Junior Secondary

Not only are they preparing to face significant choices about their future, but they are also navigating the precarious adolescent years, a time of rapid change in many aspects of their lives. Our goal is to help them successfully and safely transition through this period, consolidate and build on the foundations of their learning, and prepare for the exciting possibilities for the future, including their senior years.

Supported learning

Bi-weekly BAC Hub sessions provide additional support by assisting students with homework and assignments, research, study management, and exam preparation. For students requiring additional support, the learning support teacher and teacher aide collaborate with classroom teachers, parents and students to ensure equal access to learning for students assessed with disabilities and complex learning needs.

Class camps and social emotional learning

The program for every student from Year 7 to 12 includes the annual class camp. However, Junior Secondary includes additional programs targeted to the specific needs of preteens and adolescents at each stage in their development.

1. The Year 7 Canberra Trip has become a much anticipated tradition. In one week, students visit significant landmarks like the War Memorial, Parliament House, Questacon (National Science and Technology Centre) and several days on the ski slopes.
2. Year 7 students also engage in the STARS Mentoring Program. The program is a vital step in emerging from the childhood of Primary School to the emerging adulthood of Secondary with an emphasis on enhancing character development and establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Students are involved in group challenges, mentoring sessions run by a qualified supervising teacher and trained Year 10 student leaders, and community service.
3. Year 8 Take Aim comes at a critical stage where students are prone to periods of alienation and social exclusion. For this reason, the College runs the course to enhance the bonds that students and set adolescents on a course for greater stability and success in their middle secondary years.
4. BAC to Front is a right of passage program where students are challenged to step up into adulthood and learn about what it takes to be a leader. Utilising a strengths based approach, students engage in projects based on 15 disciplines.

Curriculum

Year 7

This program assists students in transitioning to the Secondary campus, providing stability and predictability in the core subjects. Throughout the year, they are also given a strategic taste of a range of elective subjects.

Years 8 and 9

These students continue development within key learning areas to a strong academic foundation for their senior studies. It is during these years that the faculty-based elective program allows students to explore specialty areas and, by Year 9, they begin their pursuit of individual interests through elective subjects.

Year 10

This year paves the way for a smooth transition to senior school by emphasising independence, consolidation of knowledge and thinking around career choices. Students demonstrating an aptitude in junior secondary for maths and science are offered advanced courses such as Maths B and C, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Throughout the year, students formulate a senior phase of learning plan and make subject selections for their senior years.

Subject selection

Our dedicated BAC Career Resources and Advice site can help you find fields of study that may fit your emerging interests, and to select subjects according to those interests. You are always welcome to drop into the BAC Careers Office and talk to Mrs Tooley if you have questions.

• Year 7 and 8 Subject Info Guide
• Year 9 and 10 Subject Info Guide
• Year 9 Subject Selection Form
• Year 10 Subject Selection Form
• Career Resources and Advice

These documents are currently being updated in response to the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0.

BAC Distinctives

Our parallel programs are designed to enhance the growth of the whole person and the development of character.

Spiritual enhancement

• Weekly chapel programs
• Week of Worship

Personal development and social inclusion

• Class socials (each term)
• Year 7 Canberra trip
• Year 8 STARS personal development and mentoring program
• Empowering Girls program
• New Zealand snow skiing trip (every second year)
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Community awareness

• The Kokoda Challenge team fundraising and endurance event
• Sonship international service trip to Solomon Islands
• Community service option for school sport
• ANZAC Day, Diversity Day and NAIDOC Week celebrations

Talent development

• School musical productions (every second year)
• Ensembles (award winning)
• Sporting Excellence program (specially organised competitions with district schools that provide opportunities for state and national progression)
• Careers Expo (Years 10 to 12)
• Inter-school debating (Years 5 to 9)
• Worship band
• Music and drama evenings (i.e. Applaud)
• Private music lessons
• Academic competitions