This course is designed to develop generalist primary teachers with particular strengths in literacy, numeracies, science and religious education who meet the requirements to teach in Catholic, independent and government schools.

The course aims to produce teachers who continue to think deeply and critically about the ends and means of education and the social, political and cultural contexts that shape schools. It will produce teachers who will continue to grow professionally, and who are committed to working justly and collaboratively to make a positive difference in the lives of their students, shaping a more just and equitable society.

More specifically the course aims to produce graduates who understand that:

1. The main learning outcome of education is to engage the whole “being” of students, their heads, hearts and lifestyles, and to inform, form and transform their identity and agency in the world;
2. Every curriculum area has a spiritual dimension, when it assists students to examine the world of human culture, providing knowledge and skills, and fostering attitudes and values that are life-giving and that assist young people to search for meaning and truth;

All curriculum areas contribute to the aims of Catholic schooling when they foster:

• Skills such as reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and discernment – all of which promote the search for truth and meaning;
• A moral sensitivity and a heightened capacity to distinguish between what is life-giving and what is dehumanising;
• Gospel values such as compassion; and,
• A generosity of spirit that calls forth a commitment of service for others, active involvement in sustaining the environment and creating a just society.

Studies in religious education and theology are included in the course to enable graduates to obtain accreditation to teach religious education in Catholic schools. Students not seeking such accreditation may undertake approved alternative units. In Queensland and in Victoria, the course includes a Lutheran strand. Students choosing to complete this strand are accredited to teach in Lutheran primary schools. In addition students wishing to teach in Anglican schools (in Queensland only) can take alternative units.

Professional Experience

Students must complete professional experience units in schools during which time they are required to be available full-time.

Police Check

Students accepting a place in this course are required to participate in a number of professional placements throughout their program. In order to participate in professional experience it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they are able to successfully complete the child protection screening required in their state. Students, who are not cleared for working with children and therefore not be able to be placed in a compulsory professional placement, will not be able to complete their course.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 7.0

Teacher registration requires students to meet the English language requirements in their state. It is the student’s responsibility to develop their English language skills during their candidature to ensure that they meet the registration guidelines, which usually require a score of at least 7.0 in each of the IELTS bands.