Curriculum

Tune in to the podcast and hear Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn teachers share their knowledge and change journey through Catalyst.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum principles based on leading cognitive science

A knowledge-rich curriculum is not about cramming facts, but building deep conceptual understanding that enriches students’ relationships with the world and enables them to link and transfer knowledge.

This approach to curriculum drives high engagement for all students and deliberately builds students’ knowledge and vocabulary – the foundation on which reading comprehension, critical thinking and a range of other skills depend.

Clear aims and objectives

A knowledge-rich Curriculum clearly articulates what children need to learn, and provides specific learning ambitions.

Broad and balanced

The Curriculum aims to expose students to a comprehensive range of skills and topics. This ensures that students are not only prepared for academic success but are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive outside of the classroom.

Rich in knowledge

Curriculum is rich in meaningful knowledge that will help students understand the world around them, not just a list of facts. This knowledge transfers into the broader curriculum scaffold and helps build connections between concepts and subjects.

Inclusion of skills

A knowledge-rich Curriculum challenges students and requires them to use what they have learnt in meaningful ways, to consolidate understanding and give their new knowledge context and relevance.

High expectations

Curriculum expectations are not limited to a baseline of NESA or Australian Curriculum standards but aims higher to deepen knowledge and increase engagement. Teachers are encouraged to be ambitious in their students’ subject knowledge expectations, expect work of high quality, and share good examples.

Equitable challenge

Curriculum content is taught to all students. Teachers challenge and move students forward through regular and appropriate Checking for Understanding, questioning and modelling. They respond appropriately, support, re-teach and scaffold, where required, so that all children can achieve.

High-quality resources

High-quality practical and academic resources support an ambitious curriculum. Lesson resources are not ad-hoc; they are coherent and well-matched to curriculum objectives.

FOR PARENTS

Bring parents along the journey

School leaders and teachers can work with families to help them understand the Catalyst Program, how it’s implemented in classrooms, and the benefits to their children. Catalyst has a range of resources available to support you in speaking with parents about High Impact Teaching Practice.

Learn more

CONTACT US

Equal opportunity, knowledge rich

Supporting a culture of sustained change is challenging. The knowledge and expertise gained from our own journey can provide the support, tools and resources to ensure that your experience in embedding High Impact Teaching Practice in the classroom is as smooth as possible.

Interested in bringing the impact of Catalyst to your classroom?

Get in touch

Testimonials

Therese Skelly

Religious Education Coordinator at St Mary’s Primary School – Crookwell

“The kids are now so confident that they’re actually going to learn it, so even if they don’t get it the first time, they know that it’s going to be covered the next day, and the next day.

The number of ‘aha!’ moments have been amazing. Catalyst leaves nothing to chance.”

Louise Gaynor

Parent of student from St Thomas Aquinas, West Belconnen

“My child has really enjoyed the HITP program, I think it’s good because it gives the student a chance to review and consolidate what they’ve learned in previous lessons and to try and commit that information to their long-term memory.”

Sarah Lowe

Principal at St Mary’s Primary School – Crookwell

“The background knowledge that is included in all of the lessons allows each child, regardless of their history, to access the Curriculum.”