Curriculum

Learning at Suzanne Cory High School is structured to ensure highly able students are provided with the opportunity to excel across the breadth of all curriculum areas. Students complete a mix of accelerated core subjects, progressing through to specialise in areas of interest and skill. Each individual student will shape their own learning pathway, experiencing challenges to their abilities and the support to achieve beyond their personal expectations.

The curriculum is designed to challenge students through the pace, content and approaches to learning. Students develop independent and collaborative learning skills and assessment is designed to focus on growth and achievement. All students at SCHS have varying abilities and expertise; students are both supported and challenged across all subject areas according to their individual needs and abilities.

The academic program allows students to move through the school at their pace with early access into senior and university studies. SCHS students will graduate with the skills necessary to thrive in the further education and the professional setting.

Year 9 Curriculum

At SCHS we understand and value the necessity of all subject areas and students will equally study across all fields. In year 9 students are introduced to the challenge and rigour of classes through a compacted curriculum and the opportunity to advance in areas of strength, including a targeted language curriculum responsive to both beginners and experienced language speakers. Students have the opportunity to select arts, design and technology subjects of interest and throughout maths classes students will study at units at either year 9 or year 10 level depending on knowledge and skills.

Year 10 Curriculum

As students progress into year 10, their curriculum will continue to cover the full breadth of subjects however the defining attribute of the year 10 program is students’ capacity to choose specialisation and early entry into Year 11. All students will continue to study across the 7 faculty areas however students are provided with semester long opportunities to specialise and complete Year 11 level work; providing students the opportunity to experience and prepare for further studies; including both the VCE and the IB. Ultimately, the Year 10 program allows students to progress and advance in their areas of strength; reflecting the range of highly able students throughout the school.

Students choosing the VCE pathway can study a range of subjects across all areas of the school; electing breadth or specialisation. Subjects are based on their passions, abilities and future career pathways and build upon the independent learning strategies commenced in Year 9 and 10. All subjects provide academic challenge for students and the support needed to pursue university and career aspirations. As part of the VCE program students have early access into Year 12 subjects and university level studies. The opportunity to experience the next stage of education early allows SCHS students to experience and build the skills required in advance. Creating students with not only the skills and knowledge to succeed in further education, but the experience to reinforce and support this transition.

Students choosing the IB pathway will study across the breadth of subjects available inline with the IB requirements. Students also study, alongside their academic classes, three core elements; the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and the Creativity, Activity and Service project. Students completing this program will finish their SCHS education with the outstanding capacity to thrive in further education. The IB program creates independent learners and thinker through the Extended Essay, ToK and CAS develop provides students with the experience of university level education within the core elements of their study.