All schools including Sydney Catholic Schools follow the same Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum, with our Catholic values underpinning everything that we do.
With a focus on the development of the whole person, courses offered at the school cover the NESA syllabus requirements – developing the core skills of literacy and numeracy – and our Archdiocesan Religious Education curriculum.
Our teachers extend and challenge students to be the best they can be, while recognising that every student is unique and learns differently.
Students in Years 7 and 8 study Music and Visual Arts.
From 2024, through the Amadeus Music Education Program students in Years 7-8 will receive tuition in weekly small-group lessons on an orchestral instrument, as well as ensemble lessons. For more information, please visit the Amadeus Music Education Program page on the Sydney Catholic Schools website.
Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and supports the evangelising and catechising mission of the Catholic Church. Through Religious Education, young people come to know and love the person of Jesus Christ.
Years 7–10
Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and contributes to the mission of the Catholic Church in announcing the good news of Jesus Christ.
All students are expected to participate in the religious life of the school. This includes their participation in Religious Education classes, their study of the Archdiocesan curriculum and their use of the To Know, Worship and Love textbooks and resources.
Our dedicated Religious Education staff, who lead the Religious Education curriculum within the classroom, provide space within the curriculum to learn about the Christian faith and to have the opportunity to ‘Love Like Christ’ in their daily words and actions.
Years 11–12
The college offers Religious Education courses for the HSC:
- Studies of Religion I
- Studies of Religion II
- Studies in Catholic Thought
Literacy is the effective use of knowledge and skills to interpret and use language confidently for learning, communicating and engaging in society. It involves the integration of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, creating, writing and critical thinking. These skills are applied in different curriculum areas for a variety of purposes.
The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Literacy provides further elaboration on the principles of literacy and various roles within and across our schools.
The Board Developed syllabus is to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. 400 hours is to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The study of English in Years 7–10 aims to develop students’ knowledge, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the English language and to develop their skills as effective communicators, critical and imaginative thinkers.
Students develop their control of language by reading and viewing a range of texts and by writing imaginative, interpretive and critical texts with clarity and accuracy for a range of purposes and audiences. Students engage with and explore the literature of past and contemporary societies, as well as a range of spoken, visual, media and multimedia texts.
Years 11–12
The college offers English courses for the HSC:
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English Studies
The college also offers English Extension courses for the HSC.
Numeracy is the effective use of Mathematics to meet the demands of daily learning and life. Numeracy takes place across the curriculum and throughout the school day in a variety of contexts.
The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Numeracy provides further elaboration on the principles of numeracy and various roles within and across our schools.
The board developed syllabus is to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. 400 hours is to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The Mathematics K-10 Syllabus provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in mathematics and working mathematically. Students have the opportunity to develop increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving skills. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems relevant to their present and future needs.
The college offers three pathways in Mathematics in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- 5.3
- 5.2
- 5.1
Years 11–12
The college offers Mathematics courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Advanced
The college also offers Mathematics Extension courses for the HSC.
The board developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. 400 hours is to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
Through the study of Science students learn about our biological, chemical, geological, physical and technological world. They actively develop skills in planning and conducting investigations, recording and analysing data and problem solving. Students explore real world phenomena and develop solutions to authentic problems.
Years 11–12
The college offers Science courses for the HSC:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Investigating Science
The board developed syllabuses are to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. 400 hours is to be completed by the end of Year 10, including 100 hours each of History and Geography in each Stage.
Years 7-10
Human Society and its Environment is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. Through the study of HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.
Students study mandatory History and Geography from Years 7-10.
The College also offers elective HSIE courses in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- Commerce
- History Elective
Years 11-12
The College offers HSIE courses for the HSC:
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Society and Culture
- Work Studies
The board developed technology mandatory syllabus to be studied for 200 hours in Years 7-8.
Years 7-10
Through the study of technology courses, students engage in a diverse range of practical experiences and develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary and advancing technologies. They develop solutions to identified problems and situations, and explore the impact of technologies on the individual, society and the environment.
Students in Years 7 and 8 study mandatory Technology.
The College offers Technology elective courses in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- Textiles and Design
- Food Technology
- Design & Technology
- Industrial Technology (Timber & Multimedia)
Years 11-12
The College offers Technology courses for the HSC:
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology (Timber & Multimedia)
- Textiles and Design
The board developed mandatory 300-hour integrated syllabus in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education is to be studied in each of Years 7–10.
Years 7–10
Through the study of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) courses, students develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to take action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts. Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively.
Students study mandatory PDHPE from Years 7–10.
The college offers elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- Physical Activity and Sports Studies.
- Child Studies
Years 11–12
The college offers PDHPE courses for the HSC:
- Community and Family Studies
- PDHPE
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies
One hundred (100) hours to be completed in one board developed syllabus or board endorsed language course over one continuous 12-month period between Years 7–10 but preferably in Years 7–8.
Years 7–10
Learning languages opens minds to differences where diversity is seen as a regular part of society. Proficiency in languages provides a resource that encourages more effective engagement with the global community. The study of languages strengthens essential foundational skills for literacy. It also fosters intellectual and emotional development, and cultural understanding.
The college offers elective language courses in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- Italian
Years 11–12
The college offers the following language courses for the HSC:
- Italian
- NSW School of Languages (for languages other than Italian)
The role Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses play in helping students prepare for further education, training, employment and lifelong learning is widely recognised by key stakeholders in education.
Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school, through TAFE NSW or other training providers. VET courses provide students with practical learning that gives them a head start with their career, and many may be counted towards the ATAR and are suitable for students on both academic and vocational pathways. All courses have dual accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The college offers VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at Certificate levels I, II, and III:
- Business Services
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Retail Services
- Information and Digital Technology
The college also offers VET students access to School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).
For students who are committed to a vocational pathway, they can also access other VET Framework courses through St Joseph’s Trade Training Centre and other Catholic Schools’ industry-standard trade training/skills centres where they have the opportunity to gain their HSC with a focus on vocational programs and School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).