Junior Secondary
We believe that our students gain eternal benefits from completing their school studies in an environment where they are well known and cared for, and where the values and beliefs of their families are upheld. Our School has set in place some structures which allow each student to be in a small and caring environment where their needs are met, while at the same time having access to a curriculum range that does not limit their post-school possibilities.
The Secondary department of Nowra Christian School provides a diverse curriculum for students. This curriculum helps equip students for the world beyond school. The School Certificate and Higher School Certificate results show that our students tend to earn results that are well above state average.
The School is committed to pursuing academic excellence, with the teaching and learning experiences being built on the foundation provided by biblical principles.
Our students find themselves in a caring school that is small enough to recognise the individuality and needs of every student, while being big enough to provide a range of challenges that equips the students for life beyond school. They are secure in the knowledge that their teachers and their peers are working together, with their parents, in a community where they are known and not "lost in the crowd". For Year 7 students, the move from Primary to Secondary is eased by the support of caring, Christian teachers who understand the challenges of this important time. All of our students have the chance to benefit from the challenges provided by the classroom, the school's camping program and varied opportunities to serve, perform and compete.
Subjects
Stage 4
Students in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) undertake a wide range of subjects including Biblical Studies, Commerce, English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Personal Development/Health/Physical Education (PDHPE), Science, Technology and Visual Arts.
Stage 5
Our Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) program has a core program that includes Biblical Studies, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, PDHPE and Science. Students also elect to study electives for either 1 or 2 years, giving them the option to explore up to four different elective subjects. Combining Years 9 and 10 into elective groups allows us to keep our caring community approach to the students while providing a wide range of electives that currently includes Commerce, Drama, French, Food Technology, Information & Software Technology, Music, Physical Activity and Sports Studies, Technics and Visual Arts. Across the Secondary department, students requiring extra support may be recommended for entry into the school's SLAMS (Searching Literacy And Making Sense) program. This program provides intensive one to one, or small group, teaching over a short period of time. The school has found that students respond warmly to the SLAMS program and benefit from participating in this opportunity.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
In the Secondary department students are also given opportunities to develop gifts through avenues such as debating competitions, Mock Trials, Work Experience, inter school sporting events and by joining the school's assembly band. Every second Friday, two periods are allocated to our Sport and Recreation program that gives students the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of activities. In recent years, Sport and Recreation activities have included Archery, Bike Riding, Bowling, Ceramics, Community Service, Croquet, Golf, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Scuba, Squash, Surfing, Swimming and Tennis.
The school also has small group music (instrument) tuition at lunchtimes where parents can, for a small cost, have their young people taught to play an instrument such as the violin, keyboard, clarinet or guitar. Some instruments are available from the school for hire, and students are encouraged to join the senior band. We believe that as students discover and develop their gifts, it is important that they are provided with avenues to use them in serving others.
Our Secondary department is at a size where all students are quickly well known and the teachers are able to track their performance and be aware of most of their needs. In addition to this general "being known", the students' Pastoral Care teachers (AM group teachers) meet with their students each morning and this time provides opportunity for the students to be known in a non-academic environment. AM groups are vertical groups made up of students from Years 8 to 12, and students usually stay in the same group throughout these years at School.
In addition to AM groups, student welfare is also monitored by Year Advisors, who are allocated grades to nurture.
These strategies ensure that NCS remains big enough to challenge and equip, and small enough to know and care.
As young people move through the secondary years many parents find that they are faced with fresh challenges that they have not experienced before. The school seeks to support parents and students through these vitally important years when young people move from acceptance of the values and beliefs of their parents to the adoption of their own beliefs. Group meetings provide advice and support where parents are further equipped with skills and strategies to assist them. We do this because we understand how much you love your children and we are honoured to have the opportunity of working with you in assisting in their upbringing and education.
To find out more about our other departments, visit one of the links below...
About NCS 
