Curriculum at Sale College

Sale College offers a comprehensive curriculum in line with the Victorian F-10 as well as a range of extracurricular and innovative programs.

The Victorian Curriculum F–10

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian priorities and standards. It sets out what every student should learn during their first eleven years of schooling. From 2017 the Victorian Curriculum F–10 will support the planning for whole school teaching and learning.

You can find out more about the Victorian Curriculum F–10 by clicking here.

Innovative Programs

Sale College strives to be at the forefront of innovative practices that provide students with engaging alternatives beyond the classroom.

In addition to our core curriculum we currently offer programs that range from catering for gifted and talented students, providing community based hands on learning and state wide recognised literacy & numeracy support.

Extracurricular at Sale College

Sale College provides students with a range of extra curricular experiences that complement our normal learning programs.

Students have access to a range of Drama programs and are encouraged to participate in an array of annual performances. Our Instrumental Music program consists of a large number of bands and ensembles which have won gold and silver medals at the Melbourne Secondary Schools Band Awards as well as local Eisteddfods'.

The college provides students access to numerous camps and excursions and the opportunity to participate in International Experiences.

English

All students study English from year 7 to year 12. We aim to foster the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in both written and spoken English. Reading for pleasure and information is actively encouraged.

Year 7 enjoy an integrated curriculum STEPS. A small teacher team draws the strands of Humanities and English learning together in powerful ways.

Year 8 continues skill development under the same integrated structure. Reading, writing in different genres, critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are developed through the study of literary and everyday texts.

Year 9 and 10 English involves consolidating skills and extension activities. Students explore everyday, literary, film and media texts. They practise using language for different purposes and audiences, some of which are drawn from the workplace in anticipation of the choices students will be making.

At year 11 and 12 as they move into senior years, students have the opportunity to choose from a range of options: English, English literature, VCAL literacy, to meet their individual needs.

Mathematics

The teaching of mathematics is an ever evolving process and Sale College endeavors to find a balance between skills, (tools of the trade), and applications. Mathematics provides the perfect vehicle for teaching students how to think.

Sale College continually strives to present Mathematics in a way that is stimulating, accessible, rigorous and effective in an effort to engender a love of learning at the same time as providing core skills.

As mathematics learning occurs along a continuum of skills and understandings that develop in complexity, the learning and teaching of mathematics at Sale College is well-planned to accommodate ability levels.

A variety of methodologies are utilised to improve attitudes towards mathematics, develop powers of logical thought and provide students with the means to explore and apply mathematics in their natural and man-made surroundings. Evolving technologies are readily adopted and incorporated, altering the emphasis on the learning and teaching of mathematics from time to time.

At Yr 7 and 8, mathematics is under the umbrella of the subject "Discovery", which includes scientific and numerical knowledge and applications.

At Yrs 9 & 10 students are grouped according to their predicted future pathway, enabling students to progress at a more suitable rate. MATHS IN ACTION, STANDARD and ADVANCED are the groupings currently adopted.

Yrs 11 & 12 mathematics is grouped according to the VCE subjects of Foundation Mathematics, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics, Specialist Mathematics and VCAL mathematics is also currently available.

The Arts

Sale College offers an extensive Arts program from Year 7 to VCE, incorporating both Visual and Performing Arts.

Year 7 & 8 Arts

Visual Arts

Students will undertake a semester of Arts based studies in both Year 7 and Year 8. Within each year level students will progressively develop their skills and ability in both Visual Art and Visual Communication practices. Study of the Arts focuses on exploring, creating and making artworks by manipulating the elements and principles of art and design.

Click on a link below to see web galleries of student art work.

See the Year 10 Portrait Gallery

See art work from the Guthridge Campus

Performing Arts

All students complete a semester of Music at Year 7 and a semester of Drama in Year 8.

In Music, students learn about styles and history of music, basic notation and learn to play keyboard, ukele, guitar and drums.They do classroom music in year 7 for one semester and then can elect to do it in year 9 and year 10. Instrumental Music lessons are also available in Woodwind, Brass, Guitar, Percussion, Strings, Voice and Keyboard. See the Music Page for details.

In Drama, students study movement, mime, sound and visual comedy. Students have the opportunity to participate in Junior and Senior productions which are collaborative, cross campus, multi-age theatre performances that provide students from Years 7 to 12 with the opportunity to work together to develop and perform large scale theatrical works.

Year 9 Arts

At Year 9, a range of electives are available in the Arts including 2D Art and 3D Studio Art, Visual Communication, Media, Music and Drama.

Year 10 Arts

At year 10, students move to the Macalister Campus and, as in Year 9, a range of electives are available in the Arts including 2D Art and 2D/3D Studio Art, Photography, Media, Visual Communication and Design, Instrumental Music and Drama Performance. Details about these courses are available in the Years 10-12 Handbook

VCE Arts

In Years 11 and 12, students can select from a range of subjects including:

Theatre Studies (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Music Solo Performance (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Visual Communication and Design (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Art (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Studio Arts (Units 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Media (Units 1, 2, 3 & 4)

Details about these courses are available in the Years 10-12 Handbook .

Science

Through practical investigations, research tasks and other activities, students at Sale College get an opportunity to investigate different aspects of Science including Biological, Physical, Chemical, and Earth and Space Sciences. The science program also introduces laboratory and experimental methodologies along with developing the important scientific inquiry skills of questioning, planning, analysing and communicating.

The main topics covered at each year level include:

Year 7 students explore the world around us by studying how common phenomena occur. Students learn how to work safely in the laboratory and identify famous scientists and their discoveries. They examine different types of forces and simple machine through the construction of a toy. Renewable and non-renewable resources are explored as well as how Earth interacts with other celestial bodies. Systems of classification used in different areas of science are investigated and students undergo a range of practical investigations to determine ways to separate mixtures.
Year 8 science presents the particle model by investigating the differences between chemical and physical changes. While investigating Geology, students look at minerals and different types of rocks. Students study the structure of plant and animal cells and how they function, leading to an investigation of body systems. The electromagnetic spectrum is investigated through a study of the reflection and refraction of light. Different types of energy (sound, kinetic energy, heat and potential energy) and how to change between them are also explored.
Year 9 science examines atomic structure, what causes radioactivity and how we use it. Different types of chemical reactions that we can use to improve our lives are investigated. Ways in which organisms respond to changes in their environment is explored, focusing on the action of the nervous and endocrine systems. The evidence for the movement of tectonic plates, and the geological activity that occurs due to plate movement is also studied.
Year 10 students complete Biological Sciences during Semester 1, covering diseases, evolution and genetics. In Semester 2 students study Physical Sciences, investigating how the periodic table is organised and looking more deeply into types of chemical reactions. Forces and energy is also studied with an exploration of electricity and energy transformations.
VCE science options include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.

Languages in addition to English (LATE)

At Sale College, students in Years 7 and 8 study a language and intercultural program that meets the Victorian Curriculum Languages and Intercultural Understanding Standards. This program, called "Engaging in Asia" involves students studying 8 units over 2 years. Students study an Introduction to Asia unit before moving on to explore various Asian countries and their languages in the other 7 units.

Beyond Year 8 students have the opportunity to pursue a language of their choice, a global studies elective, or Antipodeans Community Project Tour PL group.

The Humanities

With both a contemporary and historical focus, humanities is the study of human behaviour and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. Through studying Humanities, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change.

STEPS (Years 7 & 8)

STEPS is an integrated English and Humanities program for students in Years 7 and 8. In STEPS, students experience an integrated approach to the disciplines of English, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, and Economics and Business. The integrated study of Humanities cuts across subject-matter lines and allows students to see how ideas are connected.

Year 9 Humanities

Year 9 Humanities is a compulsory two-period per week subject encompassing the four Humanities disciplines included in the Victorian Curriculum: Civics & Citizenship, Economics, History and Geography.
In Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business, students explore the systems that shape society, with a specific focus on legal and economic systems. Students learn about Australia's role in global systems, and are encouraged to appreciate democratic principles and to contribute as active, informed and responsible citizens.
In History and Geography, students explore the processes that have shaped and which continue to shape different societies and cultures, to appreciate the common humanity shared across time and distance, and to evaluate the ways in which humans have faced and continue to face different challenges.

Year 10 Specialist (Elective) Subjects

Business Studies (Economics & Business)
Geography · History (20th Century)
Legal Studies (Civics & Citizenship)

VCE Subjects

Australian and Global Politics
Business Management
Geography
History (Revolutions)
Legal Studies

Health and Physical Education

Sale College offers a variety of Health and Physical Education classes from years 7-12.

In the junior years (7&8) Health and PE are core subjects covering topics such as athletics, minor games, smoking and puberty. At year 9 we understand the importance of participation and provide gender specific classes as on option to both males and females along with traditional Physical Education Classes and Outdoor Education.

At VCE levels student have the opportunity to choose from Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Health and Human Development.

Sport

Students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports at Sale College. House Carnivals are conducted in swimming, athletics and cross country and these days are aimed at involving the maximum number of students.

A wide range of individual and team sports are also catered for with students progressing from the East Gippsland to Gippsland level and if successful then on to the Southern Zone or State finals. In recent years students have made State finals in swimming, athletics, cricket, soccer, basketball, tennis and badminton.

Students also have the opportunity to compete against other schools in a variety of individual and team sporting events.

Design, Creativity and Technology

In Design & Technologies students use the technology design process (Generate, Investigate, Produce, Manage, Evaluate & Technologies in Society) to create design solutions and products in food, materials, and electronic systems that meet specific needs. There is a major emphasis on workshop & kitchen safety, encouraging STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) based thinking and integrating the use of digital technologies and process based thinking.

In years 7 & 8 students gain experience in food technologies, basic robotics, wood, textiles, programmable electronics and plastics (3D design, 3D printing and Acrylics).

Progressing into years 9 & 10, students have the opportunity, through an electives system, to expand their design and creating skills in food technologies, metals engineering, woodwork, systems engineering and plastics design.

Our VCE offerings include Food & Technology, Product Design & Technology and Systems Engineering.

Information & Communications Technology

Sale College has a strong focus on using ICT to support and improve Teaching and Learning.

Every student across the College has the opportunity to participate in a 1-1 Laptop rental program this allows students to continue their studies when they are off site.

All are supported by a robust network allowing storage of student work and high speed access to the Internet. A comprehensive range of software applications are available to support the college curriculum requirements.

Year 7 students have access to interactive whiteboards, many classes have roof mounted multimedia projectors, with portable projectors also available.

Resource centres also have available digital video and audio equipment.
All learning areas strongly integrate the use of ICT into classroom learning and activities with all students having individual email accounts.

All ICT elements are reviewed annually for compliance with the college's ICT roadmap as well as to accommodate new technological developments.