The learning environment that the School aims to achieve has been informed by:
1. Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The AQF provides the standards for Australian qualifications. It specifies the qualification types each of which is defined by a taxonomy of learning outcomes. The outcomes describe what graduates are “expected to know, understand and be able to do as a result of learning”. Thus, graduates demonstrate standards consistent with their level of education nationally. They acquire a depth and breadth of knowledge, complexity of skills, and learn the ability to apply this knowledge and skills to practice relevant contexts.
2. Students are expected to demonstrate psychological knowledge and skills as specified by accreditation bodies such as The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
3. Regulatory bodies and accreditation standards that describe “inputs” for example, the staffing profiles, the academic facilities, the entry standards for students and so forth.
4. Importantly, the learning environment has been developed as a safe learning environment by the experience and quality of the staff. The academic staff have or continue to be practising their profession in an active and engaged way. Thus their experience is current and informed by practice imperatives. The administrative staff are active and approachable with a positive and confident attitude to building the reputation of the Cairnmillar School as a place of quality and excellence.
The School has developed a Quality in Learning and Teaching Framework that is
available on request.