Avondale University is a higher education institution located in Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1897, it is a leading Christian university that offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as arts, business, education, health sciences, and theology. With a commitment to holistic education, Avondale integrates faith, learning, and service to prepare students for meaningful careers and lives of purpose. The university promotes a supportive and nurturing environment where students can grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Avondale's faculty are dedicated educators and researchers who prioritize student success and engagement. By fostering critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to service, Avondale University equips students to make a positive impact in their communities and professions.

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The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (BA/BTch (Primary)) is a highly practical course with hands-on classroom experience from the second year of full-time study. The degree not only qualifies and prepares graduates to competently teach from Foundation to Year 6, but also to be responsible and ethical leaders to children who need positive role models. During the course, students will engage in five professional experience opportunities. These are undertaken at various schools to enable the application of theory in a practical setting. Students may also be able to undertake an overseas professional experience. There is an increasing demand for Christian teachers to be employed in all school sectors across Australia, including the rapidly expanding Christian school sector. Show less

Course duration: Four years full-time (or equivalent part-time)
Study mode: On campus (Lake Macquarie)
Maximum time to complete: Ten years

The BA/BTch (Primary) course is designed to successfully prepare Primary teachers. It consists of thirty-two 6 credit point units (192 credit points) studied over eight semesters full-time or the equivalent part-time. A full year of discipline only units (non-teacher education studies) is completed prior to the first scheduled professional experience. The course composition is set out below.

The course structure is based on eight semesters (each of 13 weeks in duration), with four units normally studied in each semester. The course is comprised of:

12 Education Units (including 5 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Units)
20 Curriculum Units (shown below)
Students will normally complete their discipline units in the following way:

4 x Units to make up a Primary specialisation in a Key Learning Area (KLA)
4 x Core discipline units

12 x Education units (including 5 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Units)
12 x Curriculum Studies units to make up a major in Primary Curriculum

Primary KLA teaching areas include:

English, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Creative Arts, Science, and Health and Physical Education.

COMPONENTS AND DESCRIPTIONS

Core Education and Pedagogical Studies Units

These units cover a range of current educational topics designed to prepare teacher education students to successfully teach young people. These units involve a variety of topics including: Classroom Management; ICT and Learning; Relationships and Development; Students with Special Educational Needs and Multicultural & Indigenous Education.

Curriculum Studies Units

These units provide teacher education students with the opportunity to apply quality-teaching principles to specific teaching areas.

Primary Specialisation

Students who complete the required 6 units in the one discipline area complete a KLA specialisation. The Primary specialisation is comprised of 4 units within a chosen discipline area related to a KLA of the primary curriculum. Primary specialisations may include English, Creative Arts, Mathematics, HPE, HASS, and Science. These are content units which are taught by the relevant disciplines and are designed to build a strong body of knowledge in one area of the Primary Curriculum.

Primary Curriculum

The Primary Curriculum units for the BA/BTch (Primary) prepare students to teach in Primary School settings focusing on Primary Curriculum Studies. These units cover all mandatory Key Learning Areas and prepare students for work in a primary setting.

Core Discipline Units

These units are compulsory core discipline units for all Primary students in the BA/BTch (Primary) providing students with a foundational understanding for successful completion of their course.

CONTENT OF THE COURSE OF STUDY

All units are worth 6 Credit Points unless otherwise stated.

Core Education and Pedagogical Studies Units

EDUC12101 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Primary – Preparing for the Learning Environment
EDUC20100 Exploring a Christian World-view
EDUC10102 Child Development & Learning
EDUC12102 ICT & Curriculum
EDUC22102 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Primary – Planning & Assessment for Learning
EDUC22103 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Primary – Teaching & Researching for Effective Learning
EDUC22104 Managing the Primary Classroom Environment
EDUC30101 Professional Development: Preparation for the Workplace
EDUC30102 Students with Special Education Needs
EDUC20104 Indigenous Education
EDUC30108 Educational Research & Diversity
EDUC30105 Exploring a Philosophy of Christian Education

Primary Curriculum Units
EDUC14101 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Creative Arts I
EDUC14104 Curriculum Studies - Teaching Initial English
EDUC14102 Curriculum Studies-Teaching English I
EDUC14105 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Mathematics I
EDUC24104 Curriculum Studies-Teaching English II
EDUC24106 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Mathematics II
EDUC24107 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Science & Technology
EDUC34110 Curriculum Studies- Teaching Humanities & Social Sciences
EDUC24112 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Creative Arts II
EDUC34109 Curriculum Studies-Teaching Health & Physical Education
EDUC34111 Curriculum Studies- Teaching Biblical Studies

Core Discipline Units
WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing
MATH10000 Applied Numeracy
SCTS11100 Exploring the Physical & Natural World
GSTL15000 Tertiary Writing

Primary Science specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details
Primary Mathematics specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details
Primary HPE specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details
Primary Creative Arts specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details
Primary English specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details
Primary HSIE specialisation
Choose 4 units: contact the Primary Course Convenor for details

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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