All schools including Sydney Catholic Schools follow the same Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum, with our Catholic values underpinning everything that we do.
With a focus on the development of the whole person, courses offered at the school cover the NESA syllabus requirements – developing the core skills of literacy and numeracy – and our Archdiocesan Religious Education curriculum.
Our teachers extend and challenge students to be the best they can be, while recognising that every student is unique and learns differently.
Years 7–10
Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and contributes to the mission of the Catholic Church in announcing the good news of Jesus Christ.
All students are expected to participate in the religious life of the school. This includes their participation in Religious Education classes, their study of the Archdiocesan curriculum and their use of the To Know, Worship and Love textbooks and resources.
Our Religious Education department ensures that religious pedagogy within the school remains of the utmost importance. Our staff are constantly modifying and writing programs, staff implement the revised Stage 4 and 5 curricula and Year 12 curriculum, which will be seen in the implementation of the new Stage 6 Syllabus “Studies in Catholic Thought” at the college.
Our dedicated Religious Education staff, who lead the Religious Education curriculum within the classroom, provide space within the curriculum to learn about the Christian faith and to have the opportunity to “Seek Wisdom in Christ”.
Years 11–12
The college offers three Religious Education courses for the HSC:
- Studies of Religion 1
- Studies of Religion 11
- Studies in Catholic Thought
Religious education at Trinity Catholic College encompasses many aspects of school life, including:
- The classroom Religious Education program
- The integration of Catholic values across the curriculum
- The liturgical and prayer life of the school
- Opportunities for retreats and reflection days
- Community service programs and volunteer groups.
Faith formation is at the very heart of the college because it strives to nurture the whole person and educate them in the Catholic tradition. We aim to help every student develop a strong personal relationship with God, and challenge them to live the Gospel values.
In Year 7 through to 10, students participate in reflections days and regular visits to the local Parish in their Religion, Catholic Studies class groups. Year 10 and 11 students also have the opportunity to be a part of the REMAR team which participates in Marist Youth outreach programs.
In Years 11 and 12 all senior students participate in an annual retreat. This gives every student an opportunity to reflect upon their relationship with themselves, their family, their peers, and their faith. It is a time to question, to search for, and to discover a deeper and more mature relationship with their faith and their God.
Students are involved in many areas of social justice. In particular, the college focuses on the work of the Marist Missions and Caritas through its significant Lenten contribution.
Religious Education covers all years, 7–12, and is both academic and pastoral in its teaching and assessment. The Religious Education program works in partnership with all other faculties of the college to ensure a holistic and authentically Catholic formation of students, staff and parents.
Within the Syllabus across Stages 3 to 6 students study the depth of the Catholic tradition including History, Scripture, Theology, Mary and the Saints, Liturgy and Sacraments, the Christian spiritual traditions, Ethical and Moral teaching, and Social Justice. Recognising the multi-cultural and multi-faith reality of Australian society, students spend time studying indigenous Australian Spirituality and other faith traditions, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism.
Senior Courses:
Studies of Religion (2 unit) and Studies of Religion (1 unit) promotes an awareness, understanding and application of the nature of religion and the influence of religious traditions, beliefs and practices on individuals and society, with an emphasis on the Australian context.
The program consists of three elements:
- Classroom music lessons led by a specialist Music Teacher (Years 7 & 8)
- Student Instrumental ensemble lessons led by a specialist tutor (Year 7)
- Small group student instrumental tuition led by a specialist tutor Year 7).
Decades of research demonstrates that learning an instrument and playing in a musical ensemble strengthens neural pathways in the brain and can:
- Significantly improve student academic success in areas including language and mathematical development; and
- Significantly improve student engagement, short and long term memory, attention, self-discipline and coordination.
Trinity employs a careers advisor to assist students navigate post school pathways. Vocational guidance and career counselling for career paths, workplace practices and further education is also made available to students. Vocational and Educational Training (VET) courses are provided as part of the senior study program.
As students progress into senior studies they have the opportunity to explore vocational pathways available to them including External Vocational Training (EVET) and School Based Apprenticeship Training (SBAT) options. Senior students may opt to commence a school based apprenticeship, a program that combines senior studies with paid employment.
All Year 12 students attend the Western Sydney Careers Expo. The Expo enables the students to personally engage with a variety of tertiary institutions and training service providers.
Years 7–10
Students in Years 7 and 8 study Music and Visual Arts.
Through the Amadeus Music Education Program students in Years 7–8 will receive tuition in weekly small-group lessons on an orchestral instrument, as well as ensemble lessons. For more information, please visit the Amadeus Music Education Program page on the Sydney Catholic Schools website.
The college offers three Creative and Performing Arts elective courses in Years 9–10:
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts.
Years 11–12
The college offers five 2 Unit Creative and Performing Arts courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Drama
- Music 1
- Music 2
- Extension Music
- Visual Arts.
Drama
Drama enables young people to develop knowledge, understanding and skills, individually and collaboratively; to make, perform and appreciate dramatic and theatrical works. Students take on roles as a means of exploring both familiar and unfamiliar aspects of their world while exploring the ways people react and respond to different situations, issues and ideas.
Students learn to make, perform and appreciate dramatic and theatrical works. They learn to respond to, reflect on and analyse their own work and the work of others, and evaluate the contribution of drama and theatre to enriching society.
Music
Music at Trinity Catholic College is offered through the creative arts faculty. It integrates Information Technology in the syllabus through modern hardware and software packages available to students.
Students at the college also have performance opportunities throughout the year, such as college assemblies, band competitions, eisteddfods, liturgies, open day, the annual creative arts night and many more.
Visual Arts
The visual arts empower students to engage in visual forms of communication. The subject of ‘Visual Arts’ serves to facilitate an interpretation and organisation of such information. The visual arts plays an important role in the social, cultural and spiritual lives of students. Through effective teaching and learning, students’ knowledge of the visual arts can become increasingly complex, more reflective and authoritative over time.
The conceptual framework proposes ways to understand and investigate relations between and amongst the agencies of the artist – artwork – world – audience. These functions or agencies when considered in the light of the structural, subjective, postmodern and cultural frames generate content for making and studying artworks.
The college offers two 1 unit content endorsed courses in Year 11 only:
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
- Visual Design.
Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
Offered as a 1 unit course to Year 11 students, Photography, Video and Digital Imaging is a Board Of Studies endorsed course and is a key component of the Visual Arts curriculum. Trinity Catholic College is equipped with a dark room and provides opportunities for instruction in wet, as well as digital, photography.
Visual Design
Offered as a 1 unit course to Year 11 students, Visual Design provides opportunities for students to enjoy making and studying visual design artworks and to become informed about and understand and write about their contemporary world. It enables students to represent their ideas and interests about the world in visual design artworks and provides insights into new technologies, different cultures, and the changing nature of visual design in the 21st century.
The Board Developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The study of English in Years 7–10 aims to develop students’ knowledge, understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the English language and to develop their skills as effective communicators, critical and imaginative thinkers.
Students develop their control of language by reading and viewing a range of texts and by writing imaginative, interpretive and critical texts with clarity and accuracy for a range of purposes and audiences. Students engage with and explore the literature of past and contemporary societies, as well as a range of spoken, visual, media and multimedia texts.
Years 11–12
The college offers three 2 Unit English courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English Studies.
The college also offers two Extension English courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2.
All courses are rigorous in nature and offer challenges. They are designed to provide opportunities for students to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills ensuring they are literate global citizens.
The Board Developed syllabuses are to be studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10, including 100 hours each of History and Geography in each Stage.
Years 7–10
Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. Through the study of HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.
Students study mandatory History and Geography from Years 7–10.
The college also offers three elective HSIE courses in Years 9–10:
- Commerce
- Geography Elective
- History Elective.
Years 11–12
The college offers eight HSIE courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History Extension
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Work Studies.
Learning languages opens minds to difference, where diversity is seen as a regular part of society. Proficiency in languages provides a resource that encourages more effective engagement with the global community. The study of Languages strengthens essential foundational skills for literacy. It also fosters intellectual and emotional development, and cultural understanding.
Through learning languages, students reflect on their own heritage, culture and identity. They also reflect on the culture, beliefs and values of others.
The rich linguistic and cultural diversity of New South Wales provides an educational environment where the study of languages and cultures is valued as a unique and integral part of the curriculum.
Students study their mandatory hours in Language in Year 8 through Meg Languages.
Students have the choice of three languages:
- Italian
- Mandarin
- Spanish
Years 11–12
Students have access to study languages through external providers: NSW School of Languages and Secondary College of Languages.
The Board Developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
The Mathematics K–10 Syllabus provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in mathematics and working mathematically. Students have the opportunity to develop increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving skills. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems relevant to their present and future needs.
The college offers three pathways in Mathematics in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10):
- 5.3
- 5.2
- 5.1.
Years 11–12
The college offers two 2 Unit courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Advanced.
The college also offers two Extension courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2.
The college offers two 2 Unit courses for the Higher School Certificate and a Category B alternative:
- Mathematics Standard 1 ( Category B)
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Mathematics Advanced.
The Board Developed mandatory 300-hour integrated syllabus in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education to be studied in each of Years 7–10.
Years 7–10
Through the study of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) courses, students develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to take action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts. Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively.
Students study mandatory PDHPE from Years 7–10.
The college offers Physical Activity and Sports Studies as an Elective in Years 9–10.
Years 11–12
The college offers four PDHPE courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Community and Family Studies
- Exploring Early Childhood (1 unit)
- PDHPE
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies (1 unit and 2 unit).
The Board Developed syllabus to be studied substantially throughout Years 7–10. Four hundred (400) hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.
Years 7–10
Through the study of Science students learn about our biological, chemical, geological, physical and technological world. They actively develop skills in planning and conducting investigations, recording and analysing data and problem solving. Students explore real world phenomena and develop solutions to authentic problems.
Years 11–12
The college offers four Science courses for the Higher School Certificate:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth and Environmental Science.
STEM education is a cross-disciplinary approach to the learning and application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics outcomes, to solve real-world problems. STEM education inspires hope and a positive vision for the future. We are called to respond and to adopt new ways of living.
The college offers a STEM elective course in Years 9–10.
The Board Developed Technology Mandatory syllabus to be studied for 200 hours in Years 7–8.
Through the study of technology courses, students engage in a diverse range of practical experiences and develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary and advancing technologies. They develop solutions to problems and situations, and explore the impact of technologies on the individual, society and the environment.
Stage 4
- Technology (Mandatory)
Stage 5
- Design & Technology
- Food Technology
- Graphics Technology
- Textiles Technology
- Information Software & Technology
- Industrial Technology – Metal
- Industrial Technology – Timber & Furnishings
Stage 6
- Design & Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology – Timber & Furnishings
- Textiles & Design
- Information Processes and Technology
The role Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses play in helping students prepare for further education, training, employment and lifelong learning is widely recognised by key stakeholders in education.
Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school, through TAFE NSW or other training providers including Sydney Catholic Schools. VET courses provide students with practical learning that gives them a head start with their career, and many may be counted towards the ATAR and are suitable for students on both academic and vocational pathways. All courses have dual accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The college offers four VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at certificate levels I and II:
- Business Services
- Hospitality
- Construction
- Retail Services
The college also offers VET students access to School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).
For students who are committed to a vocational pathway, they can also access other VET Frameworks through Saint Yon Trade Training Centre, Bankstown and Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, Burwood and other Catholic Schools’ industry-standard trade training/skills centres where they have the opportunity to gain their HSC with a focus on vocational programs and School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).