Stage 4 Curriculum (Years 7 and 8)
The ¸£ÀûƬÎçÒ¹¸£Àû graduate is creative and curious …
Students in Years 7 and 8 gain experience in a range of core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, PDHPE, Technology, Music, and Visual Arts. For their language subject, students can study Japanese, French or Latin.
We know that students are more likely to be engaged in their learning when they can make choices that reflect their interests and leaning styles. Students are given the option to choose two electives in Year 8. These may include:
- French
- Latin
- Japanese
- Outdoor Education
- Ceramics
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre Sports
- Gamechangers
- Sports Science
Service Learning has been introduced into Year 8 to support our guiding principles of developing character, kindness empathy and service. The aim is for our students to give back to their community in meaningful and diverse ways including working with WIRES, The Tangara School and the Uniting Church Bowral.
Cornerstone, introduced in 2015 is devised and written entirely at Oxley. This subject is studied by all students from Years 7-10. It is a subject that teaches students how to think, inviting them to engage with the big picture concepts and questions that humanity has pondered over the centuries.
he ¸£ÀûƬÎçÒ¹¸£Àû Graduate is a socially aware communicator and collaborator…
Stage 5 Curriculum (Years 9 and 10)
In Years 9 and 10 students continue to consolidate their learning and understanding in the key learning areas of the NESA Stage 5 Curriculum.
The elective opportunities are expanded from Stage 4 and include:
- Design and Technology
- Visual Arts
- Music
- Drama
- Film Studies
- Global Studies
- Philosophy
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- Commerce
- PASS
- Food Technology
- Elective History
- Elective Geography
- Enrichment English
- Visual Design
- Studies of Religion (Accelerated - Stage 6 Course)
- French
- Latin
- Japanese
Students may also elect to undertake distance courses for language study not currently offered by the school.
Stage 6 Curriculum (Years 11 and12)
The Oxley graduate is challenge ready, a critical thinker…
At Oxley we offer a diverse range of subjects that are fully accredited with NESA. Students must study at least 12 units in Year 11 (the preliminary HSC year) and at least 10 units in Year 12 (the HSC year). In addition to the compulsory two English units, students are encouraged to pursue courses relevant to their interests and career aspirations. Oxley currently offers:
- English Advanced
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- English Standard
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Modern History
- Ancient History
- History Extension (Year 12 only)
- Sport Lifestyle and Recreation
- Health and Movement Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Legal Studies
- Geography
- Engineering Studies
- Society and Culture
- Japanese continuers
- French continuers
- Studies of Religion 1 and 2
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Music 1 and 2
- Music Extension (Year 12 only)
- Industrial Technology (Timber)
- VET Entertainment
YEAR 12 STUDY CENTRE
Year 12 students use a study centre located in Elvo (the historic building at the centre of the Oxley Grounds). It is a place ideally suited to the serious academic business of preparing for the HSC.
Year 12 have access to an Academic Master who is available in study periods, before and after school to
mentor, monitor and inspire Year 12s as they aim high. The Year 12 Study Centre is not a Year 12 common
room or a social space. It is a place for students to work independently or in groups on their HSC – a space
dedicated to them.
These subjects are eligible for inclusion in the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank). Students may seek approval for study by distance learning and each case will be considered on its merits. Individual students may benefit, too, from the study of a vocational (VET) subject, but these may not be included in the ATAR.
YEAR 12 (HSC COURSE)
The HSC Program of Study commences during Term 4. Students have the opportunity to amend their program with the addition of various extension courses:
- English Extension 2
- History Extension
- Mathematics Extension 2
- Music Extension
CLASS GROUPINGS
At Oxley we believe in supporting our students to achieve success in their learning. For that reason Year 7 – 10 students are placed in groupings within classes according to their achievement data and their individual student profiles. Some classes can be mixed and others can be graded. The usual pattern is a top stream with a combination of either two parallel or two other streams. Within each class, differentiation will occur to provide each student with the appropriate amount of challenge.
Depending on the learning needs of the cohort, the number of students or gender in each class may not
always be equal. The learning profiles of Year 7 students are considered by Heads of Department and Heads of House in order to determine initial groupings. The data used will include NAPLAN and previous school reports.
Students entering other years are placed after personal discussion and a review of their academic record.
A formal review of class groupings will usually occur at the end of a semester, however changes may be made at the end of a topic, a term or when there are other circumstances affecting the learning of a student.
COMMUNICATION
At Oxley we believe that a partnership between home and school is vital for a student’s success. Therefore, we value the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with students, parents and teachers at pertinent times throughout the year.
We commence each academic year with an information session where students and parents receive an overview of that particular year’s focus and outline. This is also an excellent opportunity to meet with other parents and ask questions. Formal reporting occurs twice a year for all year groups.
Should you wish to contact a teacher about your child’s progress at a time other than the Student/Parent/
Teacher meetings, this may be done by contacting your child’s Head of House or Mentor.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO SUPPORT LEARNING
We believe that a partnership between home and school is fundamental to student achievement and progress. We encourage conversations between students, families and teachers that are based around learning and are focussed on student engagement and progress.
CAREERS
The Careers program at Oxley is an individually tailored program beginning in Year 10 to ensure our students receive up to date information and support on their future career options. The program begins with Careers Guidance Testing and the Careers Expo visit and from here our students meet with our Careers Adviser to support them around subject selections for their senior years. Throughout Year 11 and 12, our students have a number of Career Check In’s with our Careers Adviser where post school options are discussed and explored.