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.
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.
In English ‘students learn to read, write, speak, view and represent language. They learn about the English language and literature through working with a wide range of spoken, visual, multimedia and digital texts. Students learn how language varies according to context, and how to communicate with a range of audiences for different purposes. They learn to read for information and pleasure. Students gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar. They also learn to think in ways that are imaginative, creative and critical.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority, Parent Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses.
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.
In Kindergarten to Year 6, Mathematics ‘focuses on developing students’ mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning and problem-solving through their study of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations, using strategies to make decisions and solve problems relevant to their further education and everyday lives.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority, Parent Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses.
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 Science syllabus covers Science and Technology for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
Science and Technology ‘fosters in students a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Students are encouraged to embrace new concepts and to learn through trialling, testing and refining ideas. They are supported to participate responsibly in developing innovative ideas and solutions in response to questions and opportunities relevant to them and the world around them.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority, Parent Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses.
History provides opportunities for students to explore the past and the present through personal, family and local community histories; British colonisation and Indigenous peoples; the Australian democracy; and new topics, such as migration. The curriculum will focus on the sources of history and the question, ‘How do we know?’ as well as historical concepts such as ‘cause and effect’ and ‘change and continuity’ and on historical skills, such as sequencing time, source analysis and historical perspectives.
Geography provides students with opportunities to investigate environments and communities across local and global scales and undertake inquiry-based learning to explore and understand the world. Students will learn about the natural and human features of places, the reasons places change and identify the active role of citizens in the care of places. The curriculum will focus on contemporary geographical concepts such as place and sustainability and on geographical skills and tools such as spatial technologies with an emphasis on the role of fieldwork in geographical inquiry.
Creative and Performing Arts gives students experiences in the visual arts, music, drama and dance.
Through our Amadeus Music Education Program, every student will receive quality instruction from a specialist classroom music teacher. Students in Years 3–8 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.
‘Through Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) students develop self management, interpersonal and movement skills to help them become empowered, self-confident and socially responsible citizens. The learning experiences in PDHPE provide students with a foundation to actively contribute to, and advocate for the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the community and beyond school. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in physical activity to develop movement skills and recognise the impact of physical activity on health and wellbeing.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority, Parent Guide to the NSW Primary Syllabuses.
Religious Education
Students 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 teachings. Religious Education provides opportunities for young people to ‘see, judge and act’ in response to Jesus’ great commandment to love God and love others and thus, ‘live life to the full’.
English
Year 7 and 8 students learn to engage and explore increasingly complex texts with a focus on the teaching of literature through clearly defined content and text requirements of reading, listening to and viewing at least two works of fiction, film, nonfiction, drama and a range of poetry.
Mathematics
Year 7 and 8 students learn to integrate the components of working mathematically (communicating, problem-solving, reasoning, understanding and fluency) throughout the strands of number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability.
Science and Technology
Year 7 and 8 students’ study of science, emphasises inquiry-based learning. Students explore the physical world, earth and space, living world and chemical world with the following scientific enquiry:
- questioning and predicting
- planning investigations
- conducting investigations
- processing and analysing data and information
- problem-solving
- communicating
Year 7 and 8 students learn to use a range of tools, materials and techniques in the design process and technological experiences through theory and practical lessons.
PDHPE
Year 7 and 8 students learn to:
- think critically, solve problems and make informed decisions on health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity
- explore issues that impact the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others
- participate in movement experiences that are regular, varied, purposeful, challenging and enjoyable
Creative Arts
In Year 7 and 8 students study art making, critical and historical studies through the use of conceptual framework and a variety of frames. They also study musical concepts through performing, composing and listening.
Geography and History
The study of geography looks at where things are, why they are there, and how humans interact with environments. It involves students investigating geographical issues including contemporary concepts such as sustainability.
A study of history examines the past to help explain how people, places and events shape our world today. Our students will explore the different stories, perspectives and interpretations of the past using a range of sources. They also use this evidence to provide their own point of view using historical research and skills.
Year 9 offers a core curriculum, alongside one year long elective, and three term based electives.
The following subjects are offered as part of the core curriculum: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, HSIE, (Australian History and Geography – Civics) and PDHPE (Health and Personal Development).
Students study one elective (100 hours in Year 9) and can choose from many different options, including: Commerce, Drama, Dance, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology: Multimedia, Industrial Technology: Timber, Music, iSTEM, Languages, Textiles and Design, Child Studies and PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies).
Students also study micro electives (25 hours each) where they engage in a range of different activities, undertaking inquiry-based and project orientated learning in areas such as Forensic Science, Sport, Cooking, Technology, Engineering and Commerce. The College continually updates and changes offerings based on student interests. In addition to this, at the end of Year 9, students undertake a Getting Ready for Senior Years micro elective, which includes learning in careers, personal wellbeing, literacy and CPR.
Year 10 is deemed as the commencement of the senior school at St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral.
The following subjects are offered as part of the core curriculum, and a continuation of the Stage 5 learning commenced in Year 9: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, HSIE, (Australian History and Geography – Civics) and PDHPE (Health and Personal Development).
Students study an additional elective (100 hours again in Year 10) and can choose from the options given in Year 9, including: Commerce, Drama, Dance, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology: Multimedia, Industrial Technology: Timber, Music, iSTEM, Languages, Textiles and Design, Child Studies and PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies).
In addition, the College offers students an opportunity to commence their Higher School Certificate (HSC) studies in Year 10, with students able to undertake study in Hospitality VET and Construction VET.
As in Year 9, students also study micro electives (25 hours each) where they engage in a range of different activities, undertaking inquiry-based and project orientated learning in areas such as Forensic Science, Sport, Cooking, Technology, Engineering and Commerce. The College continually updates and changes offerings based on student interests. In addition to this, at the end of Year 10, students undertake a Getting Ready for Stage 6 micro elective, which includes learning in building effective study habits, personal responsibility, resilience and growth and development.
Students in Year 11 and 12 will undertake study pathways as prescribed by NESA, ensuring that each is eligible to receive their Higher School Certificate at the end of their studies.
Alongside compulsory studies in English and Religion, students will be able to access a full range of different electives. These will be offered onsite at the College, as well as online through different providers. Students are also able to enrol in EVET courses through St. Josephs Trade Training Centre, and undertake combined courses with other schools in the Sydney Catholic Schools system.
Religious Education
Students 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 teachings. Religious Education provides opportunities for young people to ‘see, judge and act’ in response to Jesus’ great commandment to love God and love others and thus, ‘live life to the full’.
English
Year 7 and 8 students learn to engage and explore increasingly complex texts with a focus on the teaching of literature through clearly defined content and text requirements of reading, listening to and viewing at least two works of fiction, film, nonfiction, drama and a range of poetry.
Mathematics
Year 7 and 8 students learn to integrate the components of working mathematically (communicating, problem-solving, reasoning, understanding and fluency) throughout the strands of number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability.
Science and Technology
Year 7 and 8 students’ study of science, emphasises inquiry-based learning. Students explore the physical world, earth and space, living world and chemical world with the following scientific enquiry:
- questioning and predicting
- planning investigations
- conducting investigations
- processing and analysing data and information
- problem-solving
- communicating
Year 7 and 8 students learn to use a range of tools, materials and techniques in the design process and technological experiences through theory and practical lessons.
PDHPE
Year 7 and 8 students learn to:
- think critically, solve problems and make informed decisions on health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity
- explore issues that impact the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others
- participate in movement experiences that are regular, varied, purposeful, challenging and enjoyable
Creative Arts
In Year 7 students study art making, critical and historical studies through the use of conceptual framework and a variety of frames.
In Year 8 students study musical concepts through performing, composing and listening.
Geography and History
The study of geography looks at where things are, why they are there, and how humans interact with environments. It involves students investigating geographical issues including contemporary concepts such as sustainability.
A study of history examines the past to help explain how people, places and events shape our world today. Our students will explore the different stories, perspectives and interpretations of the past using a range of sources. They also use this evidence to provide their own point of view using historical research and skills.
One Elective (200 hours across Years 9 and 10): Drama, Dance, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Multimedia, IST, Music, Graphics, Timber, Engineering, STEM Elective, Asian Language, Textiles and Design.
The following subject curricula is planned to be offered: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, Religious Education, PDHPE (Health and Personal Development)
Three Electives (2 x 100 hours and continuing the second 100 hours of the 200 hours course)*. *Elective choices will be dependent on student enrolments, available facilities and teacher qualifications.
Non Stem Elective Subjects: Drama*, Big History, Photography, PASS, Visual Arts, Child Studies, Commerce, Music*, Elective History, Elective Geography, Asian Language, Italian, Dance*.
Stem Elective Subjects: Food Technology*, Multimedia*, IST*, Graphics*, Timber*, Engineering Studies*, STEM Elective*, Design and Technology*, Textiles and Design*.
*Please note that each child would need to select at least one elective in Stage 5 from either a STEM based or Performing Arts area. This emphasises the school’s future-oriented curriculum with specialisation in Sciences, Engineering, Technology and the Performing Arts.
The following senior courses are planned at this initial stage to be offered to Year 11 and 12 students. Offerings will be dependent on student enrolments, available facilities and teacher qualifications:
Studies of Religion 1 Unit
Studies of Religion 2 Unit
Studies of Catholic Thought 1 Unit
English (Advanced) 2 Unit
English (Standard) 2 Unit
English (Extension 1) 1 Unit (Ext 2 Year 12)
English (Studies) 2 Unit
Mathematics General 2 Unit
Mathematics Advanced 2 Unit
Mathematics Extension 1 & 2
Biology 2 Unit
Chemistry 2 Unit
Physics 2 Unit
Investigating Science 2 Unit
Extension Science 1 Unit
Ancient History 2 Unit
Business Studies 2 Unit
Economics 2 Unit
Legal Studies 2 Unit
Modern History 2 Unit
Society and Culture 2 Unit
Work Studies 1 Unit
Work Studies 2 Unit
Design & Technology 2 Unit
Engineering Studies 2 Unit
Industrial Technology 2 Unit
Food Technology 2 Unit
Community & Family Studies
Personal Development, Health & Physical Education 2 Unit
Sport, Lifestyle & Recreation Preliminary 1 Unit
Sport, Lifestyle & Recreation Preliminary 2 Unit
Music 1 2 Unit
Drama 2 Unit
Dance 2 Unit
Photography, Video & Digital Imaging 1 Unit
Visual Arts 2 Unit
Visual Design 2 Unit
Asian Language (tbd)
European Language (tbd)
VET – Curriculum Frameworks
VET – Business Services
VET – Construction
VET – Hospitality
VET – Retail Services
VET – Early Childhood Education and Care.