Curriculum Design
A comprehensive educational journey
Secondary School Curriculum
Challenging Minds, Shaping Leaders
Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8)
Stage 4 marks the beginning of Secondary Schooling, transitioning students from a single-teacher environment in Primary School to a system with specialist subject teachers and dedicated facilities. This stage is designed to ease students into their new educational setting and prepare them for Stage 5 and elective subject choices.
Students are assigned to a Pastoral Care group, supported by a Pastoral Care Teacher who addresses any emotional, social, or academic concerns. This teacher serves as the first point of contact for students and parents, fostering a supportive relationship to enhance the student’s learning experience. The Pastoral Care Teacher communicates any issues to classroom teachers and Leaders of House, who regularly meet to monitor student wellbeing.
Subjects Studied in Years 7 and 8
In Stage 4, students transition into Secondary school with a curriculum defined by NESA. This includes a range of mandatory subjects designed to provide a comprehensive educational foundation:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History and Geography
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Japanese
- Visual Arts (Year 7)
- Music (Year 8)
- Religion and Philosophy
Integrated Learning
Stage 4 students participate in integrated subjects that connect traditional subject areas through hands on, real world learning experiences:
- STEM (combining Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Year 7
- Changing Worlds (combining History, English, and Visual Arts) Year 8
- Sustainable Living (combining Technology, Science and Geography) Year 8
Additionally, students participate in a weekly sporting program, promoting physical activity and teamwork as well as regular Wellbeing lessons.
Additional Information and Resource Link:
Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10)
In Stage 5, students continue their education with mandatory courses that build on Stage 4. At the end of Year 10 each core course is graded and recorded on the NESA Record of Student Achievement (RoSA).
Core Subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- History
- Geography
Students also engage in a weekly sporting program, fostering physical fitness and teamwork and continue with their study of Religion and Philosophy.
Elective Options for Stage 5
In Stage 5, students have increased flexibility to choose elective courses. The College offers a broad range of electives that are designed to connect students with real world learning and experiences and shape them as 21st century learners. Each year they select one ‘extend’ elective where they are immersed in that subject for ten lessons a cycle.
Extend course examples include:
Year 9
- Design and Architecture
- Digital Art: Film, Photography and Animation
- Human Movement
- Market Garden Café
- Marine Studies and Aquaculture
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Pop Culture
Year 10
- Design Studio
- Outdoor Education and Sustainability
- Fashion Entrepreneurship: Design, Create, Launch
- History Matters
- Hospitality (VET Course)
- Japanese Beginners (Stage 6, Year 11 Course)
Students also select two ‘explore’ electives where they are given the opportunity to study a range of other interest areas.
Explore course examples include:
Year 9
- Business Matters
- Computing Technology
- Cultural Studies
- Forensic and Biomedical Science
- Industrial Technology Timber
- Legal Matters
- Music
- Visual Arts
Year 10
- On Cue: Stage and Screen Acting
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- Journalism and Media
- Money Matters
- Music
- Photography
- Sports Studies
- Dance
- Psychology
Additional Information and Resource Link:
Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12)
Stage 6, students pursue a range of courses to complete the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Year 11 students complete Preliminary HSC requirements in Terms 1-3, while Year 12 students finalise HSC coursework from Term 4 of Year 11 through Term 3 of Year 12.
The College offers a comprehensive curriculum, including Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, preparing students for academic, vocational, or workplace pathways.
Course Options for Stage 6
Examples of courses offered in Stage 6 include the following:
English
- English Standard
- English Advanced
- English Studies
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2
Mathematics
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Standard 1
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Investigating Science
- Science Extension
Human Society and It’s Environment
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- Legal Studies
- Society and Culture
- History Extension
- Work Studies
Technologies and Arts
- Engineering Studies
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- Food Technology
- Enterprise Computing
Creative Arts
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Dance
- Music 1
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
- Entertainment Industry (VET Course)
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Health and Movement Science (CAFS)
- Community and Family Studies (CAFS)
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR)
Languages and Others
- Hospitality (VET Course)
- Japanese
For more information on course options, please refer to the subject selection booklets.
Additional Information and Resource Links:
