Co-Curricular
Building experiences, personal growth and relationships
St James’ Anglican School places high importance on its co-curricular program because it adds significantly to the quality of each student’s school experience while introducing them to a variety of opportunities for growth and development. The experiences, personal growth and relationships built through co-curricular opportunities cannot be offered within the conventional classroom learning environment.
Co-curricular activities including sport, music, drama, clubs, tours, events and competitions provide our Senior School students with a wide range of opportunities that complement our academic program.
Book a tour to learn more about St James’.
A rounded education
Co-curricular experiences complement curricular activities and help develop students in the art of living and working together. They have an important role in our students’ lives and there are many benefits, including:
- exposure to new activities
- enhancing the appreciation of experiences
- strengthening self-confidence
- developing specialised skills
- fostering a sense of responsibility.
Camps and tours
The School offers annual camps and tours to enrich the curriculum. There is a progressive camps program from Year 2 to Year 12 with a focus on outdoor education. To date, the School has offered a Canberra Tour, Japan Tour, Scuba Camp, Mt Hotham Ski Trip and Germany Music Tour. There are also opportunities for families to host Japanese exchange students.
Students at St James’ are encouraged to engage in a variety of co-curricular activities and competitions in each of the learning areas. Within these there is a tiered approach to allow for participation beyond the classroom experience. A student who excels in a specific area can represent the School with opportunities to progress to state and national competitions.
Competitions and performances
There are a number of clubs and competitions available to students throughout the year, including musical performances, team sports, productions and carnivals.
Our co-curricular calendar is vibrant and varied, providing countless opportunities for students to practice, train and perform in their chosen fields.
International Awards
St James’ Anglican School is honoured to be involved in the running of both the Ignite Award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. These awards play a vital role in providing opportunities for young people to develop essential life skills, increase their employability and foster their creativity and innovation.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is comprised of four sections of the Award; Sport, Skill, Volunteering and Adventurous Journey.
For the first three sections, students undertake regular sessions outside school time in an activity of their choosing, over a three or six month period. The Adventurous Journey involves planning and carrying out an overnight bushwalking expedition under adult supervision.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is offered in 130 countries around the world, with over 7 million people offered an Award globally. The Award was established in Australia in 1962 and since then over 500,000 Australian young people have completed their first Award.
Currently, 33,000 young people around Australia participate in the Award and it is well regarded by employers and universities throughout Australia and the rest of the world.
In 2022 St James’ introduced the Ignite Award for our students in Year 7 and 8. The Ignite Award is designed to empower young people by playing a vital role in providing opportunities to develop essential life skills, build leadership skills and foster their creativity and innovation. By undertaking four core activities within the Award framework (physical activity, hobby, volunteering and adventure), participants strive to achieve their personal best, take ownerships of their own goals and life choices and become actively engaged within their community.
To learn more about the Award please contact Award Leaders Mrs Stacey Syme at
[email protected] or Miss Maddison White at [email protected]
More information, please see the flyer.
At St James’ Anglican School, we proudly offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award as part of our commitment to developing well-rounded, confident, and community-minded young people. The Duke of Ed is a prestigious and internationally recognised Framework that encourages young people to push their boundaries, develop new skills, and engage with their communities.
Framework Overview
The Duke of Ed is open to students in Year 9 and above, offering three progressive levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Participants work towards completing four key sections:
- Voluntary Service – Giving back to the community.
- Physical Recreation– Engaging in physical activity and improving fitness.
- Skills – Learning and developing new skills.
- Adventurous Journey – Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, teamwork, and outdoor adventure.
At the Gold level, participants also complete a Gold Residential project, where they are encouraged to work with others in a new environment
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award helps students build resilience, leadership, and independence while also creating lasting memories through outdoor expeditions and community involvement. It is a fantastic way for students to develop life skills that will serve them well beyond school.
Getting Involved
Interested students can sign up for the Framework at the start of each academic year. Our coordinators will guide students through the registration process, provide support during their expeditions, and assist in tracking their progress across the different sections.
For more information about the Duke of Ed and how to get involved, please contact Mrs Stacey Syme at [email protected]
