Students typically undertake three elective VET courses: a minimum of two Board Developed courses and one elective complementary course in Year 11. These vocational courses contribute to the Higher School Certificate and are available for selection from the list below:
Depending on the pathway selected students are required to complete mandatory courses (English, Religion and Work Studies)
- Studies in Catholic Thought I (1U) Endorsed Course developed by the Catholic dioceses of NSW. It involves new ways of thinking based on philosophy, the arts, history, scripture and Catholic beliefs. The Preliminary course examines the ‘big questions’ that human beings ask and explores ways that the Catholic religion answers them. Students will be involved in researching and constructing balanced arguments around these questions and the religious values and beliefs connected to them.
OR - Studies of Religion II (2U) : Preliminary course focuses on Aboriginal Peoples’ relationship to the Land, Aboriginal heritage and identity, and an historical examination of colonialism, racism and prejudice from pre-contact times to the 1960s. The course also includes the development of skills in culturally appropriate research and inquiry methods.
- English Standard (2U): This course provides students, who have a diverse range of literacy skills, with the opportunity to analyse, study and enjoy a breadth and variety of English texts to become confident and effective communicators.
OR - English Studies (2U) : This course is designed to meet the specific needs of students who wish to refine their skills and knowledge in English and consolidate their literacy skills. The English Studies course provides students with opportunities to become competent, confident and engaged communicators and to study and enjoy a breadth and variety of texts.
- Work Studies (1U): This course is designed to assist students in their transition from school to work. It develops knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by students in the transition to work and the skills needed for effective career planning and performance of tasks in the work environment.
- Mathematics Standard (2U) : This course provides students the skills to use mathematics to make informed decisions in their daily lives. Students develop understanding and competence in mathematics through real-world applications. (Students undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship in Automotive, Construction, Electrotechnology or Plumbing are expected to study the Mathematics Standard course.)
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging (2U) : This course offers students the opportunity to explore contemporary artistic practices that make use of photography, video and digital imaging. These fields of artistic practice resonate within students’ experience and understanding of the world and are highly relevant to contemporary ways of interpreting the world. The course offers opportunities for investigation of one or more of these fields and develops students’ understanding and skills, which contribute to an informed critical practice.
- Sport Lifestyle and Recreation (2U) : Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation makes a positive contribution to the total wellbeing of students. They develop knowledge and understanding of the value of activity, increased levels of movement skill, competence in a wide variety of sport and recreation contexts and skills in planning to be active. These and other aspects of the course enable students to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle.
- Industry Based Learning (2U) : This course is only available to students with an approved SBAT training contract, and who are also entered for the appropriate VET course for the formal learning/off-the-job training component of their SBAT.
A number of our courses offer students the opportunity for deeper study into Year 12. Students are able to specialise in various subjects and improve their employability through receiving higher level qualifications. These specialisations count as additional units towards the HSC qualification. Specialisations currently offered by the college include:
- Automotive
- Construction
- Entertainment Industry
- Hospitality (Catering Operations)
Industry Based Learning
This course is only available to students who have commenced an Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) and recognises their learning in the workplace. This course is a 2 Unit (120 hr) Board Endorsed Course which counts towards the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Across the minimum 100 days of on the-job attendance students will also have the opportunity to develop competencies toward their apprenticeship or traineeship as well as develop knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes related to enterprise, work and employability.
The purpose of this course is to enable students to demonstrate the additional knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes they develop from the on-the-job training component of a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.