Secondary School

Secondary School caters for students in Years 7 to 12, providing opportunities for adolescents to include meaning, purpose and enjoyment in their lives, whilst also making a valuable commitment to our College’s vision. Learning programs are developed to cater for the diverse range of student abilities and interests, both educational and spiritual, thus providing a balance of challenge and rigor. At each stage of a student’s development the curriculum is designed to meet their changing needs. Our core values of Peace and Hope, Learning, Faith and Love are modelled through the way we show kindness and respect to ourselves, others, our school community and our environment.

Curriculum Handbooks

Each student in Years 8 to 10 selects particular subjects they wish to study. This selection is further refined in Years 11 and 12 to suit the career path chosen by each student and can include Vocational and Education training. Year 7 students study the five core subjects as well as introductory courses to option subjects that are available to them in later years (eg, Performing Arts, Design & Technology, Outdoor Education, Food Technology). Subjects offered to Year 11 and 12 students can vary slightly from year to year, depending on demand. A comprehensive list of subjects available to students in Years 8 to 12 is available by clicking on the button below.

Years 7 and 8

Students in the early adolescent phase of schooling work in a learning environment covering the traditional disciplines of English, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Religious Education and Physical & Health Education.

Alongside these core courses, students in Year 7 engage in a number of specialist areas which include: Design Technologies, Digital Technologies, Performing & Visual Arts and Italian. As students progress to Year 8 they are given increased opportunity to select part of their course, with elective courses in the Arts and Outdoor Education. Students at this age are showing growing independence. The caring and positive environment provided by a dedicated staff, encourages strong bonds to be formed in these formative years.

Years 9 and 10

Students in Years 9 and 10 are still developing skills in the core disciplines and classes in these core areas are increasingly structured to cater to the widening range of students’ aspirations and needs. At this age students are increasingly keen to be independent and have a developing awareness of their interests and strengths. As such, students have more freedom to choose from a wide array of elective courses covering performing and visual arts, physical and outdoor education, design and technologies, language and academic enrichment. More information is available in the Course Handbooks.

The College recognises that students will be at different starting points, that they learn at different rates and that they bring a wide range of previous experiences to their learning. For these reasons, students are involved in an intensive career information and advisory program throughout Years 9 and 10 where the students are assisted in goal setting and personal course design for Years 11 and 12.

Years 11 and 12

In Years 11 and 12 the curriculum is designed to accommodate the individual needs and aspirations of the students in the later adolescent phase of schooling. It aims to provide a learning environment that is challenging, stimulating and relevant to students and addresses a wide range of students’ needs. It provides opportunities for students to demonstrate a high level of responsibility as they manage their own learning through a wide variety of tasks. Students’ selection of courses will be guided by their current achievement and their career destination when they complete schooling. It will become increasingly focused and specialised toward an academic or vocational career intention. Whilst there exists considerable flexibility in courses of study, all students will complete a course of Religious Education and a course of English during Years 11 and 12.

For those students intending to attend university, an extensive range of ATAR subjects is available at the College and these are taught by a team of experienced, motivated and dedicated staff.

For those planning on employment, traineeships or TAFE after Year 12, our Vocational and Education program is extensive and offers our Years 11 and 12 students the flexibility of undertaking over 50 TAFE courses and work placement while still studying at Mandurah Catholic College. Our strong partnerships with the wider community – employers, universities, TAFEs and other providers – allow for informed decisions to be made about available pathways.

In addition, Mandurah Catholic College provides parents and students with a clear understanding of the students progressive achievements through appropriate assessment, monitoring and reporting procedures. At the College we envisage that by the time students complete their journey with us, they will have developed core values to guide them throughout their adult life.

Mandurah Catholic College continues to demonstrate a strong record of scholastic achievements and strives to ensure that each student reaches his/her academic potential. A holistic balance of intellectual, spiritual, cultural, physical and social pursuits is at the heart of the Secondary School philosophy and is strongly encouraged.