Curriculum F-12

Curriculum Overview

Wedderburn College is committed to providing a curriculum that is both broad and balanced in its design and implementation. The College’s curriculum program is mindful of the individual aspirations of all students. It’s considerate of a student’s individual intellectual, social and cultural needs and seeks to provide the best outcomes for all learners. The College provides opportunities that assist students in realising their potential in all aspects of school and wider community life.

Wedderburn College follows the Victorian Curriculum which is based upon the Australian Curriculum. The Victorian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understandings, skills and general capabilities important for all our students in Years F -10 at the college.

Curriculum Design

Wedderburn College is in the enviable position of being able to provide a curriculum framework that extends from Birth through to the Post Compulsory years of schooling. This framework is overlayed and enhanced by a supportive community that, for the most part,
appreciates the value of education for the future of its younger members. While the college is small in size comparable to large regional and city colleges it is able to provide smaller class sizes that gives the opportunity for students to be provided with an individual learning program that meets their learning needs.

Foundation

Students entering Foundation complete both the English Online assessment and the Maths interview to gauge student’s level of achievement early on in their schooling. This provides the teacher with baseline data that will support curriculum design and practice.

First years of schooling are the foundation for future successful learning at the college. InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers. InitiaLit is a three-year program, covering the first three years of school (Foundation to Year 2).

Mathematics learning occurs within a specified block of time each day along with Inquiry based around the curriculum of Science and Humanities, Art, Physical Education, Indonesian and Music. Foundation students are immersed in a Wellbeing program that covers the General Capability outcomes of the Victorian Curriculum and the Respectful Relationships curriculum.

Year One and Two

Building on the foundations that is set down in the first year at the College, students continue to be supported through the literacy program of Initial Lit as described above. The program is implemented on a daily basis so that the learners have consistent and regular immersion in language and literacy. Mathematics and numeracy education is equally important as is supported by 400 minutes of dedicated face to face teaching each week. Students also cover Science and Humanities outcomes through Inquiry studies, and they have dedicated time to Physical Education, Art, Music and Indonesian. Year One and Two students are also immersed in a Wellbeing program that covers the General Capability outcomes of the Victorian Curriculum and the Respectful Relationships curriculum.

Year Three to Year Six

In year’s three to six, students are supported by a daily Literacy Block of at least 100 minutes. This provides the opportunity for the teacher in the classroom to provide individual support to students and an emphasis on the literacy as the foundation of all learning. Mac Lit is introduced to students who need additional support to reach the expected reading levels and to increase their confidence and capabilities. Mathematics understanding ties very closely with a student’s literacy capabilities and is also emphasised during the three to six year levels. Students also have Enquiry studies that is planned across the year to take in the learning areas of Science, Humanities. Physical Education, Indonesian, Art and Digital technologies.

Year Seven and Eight

Students in years seven and eight continue to provide a focus on literacy and numeracy as it not only relates to English and Mathematics but also other curriculum areas. MacLit continues through these year levels to support students to reach the expected levels for their age. There is an emphasis on literacy across all curriculum areas. Students study Humanities, Science, Physical Education and Health, Indonesian, Art and Food Technology.

Year Nine and Ten

Students in years nine and ten continue to provide a focus on literacy and numeracy as it not only relates to English and Mathematics but also other curriculum areas. MacLit continues through these year levels to support students to reach the expected levels for their age. There is an emphasis on literacy across all curriculum areas. Students study Humanities, Science, Physical Education and Health, and Art. Indonesian continues to be offered as an elective choice for students. In year nine and ten, students spend an entire day at Charlton College to undertake their elective studies. Students study four elective subjects across the year, predominantly in the Technology learning area.

Year Eleven and Twelve

Students at Wedderburn College have the choice of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Both certificates have a fully detailed curriculum that is covered is covered by each class. VCE units are set out in study designs which is the basis of all learning in every VCE class. VCAL outcomes in Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills are also full detailed and covered in the classes here at the college. Both certificates offer the opportunity for students to study Vocational Education & Training (VET) Certificate. A VET Certificate is a course
designed to provide training and knowledge around a specific industry area. The VET Certificates are conducted at the North Central Trade Training Centre (NCTTC) in Charlton.

Time Allocation for Key Learning Areas in 2022

The Wedderburn College timetable is structured as three 100 minutes blocks across a day with a 10 minute homeroom each morning. Some of the 100 minute blocks are split into 50 min periods, for timetabling purposes.

The College provides a comprehensive Curriculum program based on the Victorian Curriculum. Below sets out the designated time for each Key Learning Area. The number represents the total number of 50 minute periods across a week.

Curriculum

All Subject Areas