Curriculum

Catholic values are central to learning and teaching at St Aloysius Catholic College. Within these values, we aim to foster self-esteem, self-confidence and respect for the gifts and needs of the individual and an awareness of the unique contribution each can make to the College community. We aim to provide a high quality, balanced education in which all students can fulfil their spiritual and academic potential.

Learning and teaching programs throughout the College are based on the Australian Curriculum, which has been designed to provide students with sound capabilities in literacy, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, information and communication technology, personal and social development and ethical and intercultural understanding.

All students also participate in a Religious Education Program based on the Archdiocesan Good News for Living Framework.

St Aloysius Catholic College has a unique structure in that Kindergarten to Year 4, Junior Campus is situated at Kingston Beach whilst the Campus based at Huntingfield has a Middle School from Year 5 to 8 and a Senior School for Year 9 and 10, extending to Year 11 in 2023. 

 Junior Campus

St Aloysius Catholic College Junior Campus specifically caters for students from Kindergarten to Year 4 in a nurturing learning environment appropriate for younger students in their first years of schooling. At the Junior Campus, we provide a gradual, age-appropriate development in the curriculum throughout Kindergarten to Year 4 in order to ensure a seamless transition to the Middle Campus.

At the Junior Campus, students engage in a comprehensive curriculum that takes into account children’s academic, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Students’ daily learning has dedicated Religious Education, numeracy and literacy time blocks with regular Humanities (History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship) and Science programmed into each week.

At the Junior Campus, weekly lessons are also offered in Music, Library, Physical Education, French (Year 3 and 4) and Social and Emotional Learning (Prep, Year 1 and 2). Kindergarten students have experiences in Physical Education, Music and Library. Extracurricular activities are offered in dance, choir, instrumental music, sporting events, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and sporting teams.

Middle Campus

To assist students as they move into secondary education, St Aloysius Catholic College has implemented Middle Schooling principles for students from Year 5 to 8. A Middle School curriculum is delivered in a manner that engages today’s students, including the integration of modern technology in learning. However, the literacy and numeracy needs of Year 5 to 8 students are still central and are explicitly taught. Middle Schooling at St Aloysius is about balancing age appropriate teaching and learning with opportunities for students to grow in their independence and maturity as learners.

Year 5 and 6

To ensure a smooth transition from Year Four, the Year 5/6 classes follow many of the learning structures from the Junior Campus.  This includes dedicated daily literacy, numeracy and spelling programs using the Soundwaves resource.  Year  Five and Six students undertake all core subjects, Religious Education, Maths, English, Humanities and Science, with specialist teachers delivering weekly lessons in French, Physical Education and Music. Students also choose electives in Arts and Technology subjects.

Year 7 and 8

Middle Schooling provides for the different pastoral needs of early teenagers. A central pillar of Middle Schooling at St Aloysius is the role of Pastoral Care teachers. In some cases, Pastoral Care teachers teach these students for a number of subjects. This enables teachers to develop a sound understanding of the pastoral and learning needs of the students in their care. Pastoral Care teachers take on the special responsibility of ensuring their students transition smoothly into Year 7 and are the first point of contact for parents. Effective communication between the College and home is highly valued at St Aloysius Catholic College.

As per Australian Curriculum guidelines, students in Years 7 and 8 undertake study in the following core learning areas:

• Religious Education
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities (History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship)
• Health and Physical Education

Year 7 and 8 students also study three elective subjects from areas of their own personal interest. As required by the Australian Curriculum, students must study at least one Arts and One Technology subject until the end of Year 8. St Aloysius offers a wide range of electives subjects for Year 7 and 8 students, which include:

Creative Arts

• Drama
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Ceramics and Sculpture
• Photography and Digital Media
• Creative Arts

Design and Technology

• Design in Wood: Introduction
• Digital Technology
• Food Technology
• Practical Technology

Other Courses

• Fitness for Girls
• High Intensity Training Fitness
• Outdoor Education
• French 
• Japanese
• Practical Science (Year 8 only)

Year 9 and 10

A major focus for Year 9 and 10 is to prepare students for their post Year 10 education and careers. Students are also supported to become independent, lifelong learners as they reach Senior Secondary education at St Aloysius. 

Students study the following core subjects:

• Religious Education
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Health and Physical Education
• Work Studies

The College also offers a number of elective subjects that aim to support all students depending on their areas of interest or career pathways. The following electives are offered at the College. (Please note that these subjects require sufficient student enrolments to be included in the elective program.) 

The following electives are offered in Years 9 and 10:

Humanities

• English Extended
• Film Studies
• Introduction to Psychology and Sociology
• Geography
• Introduction to Legal Studies
• French
• Japanese
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Economics and Business

Mathematics and Sciences

• Mathematics Extended
• Science Extended
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Marine Science
• Biology/Life Science

Creative Arts

• Music
• Visual Arts
• Ceramics and Sculpture
• Drama
• Photography and Digital Media

Design and Technologies

• Design in Wood
• Materials Design and Technology
• Food Studies
• Food Production and Horticulture
• Digital Technologies

Physical Education and Health

• Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze and Silver
• Sport Science

Vocational Education and Training

• Certificate 1 in Hospitality 
• Introduction to Community Services (early Childhood focus, selected units)
• Introduction to Commercial Cookery (Year 10 only)
• Introduction to Automotive (selected units)
• Introduction to Construction
• Certificate 1 in Maritime Operations

Year 11 & 12 – Available from 2024 (subject to change)

TASC COURSES

• General Maths 2
• Workplace Maths 2
• Maths Methods 3
• Maths Methods 4
• General Maths 3
• History 2
• Ancient History 3
• Outdoor Experiences 1
• Studies of Religion 2
• Studies of Religion 3
• Physical Sciences 3
• Introduction to Psychology and Sociology 2
• Health Studies 3
• Preliminary Health and Physical Education
• Biology 3
• English 3
• Visual Art
• Photography
• English Inquiry 2
• Psychology 3
• Pathways to Work 1
• Preliminary Access to Work 1
• Preliminary English
• Work Readiness 2
• Business Studies 3
• Working with Children 2
• Community Sport and Recreation 2
• Design Production - Wood 2
• Outdoor Education 2
• Introduction to Food 1
• Food Cooking and Nutrition 2

VET COURSES

• Certificate I in Hospitality
• Certificate II in Hospitality
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education
• VET Automotive*
• Automotive and Mechanical Technologies*
• VET Construction

*Provided by our Co-Op Partner Colleges