The Year 8 Curriculum is designed to enable student learning across a broad range of general subject matter in a supportive Catholic school environment. The curriculum provides the opportunity for students to choose 4 specific elective subjects.
Year 8 builds on the literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge developed in Year 7, while also allowing for more personalised breadth and learning choices. The majority of subjects are repeated across Semesters 1 and 2. These include:
Students also study 4 electives across 3 distinct learning streams: Arts; Design Technology; and Digital Technologies. Every student at our junior Catholic school campuses will choose one elective from each of these streams, and then an extra elective from a stream of their choice. A full list of our elective options can be found below.
Year 8 students continue to study their language (out of Arabic, Japanese and Spanish). The continued Religious Education program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to mature in their faith and develop a greater love for God. The program follows the Catholic school curriculum structure set by the Diocese of Sale. Religious Education includes 5 subject options: God, Are You There?; We Could Be Heroes; Creating God’s Image; Faith in Action; and Junior Cantabile.
More information on the curriculum and classes can be found in our Year 7 – 9 Curriculum Information booklet.
Year 8 introduces Extension Academy subjects. These are semester elective subjects for students who are performing above standard and have a high level of interest in a particular area. To increase subject availability for students and have more subjects run each semester, classes are run with both Year 8 and Year 9 students included.
These elective subjects are offered at both our Officer and Berwick campuses and require an application process prior to admission. Our Extension Academies are:
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Students who successfully enrol in an Extension Academy may negotiate to not study a compulsory subject.
Towards the end of Term 4, students will participate in a five-day city experience program. This is one of the many programs we offer to help students develop skills that will aid them beyond their schooling career.
Both our Officer and Berwick campuses offer ‘Hands-on Learning’, a popular program which is provided by many other Catholic Schools in Melbourne. The program is aimed at engaging students to help them discover their talents and find success in their schooling career and later in life. This supportive program helps students build confidence and connect with the school.
Additionally, our Individual Support Program (ISP) is available for students who require personalised adjustments to their learning program. This can include support with literacy intervention, social skills or general program support. Numeracy intervention is offered through the mathematics learning program.
The ISP subjects are studied as an alternative to another subject in consultation with the Learning Adjustment Team. The subjects on offer are:
Students complete 4 elective subjects across the year. Students must complete at least 1 elective from each of the available streams, with their final subject being able to be chosen from any stream.
Students attending our campuses begin their experience of the Care Group program in Year 7. The program focuses on student’s personal development, understanding learning needs and progress, and fostering a sense of connection to the College and other students. This program includes in-class learning of wellbeing skills.