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.
Years 7–10
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 the To Know, Worship and Love textbooks and resources.
Years 11–12
The college offers three Religious Education courses for the HSC:
- Studies of Religion 1
- Studies of Religion 11
- Studies in Catholic Thought
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
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.
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
Through the study of English in Stage 6 students continue to develop their capacity to understand and use the English language for a variety of purposes and in various textual forms. Students engage with and explore a variety of texts that include widely acknowledged quality literature of past and contemporary societies. Through their responding and composing of both critical and creative texts, students develop an understanding of themselves and of diverse human experiences and cultures. The study of English in Stage 6 provides students with opportunities to experiment with ideas and expression, to become innovative, active, independent learners, to collaborate and to reflect on their learning.
The college offers three 2 Unit English courses for the HSC:
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- 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 Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The Mathematics 7-10 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.
Mount St Joseph offers three pathways in Mathematics in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- 5.3
- 5.2
- 5.1
Years 11–12
The Mathematics Stage 6 syllabuses are designed to offer opportunities for students to think mathematically through questioning, communicating, reasoning and reflecting. They promote the development of 21st-century knowledge, skills, understanding, values and attitudes and provide a challenge. Students generalise, find connections, think critically and creatively using appropriate technology to support mathematical activity.
We offer two 2 Unit courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Standard
We also offer two Extension courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
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 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 suite of Science courses is designed to extend and provide authentic and relevant learning experiences for NSW students. The courses are rigorous and designed to prepare students for a future in STEM learning and enterprises. The depth studies within these exciting, revitalised courses provide opportunities for students to consolidate their learning, develop competence and express their creativity.
The college offers four Science courses for the HSC:
We also offer Investigating Science and Science Extension.
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 Years 9–10:
- Food Technology
- Design and Technology
- Graphics Technology
- Industrial Technology Timber
- Textiles Technology
- STEM
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 (HSIE) 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 three elective HSIE courses in Years 9–10:
- Commerce
- Geography Elective
- History Elective
Years 11–12
The College offers eight HSIE courses for the HSC:
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History Extension
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Work Studies
Years 7–10
Through the study of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education 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
Mount St Joseph Catholic College offers 4 PDHPE courses for the HSC:
- Community and Family Studies
- PDHPE
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies
Years 7–10
Learning languages opens minds to difference, 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.
Through learning languages, students reflect on their own heritage, culture and identity. They also reflect on the culture, beliefs and values of others.
The rich linguistic and cultural diversity of New South Wales provides an educational environment where the study of languages and cultures is valued as a unique and integral part of the curriculum.
The college offers courses in French and Italian.
Students study their mandatory hours in Language in Year 8. Students are offered the opportunity to study either one of these two languages.
Years 9–10 Elective
Years 11–12
The college also offers French and Italian courses for the HSC.
NB: Our students also have access to study languages through external providers – NSW School of Languages and Saturday School of Community Languages.
The Course Preference Process refers to the steps used to support student selection of electives in Years 9 and 10 and a student’s pattern of study in Years 11 and 12.
The videos below outlines how students are guided to make informed choices.
Student choice is used to develop patterns of study that suit the learning needs and interests of the students. As a result, course delivery may differ from year to year.
The Course Preference Handbooks are essential to making informed choices. The Handbooks provides information about all courses offered at Mount St Joseph Catholic College. Course Preference Handbooks may be accessed below or through School resources in Compass.
Any questions about the Course Selection Process should be directed to Mr Crispin, Leader Student Learning.
To cater for the variety of interests and abilities of our students, we offer a range of VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at certificate levels I, II and III.
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).
For students who are committed to a vocational pathway, they can access one of Sydney Catholic Schools’ four 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).
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 Saint Yon Trade Training Centre, Bankstown and Southern Cross Catholic Vocational 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).