CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Strathmore Secondary College has a diverse curriculum.
In Years 7-9 students must complete the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Sport and Personal and Physical Development (Food & Health, Health & Human Relations and Physical Education) and six units (a unit is the equivalent of a semester) from a range of Arts, Technology, LOTE and Enrichment subjects.
Students in Years 7 and 8 must study one of the three languages: Greek, Italian or Japanese.
Additionally, there are Direct Instruction programs and Enrichment Units available if students require assistance or extension.
Year 9 students engage in community service, leadership and life skills activities to complement the formal learning program.
The Year 10 program allows for greater subject diversity. English, Australian Society, Human Relations and Sport are the only compulsory subjects. Students are free to choose the rest of their program. Year 10 students have the option of completing VCE subjects as a form of extension.
VCAL offers Year 11 students who are working towards an apprenticeship or studies at TAFE the chance to combine hands on experience with fully accredited modules in literacy and numeracy, work specific skills, industry specific skills and personal development skills. English is the only compulsory VCE subject.
Years 11 and 12 students have a large range of VCE subjects from which to choose. The program for senior students reflects the requirements for post secondary school study.
Key Curriculum Foci
Sport
Strathmore Secondary College is renowned for the quality of its sporting program. We are very strong in swimming, athletics, cross-country and hockey and involve our students in individual and team competitions across a wide ranges of other sports. A unique coaching extension unit is offered at Year 9 for students wishing to pursue, in greater depth, the factors important in sports performance.
Music
At Strathmore we have an exemplary music program, offering tuition in over 23 instruments. Students are able to join one of the many orchestras or ensembles where they will have the opportunity to perform at concerts, community events and various school functions.
Science
Our Science program has a particular focus on space education. The college is home to the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) which promotes the learning of science by providing engaging, hands-on activities for students. The college works in partnership with La Trobe University, RMIT University, Victoria University and other leading institutions. Students have the opportunity to attend the Advanced Space Academy in the USA and are involved in excursions to science institutions and laboratories.
For more information on the Victorian Space Science Education Centre visit the VSSEC website.
Drama
The Performing Arts department stages a musical each year. Students are encouraged to act, dance, play an instrument, compose music, write scripts, sing or become involved back stage.
Students can also get involved in Theatre Sports and other smaller scale drama productions.
Art
The Visual Arts program has benefited from the construction of an Arts and Technology building. Enrichment Units are offered at Years 8 and 9 in Observational Drawing and students at these year levels can also participate in the 'Artist in Residence' program, where an artist from the local community works with students for a semester to inspire them to produce art whilst also offering advice from an artist's perspective.
Additionally, students are provided with the opportunity to attend study tours and excursions and senior students hold an exhibition at a commercial gallery every year where they are involved in all stages from the planning and promotion to the hanging of their artwork.
Visit the SSC Visual Arts website to view students at work.
Languages Other than English (LOTE)
Students study one LOTE subject - Italian, Japanese or Greek - in Year 7 and 8. At Year 9, LOTE becomes an elective. We run VCE classes in Italian, Japanese and Greek. Many VCE LOTE students have achieved excellent results.
At junior levels, students become familiar with the sound and writing systems in LOTE through various stimulating class activities. They gain skills necessary to talk about their personal life and interests in LOTE. Audiovisual materials make up basic resources used in classrooms. ICT is a necessary tool for students to investigate their topics in the cultural project.
In the post compulsory years, students' activities become more focused on gaining a deeper understanding of life in the relevant countries, as well as achieving higher proficiency in use of the language in question. Students enjoy guest sessions, cultural activities and excursions. They enter various competitions and contests.
The Japanese language students enjoy interacting with our sister school students who visit our school once a year. Students also have an opportunity to participate in the school trips to Italy or Japan.
At VCE level, students enjoy stimulating, challenging and rewarding activities using many authentic materials. Our VCE LOTE teachers are native speakers and some are experienced VCE assessors.
A number of LOTE Japanese students have participated in exchange programs and studied in high schools in Japan.
Strathmore LOTE students have received awards in Dante Alighieri, Excellence in Italian, Excellence in Japanese, Video Speech contest and a Web Page contest in the last few years.
Download VCE LOTE information (MSWord 104KB)
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