Excellence - Strive for our Personal Best
At Catherine McAuley we aim to support our students to become passionate, independent and life-long learners.
We encourage them to manage their own learning and establish patterns of learning that will serve them throughout their lives and careers, through:
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Engagement with our motto Altiora Quaerite - Strive for Higher Things |
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Active participation and problem-solving |
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Responsibility for planning and organising their learning |
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Commitment to our student-developed Learning Charter |
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Commitment to our Learning Framework |
Catherine McAuley Westmead offers a full range of Board of Studies Approved and Endorsed courses:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Human Society and Its Environment
- Languages
- Creative and Performing Arts
- Technical and Applied Studies
- Personal Development
- Health and Physical Education
- Vocational Education and Training Courses (VET)
Download the Detailed Course Outline
A range of subject choices are available in each year group.
Year 7
During their first year at high school students study Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography and History, Music, Visual Arts, Technology Mandatory, Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
Year 8
In Year 8 students study Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography and History, French or Japanese, Music, Visual Arts, Technology Mandatory and Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
Years 9 and 10
In Years 9 & 10 students study a core range of subjects comprising Religious Education, English, Mathematics (Stages 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3), Science, History, Geography and Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
Students choose from two electives from the subject list below. A language can only be chosen if it has been studied in previous years. The courses run in each year may change depending on student choice.
Years 9 & 10 Subjects
| Commerce | Visual Arts | Drama |
| Textiles Technology | Elective Geography | Information & Software Technology |
| Elective History | Dance | Design & Technology |
| Japanese | Music | Physical Activity and Sports Studies |
| French | Food Technology | International Studies |
| STEM Elective |
Years 11 & 12
Catherine McAuley is accredited with NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) so that students may qualify for the award of the NSW Higher School Certificate. Year 11 students are required to study at least 12 units (from the subject list below) for the HSC Preliminary course. Year 12 students are required to study at least 10 units for the award of the HSC. Included in this must be 2 units of English and at least 1 unit of Religious Education.
Please note that the course run in each year may change depending on student choice.
Years 11 and 12 Subjects
| Studies in Catholic Thought | Chemistry | Photography, Video & Digital Imaging (Yr 11) |
| Studies of Religion 1 unit | Earth & Environmental Science (Yr 11) | Extension Science (Yr 12) |
| Studies of Religion 2 unit | Physics | Design & Technology |
| English Studies | Business Studies | Industrial Technology: Multimedia |
| English Standard | Economics | Software Design & Development |
| English Advanced | Geography | Food Technology |
| English Extension 1 | Legal Studies | Textiles & Design |
| English Extension 2 (Yr 12) | Ancient History | Hospitality Food & Beverage (VET) |
| Mathematics Standard | Modern History | Community & Family Studies |
| Mathematics Advanced | History Extension (Yr 12) | Fitness (VET) |
| Mathematics Extension 1 | Society & Culture | PD/H/PE |
| Mathematics Extension 2 (Yr 12) | Drama | Visual Arts |
| Biology | Dance | Business Services (VET) |
| Retail Services (Yr 11) (VET) | Ceramics (Yr 11) | French Continuers |
| Skills for Work (VET) | Music 1 | Japanese Continuers |
| Active Volunteering (VET) | Music 2 | Italian Beginners (Yr 11) |
Opportunities are also available to attend external Vocational Education Courses at TAFE Colleges and to study languages at the Saturday School for Community Language.
Download the Detailed Course Outline
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It’s not just what students learn at school that’s important, it’s also how they learn.
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