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.
The Amadeus Music Education Program allows students in Years 7-8 to 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.
Creative Arts gives students experiences in the visual arts, music, drama and dance. They have opportunities to explore their creativity in each of these areas. Students learn to appreciate the meanings and values that each art form offers. They perform and express themselves through the visual arts, music, drama and dance.
Years 7-10
200 hours to be completed consisting of the Board Developed 100-hour mandatory courses in each of Visual Arts and Music. It is an expectation that the 100-hour mandatory courses in these subjects will be taught as coherent units of study and not split over a number of years.
Stage 6
The following subjects are offered:
Visual Arts
Music
Photographic & Digital Media
Students at Marist College Eastwood develop their knowledge of the Catholic faith through a high quality Secondary Religious Education curriculum based on five strands:
- Scripture and Jesus: Which aims to develop a student’s understanding of the wisdom of the Scriptures and its continued significance for our lives.
- Church and Community: This strands seeks to develop a student’s appreciation of the living tradition of the Catholic Church, its history and mission.
- God, Religion and Life: Here students are guided to recognise the diverse expressions of God’s presence in the world and make informed responses in their search for meaning.
- Prayer and Sacraments: This strands aims to develop a deeper understanding and invite students to personal and communal prayer, and the Sacramental life of the Church.
- Morality and Justice: This strand aims to develop values and skills relating to Catholic moral teachings including its call to work for justice in the world.
Religious Education is compulsory for all students at Marist College. In year 11 and 12 students may choose:
- Studies of Religion 1 Unit or
- Studies of Religion 2 Unit or
- Studies in Catholic Thought
Studies of Religion is a HSC ATAR course that aims to promote an understanding and critical awareness of the nature and significance of religion and the influence of belief systems on individuals and society. It includes an in-depth analysis of the interaction of beliefs, texts, ethics and practices across other religious traditions, and an investigation into the unique spirituality of Aboriginal peoples.
The Studies in Catholic Thought course is designed to continue engaging students in the Catholic faith through a liberal arts approach integrating various disciplines of history, scripture and text, philosophy, art, music and science to lead into theology.
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.
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.
The secondary RE curriculum 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’.
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.
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, critical and imaginative thinkers.
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.
The Board Developed syllabus is to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. 400 hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 11-12
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
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 board developed syllabus is to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7-10. 400 hours is to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7-10
The aim of Mathematics K–10 is to enable students to become confident users of mathematics, learning and applying the language of mathematics to communicate efficiently and effectively. They develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and a fluency with mathematical processes that helps them to interpret and solve problems. Students make connections within mathematics and connect mathematical concepts with the world around them. They learn to understand and appreciate how mathematics is a relevant part of their lives.
Mathematics K–10 outcomes and their related content are organised in:
- Number and algebra
- Measurement and space
- Statistics and probabilityThe Working mathematically processes present in the Mathematics K–10 syllabus are:
- communicating
- understanding and fluency
- reasoning
- problem solving.
Students learn to work mathematically by using these processes in an interconnected way. The coordinated development of these processes results in students becoming mathematically proficient.
At Marist College Eastwood, there are two pathways in Year 9, and three pathways in Year 10. Students are placed according to their past achievement in Mathematics, teacher recommendations and other assessment data. These pathways lead to the following Stage 6 Mathematics courses.
- Year 10 Alpha Stream – Students completing this pathway will typically choose Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 in Stage 6.
- Year 10 Beta Stream – Students completing this pathway will typically choose Mathematics Standard in Year 11 leading to Mathematics Standard 2 in Year 12.
- Year 10 Gamma Stream – Students completing this pathway will typically choose Numeracy in Stage 6 (for both Year 11 and 12) or Mathematics Standard in Year 11 leading to Mathematics Standard 1 in Year 12.
Students may be moved between these streams during Year 9 and 10, depending upon their achievement.
Years 11-12
The college offers the following courses in Year 11
- Numeracy
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
This leads to the following courses in Year 12
- Numeracy
- Mathematics Standard 1
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
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.’
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 six Science courses for the HSC:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Investigating Science
- Science Extension
The Board Developed Technology Mandatory syllabus to be studied for 200 hours in Years 7–8.
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 problems and situations, and explore the impact of technologies on the individual, society and the environment.
- Technologies
- Engineering Studies
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology – Graphics
- Industrial Technology – Metal Technologies & Engineering
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia
- Industrial Technology – Timber & Furnishings
- Software Design & Development
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 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
‘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.’
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.
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 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)
Years 8–10
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.
Students in Year 8 study Italian in their mandatory hours in Language. Other lanugages such as Japanese, French and German can be studied through NSW School of Languages.
The role Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses play in helping students prepare for further education, training, employment and lifelong learning is widely recognised by key stakeholders in education.
Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school, through TAFE NSW or other training providers including Sydney Catholic Schools. 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 four VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at certificate levels I and II:
- Business Services
- Hospitality
- Construction
- Retail Services
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).