The aim of English at St Vincent's College is to inspire a life-long love of literature, reading, writing and communicating. The study of English provides students with exciting opportunities to explore how literature can help us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and learn about experiences beyond our own personal contexts so that they can become engaged, empathetic and active global learners and citizens. Our English programmes align with the rationales and outcomes of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabuses and are underpinned by the Catholic Christian framework and College’s values, thus supporting students to develop and express a system of personal values.

Our pedagogies focus on fostering students to be creative, critical, collaborative and reflective in their processes of thinking, reading, writing and communicating. Our teaching practices offer choice and a variety of learning activities, allowing opportunities for all students to develop their self-efficacy and maximise their learning potential to become confident, rigorous and independent learners.

The English Department offers a range of enrichment activities for students to further explore their literary interests and capabilities, including the following:

• inviting published authors to speak to and work with students
• annual public speaking, creative writing and poetry competitions
• encouraging student participation in external English competitions, including ICAS competitions

Following the tradition of the Sisters of Charity, students graduating from St Vincent's College are highly confident, skilled and independent students of Mathematics, ready to use the knowledge and problem solving skills acquired through their study to serve their families and community in hope, justice and generosity.

Maths Help and Other Support

At some point in their learning of Mathematics, all students should need some extra help. Whether it is merely a tricky question from homework or a need to catch up after being absent, “Maths Help” is the place to get the assistance needed.

Fostering the development of strong female scientists at school is essential to tackle the many challenges that our society faces. Artificial intelligence, genetic modification, food and water shortages and climate change are among the many scientific issues that confront us daily in the media. These require a sound understanding of Science to better inform our evidence-based decisions.

Science also instils a sense of intrigue and triggers curiosity amongst many students. It is a fascinating, fast-moving area. Science can answer many questions. Why do I see lightning before I hear thunder? What is there on the surface of Mars? What is the Universe made of? How hot will the Greenhouse world be?

Real World Experiences and Technology

At St Vincent’s College, students are offered a diverse range of scientific experiences within the classroom and in the field. They investigate explanations for the biological, physical and chemical world. Opportunities are provided to think critically and problem-solve individually and in teams. Students use data probes, analyse data, plan investigations and draw valid conclusions. Opportunities, using oral and written methods as well as technology, are given to communicate their acquired knowledge.

Our central city location places stimulating learning venues within easy reach such as the Observatory, Australian and Maritime Museums, Sydney and New South Wales Universities and Taronga Zoo.

Our College is Catholic and the College community is committed to the gospel values of Jesus and charism of Mary Aikenhead Ministries. Knowledge of the world illumined by the light of faith is a basic principle of our College philosophy, as the motto states 'Scientia cum Religione' (Religion and Knowledge united).

Religious Studies strives to relate all learning to the Gospel of Jesus so that students develop sensitivity to each other, expressed in service and social justice. The worth and dignity of each person are recognised in the responsibility each has to one another.

The Religious Studies Department seeks to mentor students in their faith, providing opportunities for knowledge about the Christian story within the context of the Catholic tradition and the Religious Sisters of Charity.

Curriculum

The spirit of Ignatius is built on the belief that each person is created in the image of God. This calls us to respect the dignity and value of every individual. This is reflected in the ongoing commitment to assist each student to attain her full potential, including the commitment to support students with learning support needs and our gifted and talented learners.

The Diverse Learning program is offered at St Vincent’s College as a whole school approach and is guided by the Sisters of Charity Values; Mary Aikenhead Educational Philosophy; Ignatian pedagogy; NESA guidelines for Special Education; NSW Department of Education and Training Special Education Students Policy, and NSW Department of Education and Training Gifted and Talented Students Policy.

RESPONSE TO LEARNING NEEDS

The diversity of student learning needs is met in many ways including intensive reading/Maths groups, extension/co-curricular activities, a differentiated curriculum, in-class assistance, Disability Provisions for examinations, mentoring, counselling, emotional support, career assistance, profile meetings (parents, staff, external professionals), appropriate class placement, ongoing professional development of staff and referrals and links to outside organisations for assistance and enrichment

GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION

At St Vincent’s College, our understanding of the nature of giftedness is based on Françoys Gagné's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent. The model recognises that people can possess a diverse range of gifts and that students require a supportive, nurturing environment to ensure that this potential can be realised through exceptional achievement.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF GIFTED STUDENTS

The learning needs of gifted students are quantitatively and qualitatively different from those of other students and thus require the implementation and maintenance of clustered groupings of students who participate in specialised teaching programs and pedagogies particularly suited to their specific academic and affective needs.

In addition to this understanding St Vincent’s College also recognises the importance of integrating gifted education strategies into all Key Learning Areas (KLAs) to ensure that the core curriculum is relevant and significant for gifted learners and will support them in developing their gifts on a daily basis, within the context of the classroom.

The encouragement of inquiry-based learning and critical thinking is integral across the College curriculum and although this pedagogy is well suited to the gifted learner, other more specialised interventions are also offered.

ENRICHMENT CHALLENGES, LINKS WITH EXTERNAL COURSES AND MENTORING

A chance for gifted girls to pursue passions and interests is offered through enrichment challenges, links with external courses and mentoring. St Vincent's College believes that gifted students have considerable capacity to take on extra-curricular activities and recommends participation in the myriad of enrichment opportunities the college offers.

St Vincent’s College students participate in a wide variety of activities such as Philosothon, Ethics Olympiad, Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Da Vinci Decathlon, Match Olympiad, Advanced Readers Book Club, Readers and Writers Enrichment Group, Chess Club and additional opportunities that present over the year.

LEARNING SUPPORT

At St Vincent’s there will be students who may experience difficulties with learning which may arise at any time throughout a student’s school life. The classroom teacher is responsible for meeting the specific learning needs of students with difficulties. The Learning Support team plays a crucial role in ensuring that the specific learning needs of students experiencing difficulties in learning are met.

This key learning area encompasses the subjects of History, Geography, Elective History, Commerce, Ancient History, Business Studies, Economics, Extension History, Legal Studies, Modern History and Society & Culture across Years 7-12.

Stage 6 HSIE Electives

In Stage 6 the HSIE Department provides a choice of 7 electives:

Year 8 Stage 4: Students elect to study French or Italian

Year 9 & 10 Stage 5: French and Italian elective

Year 11 & 12 Stage 6: French Beginners; French Continuers; French Extension

Year 11 & 12 Stage 6: Italian Beginners; Italian Continuers

Teaching and Learning

The teaching of languages focuses on the development of four macro skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. At St Vincent's, we endeavour to engage students in active language learning. We seek to create a dynamic classroom environment in which all student contributions and achievements are valued and celebrated. We take a communicative approach to language learning; from the outset, girls are encouraged to use the target language in realistic spoken and written contexts.

At St Vincent's College we are lucky to have a multitude of language-learning resources available to staff and Students. Technology is an integral part of teaching and learning at the College, and the languages classroom environment is enriched by the use of a range of digital media. Students of languages across all years are exposed to interactive computer programs and online activities, developing a variety of authentic learning strategies and using the language in realistic scenarios.

All students of languages are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential. We endeavour to extend gifted linguists and those with significant prior knowledge of the languages offered by providing extension materials, including independent project-based use of technology.

Students at St Vincent's College also have the opportunity to engage in language learning across the curriculum and becoming “leaders” in Languages. For example, students in years 9 to 11 have the opportunity to become Language Ambassadors, and promote the importance of multi-lingualism as global citizens.

Why study languages?

While studying French or Italian at St Vincent's College not only do you learn to communicate in a foreign language, but you can also learn how languages work. Learning a language opens the path towards new ways of thinking and gives you different insights into your own culture and language. By speaking another language you may even discover new sides of your personality!

At St Vincent's College, we hope to inspire lifelong learners with a passion for languages. Many students continue their language studies beyond their school years, as many universities are offering an increasing number of courses requiring one year's overseas study in a foreign language. Language skills are a valuable asset in many career paths.

Language Study Tours

At the College, we offer Study Tours to France and Italy to provide our language students with the opportunity to be immersed in the language and culture and to study the language, history and art in a real life context. It also allows students to embrace the diversity of the contemporary world. This opportunity is available to language students from Year 9 through to Year 12.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) at St Vincent’s College aims to inform and empower our students through a strengths based approach equipping them with the knowledge and skills to make healthy informed decisions as they navigate through their changing stages of life. We have a strong focus on the holistic development of the whole person, fostering self-confidence, resilience, and physical well-being, as well as decision-making, respectful relationships, inclusivity and social justice. Students develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in treating all people with dignity and respect and living out the Gospel values.

The PDHPE Faculty provides the students of St Vincent's College a program of study from year seven to year twelve. Subject currently offered are:

Performing Arts at St Vincent’s College includes the curriculum subjects Dance, Drama, Entertainment and Music. The College also offers opportunities for students to participate in a number of Co-curricular lessons and Ensembles such as Choir, Orchestra, Rock Bands, Dance Ensembles, Drama Ensemble, Circus Skills, Theatresports and the Shakespeare Carnival, as well as the College Production.

Recent highlights include productions of Matilda, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Wizard of Oz, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Venetian Twins and The Witches. Students perform at College community events such as Spring Fair and Speech Night, as well as Performing Arts events including the Annual Dance Concert at the Seymour Centre, Year 12 Design Create Perform, Drama Night and Music Night.

Performing Arts students at the College have been nominated and selected to perform at prestigious State-wide events such as Callback, Encore and Onstage.

Years 7 to 10

Music is a mandatory subject in Year 7, (Stage 4) with students undertaking the study of a range of engaging and relevant topics created specifically to interest our students.

In Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) students can select to study Dance, Drama and Music as Electives giving them many creative options for their pattern of study.

Years 11 & 12

In Stage 6 Performing Arts courses offered by the College include Dance, Drama, Entertainment (VET) and Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension. Students may choose to study any number of these courses for the Higher School Certificate.

Continual advancements in technology are changing how students learn, connect and interact daily. Skills students develop through STEM provide them with the foundation to succeed at school and beyond. Research indicates that 75% of the fastest growing occupations require STEM skills and that Australian businesses competing in a global economy will need more employees trained in these specific subjects.

Women in particular are commonly underrepresented in the traditional STEM subjects in schools and universities, however, engaging women in STEM is vital to solve many of our current world challenges.

STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to solve real world problems. It focusses on students developing future focused skills including:

• problem solving
• creativity
• critical analysis
• teamwork
• independent thinking
• initiative
• communication
• digital literacy

The fundamental notion of meeting our needs and the needs of others is seen to be a motivation for creativity and quality in design processes. Within the curriculum, Technology offers students experience of aspects of contemporary design practice. All units of work offer authentic design situations that require informed and realistic solutions and involve both material and digital forms of learning and communication Confidence in achieving the mastery of material technologies, skills and tools is an essential component of learning. Each student is encouraged to reach her full potential in a safe but challenging environment. The Department has a commitment to the use of digital and graphic technologies as design tools and practices and in the communication of design ideas and solutions.

Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) Courses at St Vincent’s College:

Stage 4 - Mandatory Technology to all students in Years 7 and 8.

Stage 5 - Design and Technology, Food Technology and Textiles Technology Elective courses are offered in Years 9 and 10.

Stage 6 - Design and Technology, Food Technology and Textiles Technology are offered in Years 11 and 12.

he study of Visual Arts provides students with opportunities to develop as confident, reflective and independent individuals.

Art as a disciplined mode of learning is concerned with matters of quality, value and significance. Imaginative interpretations of the world and reasoned critical responses made by teachers and students foster a learning environment that is based on respect for others' points of view, shared experiences and the individual's unique preferences. All courses are structured around the teaching of conventions and techniques of making and studying art and the exploration of materials and forms in relation to topics and concepts that engage the student’s imagination. The Visual Arts Department offers students skills and experiences in a range of forms including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video and digital media.

Visual Arts Courses at St Vincent’s College:

• Stage 4 - Mandatory Visual Arts is taught to all students in Years 7 and 8.
• Stage 5 - Elective Visual Arts and Photographic and Digital Media are offered to students in Years 9 and 10.
• Stage 6 - Visual Arts is offered to students in Years 11 and 12.