The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (December 2019) identifies two goals of schooling for all Australian students: 

  • Goal 1: The Australian system promotes excellence and equity

  • Goal 2: All young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community

The education provided in every CEDR school and college is designed to contribute to the achievement of these national goals. Importantly, in our context, the national goals are complemented by the vision and mission of Catholic Education which emphasises life-long faith education, Catholic identity, inclusive partnerships, reconciliation, care, safety, and respect, and openness to all who seek our values.

Australian Curriculum (P-10)

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is responsible for the development of the Australian curriculum from Foundation (Prep) to Year 10. The Australian Curriculum consists of eight learning areas within which seven general capabilities and three cross-curriculum priorities are embedded. The learning areas identify the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that students should have opportunities to learn. All CEDR primary schools and colleges develop educational programs through which they teach, assess and report on the Australian Curriculum learning areas. Compliance with this Non-State School Accreditation Board (NSSAB) requirement is monitored through school review and accreditation processes. Importantly, Religion is a foundational subject taught at every year level in CEDR schools and colleges. The outline of Australian Curriculum learning areas (below) is taken from the ACARA website. For more information on a school’s educational program, please contact the principal of your local Catholic primary school.

Religion

Religious Education in Catholic schools develops students’ knowledge and understandings of Christianity in the light of Jesus, the Gospel, and its unfolding story within contemporary Australian and global society. It expands students’ spiritual awareness and religious identity, fostering their capacities and skills of discerning, interpreting, thinking critically, seeking truth, and making meaning. It challenges and inspires their service to others and engagement in the Church and the world. Through dialogue and inquiry, students engage in an open, meaningful way with Christianity in the Catholic tradition, their own religious background and personal experiences, and other religious and non-religious worldviews, within the contemporary cultural context.

English

English is central to the lives, learning and development of all young Australians. Through the study of English, students learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and the world around them. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative and critical thinkers, and informed citizens. The English curriculum helps students to engage imaginatively and critically with literature and appreciate its aesthetic qualities. They explore ideas and perspectives about human experience and cultural significance, interpersonal relationships, and ethical and global issues within real-world and fictional settings. Students are exposed to literature from a range of historical, cultural and social contexts. Through the study of texts, students develop an understanding of themselves and their place in the world. The English curriculum explores the richness of First Nations Australian voices and voices from wide-ranging Australian and world literature. The study of English plays a key role in the development of literacy, which gives young people the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, informed, perceptive, innovative and active members of society. The English curriculum plays an important part in developing the understanding, attitudes and capabilities of those who will take responsibility for Australia’s future.

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is central to the learning, development and prospects of all young Australians. Mathematics provides students with essential mathematical knowledge, skills, procedures and processes in number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. It develops the numeracy capabilities that all students need in their personal, work and civic lives, and provides the fundamentals on which mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics are built.

Science

The Australian Curriculum: Science enables students to develop an understanding of important science concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, science’s contribution to our culture and society, and its uses in our lives. It supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills needed to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues, and to succeed in science-related careers. Students can experience the joy of scientific discovery and nurture their natural curiosity about the world around them.

Humanities and Social Sciences

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) subjects in the Australian Curriculum provide a broad understanding of the world we live in, and how people can participate as active and informed citizens with high-level skills needed now and in the future. They provide opportunities for students to develop their own personal and social learning, and to explore their perspectives as well as those of others. Through studying Humanities and Social Sciences, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. This requires an understanding of the key historical, geographical, legal, political, economic, business and societal factors involved, and how these different factors interrelate.

Health and Physical Education

Health and Physical Education (HPE) enables students to develop skills, understanding and willingness to positively influence the health and wellbeing of themselves and their communities, helping them to flourish as healthy, safe, active and informed citizens. Integral to HPE is the acquisition and application of movement skills, concepts and strategies across a range of physical activity contexts, and the development of personal and social skills. HPE addresses factors that influence the health, safety, relationships, wellbeing and physical activity patterns of individuals, groups and communities.

Technologies

Technologies, taught through two subjects of Design and Technologies and Digital Technologies, enrich and impact on the lives of people and societies globally. Young Australians should develop a critical appreciation of how technologies are developed and can contribute to societies. By applying their knowledge, practical skills and processes when using technologies and other resources, students create innovative solutions, consider desirable sustainable patterns of living, and contribute to preferred futures for themselves and others. They work independently and collaboratively to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to respond creatively to current and future needs and opportunities. Learning in Technologies is also important for a diverse and capable science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. A transdisciplinary approach can enhance the application of students’ scientific and mathematical literacy, design and computational thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills. Developing STEM competencies enables students to develop, model, analyse and improve solutions to real-world problems. It supports students to access further study and a variety of careers and jobs.

The Arts

The Arts subjects (Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts) engage our senses and give us ways to imagine, celebrate, communicate and challenge ways of knowing, being, doing and becoming. Participating in quality arts experiences and practices enriches our social and emotional wellbeing, fosters development of our imagination and enables us to reach our creative and intellectual potential. The arts foster rich cross-curriculum opportunities for learners as they grow in their understanding of self and others, and as they make sense of, interpret and respond to their real and imagined worlds. Through the arts, students learn to express their ideas, thoughts, questions, understandings and opinions. They develop aesthetic knowledge and learn that the creative and critical processes of each Arts subject are essential to learning in, about and through The Arts.

Languages 

Language learning provides the opportunity for students to engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the world and its peoples. It broadens students’ horizons in relation to the personal, social, cultural and employment opportunities that an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world can offer. Learning a language develops learners’ communication skills, literacy skills, intercultural understanding, respect for diversity, an openness to different experiences and perspectives, appreciation of how culture shapes world views, and critical and creative thinking skills. It provides opportunities for the community to engage socially, culturally and economically in domains which include business, communications, diplomacy, education, health, international relations, law, science, tourism and trade.

Subjects (Years 11 – 12)

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) develops, approves and revises syllabus for senior subjects. Each CEDR College provides a range of senior subjects that respond to student interests and needs.