Year 7 - 9

Students at St Francis Catholic College have access to a wide range of engaging experiences and pathways throughout their learning journey.

Contemporary learning is at the forefront of the opportunities we provide, including the development of skills in innovation, creativity, critical and ethical thinking and teamwork and collaboration. 

Digital technologies foster connection to the wider community and our global society. Underpinning our work are the core values of instilling a love of life-long learning, creating a sense of hope and nurturing strong aspirations in every student,

With an expectation of excellence, students are challenged and encouraged in their learning opportunities at each year level and pathway. In partnership with families, students develop responsibility for their learning to achieve academic success.

The Victorian Curriculum, introduced across all learning areas in Year 7 to 9, acknowledges that student needs and interest will vary and allows for planning a curriculum that responds to this.

Year 7

Students at Year 7 are offered a diverse learning program that introduces them to subjects across all the Domains. They develop knowledge and skills that broaden their understanding and are supported through the use of digital technologies.

Core subjects: English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Humanities, Science, Health and Physical Education, Art, Design and Technology Wood, Digital Technologies, Italian, Music

Year 8

Our Year 8 program continues to offer range and scope across all Domains focusing on students further developing their confidence and enthusiasm as learners. The core subjects continue to build student skills and knowledge in an engaging and challenging academic environment.

Learning continues with emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills through targeted teaching approaches. The Mathematics Program provides students with the opportunity to participate at a level based on understanding and abilities.

Core subjects: English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Humanities, Science, Health and Physical Education, Italian, Music, Food studies, Materials Technology Fibre, Visual Communications and Design, Drama

Rite of Passage

Each year, the College hosts a Calling and Departure Ceremony for its young men and women in Year 9 as part of the Rite Journey program.

The Rite Journey is designed to support the development of self-aware, responsible, respectful, resilient and resourceful adults. The program recognises the transition from childhood to adulthood, beginning with a contemporary rite of passage ceremony.

Students are joined by parents, guardians or a significant adult in their lives at the ceremony. The adults write a letter to their child about how they value them and the childhood mindsets and behaviours they would like them to let go of as they venture into adulthood.

They also write about the adult mindsets and behaviours they would like to see them grow and develop.

Students respond with a gratitude letter to their significant adult, highlighting the many aspects of their relationship for which they are grateful.

Once the letters are exchanged, the students and adults talk to each other about what was written, which usually prompts lots of tears, laughter, conversation and hugs.

Students then write their childhood mindsets and behaviours on a piece of paper and their adult ones onto a wooden leaf. Their Rite Journey teachers call them by name to commence the ceremony. One by one, they throw their old habits into a fire pit and then pin their leaf to our “adult arch” walking through it into their new journey towards adulthood.

It is a special evening that symbolises the journey our young men and women take in Year 9.