St Bede’s
College Curriculum
St Bede’s Catholic College has designed a program of study that allows students to meet mandatory NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements while also providing them with the flexibility to follow their own program of study to meet their future employment requirements.
Patterns of Study
St Bede’s offers a wide range of subject study areas to its students.
Year 7
- English
- Maths
- Religious Education
- Science
- History/Geography
- PDHPE
- Technology
- Music
Year 8
- English
- Maths
- Religious Education
- Science
- History/Geography
- PDHPE
- Technology
- Visual Arts
- Languages
Year 9
- English
- Maths
- Religious Education
- Science
- History
- Geography
- PDHPE
Two electives from a wide range of NESA developed courses will be offered to best meet the needs of students.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses**
- Metal and Engineering
- Information Technology
- Hospitality
Year 10
- English
- Maths
- Religious Education
- Science
- History
- Geography
- PDHPE
Two electives from a wide range of NESA developed courses will be offered to best meet the needs of students.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses**
- Metal and Engineering
- Information Technology
- Hospitality
Year 11 and 12
- English – Standard, Studies, Advanced, Extension 1
- Religious Education
Two electives from a wide range of NESA developed courses will be offered to best meet the needs of students in addition to exploring links with external course providers and workplace. These are:
- Mathematics – Standard 1, Standard 2, Advanced, Extension 1
- Studies in Catholic Thought
- Studies of Religion 1 or 2
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Health and Movement Science
- Exploring Early Childhood
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR)
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- Business Studies
- Geography
- Legal Studies
- Society and Culture
- Ceramics
- Drama
- Music 1 or 2
- Visual Arts
- Visual Design
- Community and Family Studies
- Chinese Beginners
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology – Timber
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia
Also on offer are the following Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses:
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Retail Services
- Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
- Sport Coaching
Vocational Education
St Bede’s College offers an exceptional Vocational Education and Training Program with state-of-the-art facilities.
VET courses gives students the opportunity to study a Vocational course while completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Students will gain credentials from both NESA in terms of the HSC and from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This means that students can receive dual accreditation.
Careers
At St. Bede’s Catholic College, our commitment to careers education ensures that students have the best chance to thrive beyond their school years, whether pursuing further studies or entering the workforce. In Years 9 to 10, students engage in dedicated careers lessons, where they learn essential skills such as effective job application writing and response techniques.
Year 10 students also have the invaluable opportunity to participate in our work experience program. Moreover, from Years 9 to 12, all students can request a personalised careers counselling sessions with our Careers Advisor. These sessions cover a range of topics including individual subject selection, university applications, and exploring post-school pathways.
Learning Support
At St Bede’s Catholic College, the Learning Support Faculty is a team comprised of a Learning Support Coordinator, Learning Support Teacher/s, English as Additional Language/Dialect teacher, and Learning Support Assistants. This team supports a diverse range of student needs, adopting a case management model. Learning support staff work closely with families, School Counsellors, teachers, external specialists, and advice from CSO Education Officers (as required) to determine student goals and provide the support required to maximise individual learning outcomes and improve student wellbeing.
Lunch Club
Lunch Club is a new initiative at St Bede’s Catholic College, providing an alternative lunch area supervised by a learning support teacher. The aim of the program is to promote positive social interactions while providing an inclusive, quieter environment for all students. Lunch Club is available Monday to Friday and students can spend the time talking, reading, completing homework, and playing games.
Disability Provisions
Disability provisions are practical arrangements designed to help students who could not otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam situation. Provisions may include small-group or separate supervision, a reader/writer, computer use, extra time and/or rest breaks.
The process of determining eligibility is always evidence-based. Evidence may include medical reports, specialist diagnosis information/assessment results and school-based reading results. The school is responsible for determining and approving adjustments for all school-based assessments (Years 7-12).
NESA determines disability provisions for the HSC examinations. To apply for HSC provisions, the school is required to submit an online application to NESA by the last day of Term 1 (of the student’s HSC year). For further information regarding HSC Life Skills Syllabuses see the NSW Board of Studies Teaching & Education Standards at Disability provisions | NSW Education Standards
Classroom Support
Classroom support may be provided for identified students by either a learning support teacher or a learning support assistant. Most classroom support is shared amongst identified students. In some cases, students with complex disabilities may be provided 1:1 support, as required.
Curriculum Support
Small group support may be offered for identified students to receive curriculum support for assessment task and exam preparation. This is facilitated by a Learning Support Teacher, in collaboration with the student’s class teacher.
Life Skills Program
All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Years 7–10 courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content and Years 11–12 Life Skills courses provide options for students with disability who cannot access the regular course outcomes, particularly students with an intellectual disability.
Students who have demonstrated they are unable to meet regular course outcomes (when provided with additional supports and adjustments) may be considered for a Life Skills course, through the collaborative planning process.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
We value and accommodate the support provided by specialists who work with children as part of the child’s NDIS support package. In consultation with parents/carers, we endeavour to support specialist intervention programs by providing a discrete location, where possible. Please note there is an approval process for external specialists to work on school premises. Please direct your enquiries to our Leader of Learning -Learning Support.
EAL/D
Support is available for English as Additional Language/Dialect students from our specialist teacher. This can be in the form of in-class support or withdrawal when appropriate. The focus is on written, spoken, and aural language development.
Aboriginal Education
At St Bede’s we acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as being part of the oldest living culture in the world. We recognise the long-standing, deep and spiritual connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have to land and waterways. We value the contributions of our local Aboriginal community in the ongoing development of cultural knowledge for our whole school.
As a united community, St Bede’s have an ongoing commitment to provide opportunities for all students to enrich their knowledge, appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal heritage, culture and contemporary issues. We aim to enhance this understanding by providing culturally inclusive curricula that offers rich learning experiences, steeped in authentic knowledge of Australia’s Aboriginal culture and history.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at St Bede’s has been developed to support the aspirations of our Indigenous students, by improving and celebrating educational outcomes and achievements. By fostering each students’ unique potential, we also develop inspired future citizens, who take great pride in representing their culture.
In supporting the Church’s commitment to social justice, we welcome new Indigenous students and their families to our growing Kuunarr (family, Wonnarua language) of students. We look to a future where a reconciled Australia will further embrace the richness of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Gifted Education
St Bede’s College is a Gifted Education Lead School in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Our focus is to identify high potential and gifted learners and implement high quality teaching practices that provide meaningful opportunities for students to excel, engage and exceed expectations in their learning.
