Curriculum
Introduction
Democratic principles
Primary
Secondary
School camping program
.introduction
Mountain District Christian School’s approach to education is based on a holistic view of the child, as understood from the Bible. At MDCS, we see the education we provide as going beyond the basic schooling process. We seek to prepare children for life, taking into account the pressures of modern day living. We also encourage children to be discerning in the world, and give them guidance to make wise choices. MDCS is convinced of the need to nurture the whole person. We value our student’s growth as individuals within the community. We value what they think and feel about themselves, what God thinks of them, and His love for them. As a result of the schools philosophy and beliefs, students are surrounded with much love, care and support.
.DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
The programs of, and teaching in, Mountain District Christian School support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy and include a commitment to:
- elected Government;
- the rule of law;
- equal rights for all before the law;
- freedom of religion;
- freedom of speech and association;
- the values of openness and tolerance.
.primary
At Mountain District Christian School we believe that children are special, unique, gifted and individual, yet called to be in community. The Primary curriculum aims to provide a breadth of learning and developmental experiences across the eight Key Learning Areas (KLAs) of the Victorian school curriculum. Whilst the curriculum subjects remain the same throughout the Primary section, the time allocations and nature of learning changes as the children progress through their Primary years.
Students in the Primary section of the school are taught predominantly by their class teacher with specialist classes in Art, Indonesian, Music and Physical Education. The core curriculum is comprised of General Studies (whole term units often integrating with other subjects), Bible, Literacy (in the form of Language and Literature), and Numeracy (Mathematics).
Literacy and Numeracy
Teaching the skills of literacy and numeracy are fundamental to learning. At Mountain District Christian School assisting students’ development in literacy and numeracy is a priority and a substantial amount of time is allocated to this. We accept that students develop at different rates and learn in different ways, hence the teaching aims to meet the individual needs of the students as much as possible. Group work is often utilized to address these needs. Student development in these areas is individually monitored via tests and checklists and used to inform teaching methods and content.
It is important to note that the school’s ability to cater for students with special needs is dependent on government funding and the resources at our disposal. Student needs are catered for within the context of the class.
.secondary
The Secondary curriculum aims to build on the development of the students from the Primary years. Students in the Secondary section continue to have a class teacher until Year 10. This teacher will teach the students under his or her care for General Studies and at least one other subject in the curriculum. This class teacher is also responsible for the pastoral care of their students.
The philosophical emphasis in the lower Secondary will be on learning to take responsibility for self, for others and for the world around them as image bearers of God and will stress the uniqueness of the learner at this stage of development. This involves learning in exploration, creativity and interdisciplinary instruction by means of an integrated curriculum.
Instruction emphasis is on a variety of teaching techniques. Students are involved in determining how to accomplish goals. Instructional strategies are selected for promoting responsibility for one’s own learning and for helping others learn. Activities for service learning are integrated with the rest of the curriculum.
Years 7 and 8
As in the Primary section of the school, the Mountain District Christian School secondary curriculum covers the eight Key Learning Areas (KLAs) of the Victorian school curriculum. In Years 7 and 8 the core curriculum consists of General Studies, Bible, English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science. Students also have an opportunity to experience a range of subjects that become elective classes in Years 9 and 10. These subjects are: Art, Drama, Graphics, Music, Indonesian, Information Technology, Food Technology, and Wood Technology.
A key feature of the curriculum at this level is to integrate studies and enable students to see the connectedness of individual subjects. A highlight for students is participation in the school’s Creative Arts Week. This week is devoted to focus on world issues but in their local community. Features of the week include the opportunity to focus on areas of strength and service to the community.
Years 9 and 10
Years 9 and 10 are integral years for developing the skills and aptitude for Senior school. The core curriculum in Years 9 and 10 consists of: General Studies, Bible, English, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science. In Years 9 and 10, students have an opportunity to explore and develop their gifts in a range of elective studies. These studies include: Art, Drama, Graphics, Media, Music, Indonesian, Information Technology, Food Technology and Wood Technology.
Year 10 is the final year of compulsory education and a time when young people are often wrestling with a pathway to choose. Mountain District Christian School looks to assist students and their families with the choices available through the Year 10 Careers program and Transition Week, a time to explore the variety of pathways. In Year 10 students also have the opportunity to complete at least one VCE or VET (Vocational Education Training) subject. For students whose pathway is VCE completion and Tertiary studies, this is helpful in initiating them to the processes and rigours of study. For students who are interested in a trade or work option, the VET pathways give students a greater understanding of the knowledge and skills of a particular industry in which they may wish to pursue employment.
.school camping program
Camping opportunities are an integral part of our curriculum and should be seen as extended excursions. Their main aim and purpose is to provide a wider variety of experiences. These experiences are built upon and followed up in many subject areas.
We believe that the world does not come in neat little subject blocks. Many situations in life call for us to use a lot of different skills. For this reason, we believe it is important for students to study the world as a whole as well as in the traditional subject groups. In General Studies for example, students will use a wide variety of skills and subject disciplines to explore particular topics and gain a richer understanding of the world.
Year 3 and 4 Students "Going Bush"
In addition to our compulsory camping program there are other camps that students may enjoy such as the Man from Snowy River Camp (Year 8) and the Maryborough Sports Carnival Camp.