S econdary Curriculum

Secondary Curriculum

Throughout an at times challenging 2019, our focus remained firmly on fostering an enduring love of learning in our students, while building a culture of excellence where they are able to achieve their personal best in all aspects of school life.

Outcomes from NAPLAN testing once again showed that our students continue to meet performance benchmarks well above comparative New South Wales state outcomes across all key numeracy and literacy criteria. Similarly, results data from our first round of mandatory Year 10 New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Minimum Standards testing confirmed that standards across the Secondary division in numeracy, reading and writing remain high and well above the benchmarks identified by NESA. Data from public examinations in the International Baccalaureate (IBO) Diploma Program and the NESA Higher School Certificate (HSC), referenced elsewhere in this publication, continue to compare most favourably with state, national and global measures of performance. Mr Chris McCorkell Dean of Studies, Secondary The introduction in 2019 of Professional Learning Communities across the school has led to greater opportunities for staff to come together to share bestpractice pedagogical approaches.

Our middle management leadership team also engaged in a coaching program offered by the highly regarded Growth Coaching International organisation. The work undertaken was aimed at equipping our leaders with a range of strategies designed to enhance the quality of

professional conversations within their own teams. As always, our Performing Arts department provided numerous opportunities throughout the year for our students to demonstrate their amazing dramatic and musical talents.

Meanwhile, the annual Science Fair once again demonstrated the importance of student agency, with the many and varied displays providing a wonderfully engaging platform for this.

AISHK athletes continue to shine in their various fields of sporting endeavour. While victory is to be savoured, competing fiercely but fairly and accepting the disappointment of defeat with the utmost good grace and modesty is, in itself, a lesson in life in a broader sense.

An emphasis in Mathematics teaching this year has been on ‘mathematical freedom’ which promotes flexibility and creative adaptive thinking. These same attributes can be seen in our design technology, economics and business classrooms where our budding politicians, entrepreneurs and captains of industry continue to be inspired by their teachers and excited by what might be. As a school, we continue to reflect on the range of practices and approaches used to foster a more studentcentred classroom and promote excellence. In doing so, we must build on the lessons learned to ensure that our programs invigorate and sustain student engagement.

While our academic results are but one measure of success, we are about much more than that; we continue to strive in our endeavours to nurture young minds to seek fulfilment as positive, caring and empathetic individuals who can genuinely make a difference to the world in which they live.