Learning – St Norbert College

The learning environment at St Norbert College fosters academic excellence. Our strong performance in academic and vocational programs is a tribute to our learning culture and the commitment of our teachers and students.

Core learning areas of Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities and Religious and Physical Education are complemented by a diverse set of electives. To view the latest Handbook for each year group, visit Handbooks and Booklists.

The Learning Support Team assists both students and staff to cater for students with special learning needs. Study sessions are offered outside of regular class time.

Our dedicated, enthusiastic and experienced staff are integral to the success of these educational strategies. The commitment of our staff ensures that students receive the support and guidance they need to excel in their studies and beyond. We have fostered a record of success, forming young men and women who are ‘Prepared for all Good Works’.

Middle School Program

The curriculum in Years 8 to 10 at St Norbert College is based on the firm foundation of knowledge and skills developed in primary school. The curriculum is contemporary in nature and incorporates the use of learning technologies in order to equip our students to be successful in their life beyond school.

Curriculum

The Middle School curriculum has been developed within the framework of the principles of Catholic Education. Religious Education is the first Learning Area in Catholic schools and reflects the requirements set out in the Bishop’s Mandate for Catholic Education in Western Australia.

The Western Australian Curriculum also informs the construction and presentation of our Middle School learning programs. The courses at St Norbert College are developed from the Learning Area curricula and achievement standards contained in the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline.

Electives

In addition to Religious Education, English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, students will choose from a range of electives. The length of time allocated to the elective varies with the year group and the elective chosen.

Subjects include:

Visual Arts
Media Arts
Performing Arts such as Music, Dance and Drama
Languages such as Italian and Japanese
Accounting & Finance
Caring for Children
Engineering
Business Management & Enterprise
Career & Enterprise
Technologies such as Coding, Textiles, Wood, Metal, Food Science, App Development, Computer Programming, Game Design & Creation and Robotics & Game Programming
Sport such as Specialised Basketball Program, Specialised Football Program, Sport & Recreation Skills and Sport Science

Senior School Program

Preparation for life is the basis of the Senior School culture of St Norbert College. The core belief is that students achieve their best in a challenging learning environment based on the pursuit of excellence.

Academically the curriculum is constructed to offer a diverse range of learning frameworks. Students in Years 11 and 12 are provided a broad range of courses to facilitate opportunities for future study, career paths and personal growth.

A growing number of TAFE and VET courses are offered, providing students with a direct link to either employment or accreditation for tertiary courses.

The College offers various pathways that enable selected students to complete a trade-related qualification, gain industry experience and continue learning in a strong pastoral environment.

English as an Additional Language or Dialect

The English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) ATAR course is designed for students for whom English is not their first language.

This includes:
Students who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or from Cocos Island or Christmas Island, for whom SAE has been the medium of instruction, but for whom SAE is an additional language/dialect, and whose exposure to SAE is primarily within the school context.
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing and communicate using signing, such as Auslan, as their first language.
Students who have:
- No more than seven years of education where English is the main medium of course delivery immediately prior to entering their final year of school, or
- More than seven years where English is the main medium of course delivery but limited exposure/restricted knowledge of academic English, or varying exposure to English, but who have had disrupted schooling in one or more countries, including Australia.