Academic Program

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The following subjects are offered in Years 7 to 10 either as core subjects or electives.

The Arts: Art, Ceramics, Music, Speech and Drama; English: English, English as a Second Language; Health: Adventure Education, Personal and Social Development, Physical Education; Languages Other Than English: Chinese, French, German, Japanese; Mathematics; Science: Biology, Physical Sciences and Technology; Studies of Society and the Environment: Asian Studies, Australian Studies, Business Studies, Geography, History, Religion in Society; Technology: Design Graphics, Design in Wood, Electronics, Home Economics, Information Technology, Keyboarding.

The following subjects are offered in Years 11 and 12 as electives.

The Arts: Art, Craft and Design, Ceramics, Music, Speech and Drama; English: English, English as a Second Language, English Literature, Writer's Workshop; Health: Adventure Education, Sports Science; Languages Other Than English: Chinese, French, German, Japanese; Mathematics: Mathematics Applied, Mathematics Stage 2 & 3; Science: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Physical Science, Physics; Studies of Society and the Environment: Accounting, Ancient Civilisations, Australia in Asia and the Pacific, Behavioural Studies, History, Economics, Legal Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Studies in Religion, Twentieth Century History; Technology: Applied Computing, Computer Graphics and Design, Computer Science, Design in Wood, Food Studies, Information Systems, Media Production, Public Relations, Study Skills.

Prior to (if possible) and following arrival students will have their English language capability assessed. The School has an English as a Second Language program and will prepare an appropriate Foundation program including English language tailored to the needs of each international student.

Each student will be counselled regarding appropriate subject choices upon arrival at the School. Any queries regarding subject choices prior to arrival can be directed to the School.

GENERAL ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Homework

The importance of homework cannot be over stressed and all students in the school are issued with a School Diary which is designed to provide a record of homework set and done.

All Parents/Guardians of students up to and including Year 10, are asked to regularly check and sign the diary each week to indicate that they have noted the homework set, and have checked that the allotted time has been spent in doing it.

The effect of this is to produce a close Parent/Guardian supervision of homework up to and including Year 10. The diary is also a useful vehicle for communication between the School and home, and vice versa. All notes transmitted via the diary should be initialled by Parent/Guardian or the Tutor, as appropriate, to indicate that they have read the note.

As a guide to Parent/Guardian the following schedule is supplied. This shows the minimum time recommended for SET homework each night.

On those occasions when no homework is specifically set, students are expected to revise work already covered or do extension reading.

Homework Schedule

Students in Years 7-10 are given a homework timetable at the beginning, of the year, which must be adhered to carefully. Students in Years 11 and 12 are set homework by the week, and are expected to organise their own timetable of work.

Each student is expected to devise a personal schedule of revision and private study in addition to set homework.

Reporting to Parent/Guardian

A full written report on each student in the School is made twice a year. This report covers the student's school work, sport, behaviour, extra curricular activities, and his or her performance as a member of a social group. In addition, mid semester reports give an interim indication of a student's progress.

English as a Second Language and Orientation Programs for International Students

The School offers a comprehensive range of English as a Second Language programs according to the needs of students as identified by their English language test taken upon arrival.

There is a full orientation program which includes staff, students and the wider School community to assist the student in settling in as quickly as possible.

Tertiary Education Opportunities

Tasmania has a network of tertiary institutions which meet the highest international standards, such as the University of Tasmania, Hobart Campus in the south, and Launceston Campus in the north, Institutes of Technical and Further Education, and other specialist training centres and services.

Students of The Friends' School are accepted into universities throughout Australia and the world and each year many win academic scholarships to the country's most prestigious universities.