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 2022, 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.
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 textbooks and resources.
Years 7–10
Students in Years 7-12 are invited into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God through their exploration of the Scriptures, their participation in personal and communal prayer and their living out of Catholic social and moral teaching.
Years 11–12
The college offers three Religious Education courses for the HSC:
- Studies of Religion I
- Studies of Religion II
- Studies in Catholic Thought (1 unit and 2 unit)
The Board developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
Through the study of English students learn about the power, value and art of the English language for communication, learning and enjoyment. Developing proficiency in English enables students to become confident communicators, critical and imaginative thinkers and lifelong learners. Students develop their language skills through activities involving speaking and listening, reading and writing, and viewing and representing. They learn about language and literature through working with a wide range of print, spoken, visual, media, multimedia and digital texts.
Years 11–12
The college offers four English courses for the HSC:
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English EAL/D
- English Studies
The college also offers two Extension English courses for the HSC:
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2
The Board Developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The Mathematics K–10 Syllabus aims to enable students to become confident users of mathematics, learning and applying the language of mathematics to communicate efficiently and effectively. Students develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and a fluency with mathematical processes that helps them to interpret and solve problems. Students make connections within mathematics and connect mathematical concepts with the world around them. They learn to understand and appreciate how mathematics is a relevant part of their lives.
The college offers two Pathways to Senior Mathematics (Stage 6), starting in Year 9 (Stage 5).
- Pathway to Advanced Mathematics
- Pathway to Standard Mathematics
Most students will start on a Pathway to Advanced Mathematics and their Pathway may change based on their achievement of outcomes.
Years 11–12
The college offers several Mathematics courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Standard 1
- Mathematics Standard 2
The college also offers Mathematics Extension 2 by invitation.
The Board developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours 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 four Science courses for the HSC:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Physics
The college also offers the Science Extension course for the HSC.
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 five Technology elective courses in Years 9-10:
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology (Multimedia)
- Information and Software Technology
- Textiles Technology
Years 11–12
The college offers four Technology courses for the HSC:
- Computing Applications (1 unit and 2 unit)
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology (Multimedia)
The Board developed syllabuses are to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours 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 four elective HSIE courses in Years 9-10:
- Commerce
- Geography Elective
- History Elective
- Work Education
Years 11–12
The college offers eight HSIE courses for the HSC:
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Society and Culture
- Work Studies (1 unit and 2 unit)
The college also offers the History Extension course for the HSC.
The Board developed mandatory 300-hour integrated syllabus in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education 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 Physical Activity and Sports Studies as an Elective in Years 9–10.
Years 11–12
The college offers four PDHPE courses for the HSC:
- Community and Family Studies
- Exploring Early Childhood (1 unit and 2 unit)
- PDHPE
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (1 unit and 2 unit)
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 four VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at certificate levels I and II:
- Business Services
- Hospitality
- Information and Digital Technology
- Retail Services
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 Frameworks through Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood 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).