Secondary Campus

At Lae International School, our comprehensive academic program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for future success, both within Papua New Guinea and internationally. Our core curriculum, including English Language and Literature (L&L), is strategically integrated across all disciplines to foster critical thinking, effective communication and a holistic understanding of the world.

Our Social Science curriculum offers a dynamic exploration of human societies, cultures, and the world around us. We believe in fostering critical thinking, an understanding of diverse perspectives, and an appreciation for global interconnectedness. Within this broad field, we delve into:

• History: Students journey through significant events and civilizations, analysing historical sources and understanding the forces that have shaped our present.

• Geography: We explore physical and human landscapes, studying environmental systems, population dynamics, and global challenges.

• Economics: This discipline introduces students to how societies manage resources, market principles, and the economic decisions made by individuals and nations.

• Business Studies: Integrated within our Social Science offerings, Business Studies provides practical insights into the commercial world, covering management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Crucially, strong English Language and Literature skills are paramount in Social Science, enabling students to critically analyse complex historical texts, articulate geographical concepts clearly, construct persuasive economic arguments, and communicate business ideas effectively through essays, reports, and debates. Additionally, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays an integral role, with students leveraging tools for in-depth research, data analysis, creating compelling presentations, and collaborating on projects.

Our Science program is dedicated to fostering curiosity, scientific inquiry, and a deep understanding of the natural and physical world. Through rigorous study and hands-on experimentation, we prepare students for advanced scientific pursuits and careers. Our core Science offerings include:

• Biology: We explore the fascinating realm of living organisms, from cellular structures to complex ecosystems, covering life processes, biodiversity, and human biology.

• Chemistry: This subject delves into the composition, properties, and reactions of matter, helping students understand the fundamental chemical principles that govern our world.

• Physics: We investigate the foundational laws of the universe, including energy, motion, forces, and electricity, developing students' problem-solving skills and analytical reasoning.

Effective English Language and Literature skills are also essential in science, allowing students to comprehend complex scientific literature, precisely record observations, formulate clear hypotheses, write detailed lab reports, and present their findings coherently. Furthermore, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a fundamental component of our science education. We utilize ICT for data logging in experiments, running scientific simulations, accessing vast databases of scientific information, and presenting research findings, providing our students with cutting-edge tools for scientific exploration and discovery.

• Lower Secondary (9-10) - The PNG Department of Education administers the Lower Secondary School Certificate, LSSC. Students who wish to graduate with a Lower Secondary School Certificate must take English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Personal Development and at least two of the following subjects: Business Studies, Music, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Family & Consumer Studies, Information Technology or Computer Application
• Upper Secondary (11-12) - LIS are offered the choice to study the required subjects to receive the PNG Upper Secondary School Certificate (PNG USSC). The PNG Department of Education prescribes a set course of study in English, Mathematics A or B, the Sciences or the Humanities, which are externally examined at the end of Year 12. Optional courses as offered by the school and approved by the PNG Education Department are internally assessed and externally acknowledged.

Cambridge IGCSE is the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It is recognised by leading universities and employers worldwide, and is an international passport to progression and success. Developed over 25 years ago, it is tried, tested and trusted by schools worldwide. There is no minimum or maximumnumber of subjects required. All IGCSE courses are two years long, they cannot be entered into IGCSE in Year 10. Students who wish to attain an IGCSE qualification need to consult the following subject guide to determine which subjects follow the IGCSE syllabus.

Students in Years 11 and 12 can complete the requirements for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. The Board of Senior Secondary Subjects accredits all of the courses listed above. The ACT Education System is based on internal assessment by each school and does not have public examinations at the end of Year 12. However, each semester, staff from LIS present portfolios of students’ work at Moderation Meetings in Canberra to ensure assessments are comparable. The courses taught in Years 11 and 12 are developed by the ACT Schools Authority for inclusion in the school education program. Units: A student's course of study consists of six subjects in Years 11 and 12. In most subjects a course over two years will consist of 3 Semester Units plus 1 Term (half Semester) unit.