Focus Teams are the strategic curriculum decision making mechanism for our College. Focus teams allow all teaching staff to be part of a like-minded group. Focus teams allow teachers to show leadership outside their direct classroom responsibilities. Important aspects of Focus team discussions are P-12 curriculum, futures, partnerships, professional learning communities and developing a strategic framework.
From 2008, the eight focus areas of study will be : Literacy, Numeracy, Innovation, Activation, Inquiry, My Journey, Cultural and Sustainable Futures.
Visit the Gallery to view documents and policies relating to each focus area of curriculum.
Literacy:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of literacy for life within a multi-literate world.
Key responsibilities of the Literacy Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| literacy across the curriculum with a focus on reading |
| teaching English |
| National Literacy and Numeracy Week activities |
| enhancing the literacy component in the website - online policy and program support |
| extracurricular and co-curricular activities |
| learning and development opportunities through the ongoing mentoring model |
| lunch action program |
| "excellence" possibilities with links to the University of the Sunshine Coast and the community |
Numeracy:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of mathematics as a unique and powerful way of viewing theworld and helping it make sense, the distillation of life experiences into abstractions and the application of these to view new situations.
Key responsibilities of the Numeracy Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| mathematics P - 10 syllabus rollout |
| development of Senior mathematics curriculum option |
| professional development in thinking, reasoning and working mathematically |
| world class teaching project |
| mathematical teaching framework development |
| maths 300 and learning objects |
| competitive events, e.g., Maths Tournament |
| integration of maths into teaching units |
| development of key assessment tasks in mathematics |
| specialist "excellence" area possibilities with University links |
My Journey:
The key focus for 2008 is the development and promotion of the My Journey Curriculum from P - 10. My Journey will develop students' social skills, thinking skills and build habits for them to be successful.
Key responsibilities of the My Journey Focus Group include:
| development of curriculum from P - 12 in personal identity, career education, moral and ethical framework, and community action and service |
| professional development to implement the curriculum |
| promotion of the curriculum across the College and wider community |
| exploration and implementation of digital portfolios for students |
Innovation:
The key focus for 2008 is to empower our teachers, students and the community to make the most of new technologies in order to create new learning pathways that equip students to live and work in the future.
Key responsibilities of the Innovation Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| ICT Scope and Sequence Matrix alignment to curriculum plans |
| Smart Classrooms - Laptops for Teachers professional development program |
| professional development programs to explore the pedagogies associated with ICT integration |
| digital portfolios for teaching, learning, assessment and reporting |
| integration of online learning tools and The Learning Place portal into teacher practice |
 | use of Blackboard sites for most secondary classes and some primary classes |
| The Virtual campus - providing true flexible delivery of learning opportunities |
| ICT hardware and software management |
| partnerships with the ICT Innovation Centre and other industry groups |
| International programs linking students and teachers with learners worldwide |
| ICT extension and enrichment programs |
| Development of Master Class Program for some teachers |
Inquiry:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of inquiry based learning to enhance the cognitive development of our students.
Key responsibilities of the Inquiry Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following:
| thinking process and strategies - working scientifically, technological processes, habits of mind, college thinking matrix |
| inquiry based learning |
| enrichment - student excellence, Optiminds, Eng-Quest, chess |
| research and investigation |
| lunch action programs - thinkers' club, construction club |
| "excellence" area possibilities with links to the University of the Sunshine Coast and the community |
| spotlight on Science Project |
Activation:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of life-long fitness and health.
Key responsibilities of the Activation Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| physical education (primary school) |
| health and well-being (middle school) |
| health and physical education (senior school) |
| teaching requirements for sports stadium construction |
| working partnerships with student leaders |
| intra-school and inter-school sport |
| carnivals and competitive events |
| Activ8 (daily fitness program) |
| health programs - protective behaviours, family planning |
| fitness programs - JRFH, fun runs |
| lunch action programs |
| outdoor education programs |
| specialist "excellence" area possibilities |
| Introduction of Smart Moves Policy 2008 |
Please click here to view Education Queensland's Healthy Eating Policy.
Cultural:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of LOTE and the Arts as powerful tools to enrich students' lives and bring about cultural tolerance and understanding.
Key responsibilities of the Cultural Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| LOTE: Japanese and Italian |
| The Arts KLA's P-10: Visual Arts, Drama, Music, Media Studies and Dance |
| Senior Programs: Art, Creative Arts, Music and Drama |
| Instrumental Music and Bands |
| Arts council |
| Cultural excursions |
| Promotion of Community and college links |
| International Women's Day |
| Display of student and staff artworks in the Gallery |
| Development of virtual gallery and stage for student performance on school website |
| International program |
| Exchange students |
Sustainable Futures:
The key focus for 2008 is the promotion of sustainability within our school grounds and the wider community.
Key responsibilities of the Sustainable Futures Focus Group include overseeing the strategic direction of the following programs:
| On-going development and expansion of permaculture gardens on both campuses |
| Establishment and promotion of paper waste recycling on both campuses |
| At least one habitat area re-planted |
| On-going communication of sustainable messages |
| Coordinate, as a central point, communication between groups devoted to sustainability both inside and outside the school |
| Promotion and development of sustainability within the curriculum P-12 |