What does the Biomedical Science Academy look like in Years 11 and 12?
The Biomedical Science Academy will be available in the form of complementary opportunities in senior secondary and available to all students regardless of pathway. The focus will be on connecting and contributing as a STEM(M) professional with specialisation within these fields. This might include connecting with experts, working with mentors, leadership and ambassadorship opportunities, accelerated learning, immersive experiences, assistance with scientific investigations or extended essay and career readiness.
The Academy is not a subject in Year 11 and 12 and more of a bespoke program/set of experiences to build a portfolio that exists from working with our learning partners. In the CP, this might include specialised STEM(M) subjects, plus qualifications and work experience in a STEM workplace and IB core focused on this industry. In the DP, this might include opportunities for mentors and lab experiences and supervisors to support higher level lab studies and academic research and writing as well as holiday immersive experiences and service learning work. The GP and BP might have a mix of subjects and qualifications and immersive tertiary or industry experience days.
Are teachers qualified to teach senior level subjects?
All teachers are trained to deliver subjects across Years 7 to 12 and often specialise in a particular senior subject area. For the International Curriculum, additional and specific training is required for all staff before teaching is to commence in those IB subjects, so that consistency is applied worldwide.
What are the subjects on offer and what happens if there is a subject missing that I want to do?
Subjects that are on offer can be found in our Sways on the Pathways and Curriculum page of our College website. Subjects vary across Pathways and are dependent on student interest and selection. Like all schools, not all subjects can be offered and not all subjects will run. Subjects that are listed are indicative of historical student interest in junior secondary, pre-requisites for further study, resourcing and best-fit across programs. If there is a subject missing, it is always worth exploring all subjects on offer for a substitute or speaking to Heads of Department or Deputy Principals, around any other alternative external options (see question below).
When will I know which subjects have been confirmed to run in Year 11 and 12?
SET Planning and Student-led Conferencing are due to occur early in Term 3 and with timetable considerations, the College aims to confirm subjects and timetables in early Term 4 at the latest for Year 11 students.
What is the cost of each of the pathways on offer?
There will be costs for each pathway. Like in Junior Secondary there will be Student Resource Schemes and subject levies to include resourcing. For the International Curriculum, there will be additional user-pay costs for those students as there are more external expenses due to the globalised curriculum, such as exams, and the independent nature of assessment, so that consumables must be factored in. This is likely to be approximately $2000 each year for the IB Diploma pathway.
Approximate costs will be communicated prior to SET Plan/Student-led Conference each year.
What are the workload requirements for each pathway?
Each pathway has different workload demands, however, all students should be committed to a good work ethic and solid habits and routines. These three skills, along with high levels of attendance lead to academic success. Workload demands could include additional hours outside of school time and is more prevalent in senior schooling years and can be an adjustment for some students.
For work ethic, this means not accepting mediocrity or a “that will do” attitude, but being an active learner, meeting all subject expectations, asking questions, meeting deadlines and studying or completing assessment outside of school.
With habits and routines, this is important to reduce the cognitive overload of academic stress and make sure there is time for hobbies, family time, extra-curricular commitments and personal wellbeing. This should look like having assessment calendars and due dates imputed into Outlook, an effective study space at home, dedicated time for school work, revision and drafting strategies that work for you, studying frequently, not cramming, plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours), eating regularly and nourishing food, minimising screen time and caffeine and being balanced in your connection and rest – connecting with people, hobbies, outdoors/nature.
Some pathways will have workload requirements outside of school hours, for example an apprenticeship that starts at 7am or service/volunteering activities that occur on the weekend or work placement that might take place in the holidays.
Some workload requirements are also phasal, meaning there might be more academic demands placed on you during certain times of the year, such as exam blocks or when multiple assignments are due close together.
Work ethic, habits and routines are important within and beyond your schooling career.
What university subjects can I choose and what do I need to know about this?
Most universities set up a specific list of subjects that secondary school students can access to study during their senior schooling years. Each university makes their own decisions about courses, pre-requisites, availability and these can be offered online, on-campus or a mix of both. These may impact a student’s timetable and consideration must be given to the effect of this. Often universities require report cards and approval from the school before enrolment is accepted.
It is important that an inquiry into these is undertaken. Only one can be studied at any given time and studying more than one is not necessary and the burden may outweigh the benefit. Sometimes these count towards QCE points or provide adjustment factors or guaranteed entry to some degrees, but these are university specific:
Students on an IB Diploma Programme pathway are already engaged in university level subjects, through their Higher Level (HL) subjects. Coursework credit or exemptions are available if particular subject scores are met.
More information found here for UQ and here for GU. Griffith Health also provides options to fast-track studies for students who have completed the IB Diploma and obtained the prerequisites for particular Science subjects.
What support will be on offer for wellbeing, tracking and predictions for students?
At Brisbane South SSC, we are fortunate in the time we have devoted to student wellbeing through LP classes and focus on the six Deep Learning competencies and Connection and Self-Understanding. Knowing who you are, your strengths and interests and your contribution to local and global society is an integral part of holistic wellbeing. Alongside that, we have wrap-around services with health care professionals here on site including a GP, Psychologists, Counsellors, School Nurse, Chaplain and Guidance Officer. There are devoted people such as year level Advocates, Year Level Coordinators, Heads of Department and Deputy Principals who all provide tiered support to students.
Success in senior schooling is a high priority for all of our students. In academic tracking and monitoring, this can look like progress reports after assessment, criteria-specific feedback, individual conversations, QCE progress, as well as attendance, effort and behaviour triangulation. With grade predictions, this builds as the two-year course continues. ATAR-eligible students will receive range predictions once summative assessment is completed in Unit 3 and 4. IB Diploma students receive 1-7 grades and this is upgraded after each assessment piece and predicted grades (PGs) are provided after the final Mock exams in Year 12.
What external course providers or possibilities exist if I really want to study a subject that is not on offer through General, VET or IBDP here at the College?
Not all subjects are able to be offered at any given school. There may be instances where a desirable subject is not available or does not run due to student interest. In these cases, students are encouraged to meet with the Head of Department - Senior Secondary, or a Deputy Principal to discuss other options. Some possibilities are listed below. Because of the independent and often online nature of these providers, and the likely impact this will have on timetabled classes, these are limited to one per student. All of these providers will have pre-requisites, cut-offs and some cost:
- Brisbane School of Distance Education (BSDE) – for Queensland Curriculum subjects
- External RTOs – visit the VET page on our website for more information.
- Pamoja – this is an IB approved online course provider, with subjects delivered and assessed by trained IB teachers around the world.
What are Adjustment Factors and how do they work?
Adjustment factors (previously known as ‘bonus points’) are additional points that may be added to an applicant’s ATAR (or other rank) to derive an adjusted selection rank for a particular course at a particular institution. They do not change the ATAR.
Each institution has its own criteria for when adjustment factors can apply. They may not be applicable for all courses or all applicants. All institutions limit the maximum adjustments that will apply to your selection rank (for example some may cap the increase to your selection rank to 5 points). Common types of adjustment factors include:
- Equity adjustment: if an applicant has experienced difficult circumstances or disadvantage;
- Subject adjustment: if a current Year 12 applicant has undertaken a secondary subject in a Language other than English (LOTE) or Specialist Mathematics, or university enrichment courses;
- Location adjustment: if an applicant has resided in certain areas;
- Elite athlete adjustment: if an applicant is an elite athlete.
Students are advised to research the courses and institutions to find our specific information.
More information found here.
What if I don’t know what I want to do in Year 13?
This is completely understandable and relatable. Often it is best to look at the bigger picture and look at pathways or industries, rather than a pinpoint location or career. In LP, students have been reflecting on their strengths, interests and aspirations and having conversations with your closest people can help provide clarity with this, as well as the skills and competencies that you have developed. Thinking and questioning about how, what and where you like to learn will also help. If you like practical, hands-on experiences, select subjects that allow for this. If you’d like to earn while learning, look at pathways that offer traineeships, if you love one particular subject, check out these bullseye posters that might provide some ideas to inquire into. Work experience or work exposure opportunities are also a good way to explore if something is of interest to you…or not. Making an appointment with your Guidance Officer, Head of Department or Deputy Principal to ask questions is also recommended. Just remember, that there are many Year 13 options and many ways to be successful as you work towards your first career.
Why and how do I get an ATAR score?
An ATAR is required for students wishing to continue straight to tertiary study at a university in Australia. Each system across the Queensland General Pathway and the International Diploma Pathway have different requirements to be ATAR-eligible.
For students not considering direct entry to university and looking to explore apprenticeships, traineeships, work or travel, alternative courses of study are available. ATARs are not available for the Career-Ready Pathway or Blended Pathway (see information about Selection Ranks).
Figure 1: ATAR Eligibility in the Queensland General Pathway
Figure 2: ATAR Eligibility in the International Diploma Pathway
What is the difference between an ATAR and a Selection Rank?
An Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that ranks how a student achieved/performed in the QCAA curriculum compared to other students. A Selection Rank is ATAR plus any adjustments made by a university or other recognised modes of study such as a VET Qualification or IB Diploma.
Source: https://www.qtac.edu.au/selection-rank-myths-vs-facts
How can I get involved in the TAFE Trade Tasters?
At the beginning of Year 10, information about Trade Taster days through TAFE Queensland are communicated to the cohort. As the name suggests, this allows eligible secondary school students to try a course without committing to a full qualification or apprenticeship, while still at school. It is delivered to Year 10 students, one day per week for nine weeks and covers a selection of areas including agriculture, health, trades, hairdressing and cookery. This is a highly in-demand program that runs in Terms 2 and 3 across Queensland and students need to be prepared with all of the requirements before their application. All enquiries should be made to Mr Glen Morgan, Head of Department - Senior Secondary.
Can I do an IB Diploma subject as a standalone sixth subject in General Pathway?
Students in the Queensland Curriculum pathway can elect to study their 6th subject as a standalone IB Diploma subject or ‘course’. This would be dependent on lines and potential clashes of the timetable, however, uniquely, this does provide more breadth to subject options. This subject would count towards a QCE, but not towards an ATAR.
How does the IB DP Core and IB CP Core differ?
The IB inner core are intrinsically valuable and compulsory requirements of the IB programmes and highly recognised across the world. They vary to complement the purpose of each of the pathways. The Diploma Pathway inner core is targeted towards highly academic critical and creative cognitive and service skills. The Careers-Ready Pathway inner core blends the professional, academic and workplace skills required for the targeted career nature.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Critical thinking course about the development of knowledge.
| Personal and Professional Skills (PPS):
|
|---|
Extended Essay (EE) 4000 word research paper of your choice
| Reflective Project - Engage in personal inquiry, action and reflection on a specific ethical dilemma. 3000 words or mixed mode submission 2000 words:
|
|---|
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)
| Service 50 Hours:
|
|---|
Language – Ab Initio or full SL course as a Group 2 subject over the two years
| Language Development – Choose any language you like to investigate for 50 hours:
|
|---|
Can I change subjects and pathways in Years 11 and 12?
Due to the intricate nature of each pathway and the pace and requirements for obtaining a QCE, there is little room for movement across pathways, particularly between Queensland and International. There is also a small window of time for subject selections to occur and would be limited to one change. Students and families are encouraged to consider each pathway, expectations, type of learning experience and assessment carefully prior to making pathway and subject choices in Year 10.
Where can I go to get more information about subjects?
These Sways have links embedded to full subject briefs and syllabus for more in-depth reading.
Glossary
You can access the Glossary
here.