions), the annual musical production, dance and drama showcases, instrumental music program, Interact Club and Student Council.
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