Curriculum
Our curriculum offering is overseen by a highly qualified and experienced staff with enthusiastic and committed teachers who work to meet the individual needs of students, so as to truly develop a love of learning.
We set high expectations. Our teachers are here to teach; they are passionate about their work, and fully committed to providing an engaging and immersive learning environment for your child. As a parent you will receive constant feedback on your children’s progress. Our focus is on preparing young men and women to take their place in society and “Lead with Courage”.
MacKillop Catholic College has an extensive subject offering, including a dedicated core curriculum of the traditional foundational study areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Studies of Society and Environment, Religious Education, and a wide selection of more specialised elective subjects, including Visual Art, Dance, Drama, Music, IT, Food Technology, Industrial Design, Health and Physical Education, Rugby League, Japanese, Italian and Indonesian, among others. We will always endeavour to provide a subject if students wish to study it, and have even in some instances run classes with just one student in order to provide that student with the education they are seeking to attain.
Middle Years
The MacKillop Middle Years journey runs from Year 7 to Year 9. It draws heavily from our MacKillop Learning Framework in that it:
- Uses relationships and collaboration as the basis upon which all quality learning takes place;
- Is grounded in curriculum that is relevant to students lives integrated content across subject areas;
- Is inclusive and differentiated in practice, catering to needs of all our students;
- Uses quality feedback as a key strategy in maximising student impact for all learners; and,
- Use international best practice to design quality lesson and unit of work.
Learning in the Middle Years draws dually from vision and the Australian Curriculum. Our Middle Years Curriculum looks to offer students a diverse and rigorous learning journey towards the Senior School. A full overview of this journey is available in our 2017 Subject Handbook available here. 
As part of our diverse Middle Years curriculum we offer a broad and comprehensive electives program from Year 7. These electives align to the Australia Curriculum Languages, Technology, Health and Physical Education and Arts areas. Students in Year 7 begin with a broad taste of subjects from all areas and progressively focus their interest as they approach the Senior School in Year 10. More information about electives at each year level can be found below.
Year 7 Elective Program
Students in Year 7 enjoy a wide breadth of subjects that gives them an opportunity to experience what each area of the curriculum can offer.
An overview of the Year 7 electives offered for 2017 can be accessed here.
The 2017 Year 7 elective handbook can be accessed from here.
Year 8 Elective Program
In Year 8 students again enjoy a wide variety of elective options across the year whilst building on the skills they have developed in over the previous year.
An overview of the Year 8 electives offered for 2017 can be accessed here.
The 2017 Year 8 elective handbook can be accessed from here.
Year 9 Elective Program
Students in Year 9 move to semester-long electives that allow them to begin to focus their interests as they head towards Senior School.
An overview of the Year 9 electives offered for 2017 can be accessed here.
The 2017 Year 9 elective handbook can be accessed from here.
Senior Years
Senior Year students, from Year 10 to Year 12, have more control over the electives they choose to undertake, as they prepare for life after school. Whether they choose to continue on to university, take up a trade or apprenticeship, pursue other tertiary studies, or immediately join the workforce.
Our College also offers a Vocational Education and Training programme, which assists students with career options, work experience, industry connections, and applying for and attaining further qualifications.
Other Useful Documents for Seniors:
A Guide to Effective Referencing v2 2016
A Guide to Excellent Writing in Senior v2 2016
A Guide to focus and concentration v2 2016
A Guide to Learning Styles v2 2016
Preparing for Examinations – Notetaking v2 2016
Flexible Learning
Flexible Learning Subject Handbook 2017
SATAC Tertiary Information Booklet
Information for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in Northern Territory and South Australian Schools
NTCET Senior Years Pattern 90 credits
Core Subject Areas – Middle Years
Religious Education
Religious education, in the Catholic context, is the study of Christian identity, history and culture, contemplation of ideas such as morality and purpose, and discussion of such ideas and their place within the world we live in.
English
English is the study of the use of our language, in written and spoken word, to effectively convey our ideas. The subject encompasses all aspects of this, from spelling and grammar to to narrative structure, stylistic writing techniques and vocabulary.
Maths
Mathematics is the study of numbers, structure and patterns, and helps us understand the fundamental logic behind how our world works. It is the language and basis of all other sciences.
Science
Science is the structured study of the world around us through observation and analysis of data. It encompasses many fields, including some which students may choose to specialise in such as biology, physics and chemistry.
Studies of Society and Environment
SOSE covers a broad spectrum of topics within the humanities field which look at the interactions of people within the societies and environments they inhabit. Areas of study covered in SOSE can include anthropology, economics, history, political science, geography, sociology and environmental science.
Elective Subject Areas – Middle Years
Languages
Japanese
This subject looks at the language and culture of Japan. We have an exchange programme with our sister school, Hakata High School. Our Japanese Language page for Japanese students and teachers interested in this program can be found here.
We also have an extracurricular anime club.
Italian
This subject looks at the language and culture of Italy.
Indonesian
This subject looks at the language and culture of Indonesia.
The Arts
Classroom Music
We also offer extracurricular instrumental music.
Electronic Music
Electronic music focuses on the creation of music and music notation by means of computer software.
Visual Art
Dance
We also offer extracurricular dance classes.
Drama
Sport
Health and Physical Education
In this subject, students study and participate in sport, and learn about health and physiology.
Information on school sports in general can be found here.
Rugby League Footy Focus
As the NT’s only officially recognised Rugby League School, we offer this subject to enable students to understand the game of Rugby League, and its surrounding industry, in greater depth.
In addition to the subject, Rugby League is also a popular extracurricular option at MacKillop.
Technology
InTaD
Industrial Design and Technology encompasses the fields of woodwork, metalwork, other manual arts, and technical drawing and design.
Information Technology
Information Communications Technology (ICT) is the study of computing and the application of digital technology.
Food Technology
Textiles Technology
In this subject you will learn to sew, and about the creation of clothing and other textiles-based products.
Senior Years Subjects
Senior Religious Education
Religious education, in the Catholic context, is the study of Christian identity, history and culture, contemplation of ideas such as morality and purpose, and discussion of such ideas and their place within the world we live in.
Senior English
English is the study of the use of our language, in written and spoken word, to effectively convey our ideas. The subject encompasses all aspects of this, from spelling and grammar to to narrative structure, stylistic writing techniques and vocabulary.
Senior Maths
Mathematics is the study of numbers, structure and patterns, and helps us understand the fundamental logic behind how our world works. It is the language and basis of all other sciences.
The Sciences
Year 10 Science
Science is the structured study of the world around us through observation and analysis of data. It encompasses many fields, including some which students may choose to specialise in such as biology, physics and chemistry.
Biology
Biology encompasses the branch of sciences which observe the processes of life and the ecosystems in which life occurs.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the properties of the matter which makes up our universe.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
This subject emphasises ways in which Earth materials and processes generate environments, including habitats, where organisms live; the natural processes and human influences that induce changes in physical environments; and ways in which organisms respond to those changes.
Physics
Physics is the study of the fundamental forces through which matter and energy interact.
Nutrition
Students of Nutrition are presented with up-to-date scientific information on the role of nutrients in the body as well as social and environmental issues in nutrition.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and how people think.
Year 10 Science
Science is the structured study of the world around us through observation and analysis of data. It encompasses many fields, including some which students may choose to specialise in such as biology, physics and chemistry.
Scientific Studies
Students develop their knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, the ability to use that knowledge to identify questions, issues, opportunities and challenges, and the capacity to acquire new knowledge through their own investigations.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Year 10 Humanities and Social Sciences
This subject covers History, Ancient History, Geography, Legal Studies, Civics and Business and Enterprise.
Ancient Studies
Students critically engage with texts and analyse archaeological and historical sources, both primary and secondary. Students develop skills of historical literacy that enable them to challenge or confirm their beliefs, attitudes, and values.
Modern History
Students of History have the opportunity to make sense of an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world by connecting the past and the present. History involves the investigation of human experience over time.
Geography
Through the study of Geography, students develop an understanding of the spatial interrelationships between people, places, and environments.
Media Studies
Digital Media includes the collaborative fields of film and sound production and editing, journalism, and media design.
Legal Studies
The study of law and its application.
Health and Physical Education
Year 10 Physical Education
In this subject, students study and participate in sport, and learn about health and physiology.
Information on school sports in general can be found here.
Child Studies
Child Studies is a subject that focuses on the study of children from conception to 8 years. It is a subject that supports an active process of learning where students engage in challenging experiences.
Food and Hospitality
Students work independently and collaboratively to achieve common goals. They develop skills and safe work practices in the preparation, storage and handling of food, complying with current health and safety legislation.
Health
Students recognise the various factors that shape the behaviour and attitudes of individuals and groups in relation to healthy living, and caring for themselves and the environment.
Outdoor Education
Students participate in activities such as: hiking, orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing, surf lifesaving and archery.
Senior Physical Education
In this subject, students study and participate in sport, and learn about health and physiology.
Information on school sports in general can be found here.
The Arts
Senior Music
We also offer extracurricular instrumental music.
Senior Visual Art
Senior Creative Arts
Senior Dance
We also offer extracurricular dance classes.
Senior Drama
Business, Enterprise and Technology
Design and Technology – Material Products
Design and Technology – Communication Products
Design and Technology – Systems and Control Products
Business and Enterprise
Business and Enterprise focuses on the successful management of business and enterprise issues in personal, business, and social contexts.
Workplace Practices
Information Processing and Publishing
Cross-Disciplinary
Community Studies
Integrated Learning
Research Project
Languages
Senior Japanese
This subject looks at the language and culture of Japan. We have an exchange programme with our sister school, Hakata High School. Our Japanese Language page for Japanese students and teachers interested in this program can be found here.
We also have an extracurricular anime club.
Senior Italian
This subject looks at the language and culture of Italy.
Senior Indonesian
This subject looks at the language and culture of Indonesia.
Vocational Education and Training
VET at MacKillop
At MacKillop Catholic College we offer many Vocational Education and Training (VET) options. Please arrange an appointment with Rhonda Scullen the VET Co-ordinator if you are interested in exploring VET options. Find out more here!
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