Curriculum
At St Joseph’s College, we are committed to nurturing excellence and equity and fostering lifelong learners who thrive as they approach the world with curiosity, wonder, and purpose. Grounded in the Catholic tradition, supported by the Fullness of Life Framework, education at our College integrates religious and spiritual dimensions into our curriculum, shaping students as critical, creative and compassionate individuals and equipping them with confidence to live fulfilling, responsible and meaningful lives. We see teaching at St Joseph’s College as a vocation that honors each individual's inherent dignity. Our teachers support and guide students in their academic, spiritual, and personal growth.
The curriculum at St Joseph’s College is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, confidence and attributes necessary for thriving learners, while preparing them to embrace society's diversity as critical and creative problem-solvers. Through a student-centered, flexible curriculum, students engage with a wide range of disciplines, people, and experiences, expanding their understanding of the world and their role within it.
Our College provides a rich and dynamic curriculum that is guided by NESA's frameworks. St Joseph’s College provides a diverse selection of subjects across various disciplines, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. Our curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of all learners in line with NESA's standards. Students are given the opportunity to choose from a broad range of elective subjects. Opportunities for enrichment and support include innovative pathways leading to the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Examples of our innovation include our Work Place Readiness program, Life Skills Courses, Vocational Education, and online or TAFE courses, which provide students with unique pathways for success and personal growth.
The educational environment at St Joseph’s College is designed to empower students and foster a powerful culture of learning. Our pedagogical approach is centred on creating opportunities for continual growth, where students take co-responsibility for their learning on their journey to being assessment-capable learners. Teachers play a crucial role in this process, using their expertise to engage students in collaborative learning, feedback, and reflection. They are committed to modelling lifelong learning and helping students develop a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Our teaching staff regularly experience professional learning aimed at meeting the diverse needs of all of our students. Our students can expect their learning to be strategically planned and progressively tracked.
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.
