At a Glance
🎓 What Is the Academic Culture at Macarthur Anglican School?
Macarthur Anglican School fosters a rich academic culture that goes beyond traditional teaching. We aim to develop curiosity, imagination, innovation, and a willingness to take risks in a safe and secure environment. Learning from both success and failure is encouraged, and creative and critical thinking is promoted. Academic success is not solely measured by content recall but by the ability to think critically and apply knowledge in various contexts. Assessment is viewed as a tool for learning and an integral part of the learning process.
🧠 How Does Macarthur Foster Academic Excellence?
1. Holistic Learning Approach
We recognize that much informal learning of 'soft skills'—such as leadership, humility, collaboration, adaptability, and a love for learning—occurs outside the classroom. Macarthur encourages all students to engage with co-curricular activities, as these experiences expand brain pathways, enhance creativity, and optimize critical thinking. Learn more.
2. Assessment for Learning
At Macarthur, assessment is not just about recalling content. We emphasize 'assessment for learning' and 'assessment as learning,' using assessments to guide and enhance the learning process. More info.
🏆 What Are the 2024 Academic Achievements?
The Year 12 cohort of 2024 has continued the School's tradition of outstanding academic success. Headmaster Dr David Nockles expressed pride in witnessing Macarthur students consistently excel, defying educational trends in the region. The School sets high academic standards and celebrates students' achievements in meeting these challenges. Developing skills to think critically and apply knowledge in different contexts is key to our academic success. View academic success.
🧑🏫 What Is the Role of Co-Curricular Activities?
Co-curricular programs are central to a Macarthur education. We believe that learning occurs in various ways and that individuals have different learning styles. Our teaching and learning programs cater to these diverse styles, allowing students to learn in their preferred manner. Engaging in co-curricular activities enriches the learning environment and enhances students' enjoyment of school. Learn more about co-curricular programs.
🧠 How Do We Support High Potential Learners?
Macarthur offers programs like GATEway and the Aristotle Programme to stretch learning for high potential learners. These programs aim to "future-proof" students by equipping them with skills necessary for evolving 21st-century communities and workplaces. The ability to think, adapt, and collaborate well is emphasized, preparing students for a fast-changing world where lifelong learning is essential. Learn more about high potential programs.
🏫 What Is the Structure of the School?
- Junior School (Transition to Year 4): Focuses on developing curiosity and a love for learning. The curriculum is stage-based, providing opportunities for students' learning to be supported, enriched, and challenged. Learn more
- Middle School (Years 5 to 9): Bridges the transition from primary to secondary schooling, fostering academic growth, resilience, and independence. Learn more
- Senior School (Years 10 to 12): Encourages lifelong learning and the development of independent learning skills within a strong academic culture. Students participate in the Senior Study Programme, held after school in the Innovation and Research Centre. Learn more
📍 Where Is Macarthur Anglican School Located?
Address:
605 Cobbitty Road, Cobbitty, NSW 2570, Australia
For more information or to speak with our staff, please contact the School switchboard at +61 (0) 2 4647 5333 or email administration@macarthur.nsw.edu.au. Contact us.
🔗 Related Information
Importantly at Macarthur, academic success is not measured by how well a student recalls content (what has become known as summative assessment). There is a strong focus on assessment being used as a tool for learning (assessment for learning) as well as a seeing assessment as integral to the process of learning (assessment as learning). Further to this it is recognised that much informal learning of ‘soft skills’ takes place outside the classroom. According to educational research ‘soft skills’ include such things as leadership, humility, collaboration, adaptability, loving to learn and importantly re-learn. It is within this context that Macarthur encourages all students to engage with co-curricular activities. Just as learning a wide range of subjects within the classroom environment expands the development of brain pathways, so too does a breadth of experiences outside the classroom. With more complex brain pathways comes greater mind agility, collaboration skills, creativity is enhanced and critical thinking optimised.