Learning
Core Programs
STAR
The aim of the Strive To Achieve Results (STAR) Program is to identify students with the potential to become our future ‘stars’. Using achievement data and teacher feedback we establish students’ individual needs and tailor either a literacy or numeracy program to develop, consolidate and nurture their skills.
Students stay in the program for the entire school year. We believe that by offering an intensive, individual program for students at the junior secondary level we offer our students the best possible opportunity for success in their later years. We know that students who experience success are far more likely to participate positively in the College community and curriculum.
Students work with one of the college’s highly trained literacy or numeracy teachers twice a week in a small group of up to five students. Students complete a combination of skills-based work, preparation and consolidation of course work. The STAR program teachers regularly review and assess the work students complete in the program to ensure that it meets the needs and progression of each student. All students in the program are required to complete rigorous classwork and homework.
ACE
Our Achieving Core Education Program aim to improve core literacy and numeracy skills. Our specially trained tutors support the growth and development of literacy and numeracy skills in Years 7 and 8, for students with lower literacy and numeracy levels, who would benefit from targeted support so that they can ACE their future studies.
The Achieving Core Education (ACE) Program is for students who performing below the expected level in literacy or numeracy. These students are provided with a fantastic opportunity to receive some individualised, intensive tuition focussed on improving either core literacy or numeracy skills.
The aim of the program is to enable students to become more competent in their basic skills in order to move onto more complex problem-solving skills. The program involves students being withdrawn from their regular class for three sessions a week for the entire year to work with a highly trained tutor and one other student. Students complete a combination of skills-based work and computer-aided programs.
ACE Numeracy focuses on understanding and recall of basic number facts, performance of elementary calculations, acquisition of appropriate mathematics language and problem-solving skills.
ACE Literacy focuses on the automaticity of word recognition, fluency in reading connected texts, and development of vocabulary. The primary aim of ACE is for the students to develop competency. ACE lessons emphasise the development of conceptual understanding.
The ACE program has been adapted from Quicksmart, an initiative from the University of New England. http://simerr.une.edu.au/quicksmart/pages/index.php
Careers
The Careers and Pathways Team at North Geelong Secondary College aims to give the students the information to make informed decisions with regard to future learning and employment.
Working through all the information and possibilities can be quite a daunting process. Students are welcome to visit the careers office for help sorting through the many opportunities that exist for students. Parents/Guardians are also welcome to contact the Pathways Team to discuss options with their children.
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Advance Program: Human Powered Vehicle
Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) is a team of volunteer students who design, modify and race recumbent bicycles.
Once the design process is complete, students put their designs to the test during afterschool training sessions before the Maryborough 24 hour Energy Breakthrough event, which occurs in late November. During the Energy Breakthrough event students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the design and construction of the bikes and present to a panel of judges their knowledge of sustainable energy. Students' physical endurance is also tested throughout the 24-hour race. Teams record hundreds of kilometres travelled - with teams regularly reaching speeds in excess of 50km p/h, as they rotate through riding the race non-stop from 12pm on the Saturday to 12pm on the Sunday, against over 100 teams from across Victoria and interstate. We are incredibly proud of our team each and every year.
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