Year 7 Curriculum
Year 7 students undertake a range a subjects with their homeroom groups. These subjects include Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, Music, Art, Drama, Information Technology, Food Technology, Design Technology and two languages (one semester each).
Learning Diversity
At Avila College we welcome students of all abilities to our learning community. Each student is unique and has many different talents and abilities that are fostered during their time at Avila.
Pathways and Options
Avila College offers a wide range of individual pathways, including VCE, VCE Vocational Major and VET programs, which cater for the academic as well as the more hands-on courses.
Assessments
If you have any diagnostic or specialist reports, please provide a copy via email to registrar@avilacollege.vic.edu.au.
Extension Opportunities
Avila College recognises the importance of extending gifted and talented students to maximise their learning outcomes. We offer a challenging enrichment program and a range of extra-curricular activities in which students from Year 7 through to Year 12 are invited to participate. These activities extend students’ critical, creative and analytical thinking across a range of curriculum areas, and offer opportunities to further develop their skills in higher-order thinking and problem solving.
Learning Support
If a student has additional learning needs, please submit the assessments and reports. A Program Support Group Meeting will be arranged if required.
If a student requires an academically adjusted program across the subject areas, the College will seek parental consent to implement this. A Learning Profile will then be developed to inform the student’s teachers of individual needs. This process is implemented when a student is assessed to be below standard in her skills and knowledge.
Our team of Learning Support Officers support students in the classroom with some of their subject work. If a student receives assistance or intervention at primary school, please make contact with our Transition team.
Homework Expectations
Homework is an important part of the learning process. It provides opportunities for reflection, revision, reinforcement of classroom learning and to practise and establish behaviour for lifelong learning beyond the classroom. Avila College’s homework policy is designed to support student learning and to ensure that our young people can enjoy a healthy, balanced life with recreation time too. We seek parents’ support in encouraging the development of responsibility, organisation and problem-solving skills in our students. As Year 7 students settle and transition into secondary school, the expectation is that they will not be provided with any formal homework in the first two weeks of school.
Overall, the expectations for homework throughout secondary school are:
Years 7 + 8 1 to 1.5 hours per night
Years 9 + 10 1.5 to 2 hours per night
Years 11 + 12 3 to 3.5 hours per night
Homeroom Program
Students begin their school day (Monday – Thursday) in their Homeroom group at 8.30am. This is an important and vital aspect of the school day as it allows students to settle in, connect with their peers and Homeroom Teacher and sets the tone for learning.
Often it is during Homeroom that important information is distributed to students about their academic program, co-curricular activities and school events. This ten minute period of the day also allows each student to organise their materials. It gives them time to settle and establish focus.
Having an adult mentor or advocate in the school is a great advantage for our students and this role is fulfilled by their Homeroom Teacher. A strong connection with this person is established in morning Homeroom, over the course of the year. It is an important point of contact with a trusted adult in their lives. Homerooms, in the company of their teachers, often establish their own ‘personality’, which can even extend to their own jokes. This all adds to a student’s sense of belonging.
Beyond 2040
Avila College’s signature program, Beyond 2040 provides Year 7 students with meaningful opportunities to engage deeply in solution-finding and design thinking. Students will be working collaboratively with their peers as they research, discuss and consider what the future could look like if we embraced the best solutions available in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths today. A panel of professional experts including scientists, analysts, designers, engineers and lawyers actively share their experience and expertise as they engage with students throughout the program. The Beyond 2040 program has been structured to encourage student voice and choice and provide opportunities for our Year 7 students to become more self directed and build their resourcefulness through rich inquiry, set tasks and deadline management. Ultimately the intended outcome of the program is that students build their skills for critical and creative thinking, communication and collaboration.