Gold Creek is a preschool to year 10 school offering education across three distinct sub schools, each with its own head and executive structure. One principal provides educational leadership across the whole school. The primary site comprises preschools at Hall and Nicholls and years kindergarten to 5. The primary sub school of Gold Creek shares, facilities, ethos, values, executive and staff meetings, yard duties, sports carnivals, houses, out of hours school care, canteen, assemblies and library staff with Holy Spirit Primary School. This is the only such arrangement in the ACT and is endorsed by the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Middle and senior years are catered for at Gold Creek senior site. Middle School is years 6 to 8 and specifically meets the needs of adolescents through a firm homeroom structure and pastoral care. Much attention is put into the transitions of students from the primary site and from neighbouring feeder primary schools. Years 9 and 10 form the Senior School which is characterised by greater subject specialisation and choice, encouragement of independence and autonomy and creation of effective transitions to college, vocational courses and work.
School values have been determined by consultation with students, staff and parents. These are Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty and Safety. Students from kindergarten to year 10 wear school uniform which is specific to the sub school with common identifying features. Graduations mark progress and transition points at years 5, 8 and 10.
The school caters for gifted and talented students from K to 10 through its Gold Program which features Individual Learning Plans, specific differentiation and clustering of like minds. Entry to this program is by application according to specific selection criteria. Students with special needs are monitored and supported through the Student Services teams of both sites. Support may include ESL, working with learning support assistants, inclusion in the Learning Support Unit, or strategies and referrals made through the school's literacy and numeracy mentors. Pastoral care is provided on both sites though teams which may include homeroom teachers, executive staff, counsellors, chaplain, defence mentor and assistant, youth worker and school nurse.
Co-curricular activities available for students include instrumental tuition, bands and ensembles, debating and public speaking, sports and carnivals, University of NSW competitions and extensive 'Pathway' courses. The school has a focus on positive education and restorative practice. Student leadership is fostered through a merit system, student representative councils on sites, leadership classes and K-10 school houses.
Gold Creek School uses its annual ACER testing, NAPLAN results and teacher assessments to target student achievement; to identify areas for professional development of teachers and to implement the Susan Winebrenner / Dana Brulles model of "School Wide Cluster Grouping' for class placements of students.
