Years 7 – 10

The Years 7-10 curriculum

2027 – Year 7, 8 & 9 Programs and Subjects Handbook

2027 – Year 10 Programs and Subjects Handbook

Central to the college’s educational philosophy is a belief that all students should be exposed to a range of curriculum options in order that they may gain a broad and comprehensive education which allows them to make choices in VCE/VM further study, and employment.

The college is committed to providing educational opportunities to students from all cultural backgrounds and of varied ability in the belief that this enriches the experience of all students.

The commitment to high level academic achievement, multiculturalism and equal opportunity is a recognition of the needs and aspirations of our community and of the emphasis that the college places on these aspects.

We seek to create a college culture which engenders in each of our students an expectation of achievement. The challenging educational environment is delivered by a highly professional and dedicated staff.

The Years 7-10 curriculum is divided into eight learning areas:

English & English as an additional language (EAL)

Languages other than

English
Italian
Macedonian

The Arts

Visual Arts
Drama
Visual Communication Design
Media
Music
Ceramics

Physical Education and Health

Physical Education
Health Education

Humanities

History
Geography
Economics
Civics and Citizenship

Technology Studies

Materials ( Wood, Metal, Food)
Systems
Information Technology

Science

Mathematics

All students study each of the eight Key Learning Areas each year.

Mathematics and English are studied for slightly longer periods in recognition of the primary roles these areas play in developing literacy and numeracy.

As students progress from Year 7 to 10 they are given increasing choices within each learning area.

Electives at Year 10

Students at year 10 choose 1 elective from each of the following:

Humanities (full year); Deadly Dates – Australian Indigenous History, Global Politics, Australian Politics, Rights and Freedoms, Does Money Talk? – Economics & Global Human Wellbeing – Geography

Science (full year); Engineering, Genetics, Natural Selection & Evolution, Forensic Science, Consumer Chemistry & Industrial Chemistry

Health Education (half year); The Health of Our Nation, Health – Healthy Lifestyles & HEA103 – Health – Inside the Human Mind

Physical Education (half year); Sports Coaching, Focus on Fitness & Recreation: Epping & Beyond

Creative and Performance Arts (half year); Drama, Ceramics, Printmaking, Pre VCE Studio Arts, Visual Communication Design, Pre VCE Theatre Studies, Media & Music

Technology (half year); Design & Manufacturing (Metal), Design & Technology (Wood), Food & Technology, Computer Programming (Game Design)

Year 10 Pathways consists of English, Maths, Information Technology, VCE Industry & Enterprise, PE/Health,Work Projects, Art & Technology.

NOTE: The Languages Other Than English that are offered are: Italian and Macedonia

Electives at Year 9

Electives for Year 9 Students are as follows:

Creative and Performance Arts (half year); Ceramics, Drama, Media, Music and Visual Communication & Design.

Technology (half year); Food and Technology, Engineering Technology and Metal, Furniture Design and Technology and Digital Communications

Community Focus Program: Community Sport, Community Dance, Community Arts, Community Music, Community Media, Community Crafts, Community School Magazine, Community City Experience, Community Entrepreneurs, Community Make a Difference, Community Volunteering and Community Conservation Advance

These Programs may change from year to year depending on what programs teachers offer.

Learning for Life

Learning For Life is a class that is designed to help students to build knowledge and skills of strategies that help to improve their academic success as well as their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Based on the science of Positive Psychology, LFL uses theories developed by Martin Seligman, Carol Dweck, Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi and many others in the forefront of research.

The theories that underpin the explicit teaching of LFL at Epping Secondary College include the following:

WHAT IS TAUGHT IN LEARNING FOR LIFE?

Martin Seligman’s model of wellbeing (PERMA) and how these 5 elements relate to wellbeing and being a good learner.

Carol Dweck’s theory on Growth Mindset and how this helps to create resilient and persistent learners

Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s theory on Flow and it’s benefit to engagement and (according to Seligman’s PERMA theory) authentic ‘happiness’

The science of Neuroplasticity which underpins everything in the field of positive psychology.

The VIA Character Strengths: By building on our character strengths we can increase our overall wellbeing as well as our success across a range of areas of life, including academic study.

HOW DO WE TEACH LEARNING FOR LIFE?

In order for LFL to be both accessible and purposeful for all students we ask that LFL is taught as practicably as possible. Students know the theory that underpins positive psychology to give practical tasks and CATs a focus and purpose