Curriculum

The Academy curriculum is based on a Christian world view. It has been specifically designed to provide a harmonious integration of faith and learning. The curriculum is in accordance with guidelines fulfilling Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) requirements.

The Academy continues to develop new initiatives and incorporate applicable issues into the learning program of its students. Recent innovations within the Academy curriculum include:

• The Year 9 Initiative. This provides students with opportunities to develop various skills through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program and associated activities.
• The Academy Middle School Program. This involves a peer support program, integrated learning and timetabled blocks.

Religious Education

In keeping with the Christian ethic and philosophical basis of the Academy, each student is required to take Religious Studies classes in Years 7 - 12. The Religious Studies course in Years 11 and 12 is the VCE subject, "Religion and Society". This subject is compulsory.

Year Level Subject Options

Year 7 & 8

Students in Years 7 and 8 complete all listed subjects. Music, Art, Home Economics and Technology classes are each taken for a term. Instrument tuition in small groups is offered in Year 7 and 8. Students may elect to learn flute, clarinet, brass or percussion. LOTE (German) is an option provided for able students who have prior learning in German. LOTE classes operate during the Integrated Studies classes.

Year 9

The LAA Year 9 program consists of a group of core subjects undertaken by all students. Compulsory subjects are: English, Maths, Science, SOSE, Bible, Commerce, PE/Duke of Edinburgh's Award program and Sport.

Year 9 students participate in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award program which incorporates life skills, community service, physical exercise and skill development.

Year 9 students participate in the following Elective Classes for one term: ICT, Home Economics, Technology and Art.

In Year 9, LOTE: German becomes an elective subject. These classes will run only if sufficient numbers of students nominate it as one of their electives. If a LOTE: German class does not operate due to insufficient student numbers, students who wish to pursue their German language skills may do so via the Victorian School of Languages. See the Curriculum Coordinator for further information.

Year 10

Students in Year 10 complete a core range of subjects. A Careers subject is incorporated into the Commerce class allowing students opportunity to explore the world of work, further education and their prerequisites. This Unit leads into a week of Work Experience in the final week of Term 3.

Compulsory subjects are:

Bible Sport
Commerce SOSE (History/Geography)
English Science
Mathematics

Elective subjects are:

Art Outdoor Education
Home Economics Technology
Information Technology Physical Education

VCE (Year 11 and 12)

VCE students must complete the following subjects:
1. English
2. Religion and Society

LAA strongly recommends that students complete a Mathematics subject as part of their VCE course. Many courses require a VCE Mathematics subject in addition to English.

LAA runs classes dependent upon sufficient student numbers. For a VCE subject to be offered, at least 6 students must enrol in the class. If insufficient numbers of students enrol in a class then students are offered other subject options in that block or they may enrol in the Victorian Distance Education program for that subject.

VCE Mathematics

Year 11
Students may complete either:
1. General Mathematics
2. Mathematics Methods 1 and 2
3. Mathematics Methods 3 and 4 (only if they have completed Units 1 and 2 in the previous year)

Year 12
The following Mathematics subjects are available to students:
1. Mathematics Methods 3 and 4
2. Further Mathematics
3. Specialist Mathematics

Year 11
Compulsory subjects are:
English Religion & Society
General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods
Sport

Choices offered on the basis of demand from:

Year 12
Compulsory subjects are:
English
Religion & Society
Sport

Choices offered on the basis of demand from:

Distance Education

Academy students may enrol in a Distance Education subject if any of the following criteria are met:

• The subject is not offered.
• A clash between subjects exists.
• Insufficient numbers to conduct a regular class.

Any costs incurred for the Distance Education subject will be borne by the fee payer unless the student has been granted exemption from a regularly scheduled LAA subject by the Academic Committee. Refer to the Off-Campus Study Policy document for more detail (available from the Curriculum Coordinator). The Curriculum Coordinator is in charge of Distance Education.

Victorian School of Languages

LAA students who wish to pursue the study of a language subsequent to the Year 8 LOTE time allocation may enrol in the Victorian School of Languages which offers correspondence courses. Students complete this subject in their own time.

Parents who wish their Junior School student to be exempt from regular classes in order to pursue a correspondence course should apply in writing to the Academic Committee. This committee reviews each application on its merits.

In the VCE years, Academy students may study a language through the VSL. Please contact the Curriculum Coordinator for details.