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Learning at Rosebank

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Dean of Learning:
Mr Kipriotis

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Assistant Dean of Learning (Senior School):
Ms Carroll

Our History

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Assistant Dean of Learning (Middle School):
Mr Couani

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At Rosebank, we promote a climate of academic excellence by encouraging each student to strive to attain their individual best. Our learning culture is inspired by Benedictine values and the Good Samaritan Philosophy of Education. They inform a holistic and comprehensive view of education which will challenge and foster the creativity, initiative and ability of each student.

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We create multiple opportunities in our interactions with students to produce a learning culture which is both challenging and relevant in the 21st century. We provide learning experiences that enable students to interact in a meaningful way with the world, so that they can make a difference.

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Our teaching philosophy is that learning is a life-long process. We have structured our curriculum and course offerings to ensure that students are provided with a quality education: one that nurtures and challenges them to be informed and active citizens of our world.

All teaching programs at Rosebank adhere to the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) guidelines and requirements. Students complete purposeful assessment activities, which measure their achievement of course outcomes. The assessment for learning experiences is multifaceted and designed to be relevant to the learning context. Assessment tasks, class and homework, are made available to students through our Learning Management System, known as Rosebank Exchange. 

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The Year 7 Assessment Handbook outlines all key information regarding assessment at Rosebank College. It includes the procedures, policies, and expectations surrounding assessment, as well as the nature and dates of all subject assessments for the year. The handbook is available on both the Parent and Student Portals, along with the live Assessment Calendar, which is regularly updated to reflect any changes.

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In all learning experiences, teachers provide meaningful feedback to students to help them consolidate and develop their knowledge and skills. Parents have an opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with teachers at compulsory student-led Learning Progress Meetings (LPM’s). Dates for the LPM's can be found in the student diary and on the College calendar. Semester One and Semester Two reports summarise student achievement across all subjects.

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As a community of learners, the College celebrates and recognises the academic achievement and the consistent effort of all students in all subjects. In December, at the Rosebank Presentation Evening, the following academic awards are presented to each year group: Dux, Academic Excellence and Academic Merit. The Dux is presented to the student who attains overall academic achievement across all subjects. Academic Excellence Awards recognise first place ranking in each subject and Academic Merit Awards are received by top achievers in those subjects. Consistent Effort Awards recognise students who, through their application in class and sustained efforts in tasks and assignments, demonstrate a genuine commitment to their learning.

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Learning is a continuum and is structured in stages. The following provides a brief overview of the subjects in each Key Learning Area (KLA) in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8).

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Stage 4 Curriculum (Years 7 and 8)

The Stage 4 Curriculum provides a balance that recognises the importance of the transition between primary and secondary education. It complies with the mandated courses set by NESA.

In Year 7, students study English, History and Geography in an integrated program, ConnectED. Students also have access to a unique instrumental program including the Alto Saxophone, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet and Violin.

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The Year 8 curriculum pattern is NESA determined. Subjects are delivered as discrete courses. Students are given the opportunity to make their first informed subject choice in their mandatory language. 

Faculties

Religious Education

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The Religious Education program at Rosebank College encompasses a wide variety of modules, aimed at developing skills that will assist students spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically. All modules are taken from the Sydney Catholic Schools Education Curriculum for the Archdiocese of Sydney. Students will study four periods in a ten-day cycle. The Religious Education course begins with the module “What it means to be Catholic”. The purpose of this module is to assist students in becoming familiar with their new surroundings in terms of the general layout, important people, and organisational procedures of Rosebank. Students learn about the rich history of the College, with particular emphasis on St Benedict and the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, from whom the College’s philosophy ‘Sursum Corda’ (Lift Up Your Hearts) is drawn.

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The topics for Year 7 include:

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  • Stewards of Creation

  • Ways of Praying

  • Affirming Human Dignity

  • Alive in Christ
     

Throughout the course, students in Year 7 will be required to complete two assessment tasks on some of the modules listed. The purpose of these tasks is to offer students an opportunity to further develop a variety of literacy skills acquired in primary school as they progress through the school year. There will be many opportunities for students to be involved in various evangelisation opportunities. Within these prayerful experiences, students are given an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with peers, family and God.

ConnectEd

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ConnectED integrates the traditional curriculum areas of English, Geography and History. It is a way of teaching which allows for rich contexts in each topic to be implemented. The course aims to provide students with an engaging and transformative educational experience that addresses the unique needs of students transitioning to high school and allows for deep learning through a cross-curricular approach. This approach makes learning more dynamic, diverse and relevant, allowing for greater skills transferability and enhanced engagement for students. 

Science

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Rosebank College has a dynamic Science curriculum to provide challenging yet engaging learning experiences. Science is about exploring and understanding the environment and society in which we live. Living and non-living components of the environment and the impact of humans at both micro and macro level are investigated.

Year 7 students will be introduced to Science skills early in Term 1, so that they can obtain their Bunsen Burner licences, become a certified Rosebank scientist, design their own experiments and analyse them for validity and improvements.

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Students learn Science through the use of an inquiry process to solve problems, hands-on experiments, open-ended investigations, field-based excursions and the use of technology. They will also be provided opportunities to be part of the Science Club. 

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Learning Science helps students to understand important decisions made by our society, like those regarding the impact of climate change. Current trends in the Australian economy underline the need for modern scientific research and technological development. Learning in Science will also open doors to many careers ranging from engineering and dentistry, to cancer research or maintaining a national park.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

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This Key Learning Area makes a unique contribution to the total College curriculum, as it is directly concerned with supporting the development of the student as a whole person. PDHPE encompasses all aspects of a student’s wellbeing, inclusive of social, mental, physical and spiritual health.

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Students participate in regular and varied physical education experiences, which provide the foundation for a lifelong commitment to valuing and leading a healthy lifestyle. They will apply and refine skills to promote safety, collaboration, fair play and inclusivity.

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Student learning in PDHPE is enhanced through the use of computer-based technologies used to locate, design and investigate health practices, behaviours and resources.

Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)

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The CAPA department develops creativity, critical thinking and artistic expression while providing students with the technical skills and knowledge they need to excel in their chosen discipline.​

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Dance
The Dance program offers students an exciting opportunity to explore movement and choreography while developing strength, flexibility, and creative expression. Through a combination of practical lessons and theoretical studies, students engage with a variety of dance styles, including contemporary, jazz and classical ballet.

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Students are encouraged to express their individuality while working collaboratively in groups to develop performance pieces. The course aims to build not only technical dance skills but also confidence, coordination, and a deep appreciation for the art of dance.

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Drama​

In Drama, students experience a range of practical activities focused on building self-esteem, confidence, group dynamics, and discipline, as well as dramatic and theatrical techniques and skills. Students participate in a unit of work, where they explore a range of drama processes to create meaning through improvised, spontaneous, and structured responses.

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Throughout the course, students maintain a logbook that includes class notes, theatrical terminology, and research. It encourages reflection on their learning experiences and the setting of personal goals, fostering ownership of their growth and development in Drama.

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Music
The Music course in Year 7 is divided into three focus areas – class music, the instrumental program, and extracurricular performance opportunities. Students perform, listen to, and create music from a wide range of styles. As an integral part of the classroom program, students study a band or orchestra instrument through weekly group lessons as part of the Instrumental Program.

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Additionally, all students are encouraged to join one of the many Rosebank music ensembles, including the College Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Corelli Strings, Wind Symphony & String Ensemble, and Rock Band.  These ensembles provide students with a supportive environment to develop their musical skills and enjoy performing as part of a group.

 

Photography and Digital Media (PDM)
In Photography and Digital Media, students explore the world of digital storytelling through the lens of a camera. They are introduced to the fundamentals of photography, image editing, and digital media production. The course emphasises the creative process, encouraging students to experiment with composition, lighting, and digital tools to produce visually compelling images.

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Students learn both technical skills and critical thinking as they study the work of renowned photographers and digital artists. They also have opportunities to create their own projects, capturing and manipulating images to communicate meaning and tell stories. This course allows students to explore the exciting possibilities of visual communication in a digital age.​

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Visual Arts​

Students learn to express themselves through a variety of visual and textual forms as they explore the world around them and their personal experiences and responses.

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Students undertake artmaking activities across a range of expressive forms including 2D, 3D, and 4D, to create artworks that develop their understanding of materials and visual techniques to communicate ideas and meaning.

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This course allows students of varying levels and background experience to explore and further develop their creativity and understanding of visual literacy. Students learn to interpret and manipulate the language of art as they study the work of significant artists and engage in their own artmaking.

Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)

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Technology offers students a challenging and interesting ‘hands on’ approach to learning. It involves practical experiences in a process of designing, making, evaluating, communicating, marketing and managing. It builds on learning acquired by students during Years 5 and 6 Science and Technology, and offers students the opportunity to develop:

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Problem solving skills (to be innovative and adaptable)

An ability to use various technologies in practical situations skillfully and safely

An ability to work independently

A responsibility for their own learning

The value of self-directed learning

Skills in researching and accessing appropriate information and interpreting it

An ability to manage their time, resources, and equipment effectively

An awareness of the relationship and impact of design on the world

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These areas are vital learning outcomes for a rapidly changing technological world. During Technology Mandatory, students will undertake projects in:

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Digital Technologies

Agriculture and Food Technologies

Material Technologies

Languages

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The Year 7 Languages program provides students with a taste of three languages: French, Italian and Mandarin (Chinese). They receive a brief introduction to some basic language expressions and learn aspects of language cultures and histories. This general introduction will enable students to make an informed decision regarding their language studies in Year 8, where they are to study one of these three languages for the entire year.

Festival of Creative Spirit (FoCS)

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Students in Years 7 and 8 engage in the annual Festival of Creative Spirit (FoCS), an interdisciplinary and innovative program which takes place in Term 4. It serves as an opportunity for students to discover and develop their passions by stepping beyond the four walls of the classroom, and designing rich academic projects. Every student is enabled to explore and experiment with critical and creative thinking, problem solving, communication and aesthetic awareness through the creation of authentic projects and experiences.

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Through project-based learning, students engage with a driving question that leads them through the process of DISCOVER, CREATE and SHARE, whilst working with their peers. By sharing what they have learned throughout the week, students become more aware of who they are as learners and how they can impact the world around them.

Mathematics

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Rosebank College’s Mathematics curriculum builds confident, curious problem solvers who see the patterns and logic in the world around them. Mathematics is more than numbers. It is a way of thinking that helps students reason, question and make sense of everyday life.

Year 7 students begin their Stage 4 journey with integers, angles, fractions and probability, before discovering the power of algebra, data, measurement and the number plane. Learning combines explicit teaching with investigations, real-world problems and technology, so students learn to explain their thinking and tackle unfamiliar problems with resilience. The year finishes with an exciting Rube Goldberg STEM project, where students combine Mathematics, Science and creativity to build their own chain-reaction machines.

Mathematics opens doors to careers from architecture and finance to data science, medicine and engineering. Above all, we want every Year 7 student to believe they can do Mathematics, and to enjoy it along the way.

Diverse Learning

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At Rosebank, we offer programs and experiences that cater for the learning needs of all students. This includes students with a disability, high potential learners, students experiencing difficulties acquiring literacy and numeracy skills, and students from non-English speaking backgrounds. The Diverse Learning department oversees the professional development of staff and development of specialist programs for students in these areas.

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Year 7 students participate in educational assessments to determine their level of need in literacy and numeracy. As well as these assessments, students’ results in the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) are analysed and incorporated into teaching and learning programs. Students with diverse learning needs are provided with additional support, including adjustments to teaching and learning activities, individual and in-class assistance when required, and access to disability provisions for examinations.

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Students and parents participate in the Personalised Learning Plan (PLP) process, to determine the level of need and adjustments required. Students continue to be supported throughout their schooling at Rosebank, with particular emphasis placed on key transition points. Students identified as high potential learners are offered additional opportunities through the College’s EnrichED program. This incorporates an annual opportunity to produce an inquiry-based, in-depth, personal interest project (InnovateED). A range of workshops, seminars, competitions and other enrichment activities (InspireED) are also offered. In Stage 5, students may choose the iThink elective, which has been designed to foster critical and creative thinking, and develop skills in writing, researching and argumentation.

​Digital Technology

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The College has a dynamic, blended, learning culture that enhances communication and collaboration between students, staff and parents. Our approach incorporates the concept of personalised learning anywhere, anyhow and any time.

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Students use a variety of digital and online learning technologies. The College’s main online application for delivery of teaching content, learning collaborations, submission of student work and out-of-class feedback and discussions is Rosebank Exchange, located on the Student Portal. Through this and other eLearning tools, students are exposed to and encouraged to develop their competencies in digital literacy and fluencies.

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Students are issued with a College-managed laptop to use in collaboration with other learning tools to further incorporate eLearning across the curriculum. Students are issued with their device at the beginning Term 1 of Year 7, and these devices remain with the student until the end of Year 9. Students are issued with a new device at the commencement of Year 10 for the remainder of their schooling.

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The Acceptable Use of ICT Agreement for Students, which outlines the use of ICT resources at Rosebank, can be found on the Student and Parent Portals. 

Scholastica Research and Study Centre (SRSC)

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Our Space​

The SRSC features stimulating and flexible learning areas, seminar rooms for group instruction,  and a Senior Study area.

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Our welcoming environment also boasts a waterwall framed by lush vertical gardens, a silent reading nook and an exhibition space for artworks. Armchairs, sofas, and ottomans offer a comfortable, informal place to enjoy reading.

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During break times students are welcome to participate in interactive and engaging activities.

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Our Resources​

Our collection encompasses both physical and digital resources, including a large collection of fiction and non-fiction, e-books, audiobooks, audio-visual content and databases.

Through the library page on Exchange, students can:

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Use Oliver, the library cataloguing system

Access e-book and audiobook collections

Access subject-specific research guides

Request new book purchases

Post book reviews and recommend books for other students

View curated video clips using Clickview

Access a diverse range of databases plus encyclopaedias, digital magazines and newspapers

Use CiteMaker to assist them with referencing and the creation of bibliographies

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Our Programs​

The SRSC supports and encourages student involvement in the Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). Certificates and medals are awarded during House assemblies, with students also earning points for their House through their participation.

SRSC staff are available throughout the day to support students and conduct a variety of library lessons, including research, reader’s advisory, and referencing classes.

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Character Day​

Character Day is a celebration of reading and the world of storytelling. Year 7 students come to school dressed as their favourite character, with prizes and House points awarded for the best-dressed male and female student in each House and overall.

Rosebank Academic Mentoring Program

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The Rosebank Academic Mentoring Program (RAMP) is an initiative of Rosebank College that operates after school, five days a week until 6:30pm. The program offers a fun, interactive learning structure for all students from Year 7 to 12.

 

RAMP helps to support students transitioning from primary school, helping students develop positive study and revision habits, gain assistance completing assignments and meet new friends. 

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In the Year 7 specific study group on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, from 3:20pm - 6pm, there is time for students to independently complete homework, as well as small group structured time for focused guidance on skills or revision. Afternoon tea is provided, and after 5pm students have the opportunity to socialise by partaking in sporting activities, games and creative arts. 

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There are three different paid programs offered through RAMP:

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Study Group

Subject Specific Group Tutoring

Individualised Tutoring

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During Term 4, Year 6 students transitioning into Year 7 at Rosebank in 2026 can book into individualised tutoring and shared tutoring.

 

Please email ramp@rosebank.nsw.edu.au to enquire regarding bookings for 2026.

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For more information refer to the Rosebank Academic Mentoring Program on our website

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Danielle Puhlmann (RAMP Manager)

Email: dpuhlmann@rosebank.nsw.edu.au

 

Justin Clarkin (Assistant Manager)

Email: justin.clarkin@rosebank.nsw.edu.au

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Phone: 02 9713 3163

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