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.
Students at Mary MacKillop Catholic College develop their knowledge of the Catholic faith through a high quality Secondary Religious Education curriculum. The curriculum provides opportunities for our students to be ‘called to life’ in response to Jesus’ great commandment to love God and love others. In Years 7-10, students study the subjects of Catholic Studies. In Years 11-12, students have a choice of the NESA courses of Studies of Religion I and Studies of Religion II or Studies in Catholic Thought.
Years 7–10
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.
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 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.
The college offers three substages in Mathematics in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- 5.3
- 5.2
- 5.1
Years 11–12
The college offers two Mathematics courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Standard
The college also offers two Extension Mathematics courses for the HSC:
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
The college also offers Numeracy for the HSC.
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
- Investigating 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)
One hundred (100) hours to be completed in one Board Developed syllabus or Board Endorsed language course over one continuous 12-month period between Years 7–10 but preferably in Years 7–8.
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 through language learning.
Students study their mandatory hours in Language in Year 8 through the study of French.
The college offers French as an Elective in Years 9–10.
Years 11–12
The college offers two Language courses for the HSC:
- French Beginners
- French Continuers
NB: Our students also have access to study languages through external providers including Saturday School of Community Languages and NSW School of Languages.
Years 11–12
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).
The college offers three VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications:
- Certificate II in Business BSB20115
- Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (Hospitality) SIT20416
- Certificate III in Retail SIR30216
For students who are committed to a vocational pathway, they can access St Joseph Trade Skills Centre, 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 St Joseph Trade Skills Centre offers eight courses for the HSC:
- Automotive
- Beauty (Year 12)
- Early Childhood Education and Care
- Electrotechnology
- Events
- Fitness
- Hairdressing (Year 11)
- Human Services