Ph: (03) 5762 1222
36 Arundel Street
Benalla VIC 3672
Email: admin@fcjbenalla.catholic.edu.au

Introduction

At FCJ College we aim to provide an environment where students are challenged and the learning is enjoyable. There are may opportunities available at FCJ College – academic achievement is promoted and participation in extra-curricular activities is strongly encouraged. Pathways are available in combinations to provide the opportunity for each individual child to reach their full potential.

It is with great pleasure that we are able to inform you about some exciting changes at FCJ College Benalla in relation to our Learning and Teaching program. In response to student, parent and staff feedback, along with Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority regulations FCJ have undertaken a full curriculum review.   

Staff looked at current research, spoke to and visited high achieving schools and studied the new Victorian Curriculum along with other VCAA requirements. Their findings focused on two main areas, the first was contact hours, or the time spent in each subject, the other was the subject offerings. Research shows that the biggest impact on student outcomes is contact with their teachers – teaching and learning time spent with an educator. At the conclusion of the review there have been changes recommended at each year level. Below is a summary of the new structure.

Year 12

  pdf (1.36 MB) pdf Year 11 & 12 Handbook 2022 (1.35 MB)

  • RE and Positive Education will be compulsory (unless also studying Unit 3/4 RE). This will have six periods of contact time per two-week cycle.
  • Students complete English and four other subjects.
  • Each of these will have nine period of contact time per cycle.
  • Students will have 9 study periods per cycle.
  • VCAL will be an integrated program run over 4 days with the fifth day for work placed training.

Year 11

pdf Year 11 and 12 Handbook 2022 (1.36 MB)

  • RE and Positive Education will be compulsory (unless also studying Unit 3/4 RE). This will have six periods of contact time per two-week cycle.
  • Students complete English and five other subjects.
  • Each of these will have nine period of contact time per cycle.
  • See above for VCAL.

Year 10

pdf Year 10 Handbook 2022 (946 KB)        pdf Year 10 Course Selection form 2022 (143 KB)

At Year 10 the primary focus will be on preparation for their senior school pathway, be it VCE or VCAL.

  • Students will complete the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, RE, Positive Education and Health and PE. English and Mathematics will have 9 periods per two-week cycle. With the other core subjects having 6.
  • Students can elect to study the normal Year 10 Health and PE program or to study VET Sport and Recreation Certificate II.
  • Students may study a language (9 periods a cycle) *NOTE: Students who chose to complete a language will only choose one elective per semester.
  • Electives – 2 per semester with 9 contact periods for each. Chosen from: Food studies, Art, Music, Design and Technology – Industrial Materials, Outdoor Education, Drama, Senior Boot Camp, Design Technology – Textiles, Media Arts, Visual Communication and Agricultural Science.  These elective units have been specifically designed to prepare students for a smooth transition into VCE units.
  • The following VCE subjects may be available on application and will run across the two semesters. These subjects will be Psychology, IT, Biology, VET Business, VET Music. Students completing one of these subjects will complete only one elective.

Year 9

pdf Year 9 Handbook 2022 (1.47 MB)        pdf Year 9 Course Selection form 2022 (140 KB) pdf
(2.40 MB)

The focus of the Year 9 program will be on project based learning and student engagement. A stand alone program for Year 9 students enables greater flexibility around projects and delivery of curriculum. The Year 9 students will be making good use of our Flexible Learning Space in the Victoire building.

  • The core subjects will consist of an integrated subject including English, Humanities, RE and Positive Education. Other core subjects will be Mathematics, Science and Health and PE.
  • Integrated Studies will have 18 periods per two-week cycle, Mathematics and Science will have 9 and Health and PE will have 6.
  • Students may study a language – French or Japanese (9 periods a cycle) *NOTE: Students who chose to complete a language will only choose one elective per semester.
  • Elective - 2 per semester with 9 contact periods for each. With a choice from:  Food, Wood, Media, Visual Communication, Engineering, Textiles, Art, Music, Outdoor Ed and Drama.

Year 7 and 8

The focus for Year 7 and 8 students is to expose them to all Learning Domains, whilst ensuring their Literacy and Numeracy skills continue to develop to the appropriate level. Students will study the following program:

  • Mathematics and English each for 9 periods a two-week cycle
  • Science, Humanities, Health and PE  each for 6 periods a cycle
  • Religious Education for 4 periods a cycle
  • Positive Education for 2 periods a cycle.
  • Languages – One semester of French and one of Japanese with 6 periods a cycle.
  • There will be four ‘taster’ programs, covering food and textiles, performing arts, art and design and design technology. Students will study two tasters each semester with 6 periods a cycle.

PAM