Senior School Additional Courses

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL courses are available to support students whose native language is not English. Students are assessed individually upon arrival to the school; they are then placed in an appropriate number of ESL classes and integrated into the other grade-appropriate courses as much as possible. Throughout the school day, students are responsible for academic, social, and athletic commitments that require them to communicate in English.

ESL courses are designed to facilitate the students' speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The classes are small, and each student is given individual attention.

It is imperative for students who require ESL support to take responsibility for their own language development. This development requires additional programming beyond the academic day and year at RNS. Students and their families must make appropriate arrangements during all major school breaks (Christmas, March Break, and Summer) to ensure language development continues and improves. University entrance will be affected if appropriate progress does not occur. Please check Course Recommendations for University Placement (page 5) and check with the university to which you are applying to better understand the requirements for each program.

Grade 9 DISCOVERY

(DIS092) 1.0 credit

Discovery is an opportunity for all Grade 9 Students to interact intensely with the four Learning Outcomes of the RNS Grade 9/10 Program (Thinking, Caring, Teamwork, Creativity), and to forge connections between the learning in all subject areas and the larger experiences of life. In small classes, students foster a deeply refelective, open-minded, and inclusive culture while engaging with the relevant issues of school life and the world beyond.

The curriculum combines elements of service and outreach, the Duke of Edinburgh Program, and the Outward Bound Program. Students also complete Youth Philanthropy Intitiative (YPI), a program designed to engage youth in social issues and local charities.

Discovery classes involve periods of structured study, independent learning, skill-based workshops, discussions, and presentations through which students develop a sense of self as learners, community members, and global citizens, creating a foundation on which to grow and thrive.

Grade 9 Physical and Health Education

(PHE092) 1.0 credit

The intent of the Physical and Health Education curriculum is to assist students in developing the necessary skills for lifelong physical participation and to prevent or avoid the health issues that affect youth. Areas of concern such as unhealthy dietary behaviours and behaviours that cause intentional and unintentional injury will be addressed. One-third of the course is health curriculum based, with emphasis on developing personal and social management skills through personal health, active living, nutrition, substance use/abuse prevention, and human sexuality. The physical education component of the course will center on the development of individual skills, team skills, and on the acquisition of knowledge and rules as related to sports activities.

Grade 10 Core

This is a non-assessed, 85-minute course given to all Grade 10 students as part of their regular schedule in support of all classroom learning, larger grade-band initiatives and Discovery (grade 9/10) Program learning objectives. The course allows students greater focus on all course work in the form of a “study”, positioning them to better manage their workload while intentionally developing learning and study skills. The course also provides time and support for the many larger learning, community and fundraising initiatives that help to characterize and enrich learning at this grade level. By the end of Grade 10, all students are asked to reflect upon their growth and present an overall sense of self according to the four Learning Outcomes of the Discovery Program: Thinking, Curiosity, Teamwork and Creativity. The Grade 10 Core Course is an opportunity to meaningfully build that sense of self.

Grade 10 Digital Applications

(DIG102) 1.0 credit

Digital Applications is designed to engage students with an interest in creative computing, digital graphics, interactive multimedia or computer programming and allow them to express their creativity through IT in an informed and responsible way. This course promotes the creative use of digital applications, covering graphics design, desktop publishing, videography, and computer programming. Throughout the duration of this course, students will rotate through a variety of modules that will lead to the creation of the RNS Yearbook, the RNS Year-end Video, as well as learn fundamentals of basic computer programming.

Grade 10 Leadership (online)

Leadership 10 is a course for people who want to enhance their leadership skills by aligning their decisions and actions with consciously chosen values. It is also for those who want to be more confident in their efforts to improve projects, organizations or teams. The course highlights deeper patterns in everyday organizational life. Further, the course is oriented not only to acquiring new knowledge and ‘tools’ but also the development of wisdom in leadership. This is a course that integrates theory and practice and which provides advanced leadership skills for developing highly effective teams through a focus on purpose, integrity, culture and strategy.

This course is conducted online. It is a blended course that will have several scheduled seminars where we will come together, and actively manage topics through presentations, discussions and workshops. The majority of the course occur digitally and require you to complete readings, assignments, weekly writing tasks, and participation in digital discussions. It will require a commitment to developing organizational maturity to stay current with tasks and assignments. Thiscourse and its online style is designed for independent students and will require students to take an active role both in the RNS community and the greater Kennebecasis Valley community.

Grade 10 Physical and Health Education

(PHE102) 1.0 credit

The Grade 10 Physical and Health Education Course is a continuation of the Grade 9 curriculum emphasizing physical well being through skill development, active involvement, and lifelong fitness. New activities introduced in Grade 10 include: archery, rowing, golf, canoeing, and kayaking. A health component will comprise one-third of the overall course. Topics relating to social development, mental/emotional development, nutrition, substance use/abuse prevention, and human sexuality will be covered in the health curriculum.

Grade 11 IB Theory of Knowledge

(TOK112) 1.0 credit

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required course offered by the International Baccalaureate program with the intended purpose "of stimulating critical reflection upon the knowledge and the experience of students both in and outside the classroom." While the scope of the course includes much that could be classified as philosophy, TOK differs from traditional philosophy courses in that it includes only one area of that discipline: epistemology. Therefore, this class is about what we know and how we know it, and about viewing that information with a critical eye. TOK challenges students to reflect on the diverse ways of knowing, on the different areas of knowledge, and on how the role of knowledge is relevant to a global society. TOK encourages students to become aware of themselves as active thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world. Questions are the very essence of TOK, both the ageless questions which thinkers and philosophers have been reflecting upon for centuries, and the new questions posed by contemporary life. TOK also includes objectives reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the IB program, and an examination of mathematics, language, logic, and the methodologies of disciplines from both the sciences and the humanities.

In addition to classroom work, TOK requires the completion of two major assignments: The Presentation and a TOK Paper. The Presentation will be completed during the latter part of the Grade 11 year and is internally moderated; the TOK Paper will be completed early in Grade 12 and is externally moderated by the IBO. During Grade 11, students will hone their writing skills through a variety of sample essays relative to TOK; however, the actual preparation for their formal TOK Paper does not take place until Grade 12. This allows students time to reflect on course material and provides them with a more mature focus when drafting their paper.

Independent Study

This course will provide students with an opportunity to pursue academic work outside of the traditional classroom setting. Students will need to be prepared to work together with a faculty member to identify areas of interest, learning objectives, and curriculum appropriate for their goals. Students will be required to meet each day with their learning supervisor and demonstrate the maturity and initiative necessary for success in this independent course. Students will also explore an online learning module through Lynda.com. To be considered for this course, students will need to complete an application with the Assistant Head of School stating how this course will complement their existing program and challenge them appropriately as learners.

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