Within Maths, students develop skills in areas such as money, number, space, measurement and chance and data. Our school embraces a functional approach to maths learning, utilising the Top Ten Maths program which delivers maths lessons in a hands-on manner and encourages students to apply their mathematical learning to everyday life. Individual student numeracy goals are outlined in our students’ personalised learning plans (PLPs).

In Science, students are encouraged to develop their independence as they explore, participate, and engage with the world around them. Halls Head College ESC embraces a hands-on approach to Science which encourages students to apply their learning to everyday life, with our Life Skills Centre providing the perfect practical environment to do so.

The scope and sequence documents for all Year 7- 10 curriculum areas have been developed to embed STEM as a cross curriculum priority within our school.

Humanities and Social Sciences consists of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History and is the study of human behaviour and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. The Humanities and Social Sciences subjects provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to develop a broad understanding of the world in which we live and how people can participate as active and informed citizens in the 21st century.

Halls Head ESC has transitioned to AUSLAN as language of choice.

Student Health and Wellbeing is a priority for our school. Through Health and Physical Education, students learn how to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing and to contribute to building healthy, safe and active communities. We ensure that students have the opportunity to engage in and enjoy regular movement-based learning experiences and understand and appreciate that doing so develops the knowledge, understanding and skills to make decisions, build resilience, manage risk and develop satisfying, respectful relationships.

In Design and Technologies students design, make and evaluate products and technology whilst considering the economic, environmental and social impacts and how the choice and use of technologies contributes to a sustainable future. Students’ design, make and evaluate products and technological processes whilst working with a range of tools and materials, including the Shed, Garden and Life Skills Centre.

Digital Technologies aim to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure that students can confidently use digital systems. Each classroom has student Ipad’s, laptops and electroboards/TV’s. The school utilises such programs as typing.com, Book Creator and OSMO.

All students have the opportunity to experiment with their creativity during art sessions. Students use various tools, materials and media to achieve Art outcomes.

CALM

Each morning between 8:30am and 9am all students take part in CALM and mentoring sessions. These sessions help set the tone for the day and allows the students to focus on the tasks and learning ahead. Since initiating the CALM sessions, we have noticed a significant increase in positive behaviours and incidents.

CALM stands for:

• Check in – Mentors check in with students in small groups
• Advocacy – Mentors support students to problem solve, set and reflect on goals
• Learning – Teacher reinforces the goals from the positive education matrix
• Mindfulness – Classroom based mindfulness activities i.e.: guided meditation, colouring

Positive Education

The intentional promotion of optimal learning, social and emotional development, personal strengths and resilience are central to preparing students to lead fulfilling lives beyond school. At Halls Head College Education Support Centre, we have developed a whole school social and emotional learning framework using a Positive Education Model. This is allowing us to consolidate a whole school culture of optimum health and wellbeing.

Our model is based on the premise that the key elements that enable an individual to flourish can be taught. The aim of the model is to promote flourishing lives that help facilitate both individual and organisational wellbeing.

You Can Do It

You Can Do it is an integral part of our Positive Education and Social Emotional Learning Curriculum. Each classroom teacher/social skills teacher delivers the You Can Do it program relevant for the year level as indicated by the Scope and Sequence.

Each year group team is asked to complete an observational checklist on each student in their class at the start of the year, under the You Can Do it, Keys for Success (Confidence, Persistence, Organisation, Getting Along and Resilience) and in Term four.