Junior Secondary School
The transition into Secondary School is an important rite of passage for our students. From age 11 to 15, students begin getting familiarised with the teaching methods of Secondary School and preparing for the French national diploma (DNB). All throughout Junior Secondary School, students delve into important subjects that they have touched on briefly in Elementary School. The curriculum in Junior Secondary School intense but varied, and our teachers are all specialised in their areas and subjects.
Subjects
In Junior High, students reinforce their knowledge and understanding of the following subjects (a minimum level of French is required):
French
English
Mathematics
Biology and Geology
Physics and Chemistry
Arts: Music and Visual Arts
Sport and Physical Education
History and Geography
Technology
Students also receive integrated, personalised support (AP) (3 hours in Year 6 and 1 hour from Year 7-9).
English: 5 hours per week plus specific subjects taught in English:
1 hour of Music
1 hour of Visual Arts
1 hour of Mathematics (Year 6)
1 hour of Technology (Year 7)
1 hour of History and Geography (Year 8)
1 hour of Physics (Year 9)
In Year 7, students can choose either Latin or Mandarin as an elective, and can begin learning a second language (Spanish or German). Students will do one hour per week of each language for one trimester each as an introduction before deciding which language they wish to learn from then on.
Exams and Certifications
DNB - French National Brevet Diploma
The DNB is an end of year 9 Knowledge Assessment. To obtain the French National Brevet Diploma (DNB) students must master a common base of knowledge, skills and culture (400 points) and carry out final examinations (400 points). The exams take place in June in Year 9 and consist of 4 written tests (French, Mathematics, History & Geography and Science) and an oral test. Up to 20 additional points are awarded to candidates who have taken optional subjects (Latin or Choir) depending on the level they have acquired at the end of Cycle 4 with regards to the learning objectives of these subjects.
Click here to read more about the DNB
NAPLAN - National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy*
- NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 (CE2, CM2, 5eme and 3eme) sit in March each year. It is the only national assessment that all Australian students do.
- NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills in the Australian Curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time.
- NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers and schools with additional information about students’ progress.
- NAPLAN is no longer a paper based assessment and students complete the different tests online. With the exception of Year 3 (CE2 Writing) which remains a paper based test.
- In 2023 the NAPLAN exams will take place from 15th - 27th March.
* This information is published by ACARA https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf
NAPLAN Results
Our students perform consistently well in NAPLAN, both in comparison to the NSW state average, and when compared with schools of a similar profile. Our results are particularly impressive given that our bilingual curriculum means our students receive less hours of instruction in English than most other schools.
Parents can learn more about NAPLAN through consulting the ACARA website: https://www.acara.edu.au/home
Each year NAPLAN results are published for all schools on the My Schools website which can be accessed here: https://www.myschool.edu.au/
What are students doing to prepare at school?
English lessons at LCS align with the local NSW English Syllabus and naturally prepare students for the assessments. Students will be familiarised with the process of using the computers and assessment platform so that they can confidently complete their NAPLAN exams online.
Extended British Programme
The LCS primary school programme comprises sufficient instruction hours in language, history and geography to qualify as an Extended Australian Programme and, therefore, all of our primary school students obtain this merit automatically. In secondary school, however, the school offers the Extended British Programme, which is a separate, selective programme for which students must apply and be wholly invested.
Junior High School: students enrolled in the Extended British Programme have 4 hours of English, 4 hours of English Language and Literature and 1.5 hours of History and Geography in English.
Senior High School: students have 2.5 hours of English, 4 hours of English Language and Literature and 2 hours of History and Geography in English.
Baccalaureate (year 11 – 12): The international version of the French Baccalaureate Diploma is called the BFI, le Baccalauréat Français International.
Senior Secondary School
From Year 10 to Year 12, LCS provides bilingual education of an exceptional standard and prepares students for the baccalaureate and entry into higher education (French and international). Lycée Condorcet offers three routes to higher education: