Curriculum
St Joseph’s College offers a comprehensive range of courses for students of all academic abilities. The curriculum, designed by NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority), is implemented by the Key Learning Areas within the College. This includes:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
- Personal Development, Health, Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Technical and Applied Sciences (TAS)
- Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
- Languages – French
These Key Learning Areas (KLAs) offer a variety of subjects and levels of learning. For a more detailed explanation of subjects offered, please refer to the Course Handbooks.
Stage 4: Year 7 and Year 8
Students study the following compulsory subjects:
- Catholic Studies
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History and Geography (HSIE)
- PDHPE
- Technology
- Music
- Visual
- Arts
- French
Stage 5: Year 9 and Year 10
Students study the following compulsory subjects:
- Catholic Studies
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History and Geography (HSIE – Year 10)
- Personal Development Health, Physical Education
Students in Year 9 and 10 are given the opportunity to select one elective course that they study for two years (200 hour) and two elective courses that they study for one year each (100 hour) in Year 9 and also in Year 10. Students may choose from the following electives:
- Child Studies
- Commerce
- Drama
- Food Technology
- French
- Elective Geography
- Elective History
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- iSTEM
- Marine & Aquaculture Technology
- Music
- Photographic and Digital Media
- Physical Activity & Sports Studies
- Textiles Technology
- Visual Arts
Some students, in consultation with the College, may be selected to accelerate in Mathematics and/or Science, instead of studying a 200 hour elective. They will commence study of the Year 11 course in Year 10.
Stage 6: Year 11 and Year 12
Students at St Joseph’s College for their Preliminary and HSC years are required to complete at least one Religious Education course. They are also required to complete a pattern of study that fulfills the NESA requirements. This includes a compulsory English Course. Students can choose their units of study from the following courses:
Religious Education
- Catholic Studies
- Studies of Religion (1 unit)
- Studies of Religion (2 unit)
English
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English Studies
Other Courses
- Ancient History
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Drama
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Chemistry
- Community and Family Studies
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Economics
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Food Technology
- French Beginners
- French Continuers
- Geography
- History Extension (Year 12 only)
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- Products and Furniture Industries
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia
- Industries Information Processes and Technology
- Investigating Science
- Legal Studies
- Marine Studies
- Mathematics Standard & Mathematics Advanced (Year 11)
- General Mathematics (Year 12)
- Mathematics (Year 12)
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Modern History
- Music 1
- Music 2
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Photography & Digital Media
- Physics
- Society and Culture
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation
- Textiles and Design
- Visual Arts
- Visual Design
- Work Studies
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Students may complete their pattern of study by selecting from the following Category B Vocation & Education Training Courses (VET). The following are VET Courses offered at St Joseph’s College:
- Business Services
- Construction
- Electrotechnology
- Entertainment Industry Studies
- Fitness
- Hospitality
Catholic Schools Office - Vocational Education and Training
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT)
Southern Cross Distance Education & OEC (Online Education Campus – Lismore Diocese)
In addition to courses offered at St Joseph’s College, students may also select one course to be studied through either Southern Cross Distance Education or the Lismore Diocese – Online Education Campus. These courses will incur an additional fee.
Overview of Compulsory Requirements
- Completion of at least 1 VET course
- Work Experience. For each VET course students are required to complete a minimum of 70 hours work placement over the two years
- Completion of 20 Volunteer hours over the two years (eg; Fundraising for the ‘Vietnam Immersion Programme’; ‘Meals on Wheels’; ‘You Have a Friend’)
- Completion of a nationally recognised First Aid Course (Provide First Aid)
- Completion of a Personal Portfolio and Curriculum Vitae
- Completion of at least 2 other certifications from the optional qualification list
Optional Qualifications Being Offered
- NSW and/or QLD Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
- NSW and/or QLD Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG)
- Food Service and Barista Course
- NSW Working with Children Check
- QLD Blue card (Working with Children Check)
- National White Card -Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry
* The College will continue to explore additional offerings. NB: Some of the offerings such as RSA, RGA, White Card, First Aid do have a cost associated with them.
Work Readiness Pathway
The ‘Work Readiness Pathway’ aims to provide a meaningful and worthwhile pattern of study for those students who do not wish to gain an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) at the conclusion of their HSC.
It is designed to provide students with valuable employment skills, qualifications and credentials as well as the confidence to make a successful entry into the workplace. Students will be provided with practical opportunities including work experience, mentoring, personal development and social skill development.
Students choosing the ‘Work Readiness Pathway’ can still go to university at a later date via a different pathway.