HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Year 7 to Year 12

The high school curriculum (Years 7 to 12) at Reddam is administered by the Middle School at Woollahra (Years 7 to 9) and the Senior School at Bondi (Years 10 to 12).

The logical and physical division of these two very important stages of schooling has proved to be worthwhile and successful since its inception, allowing different emphasis to be placed on the learning environments and the education of the whole child. Years 7 to 9 students receive a good balance in leadership opportunities and teacher focus at the Middle School without any interruptions from the excitement and stress of the HSC and School Certification examinations while Years 10 to 12 students have access to a purpose-built senior study environment with rich resources for independent learning and friendly teachers always at hand for tutorial sessions.

All students at Reddam are offered a challenging and stimulating combination of subjects and programmes. Subjects offered are based on Board of Studies requirements, student interests and demand, and technological changes. These are reviewed regularly.

Students also participate in a variety of external competitions and enrichment activities such as The Talented Mathematics Day, UNSW Programming Competition, the Australian Science Olympiads and Young Achievement Australia.

Cycle tests take place regularly for Years 7 to 10 students and are an essential part of our unique teaching programme. The function of these tests is to provide a snapshot of what a student has achieved. They are also used as diagnostic tools to let teachers know what has been learned by the students and to flag further areas needing consolidation.

Study skills programmes are implemented throughout the high school years.

Parents and caregivers are kept up-to-date with the students’ progress on an on-going basis through formal and informal means (phone calls, emails and the School intranet for parents).

Formal reports are issued four times a year at the end of each term.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Year 7 to Year 9

In Years 7 and 8, students are offered a range of core subjects including: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, PDHPE, Design and Technology, Drama, Music, Visual Arts and Public Speaking.

Year 7 students also choose two electives. Students may choose between French and Hebrew for their first elective, and Digital Media, Dance, Biblical Studies and Jewish Studies for their second elective.

Year 8 students have one elective allowing more in-depth study of their chosen area of interest. Students may choose from: Digital Media, Dance, French, Jewish Studies, Biblical Studies and Hebrew.

In Year 9, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Computer Literacy, PDHPE and Public Speaking are compulsory. In addition, students choose two electives from Commerce, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts (including Digital Media), Music and Information & Software Technology.

Enrichment activities take place in all subjects and classes, while Extension courses are offered in English, Mathematics, Science and  Music.

Arrangements have also been made to allow students to study their ethnic language and maintain their cultural heritage. Instead of one of the Year 9 elective, it may also be possible for students to undertake the study of a foreign language.

SENIOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Year 10 to Year 12

In Year 10, all students study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Computer Literacy and PDHPE. Students also participate in careers seminars and work experience is compulsory.

In addition, Year 10 students choose two electives from Commerce, Visual Arts, French, Dance, Information & Software Technology, Music, Drama, Physical Activities & Sports Studies and Information Processes & Technology (Accelerated).

Students must study at least 12 units in Year 11 (the Preliminary HSC year) and at least 10 units in Year 12 (the HSC year). Apart from the compulsory two units of English, students are encouraged to pursue courses relevant to their interest and career aspirations. The timetable structure and courses offered vary from year to year and are dependent on student choices.

Students may choose from a wide variety of academic courses including Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, General Mathematics, English Advanced, English Extension 1 and 2, English Standard, English ESL, Modern History, Ancient History, History Extension,  Information Processes & Technology, Software Design & Development, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, Economics, Legal Studies, Geography, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, French, Visual Arts, Music 1 and 2, Drama and Dance.

To cater for the diverse needs and interest of Reddam students, provisions have been made on the school timetable allowing students to attend vocational-based TAFE courses. Students also have the opportunity to study their ethnic language at Saturday School of Community Languages. Special arrangement may also be made for students to study particular subjects through distance education when their choices are relatively unique among the cohort.

ACCELERATION PROGRAMMES
Acceleration opportunities exist in Mathematics, Information Processes & Technology, Software Design & Development and Language courses, allowing students to sit for the relevant HSC examinations in Year 11 rather than in Year 12. The programmes have proved to be very successfully in the past. The majority of the accelerants achieved Band 6 in their accelerated HSC subjects. Feedback from past students has been most positive. The specially designed programmes have allowed them to pursue their passion, spread their workload and study more extension courses at the Year 12 levels.

The curriculum we offer at Reddam is revised annually to ensure it meets the needs of each respective year cohort.

HSC PLATINUM SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Reddam House HSC Platinum Support Programme is an innovative and unique approach developed to provide maximum support for our Year 12 students. It encourages a balanced approach during their demanding HSC year.

The program offers students:

• membership and access to university libraries
• study and  time-management skills seminars
• one on one tutorial help 
• careers advice and guidance
• counseling and general psychological and emotional support
• opportunities to buddy with successful past students and share their experience and study hints
• practical activities to de-stress and refocus (e.g. gym membership, on campus head-and- shoulder massage)
• access to excursions and cultural activities such as theatre productions, Imax and movies
• ipods for storage of study files and relaxation

The Programme was established to make a seemingly difficult year of study more manageable. We have identified the essential and important ingredients for a successful HSC year ensuring academic rigor and focus. We have also included creative and fun aspects to help them get the right balance.