School System in AustraliaSchool System in Australia

Hugo Kennedy LoffhagenIES Virgen de La Luz.www.iesvirgendelaluz.esAvilés, Spain

Australian schooling is divided into Australian schooling is divided into three categories: primary, high three categories: primary, high school (secondary) and university. school (secondary) and university.

Students attend primary school from Students attend primary school from 5-125-12

High school is generally from 12-18High school is generally from 12-18

Public and Catholic SchoolsPublic and Catholic Schools Most schools in Australia are publicMost schools in Australia are public

• Are free to attend, but uniform and Are free to attend, but uniform and stationary are not paid forstationary are not paid for

Private schools are often run by Private schools are often run by Catholic institutions, and charge feesCatholic institutions, and charge fees• Tend to be more strictTend to be more strict• Emphasis on religionEmphasis on religion

Co-ed educationCo-ed education Most public schools in Australia are Most public schools in Australia are

co-ed, meaning that boys and girls co-ed, meaning that boys and girls attend the same school.attend the same school.

Most private schools are all-boys or Most private schools are all-boys or all-girls all-girls

Subjects in primary schoolSubjects in primary school Australian children in primary school Australian children in primary school

study mathematics, science and study mathematics, science and technology, English, history, technology, English, history, geograhpy, art, physical educationgeograhpy, art, physical education

Languages are sometimes taughtLanguages are sometimes taught

Subjects in high schoolSubjects in high school Similar to primary school, but in the Similar to primary school, but in the

last two years (Yr 11 & 12) students last two years (Yr 11 & 12) students can take more specific courses.can take more specific courses.

Biology, Physics, Modern & Ancient Biology, Physics, Modern & Ancient History, Philosophy, Economics, History, Philosophy, Economics, Business Studies, Psychology, Business Studies, Psychology, languages, advanced mathematics languages, advanced mathematics etc.etc.

School timeSchool time School normally starts at around School normally starts at around

9am, and finishes at 3pm. 9am, and finishes at 3pm. Students have a recess break (20 Students have a recess break (20

mins) at about 10:30, and lunch at mins) at about 10:30, and lunch at about 1:00 (40 mins). about 1:00 (40 mins).

Students bring their own lunch to Students bring their own lunch to schoolschool

HolidaysHolidays The school year starts at the The school year starts at the

beginning of February. beginning of February. A two week break normally happens A two week break normally happens

in Aprilin April The winter break is about 3 weeks in The winter break is about 3 weeks in

JulyJuly In December the school year ends for In December the school year ends for

the summer breakthe summer break

Extra-curricular activitiesExtra-curricular activities Students are normally encouraged to Students are normally encouraged to

participate in activities such as participate in activities such as sports, music, debating and public sports, music, debating and public speaking. speaking.

School sport normally takes place on School sport normally takes place on Saturdays Saturdays

UniformsUniforms

Other rulesOther rules Students can bring mobile phones to Students can bring mobile phones to

school, but they are often not school, but they are often not allowed to be used during class timeallowed to be used during class time

ExamsExams

Exams are common at the end of Exams are common at the end of each semester in high school to test each semester in high school to test understandingunderstanding

The final exams of high school are The final exams of high school are called the Higher School Certificate called the Higher School Certificate (HSC), and are the entrance exams (HSC), and are the entrance exams for universities in Australiafor universities in Australia

HSC examHSC exam

UniversityUniversity Most univeristies are public, but Most univeristies are public, but

students still have to pay some of the students still have to pay some of the course fees. course fees.

Universities in Australia are quite Universities in Australia are quite large, with many studentslarge, with many students

Not many hours of class timeNot many hours of class time