The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides the framework for the Year 7 program. Students in Year 7 study a range of subjects guided by the ACARA achievement standards under the MYP Year 2 objectives. All students study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Design Technologies, Language, Art (Visual and Performing), and Health and Physical Education. Year 7 students are offered a choice of Language from Latin, Chinese and French. All students study Visual Art for one semester and a choice of Dance, Drama or Music as a Performing Art for the other semester.
Curriculum
We have always sought to prepare our students to be leaders in a future that they co-create, whilst maintaining our academic rigour and strong pastoral focus. Our academic and pastoral curriculum, along with our co-curricular offerings enable our students to gain the skills necessary for success in academic pursuits and future employment. In Years 7–10, all students are prepared for the ACT Year 10 High School Certificate under the authority of the Department of Education.
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Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 7
Year 8
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) continues in Year 8. Students continue to study subjects guided by the ACARA achievement standards under the MYP Year 3 objectives. All students study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Design Technologies and HPE. They choose an Arts subject (Visual, Drama, Dance or Music) and continue the language of choice in either Latin, Chinese and French.
Year 9
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) continues in Year 9. Students study subjects guided by the ACARA achievement standards under the MYP Year 4 objectives. All students study English, Mathematics, Science, Individuals and Societies (Commerce, Geography, History), Design Technologies and HPE. They continue their Arts subject (Visual, Drama, Dance or Music) continue the language (Latin, Chinese or French).
Year 10
English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Health and Physical Education are core subjects throughout Year 10. At the end of Year 9, students have the opportunity to select two elective subjects. They are encouraged to continue at least one of their electives from Year 9. Elective subjects include Preliminary Business and Economics, Chinese, Dance, Design and Technology, Digital Technologies, Drama, French, Preliminary Global Studies and Geography Politics, Elective History, Latin, Preliminary Legal Studies and Philosophy Music, Sports Science and Visual Art.
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) at CGGS
CGGS is a Candidate School for the MYP. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School—these are schools that share a common philosophy, a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education.
Only schools authorized by the IB Organisation can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the MYP, the Diploma Programme (IBDP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
More information on the IB and its Programmes can be found here.
Years 11 and 12
CGGS offers students in Years 11—12 the opportunity to choose either the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) package or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Both can lead to an Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR).
The BSSS college-based system caters for students in Years 11—12, generally aged between 16—19 years of age. It is based on the principle of continuous assessment throughout Years 11—12 and governed by the policies and procedures of the BSSS. A student qualifies for the award of an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate on completion of an educational program approved by the School. Students who wish to go to university must complete a tertiary package, and sit the ACT Scaling Test (AST), to receive an ATAR. An accredited package is for students interested in direct entry to the workforce from school and/or studying at Canberra Institute of Technology or TAFE. Students study five subjects in both years. English is compulsory in Years 11 and 12, while Mathematics is compulsory in Year 11 only.
Students who complete a tertiary package and who qualify for an ATAR will receive a Tertiary Entrance Statement in addition to their ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. It contains information which may be used in applying to tertiary institutions. A requirement of completing a tertiary package is sitting for the AST in Year 12.
ACT BSSS
IBDP
Careers Counselling
Curriculum and assessment advice
ACT BSSS
Students choosing to study the ACT BSSS college-based system will undergo continuous assessment throughout Years 11 and 12, governed by the policies and procedures of the BSSS. Students study five subjects in both years. English is compulsory in both Years 11 and 12, while Mathematics is compulsory in Year 11 only. Students can select subjects from a variety of other curriculum areas (Science, Humanities, Creative, Arts, Technologies, and Languages).
Students successfully completing the program will be awarded an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Those interested in studying at TAFE or entering the workforce after Year 12 should complete an ‘accredited package’. Those wishing to progress to university will need to complete a ‘tertiary package’ and sit the ACT Scaling Test (AST) to receive an ATAR and a subsequent Tertiary Entrance Statement. This contains information which can be used in applying to universities and tertiary institutions.
IBDP
Designed as an accessible and holistic pre-tertiary experience, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is highly recognised locally and internationally by leading universities. The Programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are empowered to take ownership of their learning and create a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Over the course of two years, IBDP students study a broad range of subjects (including Languages, Humanities, Sciences and Mathematics) and are assessed both internally and externally. External examinations are held for most subjects in October/November of the second year and usually consist of two or three papers. The nature of internal assessment varies by subject and may take the form of oral presentations (for Languages), practical work (for Sciences) or written work (for Humanities and Mathematics). There is a strong emphasis on inquiry-based and interdisciplinary learning.
IBDP students must select one subject from each of the first five subject groups (see below). The sixth group (The Arts) is optional, an additional subject may be selected from Groups 2 – 4 instead. Three or four subjects are studied at Higher Level (HL) whilst the remainder are studied at Standard Level (SL). Higher Level subjects require more teaching hours and often contain more breadth and depth of content.
Group 1 Studies in language and literature - English A Language and Literature, Chinese A Literature
Group 2 Language acquisition - Chinese B, English B, French B, Latin, Spanish ab initio (SL only)
Group 3 Individuals and societies - Business Management, Economics, History, Psychology
Group 4 Sciences- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies (SL only)
Group 5 Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation (SL only)
Group 6 The Arts - Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts
In addition to their subjects IBDP students must also complete the following three core components:
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – students will explore questions about knowledge and the process of knowing by making comparisons and connections between areas of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).
Extended Essay (EE) – students will engage in independent research of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying and with the support of a supervisor write a 4,000-word essay.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – students develop skills, attitudes and dispositions by engaging in a variety of individual and group experiences that give opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment.
Grades from one (lowest) to seven (highest) are awarded for each of the six subjects based on pre-published grade descriptors. Students can be awarded up to three additional points for their performance in the TOK and EE core components and this gives a maximum possible total score of 45 points. A minimum total of 24 points is required to graduate with the Diploma (with at least 12 points in HL subjects and 9 points in SL subjects) in addition to satisfactory completion of the CAS core component. There is no scaling or ranking involved in the grade award process.
Careers Counselling
CGGS offers careers counselling to all students in Years 11 and 12, either individually or in groups. The Careers' classroom and the Careers Advisor’s Office are well resourced with information from all ACT and NSW universities and most interstate and international universities. Databases and career research tools are also available. Students in Year 12 participate in a Career Development class each fortnight, which aims to inform the transition from school to life beyond school and encompasses all post-school options.
Curriculum and assessment advice
The Director of Senior School Learning and Innovation provides advice regarding course selections and subject changes during Years 11 and 12. Information regarding Year 12 tertiary package requirements, assessment processes, the AST and the ATAR is also made available at suitable times throughout the year. The Director of Senior School Learning and Innovation also supports students requiring special consideration for assessment, AST and university entry.