CURRICULUM (Years 7-10)

Our College adheres to the national standards set out in the Australian Curriculum, The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) and the Church’s guidance on Religious Education provided through the Brisbane Curriculum.

Religious Education

As a Catholic College, we recognise Religious Education as critical to a student’s understanding of the world and their purpose within it. Our religious education program opens students to the richness of the Catholic tradition, and its role in shaping our society. We also welcome the sharing of the beliefs and experience of members of our community from other faith backgrounds. Together, we explore the contemporary challenges people of conscience and faith are called upon to face.

As students move into Years 11 and 12, Religious Education becomes known as Religious Studies and assumes even greater significance. It facilitates the exploration of key philosophical and ethical issues and enables students to synthesise complex ideas, to develop informed views and present sophisticated points of view. These are skills essential for success in both further study and the workforce. At JPC we have found that, for the vast majority of their students, Religious Education, has been a strong contributor to their Year 12 results.

Year 7 and 8

Year 7 is a time of transition as well as an opportunity for students to explore a range of subject paths. This includes studying Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Health and Physical Education. In addition, students also begin or continue language studies, with a choice of French or Chinese (Mandarin). This chosen language becomes a core subject for the next two years.

Arts and Technology subjects are offered, with students cycling through one experience each term. This ensures that students have the opportunity to experience a range of subjects in Years 7 and 8 before making elective choices in Years 9-12.

Year 7 & 8 Electives

(students engage in a rotational schedule of practical subjects per term)

Years 9 and 10

In Years 9 and 10, students are given choice within both elective and core subjects. Students select year-long electives within The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education or Languages domains. Furthermore, increased choice is granted in core subjects, with options such as Mathematics (Extended or Core), Science (Extended or Core), English (Extended or Core), and Health and Physical Education. Within Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), students complete one semester of History each year, followed by a choice of Commerce (Business and Economics), Civics and Citizenship (Politics or Law).

From 2025, an array of supplementary programs complement the elective offerings, including Gifted and Talented Program, Talented Sports Program, Work Skills Program, and support for students with English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) or those requiring additional assistance in other areas.

Core Subjects

Religious Education

English

Mathematics

Science

Humanities

Health and Physical Education

Languages (French or Chinese)

Year 9 & 10 Electives

(students engage in a rotational schedule of practical subjects per term)