Secondary School
STAGE FOUR – YEARS 7 AND 8
Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) introduces students to Secondary Schooling. They move from a predominantly single teacher environment in Primary to a specialist subject teacher and associated facilities. Stage 4 allows students to move into this new learning environment in a non-threatening way and prepares them for Stage 5 and elective subject selection.
In Stage 4, the curriculum is developed around a number of mandatory studies which are prescribed by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA). These include English, Mathematics, Science, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), Technology Mandatory, Music, Visual Arts and Language Other Than English (LOTE).
Students are allocated to a Pastoral Care group which is supported by a Pastoral Care Teacher. The teacher‘s role is to assist with any concerns that student’s or parents may have in regard to the emotional, social or academic welfare and development of the student. The first point of contact for any issues is the Pastoral Care Teacher and families are encouraged to build a strong relationship with the Pastoral Care Teacher to support and nurture the student in their learning. The Pastoral Care Teacher will relay any concerns or issues to classroom teachers and/or Leaders of House. The Leaders of House meet with these Pastoral Care Teachers on a regular basis to monitor student wellbeing.
Subjects Studied in Years 7 and 8
In Stage 4, the curriculum is developed around a number of mandatory studies which are prescribed by NESA. These include English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, HSIE (History and Geography), Technology Mandatory, Music, Visual Arts, and LOTE (Japanese).
Throughout Year 7 and 8, students study the following subjects:
- English
- Human Society & Its Environment (History and Geography)
- LOTE (Japanese)
- Mathematics
- Music
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Religious and Values Education
- Science
- Visual Arts
In addition to traditional subjects, Year 7 and 8 students are also engaged through integrated subjects which focus on connecting traditional subject areas. These allow students to engage in hands-on, real-world learning. These include the following:
- Changing Worlds (History, English and Visual Arts)
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Students also participate in a weekly sporting program.
STAGE FIVE – YEARS 9 AND 10
In Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10), the mandatory courses follow on from those undertaken in Stage 4, except that HSIE is redefined as Australian History, Australian Geography, Civics and Citizenship. Each core course studied in Stage 5 is recorded with a grade on the NESA accreditation known as a Record of Student Achievement (ROSA).
The core subjects are:
- English,
- Human Society and Its Environment (Australian History and Australian Geography)
- Mathematics
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Religion and Philosophy
- Science
Students also participate in a weekly sporting program.
Elective Options for Stage 5
In Stage 5, students have increased flexibility to chose elective courses that interest them.
The College offers traditional electives which run for 100 hours over the course of one year. Traditional electives which are offered include:
- Commerce
- Drama
- Elective History
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology - Timber
- Information and Software Design
- Japanese
- Music
- Photography
- Visual Arts
In addition to the traditional Electives, the College also offers integrated/experiential electives which run for 200 hours over the course of one year. These allow students to blend traditional subject areas and explore real-world applications of their learning. Integrated electives which are offered include:
- Backyard Engineering
- Brain Games (Psychology)
- Digital Art
- Design Studio
- Lights Up Drama/Lights Up Music
- Marine Studies
- Market Garden Café
- Money Matters
- Outdoor Education
- Young Creators
See subject selection booklets for more specific information about the elective choices in Stage 5.
Year 9 Subject Selection Handbook
Year 10 Subject Selection Handbook
STAGE SIX – YEARS 11 AND 12
In Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12), students undertake a broad range of courses with a view to completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC). In Terms 1, 2 and 3 of Year 11, students complete the requirements for the Preliminary HSC. The HSC year encompasses Term 4 in Year 11 and Terms 1, 2 and 3 in Year 12. Students must undertake a pattern of study throughout Years 11 and 12 that allows them to reach the attainment of the HSC.
The College offers a broad curriculum for all students in Years 11 and 12 which includes access to Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. Attainment of the HSC forms a foundation from which students can choose to move into an academic, vocational or workplace pathway.
Course Options for Stage 6
Courses available in Year 11 and 12 are:
- Standard English
- Advanced English
- English Studies
- English Extension I
- English Extension II (HSC only)
- Standard Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Extension I
- Mathematics Extension II (HSC only)
- Ancient History
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Engineering Studies
- Industrial Technology - Multimedia
- Information Processes and Technology
- Food Technology
- Geography
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Music 1
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Physics
- Visual Arts
- Hospitality
- Japanese
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR)