Our Learning Overview | Fairbridge College

Our Teaching and Learning Philosophy

At Fairbridge College, learning is personalised, practical, and purpose-driven.

We recognise that every student learns differently, which is why our programs are designed to meet individual needs, interests, and goals.

Our approach combines core academic subjects with vocational training, life skills, and real-world experiences—helping students build confidence, engage meaningfully, and prepare for life beyond school. With strong support from educators, mentors, and the wider community, we create learning environments where young people feel safe, valued, and inspired to succeed.

Our Teaching and Learning in Action

At Fairbridge College, students are seen as partners in their learning. They are supported to shape their own journeys – developing agency, purpose, and the belief that they can achieve. Through daily small wins and big-picture thinking, they gain the tools for life-long learning, wellbeing and meaningful futures.

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

Every student has a collaboratively developed IEPs, co-designed by educators, students, families, and support professionals. These plans:

identify students’ goals across academic, social-emotional, and personal domains,
guide differentiated teaching strategies and assessment, and
align with students’ learning readiness, style and future pathways.

Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)

ILPs provide the roadmap for each student’s day-to-day learning. They:

guide access to the curriculum at the student’s current skill level,
include adjustment based on learning pace, support needs, and interests, and
promote strength-based engagement and reflective learning.

Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

To support foundational literacy and numeracy the ACSF enables:

language, literacy, and numeracy development across five core skill areas,
customised delivery to meet students at their level, and
progress tracking and flexible re-engagement with learning.

Big Picture Learning Program

Fairbridge College proudly delivers the Big Picture Learning (BPL) program, featuring:

Project-based learning aligned with students’ passions,
One-on-one advisory support and mentorship,
Learning Through Internship (LTI) opportunities, and
Student exhibitions and portfolios showcasing academic and personal growth.

Life Skills Program

We embed life skills, emotional literacy, and well-being into everyday learning through:

Trauma-informed programs like the Berry Street Education Model,
Cultural, social, and personal health development, and
Emotional regulation, resilience, and relationship skills.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Qualifications

Senior students can access nationally recognised qualifications, including:

Certificate II qualifications in areas such as Community Services, Creative Industries, General Education, Hospitality, Outdoor Education and Workplace Skills,
White Card and First Aid training, and
School-based traineeships or partnerships with external Registered Training Organisations (RTO).

Workplace Learning Program

Fairbridge College proudly delivers the Big Picture Learning (BPL) design, featuring:

Project-based learning aligned with students’ passions,
One-on-one advisory support and mentorship.
Learning Through Internship (LTI) opportunities, and
Student exhibitions and portfolios showcasing academic and personal growth.

Outreach and Online Learning Program

Students in the Outreach Program are supported to grow at their own pace, in their own space. They:

build confidence through small, meaningful wins,
reconnect with learning in a way that feels safe and achievable,
improve literacy and numeracy through scaffolded, real-world learning,
maintain or re-establish routine and engagement, and
prepare for future steps: return to campus, transition to VET, employment, or community life.

Aboriginal Education

We embed culture, identity, and community into daily learning to support every Aboriginal student’s success through:

embedded Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum,
strong relationships with Elders, families, and community partners,

cultural activities such as yarning circles, bush tucker, and art, and

focus on identity, belonging, and culturally safe transitions.