We design secondary programmes that marry intellectual exactness with creative execution. Each pathway is assessed against senior‑secondary standards; none confers tertiary awards. Our academic culture aims to build habits that will sustain BSc/MSc study later on: precise definitions, defensible methods, readable arguments, and responsible use of technology.
Programme Architecture
Years 11–13 form the core of our academic pathways. Students select a primary pathway and maintain breadth through complementary modules, ensuring both specialism and general literacy.
- Computer Science & Data Systems (CS — BSc/MSc readiness)
Study algorithms, data structures, complexity, software engineering, databases, networking, and HCI. Practical work includes code reviews, test harnesses, documentation sprints, dataset ethics, and accessibility audits. Students deliver iterative prototypes, learning to value clarity over cleverness. - Digital Arts & Design Practice (DAD — MFA/MDes readiness)
Engage with research in design thinking, typography, layout systems, colour theory, interaction design, motion graphics, and creative coding. Studio critiques, mood‑boards, production schedules, and usability tests shape portfolios aligned to higher‑education expectations while staying school‑appropriate. - Applied Mathematics & Physical Sciences (AMPS — BSc/MSc foundation)
Combine calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistical inference, mechanics, electromagnetism, and scientific computing. Formal lab reports, uncertainty analysis, and peer‑review seminars train students to articulate claims with evidence and limitations. - Engineering Fundamentals & Technology (EFT — BEng/MSc preparation)
Learn materials science, electronics, CAD modelling, manufacturing processes, systems thinking, and safety. Design‑build‑test cycles culminate in engineering notebooks with bill‑of‑materials, risk assessments, and sustainability reflections. - Economics, Business & Social Enterprise (EBS — BCom/MSc readiness)
Explore micro/macro economics, accounting, finance literacy, organisational behaviour, and policy analysis. Students write evidence‑based papers, run small experiments with real datasets, and consider social enterprise models that prioritise impact and accountability. - Biological Sciences & Environmental Stewardship (BSES — BSc/MSc foundation)
Investigate genetics, ecology, plant and animal biology, environmental sampling, and bioethics. Fieldwork uses Mount Victoria’s unique settings; students produce method sections that others can reproduce, a cornerstone of scientific integrity.
Assessment & Integrity
Assessment rubrics emphasise clarity, accuracy, originality, and ethical conduct. Moderation is routine, and students are taught to identify uncertainty, avoid overclaiming, and acknowledge constraints. When work falls short—as it sometimes does—teachers guide revision through explicit checklists and reflective notes, grounding improvement in observable changes.
Interdisciplinary Threads
- Data & Design: CS and DAD collaborate on creative coding and inclusive interface design.
- Maths & Engineering: AMPS supports EFT with modelling and verification.
- Science & Policy: BSES informs EBS with environmental datasets and ethical frameworks.
Capstone Practice
Every student completes a capstone that includes: a proposal, an ethics and accessibility statement, a method with controls, results with error bounds, a discussion that distinguishes findings from speculation, and a public presentation suitable for school‑level dissemination. The message is simple: the road to mastery is constructed from careful steps.