Big Picture

Alternative Learning Opportunity at Sydney Secondary College Balmain and Blackwattle Bay Campuses

Big Picture's philosophy is ‘One student at a time in a community of learners’.  It is a school design that focuses on student interest as the central focus of the curriculum.  Sydney Secondary College is continuing our work with Big Picture Learning Australia around the creation of an advisory at Balmain Campus in 2027 and the continuation of two advisories at  Blackwattle Bay Campus.

What is an advisory?  Big Picture design focuses on student passions and interests as a driver for learning.  Teachers are referred to as advisors and the classroom with its advisor and students make up the advisory.  The third component of an advisory is the families of the students.  Working together to support students to engage with their learning in school and in the wider community (the final component of an advisory) is the design of a fully functioning Big Picture classroom.  Big Picture advisories are a place where students learn about themselves and their interests.  They take this learning to develop a learning plan and eventually take that passion and learning into the real world.

Link to the following document to further explain learning in Advisory: Google File

What is Big Picture?

• Learning in and out of school

• A personalised design

• Choice and decision-making opportunities
• Learning through interests
• Advisory - “learning community”, where every student feels known, supported and respected
• Advisor teacher
• IBPLC

Are you interested in finding out more about Big Picture education?  Here is a link to their web site: https://www.bigpicture.org.au/ or please contact the school on 9810 0471 and ask to speak with Mr Catalanotto.

The Learning Plan:

The Learning Plan describes the learning that will take place each term.  Students are assessed through the six Big Picture learning goals:

1. Knowing how to learn
2. Empirical reasoning
3. Social reasoning
4. Quantitative reasoning
5. Communication
6. Personal qualities

This learning is presented at the end of each term in the form of an Exhibition.

Want to learn more about the 6 learning goals for Big Picture: Google File

What does Big Picture look like in Stage 6 as an alternative to the traditional HSC program:

See the work of our recent graduate with the IBPLC from Blackwattle Bay, Eliza: Eliza Tait Portfolio

Link to the following document to further learn about the IBPLC and how it is used as a post Year 12 credential: Google File