Curriculum

Year 7 Curriculum

Year 7 at Palmerston College Years 7-9 Campus devotes the majority of its curriculum time to core subjects and students rotate through 2 specialist subjects each term.

Core subjects include:

• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment.

Within these key learning areas classes operate at different levels according to student need and academic ability. Enriching the curriculum, the specialist subjects experience may include:

• Drama
• Food Technology
• Dance
• Music
• Physical Education & Health
• Outdoor Education
• Design Technology
• Digital Technology
• Robotics
• Photography
• STEM
• Visual Arts

Large produce gardens have been installed near each learning neighbourhood for use by interested classes or teachers.

 

Year 8 Curriculum

Year 8 at Palmerston College Years 7-9 Campus devotes the majority of its curriculum time to core subjects and students have the opportunity to select two specialist subject per semester.

Core subjects include:

• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment.

Within these key learning areas classes operate at different levels according to student need and academic ability. Enriching the curriculum, the specialist subjects experience may include:

• Drama
• Food Technology
• Dance
• Music
• Physical Education & Health
• Outdoor Education
• Design Technology
• Digital Technology
• Robotics
• Photography
• STEM
• Visual Arts

Large produce gardens have been installed near each learning neighbourhood for use by interested classes or teachers.

 

Year 9 Curriculum

Year 9 at Palmerston College Years 7-9 Campus devotes the majority of its curriculum time to core subjects and students select to select two specialist subjects per semester aligned to their career pathways.

Core subjects include:

• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment.

Within these key learning areas classes operate at different levels according to student need and academic ability. Enriching the curriculum, the specialist subjects experience may include:

• Drama
• Food Technology
• Dance
• Music
• Physical Education & Health
• Outdoor Education
• Design Technology
• Digital Technology
• Robotics
• Photography
• STEM
• Visual Arts

Large produce gardens have been installed near each learning neighbourhood for use by interested classes or teachers.

 

Year 10 Curriculum

Year 10 at Palmerston College Years 10-12 Campus brings together a blend of the Year 10 Australian Curriculum and the beginnings of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET).

Students engage in six subjects across the week with two double lessons and a single lesson of each class. English, Maths, Science and Humanities are taught throughout the year and students have the opportunity to choose up to two elective classes each semester. The elective units consist of programs developed from the following learning areas:

• Drama
• Dance
• Computing (Computer Studies and Multimedia)
• Home Economics
• Health and Physical Education
• Music
• Visual Arts

Students are streamed in their Maths and English classes based on data obtained by the College consisting of: previous school reports, NAPLAN results, PAT – M and PAT – R tests carried out through ACER and testing carried out at the College. The streaming aims to extend students who are ready for extension and support students who require support.

All Year 10 students will complete the first of their Stage 1 (usually Year 11 subject) courses by undertaking Stage 1 Personal Learning Plan (PLP). This courses aims to raise awareness of career opportunities, individual strengths and interests so that appropriate classes are chosen for Years 11 and 12. A typical Year 10 study plan is outlined below:

Year 11 Curriculum

Most students in Year 11 will commence Stage 1 of their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET).

Students in Stage 1 will usually complete 12 courses (6 each semester) each worth 10 points towards their NTCET. These courses are based on SACE Board approved courses and require assessment plans submitted by the school and approved by the SACE Board.

Stage 1 has four compulsory courses that require students to achieve passing grades (C grade or better): two courses of English; one courses of Mathematics; and Personal Learning Plan (usually completed in Year 10). Students choose the remaining courses to suit their interests and future pathway. As a guide, students would need to be successful in Stage 1 courses to progress into Stage 2 (Year 12).

The Stage 1 timetable is always prepared to provide students with the following pathway options:

• Science and Technology
• English and Humanities
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Vocational Education

Typical subject offerings may include:

Note: Subject offerings are conditional on student enrolments. The formation of a timetable may cause some classes to clash resulting in students having to choose between subjects.

 

Year 12 Curriculum

Students in Year 12 are completing their final year of the NTCET by undertaking Stage 2 subjects.

To complete the NTCET students must have a minimum of 60 points (3 x 20 point subjects) of successful achievement at Stage 2 level.  Successful achievement is defined as obtaining a C- grade or better.  Students aiming to achieve an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for university entrance will require 90 points at Stage 2 level.  In addition all students must have successfully met the compulsory requirements of stage 1 and have approximately 110 – 120 points towards their NTCET.

Note: students transferring from interstate or overseas can apply for credit from their Stage 1 equivalent.

Stage 2 subjects all have a 30% externally assessed component.  This may be in the form of an investigation or examination.  This component of the course is sent to the SACE Board in Adelaide for marking.  The remaining 70% is school based assessment moderated by the SACE Board.

Stage 2 subject offerings will be based on those run in the previous year in Stage 1 and be subject to student numbers making the subject viable to run.
Typical subject offerings may include: