With a focus on self-expression, self-respect and self-discipline, students in the senior years are encouraged to engage in learning that is meaningful, stimulating and challenging.
Through academic, sporting and creative pursuits and achievements, students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to become future leaders in the careers of their choice.
In a community that is small enough to care, yet large enough to offer a unique balance of intellectual and creative exploration, students in the senior years have many opportunities to explore their interests and achieve success.
Ravenswood’s aim is to develop compassionate, connected, articulate young women who have the confidence to succeed, no matter where their journey takes them.
At Ravenswood, we are proud to have offered students since 2005 the choice of undertaking their senior years credential in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Both credentials are academically rigorous, allow choice in the subjects undertaken and provide a pathway for entry into Australian and overseas universities. These credentials differ in their structure, subject requirements, styles of learning and methods of assessment. Students, in collaboration with parents, are supported through the decision-making process to make an informed choice about which credential is most appropriate for them.
Higher School Certificate
Students undertaking the HSC follow a pattern of study as required by the NSW Education Standards Authority for Stage 6. This internationally recognised pathway provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue tertiary qualifications, vocational training or employment. English is the only mandatory subject, meaning this pathway allows students the flexibility to develop a pattern of study based on their strengths, interests and future aspirations, within the HSC requirements.
Ravenswood offers a broad range of subjects for students to engage with, including courses with major work components and a wide range of extension courses.
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced program of education that aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring young people.
Students in the IB Diploma Programme study six courses, chosen from Higher Level or Standard Level courses. They must choose one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5 (outlined below), thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from Group 6, or the student may choose another subject from Groups 2, 3 or 4.
The IB Diploma subject groups are:
- Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature
- Group 2 – Language Acquisition
- Group 3 – Individuals and Societies
- Group 4 – Sciences
- Group 5 – Mathematics
- Group 6 – The Arts
In addition, the IB Diploma Programme has three core elements to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and understanding:
- The Extended Essay allows students to engage in in-depth independent research on a topic of their choice relating to one of the subjects they are studying.
- Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary course about the nature of knowledge. Students critically examine different areas of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical) and themes from technology, language, politics, religion and/or indigenous societies. They become more aware of their own perspectives and the perspectives of others.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves students in active, experimental learning beyond the classroom. Students engage in creative, active and service experiences and design and run a collaborative CAS project.
Student Data Analytics
At Ravenswood School for Girls, we are dedicated to harnessing student analytics to empower our students and parents from Years 7 to 12.
Our analytics system enables students to gauge their relative subject performance, receive guidance on subject selections, and obtain ATAR estimates through IB score conversions. We prioritise collaboration by liaising with teachers and key staff to provide tailored support. Our overarching aim is to transform data into actionable insights, using data as a tool to inform decisions.
By collecting and analysing data, we can identify patterns, trends and potential interventions early on, enabling a more effective and personalised approach to education.
Our commitment to evidence-informed decision-making ensures that data is used meaningfully to enhance student outcomes and teaching quality.
We can offer families thorough review and tracking of academic progress, pinpointing areas for further support based on an in-depth analysis of assessment results. We also build bespoke student dashboards that bring together different information to give a complete picture of each student. This helps us understand students better and leads to meaningful discussions with students, parents and teachers to improve teaching and learning.
