Learning is divided into specific stages that are accompanied by further specialisation, more specific career orientation, higher expectation and greater challenge.
As their learning progresses, our students have the opportunity to study across a range of faculties and to specialise their study in preparation for future careers.
Students study across all faculties, gaining broad and general experiences in a range of subject areas and general skills and understanding that they will need for their future.
Students continue their core study in Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and Its Environment and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. They also choose two specific electives to study during Year 9 and Year 10. In this way, they begin specialising towards their future.
Students continue their core study in Religious Education and English. However, they can choose to specialise in their own specific direction in their final two years. For some students, they will choose to prepare for University by engaging in a number of courses that enable them to gain an ATAR. Other students will choose to prepare for the workforce by supplementing their studies with Vocational Education and Training courses that enable them to gain workplace training and TAFE credentials at the same time as completing their HSC.
Year 10 students at St Joseph’s complete a standard Year 10 pattern of study to meet Record of School Achievement (RoSA) requirements. As part of our optional Pathways program, students could choose to replace two traditional Year 10 100-hour elective subjects with one Stage 6 course selected from our senior curriculum.
This Stage 6 subject is studied across Year 10 and Year 11, with students completing the course and sitting the HSC examination at the end of Year 11 during the November HSC examination period.
The Pathways program offers a range of academic, wellbeing and post-school benefits:
Students can study a subject of interest earlier, increasing engagement and motivation.
By completing one HSC course and examination in Year 11, students reduce the number of HSC exams they sit in Year 12, easing pressure and anxiety.
With one subject already completed, students in Year 12 can focus on four or five HSC courses and benefit from additional study periods.
The program supports a more balanced senior learning experience while developing academic independence and readiness for post-school pathways.
The Pathways program is designed to support student success by combining academic challenge, wellbeing support and future-focused planning.
