Year 8 Curriculum Structure

For further information, please download the 2021 Years 7-9 Curriculum Information

The Year 8 Curriculum is based on the Victorian F-10 Curriculum.  Students experience a learning program which is broad, however, allowing for some choice with 4 electives subjects included.

The Religious Education learning program follows the curriculum structure set by the Diocese of Sale. 

There is a significant focus on literacy and numeracy with additional class time focussed on English and Mathematics.

Students study 4 electives:

• 1 Arts based elective
• 1 Design Technology based elective
• 1 Digital Technology based elective
• 1 other elective from all options available

Extension Academies are available (semester elective) for students who have a high level of interest in a particular area as well as performing above standard.  An application process applies for admission into an Extension Academy.  Students may negotiate to not study a compulsory subject if they study an Extension Academy subject.

In order to meet student needs and offer more choice and flexibility within the learning program Mathematics, Arts, Technology and Extension Academy subjects are studied as classes with both Year 8 and Year 9 students included.

Students will participate in a 5 day City Experience at the end of Term 4.

‘Hands on Learning’ is a program run at both Berwick and Officer Campuses aimed at engaging students at school to help them discover their talents and experience success.  This supportive program sees students grow in confidence and increase their sense of connection to school.

 The Individual Support Program is available for students who require their learning program to be adjusted to support them with literacy intervention or general program support.  Numeracy intervention is offered through the mathematics learning program.

Students are supported through the Care Group Program which focusses on:

• Student personal development being known deeply
• Student learning needs and progress being known deeply
• Students feeling a strong sense of connection to the College and their peers
• Students developing the skills of wellbeing through explicit instruction

Subjects studied in Semester 1

• Religious Education – 3 options
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities
• Health and Physical Education
• Language (Arabic, Japanese or Spanish in 2020)
• Elective 1
• Elective 2
• Care Group

Subjects studied in Semester 2

• Religious Education – 3 options
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities
• Health and Physical Education
• Language (Arabic, Japanese or Spanish in 2020)
• Elective 3
• Elective 4
• Care Group

Arts subjects

• Dance
• Drama
• Media
• Music (can be studied both semesters – includes the study of an instrument)
• Visual Art
• Visual Communication

Design Technology subjects

• Electronics
• Food
• Horticulture
• Textiles
• Wood

Digital Technology subjects

• Digital Technology 1
• Digital Technology 2

Extension Academies

• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Literature
• Performing Arts
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• Sport
• Visual Arts

Individual Support Program (ISP)

(studied as an alternative to another subject in consultation with the College)

• ISP – Literacy (Years 8 and 9)
• ISP – Program Support (Years 7, 8 and 9)
• ISP – Numeracy (through the mathematics program)