Senior School
Welcome to our Senior School. We are a collaborative and vibrant learning community, committed to educating the whole child, developing life-long learners who will make a positive difference in God’s world. The Senior School staff are a team of dedicated Christians and professional teachers working together with students to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills, discover their passions and encourage their hearts. Our culture is one where relationships are at the forefront of all we do and where students have the opportunity to develop the competencies and character for a meaningful life beyond school.
We offer a broad range of academic programs and co-curricular opportunities, along with a supportive wellbeing framework and strong pastoral care system, so that every student can find a place to flourish and excel. We encourage all our students to develop a deep love of learning, hearts of service and a commitment to hard work and perseverance. Throughout all our activities in the Senior School, we hope to commend and cultivate the Christian faith. Our aim is to ensure that every student is known, cared for and is valued. The positive relationships between staff, students and their peers it what sets apart the learning environment of our College.
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Learning
As a College, we seek to be a true learning community. All members of our community are learners, students, staff and parents and we aim to instil the values of life-long learning in our students as we model it ourselves. We work hard to maintain a positive learning culture, where students can take responsibility for their learning in an environment that is calm and where expectations are clear.
The formal curriculum at our College follows the syllabi of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which culminates in the award of the HSC at the end of Year 12. Though our school is only young, the majority of our students complete Year 12 and earn the HSC with most heading to tertiary study, many with early offers from a range of universities.
Students engage in a varied program of learning in Years 7 and 8, where the following subjects are offered: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Christian Studies, Japanese, PDHPE, Technology (covering food, wood, agriculture, textiles and design), Music and Visual Arts.
In Years 9 and 10 all students in NSW study the mandatory subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Physical Development, Health and Physical Education and Christian Studies. They also have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of elective subjects from Years 9 to 12. For the HSC, students select a minimum of 12 units of study in Year 11, and a minimum of 10 units in Year 12.
Wellbeing
Our College wellbeing framework is concerned with the pastoral care and growth of the whole child. We take a proactive approach to student wellbeing, with programs to support all students in their academic, social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical development. The College aims to ensure all students are known in depth by at least one staff member and in the Senior School, their Pastoral Care teacher is a trusted adult in whom they can confide and who will guide them through the senior years of their education.
Staff meet with their Pastoral Care class each morning and deliver a targeted program specific to each year group. Modules include study skills, cyber-safety, growth mindset, service learning, positive psychology and mental health and goal setting. Staff provide ongoing support for students and partner with the home to assist students to develop the moral and intellectual character to become positive contributors to society.
Student Support
The climate of a school is closely correlated with student behaviour and expectations. All students and staff at Oran Park Anglican College have the right to be treated fairly, with respect and dignity in an environment free from physical and verbal disruption, intimidation, harassment and discrimination. The expectation is that all students respect one another, take responsibility for their behaviour so that everyone can feel safe and valued at school.
The transition from Junior School to Senior School can be very challenging for students and families. Our integrated P-12 campus assists in a smooth transition for most students and the College has in place a number of programs and people to further support students in the Senior School, including:
- 7-12 Wellbeing Coordinator and Pastoral Care teachers
- Professional School counsellors and external support networks
- Peer Support program for students throughout Year 7 and 8
- Academically streamed classes for English and Mathematics
- Learning Support and in-class teachers aids for students with learning needs
- After Hours Homework / Study Centre
- Peer Tutoring program
- Year 12 Mentor program
- Transition programs, orientation days and camps
Co-curricular
Co-curricular activities are a vital part of a holistic education, one that engages the heart, head and hands. Our College provides a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, which allow students to flourish, develop their talents and skills, build confidence and resilience and form friendships beyond their year group. Co-curricular activities complement and support a student’s academic program, teach them important life skills like collaboration, communication, organisation, service and leadership.
The Senior School offers a wide range of opportunities for students including;
- Concert Band
- Stage Band
- Choir
- Debating
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Dance Ensemble
- Games and Chess Club
- Drama Club
- Coding club
- Cru Group
- Bible Studies
- Fitness Centre
- Textiles Club
- Peer Tutoring
- STEM club
- A variety of Sporting Gala Days
We strongly encourage all students to be actively involved in a co-curricular group. Research suggests an array of potential positive benefits from involvement, including improving student wellbeing, academic achievement, self-discipline, social connection and independence.
Sport
Our aim is to provide a structured and balanced program of sporting activities that offer students with a positive experience of sport, develop their skills and fitness, provide a competitive pathway for those that excel and encourage an active and healthy lifestyle for all members of our community.
All Secondary Students from Years 7 to 11 participate in sport on Tuesday afternoons during periods 5 and 6 (Optional for Year 12). Students have the opportunity to trial for a variety of competitive teams or may take part in College sport if unsuccessful. In most cases, either a skilled teacher or a qualified coach will teach and train the students. Training for competitive teams takes place each Tuesday morning before school. Our College is building a strong reputation in the sporting arena with high levels of success and participation in the weekly MISA competition and in our competitive pathways.
The competitive and representative pathway for team sports and individuals is:
- MISA Sport /School Carnivals
- Christian Schools Sports Association (CSSA)
- Combined Independent Schools (CIS)
- All Schools (NSW)
- School Sport Australia (SSA) National Level
We also provide opportunities for individuals to represent the College in sports in which students may compete at a high level outside of school. Information regarding these events can be obtained from the College Sports Coordinator.
Student Leadership
There are a number of leadership opportunities for students throughout the Senior School. As a Christian School, we believe that at the heart of leadership is service. We expect our student leaders at all levels, to exhibit humility in character and have a positive influence on the life of the College. Taking on a leadership role in the Senior School is an excellent way for students to develop in themselves the College values of courage, craftsmanship, collaboration, curiosity and compassion. Students have formal and informal opportunities for leadership from Year 7 through to Year 12.
They include:
- Student Representative Council
- Peer Support leaders
- Peer tutoring
- Max Potential Program
- Leadership of Co-Curricular groups
- Coaching of Junior Sports teams
- Sports Captaincy
- Sporting team leadership
- College Captain, Vice-Captain or Prefects
Leadership is about relationship. As students develop their leadership skills in the College, we are mindful of the importance of acknowledging the model Jesus sets for us in leadership, which underpins our own philosophy. To love one another and to serve with sacrificial humility. This we hope to commend and cultivate it in our student leaders.
Elective Subjects
Stage 5 Subjects
Based on student choice, the following elective subjects are being run in 2022:
- Child Studies
- Commerce
- Design and Technology
- Extreme History
- Food Technology
- Information Software Technology
- Japanese
- Music
- Photography and Digital Media
- Physical Activity and Sports Studies
- Visual Arts
- Wood Technology
Stage 6 Subjects
Based on student choice, the following subjects are being run in 2022:
- English - Standard, Advanced, Extension 1 & 2
- Mathematics - Standard, Advanced, Extension 1
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Business Studies
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Society and Culture
- Studies of Religion
- Community and Family Studies
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Information Processes and Technology
- Industrial Technology - Timber
- Visual Arts