08 6724 6971 admin@brcc.org.au

FAQ

Who does BRCC work for?

BRCC is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of students who have found it difficult or impossible to maintain their attendance in mainstream schooling. The small, personalised and flexible nature of BRCC is designed to provide the safety and support that at risk students need for success.

How are the school day and school week structured?

Students are at school from 8:45am-2:30pm Monday-Thursday and 8:45am-12:30 pm on Fridays, although times may vary if students are away from school, eg in a workplace or on an excursion.
Each day is divided into 90 minute blocks with recess and lunch in between.

How are classes organised?

Within each year group students are organised into classes, called Advisory Classes, of no more than 18 students. Each class has its own Advisory Teacher and Teacher Assistant, and in general students remain in that group and with that teacher whilst they are at the College.
In this way the Advisory Group becomes a safe and supportive learning community where students are well known as individuals but are also expected to get to know and to support others.

What year level does BRCC cater for?

BRCC caters for students in years 10, 11 and 12.

How are students supported?

The first and most important level of support for a student is provided by their Advisory Teacher whose role is to guide and support their total learning program. The Advisory Team, made of the teacher, the assistant and the social workers, work closely together to get to know and work with the complete picture of the student. Advisory teachers know that not only does each student have a unique personality and learning needs but she or he is also growing up in a unique context that brings its own set of family pressures and individual challenges. 

Is there a school uniform?

Students will be expected to wear clothing that is modest and fit for purpose but there is no compulsory uniform. However, our students have designed a school polo shirt and warm top to give students and staff something to wear that identifies them as part of the College. Each student is given a complimentary hoodie and polo shirt upon enrolment.

Will we need to provide books and stationery?

BRCC provides all stationary, books and learning materials, as well as a personal laptop computer.

 

What does it cost?

There is a small tuition fee of $250 per term with reduced payments for those with a healthcare card. No students with inability to pay will be excluded.

How do I enrol?

Our prospective students are referred by student services at their current high school.

What will students learn?

Our school uses the Big Picture design, with the philosophy “One student at a time in a community of learners”.

Customisation is at the heart of many recent changes to our society and economy – so why not education too? The Big Picture design for learning is based on research that shows that we learn best when we are personally motivated. Putting students at the centre of decisions around what, how and when they learn is the key to nurturing the next generations of engaged, independent learners.

While each student is unique with their own set of passions and capabilities, they are not alone. They are supported by a network of peers, advisory teachers, expert mentors and family.

We prepare students for opportunities beyond school with an emphasis on relevance and real-world learning. Our students combine academic work with real-world internships, use their head, heart and hands to explore their world and plan their own pathways to future employment, study or enterprise. For more information about Big Picture Education Australia check out www.bigpicture.org.au .

There will be a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, including the successful attainment of the OLNA, and on skills for personal development and work readiness. Whilst the understandings and knowledge that teachers have of the West Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline will help them to guide student learning, it will be the students’ interests that are the basis of what they learn. Teachers will work with them to develop individual learning plans that will outline the intellectual, social and emotional skills that they will work on for a term or semester. Students will be expected to to demonstrate their learning against their learning plan.

It is expected that vocational education certificates will be part of the learning of many students, however, it is not likely that students will undertake WACE courses. Successful completion of year 12 will include a portfolio that demonstrates all aspects of a student’s learning whilst at the College.

Is attendance compulsory?

Yes, attendance is compulsory for all students.

Students are required by law to attend class on the days that the school is open for instruction. Each parent/carer has a legal obligation to make sure the student attends school or to provide an acceptable explanation for the child’s non-attendance. BRCC has responsibilities under the law to monitor student attendance and to manage absenteeism.

What will students leave school with?

BRCC aims to ensure that every student will leave the College with:

  • knowledge about how to learn;
  • the ability to communicate;
  • the skills to be successful in further education or work;
  • a plan for the future, including their immediate steps beyond school;
  • a network of people to support them;
  • a Graduation Portfolio that will give them access to further studies such as University or TAFE.

What can I do after I leave BRCC?

Our students have gone on to apprenticeships, traineeships, employment, TAFE and university.