Pathways and Academies
We believe that a school should prepare a student for their tomorrow - the life beyond school where they thrive in their chosen vocations, hobbies and adult lives. We acknowledge that this is diverse for every learner and, for some, a conventional model of schooling does not necessarily align with what they need to be ready for the world that awaits them.
As Googong High School continues to grow, we are committed to developing strong academic pathways for students and developing their confidence as learners who can succeed at university and beyond. We also are also committed to developing curriculum which is optimised for students who are solely interested in pursuing workplace and vocational opportunities, and ensuring that school is designed to give them the skills and experiences they need to succeed.
Our Pathways and Academies Faculty
Our Pathways and Academies Faculty* will be a team of staff focused on making sure students are supported with curriculum that meets their specific needs all the way through their high school experience. The Pathways and Acadmies Team will be responsible for:
- Ensuring our careers program is robust for all students all the way from years 7 to 12, with internal and external careers opportunities aligned without Learning-Science backed curriculum design.
- Supporting our senior students with planning their successful post-school destinations, with support in university application, career readiness and work placement opportunities.
- Delivering our unique learning academies for students seeking alternative and vocational learning opportunites.
- Working with our primary schools to ensure successful transition to high school starts years, not months, before commencing study at Googong HS.
- Building strong relationships with industry and opening doors to learning opportunities that give all Googong High School students an advantage post school.
* The Pathways and Academies Team will grow into this role as the school develops in the first years of operation.
A pathway for all students
The HSC is the most common pathway for students finishing high school - but it's not the only pathway. At Googong High School our ambition is to develop a school which caters for the many unique, and equally successful, paths a student can choose to take once they complete schooling.
Pathway types (from 2029 onwards)
For students wanting to pursue university directly from school, with the attainment of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR).
Googong High School will ensure it offers a wide range of robust academic courses, expertly taught by qualified staff. Each student will be given support via an individual mentoring program and support for university applications.
For students wanting to receive their Higher School Certificate but are seeking a direct path into an apprenticeship, TAFE course or vocational training opportunity.
Students on this pathway are supported in a curriculum design that gives acccess to the academic course they need, whilst providing time and scope to access School Based Apprenticeships and Vocational and Educational Training courses (offered both at school and through external providers).
The work ready pathway is for students wanting to either complete the HSC or Record of School Achievement (ROSA) with a pathway directly into work in mind. Students on this pathway may or may not undertake courses with exams.
On this pathway students are offered a range of courses that support their progression into the workforce, coupled with flexible learning options so they can take advantave of work place training and work based placement opportunities.
Academies - tailored education to meet the diverse needs of learners
As Googong High School grows, our goal is to provide curriculum design which doesn't just cater for diverse learner needs, but is built for them. Our 'academies' - schools within a school - are specialist programs that will focus on giving more students the learning environment they need to thrive.
Our planned academies*
For students who have a concrete pathway into a vocation ready before they finish year 12. A vocational fast track offers students a blend of structured curriculum focused on workplace and project orientated skills, coupled with time to do workplace or VET orientated training.
A Vocational Fast Track course is designed for students in year 11 seeking to move into a full school based apprenticeship prior to finishing year 12.
For students keen to move straight into the workforce once they reach official leaving age. In this program, students undertake a core fundamental curriculum of literacy and numeracy skills, workplace skills and hands on learning. This curriculum is boosted by work placement programs.
An initial workforce fast track program would be available to suitable students from year 10, with potential growth of the program as the school expands.
Googong High School is exploring potential alternative learning styles that suit diverse learners. This includes potential partnership with Big Picture Learning and other programs.
An Alternative Learning Academy, if established, would be available to suitable students from year 9.
An Academic Plus Program would be a partial academy available to students with the potential to thrive in the HSC. Offered as an elective in years 9 and 10, students in this program are given intensive support in the skills known to benefit academic study.
If established, the Academic Plus Program would be available to all students in year 9 pending an eligibility criteria.
*Academy names, design and structure may change as the school establishes and grows.
How we work with families, workplace providers and external agencies
Building authentic relationships with external agencies is vital to making our pathways and academies programs successful for students.
Our Pathways and Academies Faculty will be focused on establishing sustainable partnerships outside of Googong High School that offer opportunities for work placement and work-place learning, extra curricular learning and post school transition support. We look forward to building these partnerships as the school grows.
Want more information?
If you think your child could benefit from our support unit, please contact our school office or learning support team.