EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW

During the compulsory years of schooling (Years 8 to 10) CAC Bindoon provides a broad-base education which is not vocationally directed. While the agricultural and manual subjects provide a special focus for students, they do not restrict future choices after Year 10. These choices would be reliant on student achievements in English, Mathematics and Science. The courses offered by CAC Bindoon in Year 11 and 12 (post-compulsory) are vocationally directed to agriculture and related industries such as mechanics and farm construction. We are giving consideration to expanding our offerings at Year 11 and 12 level to include hospitality/tourism and viticulture. CAC Bindoon operates as a single stream school (where there is one class group at each year level) and we plan to expand to two streams within five years. Our class sizes are under 30 students and each class session runs for 55 minutes. We accept students with a range of academic ability and a remedial teacher works with individual students.

CURRICULUM

Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon is registered by the State Government's Ministry of Education and is a member of the Catholic Education Commission of WA. The educational policies of the Curriculum Council of WA are adhered to and only courses recognised by this authority are taught. The current Curriculum Council of WA framework for all schools is based on learning areas and student outcomes. The learning areas available at CAC Bindoon are: · English · Mathematics · Science · Society and Environment · Technology and Enterprise · The Arts · Religious Education · Health and Physical Education.

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING

Targets for student achievement have been set for each year level in each learning area. At the beginning of the year, students are given a number of placement tasks to determine their skills. These achievements are mapped onto an outcome chart for each learning area, kept by the teacher to assist in planning a student's progress. At the end of each term, a report is sent home which gives an indication of progress in each learning area. Students will also have work examples in their portfolio for parents to view at the end of Term 2 and 4. A level of achievement is given at the end of the year which reflects the student's achievement for the year.