Senior School
Curriculum
As a school within the Australian Capital Territory, Marist College goes through a process of registration every five years. This procedure, carried out by a panel of experts on behalf of the ACT Department of Education, is mainly concerned with curriculum, although it also considers plant and physical resources. At its most recent registration, the panel concluded its report as follows: "Boys who attend this school will receive excellent care and an excellent education. "
Curriculum at Marist seeks to maintain a balance between religious and moral education, scholarship, sport and physical pursuits, and creative and practical activities. The College places strong emphasis on a broad, general education, which has sequential study in all the core areas of learning. It also aims to engage each student at the level of his learning readiness.
Year Seven and Year Eight
All students have classes in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and Physical Education. In addition, students take Drama, Music theory or Music performance, and take one semester each year of Art and one of Technics. At the beginning of year Seven, they select a second language (one of French, Italian or Japanese) for study throughout the two years.
Where appropriate, these courses are taught at different levels and allow for different rates of progression. There is a remedial program and a program for gifted students.
Year Nine and Year Ten
All students have study in six core areas: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences and Health & Physical Education. In addition they select three elective courses from among Languages, Art, Graphics and Design, Performing Arts, Technology, Multimedia, Electronics, Extension Mathematics, History, Geography, Asian Studies, Commerce, Food Technology, and Photography. Other courses or units may be added in response to circumstances and student interest.
Year Eleven and Year Twelve
Boys study for the ACT Year 12 Certificate and most also receive a University Admissions Index (UAI) which is based on work over the two years. All boys study six courses; the only compulsory courses are Religious Education and English. Their other four courses are taken from a wide range including Languages (French, Italian, Japanese), Science (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Biology, Applied Science), Social Sciences, (Modern History, Medieval History, Ancient History, Geography, Economics, Business Management, Workplace Education. Performing Arts (Music, Drama) Technology and Applied Studies (Information Technology, Computer Operations, Information Management, Engineering Technology, Design and Technology), Art (Art and Design, Photography, Graphics and Design), Food Studies, Human Movement and Physical Education. Courses in Mathematics are offered at four levels and the top level can be taken as a Double Major or Major Minor, an option which is also available in English.
Vocational Education
The vocational courses offered at Marist are directly based on national industry/enterprise competency standards. All vocational programs include ‘hands-on’ experience, through placement out in industry or through a simulated work environment experience. The course of study determines whether completion of on-the-job vocational placements is required in order to gain the Vocational Certificate (the number of placements is prescribed in the Training Package).
Students who are successful in achieving all the competencies and completing the required placements, receive the national qualification. The qualification is issued by the BSSS at the same time as the Year 12 Certificate.
Vocational courses offered by Marist as the Registered Training organisation (RTO):
• Business Industry Studies – Retail
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General construction
•
Hospitality Studies
•
Woodcraft
Vocational courses offered by other Registered Training organisations (RTO:
Some students apply to do a vocational course and take up an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASBA). These students achieve their off-the-job competencies through an RTO, such as CIT, and their on-the-job competencies through an employer. They are expected to do 8 hours minimum in the workplace each week.
The following are ASBA’s available to Marist Students::
General Construction
Hospitality
Retail
Business
Hairdressing
Automotive
Electrical – approved in particular circumstances
Horticulture - approved in particular circumstances
Marist students also access CIT courses for such courses as:
Certificate II in 3-D Animation
Statement of Attainment – Bar Course
Details on course patterns and content are to be found in student handbooks, which are updated annually and can be obtained from the office of the Dean of Studies.
Student academic progress is reported formally twice each semester, once in writing at the end of the semester and once at about mid-semester when an oral report is given on the student's progress in each of his courses. Achievement and diligent effort are recognised at award ceremonies held twice each year.
The formal academic side of the curriculum is complemented by a wide range of co-curricular activities. These include chess, debating, Public speaking, Toastmasters, Science Club, Asia Club, musical and drama performances, dance festivals and Mock Trial. Increasingly, there are also opportunities for foreign language students to be immersed in those languages through overseas visits.
