“There is no single best way to teach because there is no single best way to learn.”
Chris Dede, education researcher and innovator.
At St Matthews, we believe developing confident and capable learners comes through collaborative, dynamic and transformational learning experiences. We aim to provide a curriculum which inspires, motivates and challenges students to maximise their potential in an environment where the learning, assessment and reporting are designed around transferable understandings and skills clearly linked to essential learnings.
St Matthews operates in a bring your own device environment that is supported by Google Apps. The most significant benefit of having a digitally oriented classroom is that the learning is highly visible and allows for the promotion of transparency with the curriculum to support the learning outcomes for our students, facilitate collaboration across classes, allowing 24/7 access for parents, students and staff.
Our classrooms are characterised by an environment which demonstrates personalised, student centred learning and encourages engagement through participation in collaborative, experience driven activities that encourage critical thinking and the application of skills to real-world scenarios. Through this focus, we are able to personalise learning for all students, including those with learning difficulties and students who are gifted in certain areas.
By connecting students to industry experts, and community partners, our focus is on this active learning that aims to develop young men and women who are responsible and aware global citizens and who are committed to living out a life of service.
Secondary Curriculum
The curriculum structures, which exist currently for each stage in the Secondary School, are given as a guide. Elective subjects are offered above Year 9 on the basis of sufficient students choosing the subject to form a viable class. It cannot be assumed that all electives will be taught every year as student choices fluctuate each year.
Year 7 / Year 8
Core Subjects studied by students throughout Years 7 and 8 are:
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Mandatory Technology
- Music
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Visual Arts
Year 9 / Year 10
Students in Years 9 and 10 are required to study both mandatory and elective subjects.
Mandatory subjects
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Self-Directed Learning Project
Elective subjects offered
- Agriculture
- Commerce
- Drama
- Food Technology
- iSTEM
- Industrial Technology Metal
- Industrial Technology Timber
- Music
- Visual Arts
- University of Sydney Research Mentor Project [By application only in Year 10]
Year 11 / Year 12
Subjects available at St Matthews:
English
- English Standard
- English Advanced
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2 [Year 12]
Religious Education
- Studies of Religion 1 [1 unit]
- Studies of Religion 2
- Studies in Catholic Thought [1 unit]
Mathematics
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Standard
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2 [Year 12]
Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Science Extension 1 [Year 12]
Technological & Applied Studies
- Agriculture
- Design and Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology - Metal
- Industrial Technology - Timber
Human Society & Its Environment
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- History Extension 1 [Year 12]
- Business Studies
- Society and Culture
- Economics
- Geography
- Legal Studies
PDHPE
- Community and Family Studies
- Exploring Early Childhood [1 unit - Year 11]
- PDHPE
- SLR [1 unit - Year 11]
Creative Arts
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging [1 unit - Year 11]
- Music 1
VET
- Certificate II in Hospitality - Cookery
- Certificate II in Construction Pathways