SACE 2010
The Year 11 Curriculum
Detailed curriculum offerings for each Stage 1 subject are to be found in the USC Year 11 Curriculum Guide (Word 2007 version - Word 2003 version).
More information can also be found in the Study Options section of this website.
University Senior College is dedicated to helping students make the best possible use of their educational opportunities, as they make the transition from secondary to tertiary education. The academic program and curriculum are designed to reflect this goal. The range of subjects offered from the SACE curriculum are ideally suited to prepare students for a broad range of university courses. At Year 11, as well as providing a sound basis for Year 12 study in each subject, there is a determination to provide opportunities for some breadth and an appreciation of the discipline of the subjects. The college is determined to provide quality teaching and learning opportunities and be a powerful force for pedagogical advancement, developing best practice for transition between secondary and tertiary education.
At Year 11 at USC, the focus is on developing productive learning and study habits, not just for Years 11 and 12, but which will provide a solid foundation for university study. The time-table is structured in such a way that students are required to learn to manage their own time, with substantial slabs of time during which they are expected to undertake self-directed learning activities. Considerable support is given to students to develop these skills and there are a great many resources available to underpin this learning. These include the library and the opportunities for students to seek individual help with their assignments and their learning. In this way, students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and thus prepare themselves for tertiary study.
The school is ideally located to make use of the rich array of learning resources in its precinct. These include the South Australian Museum and Art Gallery, Parliament House and the facilities of the University of Adelaide, the school’s partner in the Joint Venture Agreement.
University Senior College is determined to make the learning opportunities the principal focus of its activities and so the learning opportunities take precedence over any other activity. There are, therefore, few interruptions to the academic program. This allows students to develop those routines which are so important to a quality learning experience.
The academic program is strongly supported by a mentoring program which has among its aims, the development of time-management and study skills and a strong career counselling program. It is vital for students to understand the implications of their subject choices on their choice of tertiary courses and their future careers. In particular, students must be mindful of any prerequisite subjects needed for their choice of tertiary courses.
Capabilities
The aim of the SACE is to develop well-rounded, capable young people who can make the most of their potential. The capabilities include the knowledge and skills essential for people to act in effective and successful ways. The five capabilities that have been identified are:
Communication
Citizenship
Personal development
Work
Learning
The capabilities enable students to make connections in their learning within and across subjects in a wide range of contexts. Aspects of all of the capabilities are reflected in the learning requirements, the content, the assessment design criteria, and the performance standards in each of the subjects.
Assessment and Reporting
The assessment of Year 11 subjects will be informed by SACE Board guidelines, with grades A –E, awarded on the basis of the performance standards as required by the SACE Board.
Reporting
At USC students are provided with a report, with copies given to their parents or guardians towards the end of each school term. At the end of Terms 1 and 3, students are given written comments on their progress, which include a grade given on the basis of the SACE Board Assessment, based upon the performance standards for each subject in accordance with SACE requirements. At the end of Terms 2 and 4, students undertake examinations in each of their subjects and they will be given their subject grades, and their examination scores as a %. As well as these reports, there are several Parent-Teacher/Student evenings, during which time students, their parents and their teachers can discuss their progress. At all times, the school encourages students and their parents to discuss concerns about individual progress, initially through contact with the subject teacher or mentor and then with the Year 11 Dean of Studies.
|
