Curriculum

Home > Curriculum

Horsham College, in partnership with families and the wider community, provides a curriculum that is both dynamic and responsive to the diverse needs of our students while acknowledging and implementing Department of Education (DE) initiatives.

The structure of the curriculum has been organised to meet students’ intellectual, vocational and cultural needs. Students move through adolescence in the Junior and Middle Years, and as young adults complete their learning in the Senior School.

The underlying principles that guide our curriculum structure are informed by three main questions:
1. Who are our students?
2. What is important for them to learn so they can reach their full potential?
3. What capabilities do they need to have in order to learn how to learn?

We Value:
1. A culture of excellence and striving to achieve a personal best.
2. Curriculum programs which cater to a range of learning styles and which are inclusive of explicit literacy, numeracy, thinking and social skills.
3. Development of personal qualities such as integrity, resilience, respect for oneself and others.

By personalising learning and building skills and abilities, we respond to the unique needs of every individual student. Some examples include:

  • Literacy/Numeracy learning support in the Junior School
  • Hands on electives, VCE Extension in the Middle School
  • VCE, VET, Vocational Major and School Based Apprenticeships at the Senior School level

We discover and encourage the talents of each student by Differentiating Education and fostering their personal growth through:

  • An Extension and Acceleration program in Years 7, 8 and 9.
  • A Year 8-10 elective program, including the opportunity to enrol in VCE studies.
  • A number of re-engagement programs delivered both on and off main campus.
  • A wide variety of extra-curricular activities

We extend the capacities of teachers to deliver innovative learning by:

  • Coaching and mentoring program for teachers.
  • Professional Learning Teams operating across the College.
  • Targeted Professional Development, based on current research into learning and informed by locally produced data on teacher needs.
  • Use of College and System data.
  • We value and support every school community member’s personal best in formal and informal forums such as Year Level, and Whole School Assemblies and formal End of Year Presentation Ceremonies.

The College provides a sequential curriculum in years 7 – 10. The key learning areas are:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities
  • The Arts
  • LOTE
  • Health and PE
  • Technology

At Years 11 and 12 the College provides a broad curriculum with many subjects on offer within the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the VCE Vocation Major (VM) including Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs.

The development of the Wimmera Trade Training Centre and the growth of the Wimmera Virtual Schools Network also offer expanded opportunities at Horsham College.

Students in Year 7 build on their knowledge gained during their years in various Primary Schools. The curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum for English Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Language, Technology, Health and Physical Education and the Arts. Each student will study German and Spanish from Languages, Music, Drama and Art from the Arts, and Home Economics and Wood from Technology area.

Students in Year 8 continue to study from all key learning areas. Students complete a full year of English and Maths, and a semester of compulsory Health and Physical Education. All other studies are offered as a semester elective. Students select their Science, Humanities, Art, and Technology subjects from a range of options. As well as the option to continue with a language (Spanish or German) and addition Health and Physical Education elections. Each student will choose 6 elective subjects, 3 each semester. Students make their selection from the Subject Selection Book, which is updated each year.

Students continue to study English and Maths, Health and Physical Education in Year 9. Students then select their Science and Humanities subjects from a range of options, including the option to accelerate in to Year 10. All other studies are offered as a semester elective. Each student will choose 6 elective subjects, 3 each semester. Students make their selection from the Subject Selection Book, which is updated each year.

In Year 10, English and Maths are studied for the whole year and a Science and a Humanities are compulsory for one semester. Health and Careers is also studied by everyone for a Semester. This unit includes Work Experience. Students are also able to apply to study some VCE units in Year 10.

Each year the College offers students a wide range of studies in VCE, VET and VM and School Based Apprenticeships. Students, parents/guardians and staff work together to ensure each student has access to the best course possible for their individual pathway.