Curriculum

Schooling at Berri Regional Secondary College develops a range of learning skills for students, supporting their continuing development as independent, resilient young adults, prepared for further learning and life beyond school. We believe it is important to carefully consider each child’s learning style in order to provide a program that will motivate and engage our students.

We believe that our high quality teaching and learning is intrinsically linked to the strength of relationships between students and staff. Teachers at BRSC are passionate and committed to working with students in helping them understand and articulate what, how and why they learn, how their achievements are assessed and the relevance and connections between their learning and possible futures, in school and beyond.

Our holistic curriculum is challenging, innovative, rigorous and entrepreneurial. Within our Senior Secondary School, our students are successful in identifying and pursuing their individualised positive post school pathway including university, further learning, apprenticeships and employment. BRSC has a dynamic Vocational Education Training (VET) program linked with other Riverland schools and service providers.

Combined with our high SACE completion results and university entrance scores we provide students with strong foundations for future positive post school pathways.

Our Community Learning programs across years 7 to 9 foster a culture of belonging to ensure that all students make strong connections with their teachers and peers. BRSC has a unique Junior Secondary program whereby we take a collaborative approach to the interconnectedness of key aspects of the Australian Curriculum looking at these features from a holistic view. Our curriculum learning programs provide an opportunity for students to develop their skills in both academic understanding and lifelong skills such as self-awareness, critical and creative thinking and problem solving.

Year 7 to 10 students develop knowledge and skills in eight learning areas through the Australian Curriculum; English, Health and Physical Education (HPE), Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Languages, Mathematics, Science, Technologies and the Arts; while Year 11 to 12 students learn through the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION AND SAASTA

Aboriginal Education has a strong history at our school, with high SACE completion and positive post school pathways for our Aboriginal students. Our Riverland SAASTA Academy has been awarded the highest performing academy in South Australia in recent years and commended for its success in providing cultural and community connections for our students. Our students are regularly involved in Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week activities and contribute to improving cultural awareness amongst all students. We have strong links with many local Aboriginal organisations to help our students connect with our community.

We are proud of our achievements and have had many Dame Roma Scholarship recipients, who have been recognised for their strong work ethic and determination to achieve their best. We have numerous Aboriginal past scholars who are excelling in careers around Australia, including the first Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar, Rebecca Richards.

LEARNING CENTRE

The BRSC Learning Centre is a unique and highly differentiated small group learning environment designed to allow all students to access and engage in positive

learning. Students undertake personalised programs designed to develop post school options, intensive literacy and numeracy for functional life skills and community engagement and contribution. Students receive high quality, evidence based group and supplemental instruction as well as individualised intervention to extend the knowledge and skills of every learner.

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Our Flexible Learning Program provides opportunities for students to engage in learning outside of mainstream classes through our on-campus Flexible Learning Centre, with a strong focus on success for all students. Students are supported to work toward completing SACE and/or VET qualifications to support their transition to a positive post school pathway. The Centre is staffed by highly qualified teachers and school-based Youth Workers who provide holistic understanding, support and empowerment through highly individualised attendance and learning plans.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET)

BRSC has a strong record of success within Vocational Education and Training. The complimentary inclusion of VET Competency based learning allows students to start their careers whilst completing their education, with credits applied to their SACE completion. In addition to this, students are supported and encouraged to enter into a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (ASBA), where they successfully enter the workforce while completing their SACE studies.

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

A clear objective of the Senior Campus is to allow all of our students to achieve the SACE. Given thoughtful and realistic subject selection and an honest effort we believe that every one of our students can achieve the SACE. Please read the following information carefully so that you understand what needs to be achieved and then seek the help you need from your Home Group Teacher, Teachers and Parents/Carers so that you make choices that are suited to your interests and ability and your life pathway.

The SACE is generally based on two years of full time study, but students may take more than two years.

Course Planning

Course planning and subject choice will be guided by the work undertaken in the Personal Learning Plan (PLP), and in consultation with Parents/Carers and Teachers.

You can download a course planner for the SACE at the SACE Board website. Follow the link below and use the related links on the right hand side scroll bar to find it.

http://www.sace.sa.edu.au/the-sace/students-families

Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance

Link to the Riverland Secondary Schools Alliance WebVET management website: https://rsa.eschoolsolutions.com.au

The Australian Curriculum is designed to teach students the skills to be confident and creative individuals and become active and informed citizens. It sets the goal for what all students should learn as they progress through their school life.

Students develop knowledge and skills in eight learning areas during Years 8-10.

The Learning Areas are:

English
HPE
HASS
Languages
Mathematics
Science
Technologies
The Arts
SAASTA

In secondary schooling, students are taught by specialist teachers. Towards Year 10, the curriculum is designed so students develop skills for civic, social and economic participation. Students also have opportunities to make choices about their learning and to specialise in areas of interest.

The curriculum assists students to consider pathways for study in senior secondary schooling from a range of academic and vocational options.