At the beginning of 2006, a small cohort of students was be selected for positions in the Classmates mode from the three curriculum methods of Mathematics, English, or Science. These are the only curriculum methods available in the Classmates mode of the B. Teach (Secondary) and are determined by the demand in particular key learning areas in schools. There are currently 17 students enrolled in this mode of the B. Tch (Sec) as this is the pilot year of the program.

The Classmates mode of the B. Tch (Sec) offers a strong commitment to face-to-face teaching experiences in schools. This means that Classmates students are:

located in schools in the metropolitan south west region of Sydney for 2-3 days per week (depending on the semester's timetable), with volunteer supervising teachers. This will enable Classmates students to gradually be immersed in teaching, to become familiar with the ways in which schools work, and to form a sound professional relationship with other pre-service and qualified teachers.

attend university lectures/tutorials at Bankstown campus for approximately 1-2 days per week depending on the semester and the requirements of the units that they are undertaking. At times, Classmates students will be expected to attend ‘intensives' (concentrated comprehensive university sessions). These will generally be held in school/university holidays or occasionally on a Saturday. Attendance at the lectures/tutorials and the intensives will enable Classmates students to complete the formal instructional component of the B. Teach (Secondary) degree. (See the DRAFT timetable below to see how Classmates will be implemented in first semester, 2006).

participate in some of the professional learning in-services conducted by DET and/or UWS for teachers already employed in the service in the south west region of Sydney. This will not only provide Classmates students with information on current DET initiatives but will simultaneously provide Classmates students with the opportunity to develop and nurture professional networks within the region.