Educating young women for the future
The learning journey at Catherine McAuley honours the developmental stages in a student’s life. Based on leading educational research and the best of today’s technologies, we prepare students for the future by teaching them how to think critically and creatively, how to communicate effectively and how to lead and work both independently and collaboratively.
Educating young women for the future
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:
- Engagement with our motto, Altiora Quaerite - Strive for Higher Things
- Active participation and problem-solving
- Responsibility for planning and organising their learning
- Commitment to our student-developed Learning Charter
- Commitment to our Learning Framework.
The Key Learning Areas
Catherine McAuley Westmead offers a full range of Board of Studies Approved and Endorsed courses:
Religious Education
As a Catholic school we also have a strong religious dimension that runs through all the KLAs and is also formally recognised as the KLA of Religious Education.
Catherine McAuley students take part in formal Religious Education every day, based on the new Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese curriculum, Encountering Jesus. This curriculum invites all students to consider how the teachings of Jesus Christ can apply to their lives.
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Religious Education
A range of subject choices are available in each year group.
Years 7-8
During their first year at high school students study
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Technology Mandatory
- Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
In Year 8 students study:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- French or Japanese
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Technology Mandatory
- Personal Development/Health/Physical Education.
Years 9-10
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.
- Commerce
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Textiles Technology
- Elective Geography
- Elective History
- Dance
- Design & Technology
- Japanese
- Music
- Physical Activity and Sports Studies
- French
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology Engineering
- Computing Technology
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.
- Studies in Catholic Thought
- Studies of Religion 1 unit
- Studies of Religion 2 unit
- English Studies
- English Standard
- English Advanced
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2 (Yr 12)
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Yr 12)
- Biology Retail Services (Yr 11) (VET)
- Skills for Work (VET)
- Active Volunteering (VET)
- Chemistry
- Earth & Environmental Science (Yr 11)
- Physics
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- Legal Studies
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- History Extension (Yr 12)
- Society & Culture
- Drama
- Dance
- Ceramics (Yr 11)
- Music 1
- Music 2
- Photography, Video & Digital Imaging (Yr 11)
- Extension Science (Yr 12)
- Design & Technology
- Industrial Technology: Multimedia
- Software Design & Development
- Food Technology
- Textiles & Design
- Hospitality Food & Beverage (VET)
- Community & Family Studies
- Fitness (VET)
- PD/H/PE
- Visual Arts
- Business Services (VET)
- French Continuers
- Japanese Continuers
- Italian Beginners (Yr 11)
Assessment Handbooks
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Assessment Handbooks
School of Now
The innovative Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese School of Now program offers a unique learning experience for Year 11 and 12 students in a contemporary hybrid setting. This modern-day approach provides senior students with access to a greater range of extension courses and specialised electives that may not be offered at our school, helping them to achieve their personal career and study goals. The blended learning format using both virtual and face-to-face teaching methods optimises students’ learning experience with support from expert HSC teachers with specialist knowledge.
Vocational Education (VET)
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese is a leading provider of Vocational Education and Training (VET) opportunities. Our school offers this pathway to students to develop their hands-on skills, industry knowledge and real-world experience by learning from professionals in the field. VET allows students to pursue their own interests and passions, providing them with the tools to take charge of their learning and their future. Theoretical knowledge is translated to practical ability in VET, building a sense of identity and purpose through relevant, engaging education.
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It’s not just what students learn at school that’s important, it’s also how they learn.