Programmes of Study
Programmes of study reflect the academic curriculum and its intention to support development in discipline specific knowledge, understanding and skills, the transdisciplinary skills for academic success and the diverse talents, interests and points of personal challenge across the student population. The School offers two credentialing pathways: the IB Diploma Programme credential and the Higher School Certificate credential. The academic programmes P – 10 leading to the final credentials reflect this breadth.
Primary Education Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 PYP
The Primary Years Programme (PYP), developed by the IB Organisation, is an approach toteaching and learning based ininquiry learning pedagogies; it incorporates the Approaches to Teaching and Learning advocated by the IBO. Students are supported to be involved in their own learning as the teacher designs and facilitates a range of experiences through which they grow intellectually. The PYP is not a curriculum, but an approach to learning.
In both the Preparatory and Junior Schools, the PYP provides a framework for programmes of study. The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) sets syllabus content and skills that are mapped to the PYP framework. Students Pre-K to Year 6 undertake Units of Inquiry based on 6 Transdisciplinary Themes (Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organise ourselves and Sharing the Planet) as well as the core of Literacy and Numeracy.
Secondary Education Years
In Years 7 – 10 students pursue NESA curriculum in a core and elective structure.
Year 7
Students study the core curriculum of Christian Studies; English; Language (experience with French, German, Latin and Mandarin); Geography; Mathematics; Music; Personal Development, Health and Personal Exercise; Science; Technology; Visual Arts.
Year 8
Students continue study of the core curriculum of Year 7 with the additional choice of a focus language: Christian Studies; English; History; Mathematics; Music; Personal Development, Health and Personal Exercise; Science; Technology; Visual Arts and Language Elective (chosen from French; German; Latin; Mandarin). Classical Greek is offered as an additional language outside of the timetable.
Years 9 and 10
Students continue a core curriculum in Christian Studies; English; Geography; History; Mathematics; Personal Development, Health and Personal Exercise; and Science.
In addition, they study two elective courses chosen from Chinese; Commerce; Design and Technology; Drama; Food Technology; French; German; Graphics Technology; Industrial Technology (Metal); Industrial Technology (Wood); Information and Software Technology; Music; Latin; Photographic & Digital Media, Global Studies; Television Production; Visual Arts; Visual Design. Classical Greek is offered as an additional language outside of the timetable.
The Higher School Certificate
NESA mandates students must study a minimum of 12 Units in Year 11. At Trinity, students study 13 Units in Year 11, including one Extension level subject1. The only compulsory subject is English and there must be at least four subjects in total in each year. Courses studied in Year 12 must be preceded by study of the respective Year 11 course.
A predetermined timetable structure is not used. The Director of Academic Administration assesses information from student subject preferences to create a timetable structure that meets the preferences of the greatest number of students. Courses with small numbers will be run only at the discretion of the Headmaster.
Subjects offered for the HSC are:
English (compulsory) | Advanced English2; English as a Second Language; Extension 1 English and Extension 2 English |
Mathematics | Standard Mathematics; Mathematics; Extension 1 Mathematics and Extension 2 Mathematics |
Other subjects | Ancient History;
Biology; Business Studies; Chemistry; Chinese; Christian Studies; Classical Greek; Construction (VET); Design and Technology; Drama; Economics; Electro-technology (VET); Engineering Studies; French; Geography; German; History Extension; Hospitality (VET); Industrial Technology (Multimedia or Timber Products & Furniture or Metal & Engineering); Information and Digital Technology (VET); Information and Process Technology; Latin; Legal Studies; Modern History; Music 1; Music 2; Music Extension; PD Health PE; Physics; Science Extension Software Design and Development; Studies of Religion (compressed); Visual Arts. |
From time to time new courses will be evaluated by the relevant Head of Faculty in terms of the value they may offer to the current academic programme. These courses may be offered to student selection after approval from the Academic Dean. Students undertaking a VET course may also complete a School Based Traineeship in this area.
The International Baccalaureate
In the IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social science, the experimental sciences and mathematics.
The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose from the identified courses in groups 1 to 5 that are also offered in group 6.
In addition, the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.
The Extended Essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.
Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (sense, perception, emotion, language, imagination, faith, intuition, memory and reason) and different areas of knowledge (scientific (natural and human), artistic, mathematical, historical, religious and indigenous systems).
Creativity, Activity, Service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.
Subjects offered for IBDP are:
Group 1 | Language A | Literature and Performance SL
English Language and Literature SL & HL |
Group 2 | Language B | French ab initio
German ab initio Japanese ab initio Mandarin ab initio French SL & HL German SL & HL Latin SL & HL Mandarin SL & HL |
Group 3 | Individuals & Society | Business Management SL & HL
Economics SL & HL Geography SL & HL History SL & HL Psychology SL & HL |
Group 4 | Experimental Sciences | Biology SL & HL
Design Technology SL & HL Physics SL & HL Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL & HL Chemistry SL & HL |
Group 5 | Mathematics | Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL & HL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL & HL) |
Group 6 | Option | Chemistry SL & HL
Film SL & HL Music SL & HL Theatre Studies SL & HL Visual Arts SL & HL Business Management SL & HL Economics SL & HL |
Careers Education and Student Pathways
During their time in the Senior School, students engage with career profiling, the OTU Careers Expo, guest speakers and information evenings to support their developing interest in post school possibilities. A programme of learning and reflection is undertaken, enabling students to understand and evaluate a range of post school pathways available to them. The Careers and Student Pathways Advisor, Ms Susan Draysey, and the Housemasters – Senior School support students throughout this process.
Parents and students are welcome to make an appointment with the Careers and Student Pathways Advisor to assist in the decision-making process related to vocational opportunities, tertiary courses or subject choices.
Libraries
The Trinity Grammar School Libraries design, deliver and resource collections and innovative services that support teaching and learning. They serve the information needs of the School community and provide an enriched student experience by:
> engaging students in the celebration of text and the culture of reading;
> helping students to find their way confidently and efficiently to the information they are seeking;
> supporting students to navigate the research process;
> teaching students how to critically evaluate competing sources of information;
> encouraging students in the skills of independent learners;
> delivering innovative programs that support curriculum;
> inspiring curiosity and a love of learning;
> using space to create a culture of collaboration; and
> promoting academic integrity.
The Arthur Holt Library is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am until 6:00pm.
The Trinity Grammar School Preparatory School Library is open from Monday to Friday at 8:10am. It closes at 3:40pm except on Fridays when it is closed after School hours.
The Trinity Grammar School Junior School Library is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 4.00pm.
Last Updated on 07/02/2023
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