Student Learning

At St John Fisher College, we are committed to consistent, research-informed teaching practices across every classroom. This approach helps reduce variability in student progress and ensures every student is engaged, challenged and supported to learn successfully.

Our whole-school teaching practices include:

Learning intentions
Success criteria
Effective questioning
Feedback
Purposeful integration of technology.

SJFC Teaching and Learning Framework - Engage, Connect, Innovate, Reflect

At St John Fisher College, we:

Engage – create positive learning environments, participate actively, live the College values and mission, give our best and set meaningful goals.
Connect – collaborate, ask questions, solve problems, use technology purposefully, learn through mistakes and provide a range of tools and pathways so every student can access their learning.
Innovate – ask questions, take risks, challenge ideas, be courageous, take responsibility for learning and empower ourselves and others to think critically and creatively.
Reflect – reflect on goals and effort, seek ways to improve, share ideas, provide and act on feedback, and celebrate success.

Students in Years 7–10 are provided with multiple opportunities to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and skills outlined in the Australian Curriculum through developmentally appropriate and differentiated learning experiences.

Subjects include:

Years 7 - 10

Religious Education

English

Mathematics

Science

History

Geography

Civics & Citizenship (Year 10 only)

Economics and Business

Digital Technologies

Design & Technologies - Food Specialisation

Design & Technologies - Materials & Technologies

STEM

Visual Arts

Drama

Music

Health & Physical Education

French

In Year 7 students participate in a triennium rotation of electives that allows them to engage in a broad program that introduces them to a wide range of subjects.

As they progress through to Year 8 - 10, students are supported to make informed choices about elective subjects that align with their strengths, interests and aspirations, while continuing core studies in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Health & Physical Education.

Students who complete Year 11 & 12 at St John Fisher are working towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), this can be achieved through three pathways.

	ATAR pathway	ATAR & VET pathway	VET pathway
	Students who wish to gain tertiary (university) entry as their preferred post-school option.	Students who wish to gain tertiary entry as preferred post-school option AND want to gain a recognised certificate in a VET qualification of their choice.	Students who do not wish to gain tertiary options but wish to be engaged in a VET qualification in their Senior Phase of Learning.
Learning requirements	6 General subjects (All students are required to select one Religion, English and Mathematics subject).	5 General subjects & 1 VET qualification OR 4 General subjects & 1 VET qualification & 1 Applied subject OR 4 General subjects & 2 VET qualifications. (All students are required to select one Religion, English and Mathematics subject.)	6 subjects comprised of at least one VET qualification and a combination of other subjects. (All students are required to select one Religion, English and Mathematics subject.)
Graduating outcome	QCE & ATAR	QCE, ATAR/selection rank & Nationally Recognised Qualification	QCE & Nationally Recognised Qualification

Footnote:

Queensland’s standard pathway to tertiary entry, for Year 12 school leavers, is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The ATAR is used nationally and indicates a student’s position relative to other ATAR-eligible students.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) gives students the opportunity to undertake nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate II through to Diploma level under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

During the Senior Education and Training (SET) planning in Year 10, Semester 2, students and parents are provided with multiple opportunities to develop a clear understanding of the QCE system and the diverse, personalised pathways and subjects available, supporting informed decision-making for each young person’s future.