Stage 6 Curriculum
General Information
The Higher School Certificate recognises thirteen years of schooling. In the interests of greater career choices and increased opportunities at university and TAFE, it offers a full range of study areas matching individual abilities, interests and goals.
The College provides many courses which meet the needs of each student, extension courses enable students to undertake more in-depth study in areas of special interest, and Vocational Education and Training courses count towards the HSC and also lead to qualifications recognised across a range of industries. Life Skills courses for students with special needs are also provided.
The HSC will fairly assess each student’s knowledge and skills. If students meet the minimum standard expected in a course they can expect to receive a mark of 50. If students have a higher standard of performance they will receive a higher mark. For each course, students will receive easy to understand reports which contain much more information. These reports provide clearer indications of what they have demonstrated they know, can understand and can do in each course.
The purpose of the HSC program of study is to:
- Provide a curriculum structure which encourages students to complete secondary education
- Foster the intellectual, social and moral development of students
- Provide a flexible structure within which students can prepare for further learning and training and employment
- Provide formal assessment and certification of student’s achievements
- Provide a context within which schools also have the opportunity to foster student’s physical and spiritual development
Year 11
The Preliminary HSC course is completed in Year 11 (120 hours). The Preliminary Course involves assessment work but these assessments do not count towards the HSC mark.
Year 12
The Higher School Certificate course (120 hours) is the Year 12 component of the two year course and is the examinable section of the HSC. Students cannot complete the Higher School Certificate without first satisfying the requirements of the Preliminary course. The assessment component of the HSC course counts towards the final mark.