At St Agnes we believe learning is a relationship between students, parents and staff. Learning has to meet the needs of the individual and therefore, we offer a broad curriculum that is student centred in a collaborative and engaging environment.
Key Learning Areas
Subject Areas
The Religious Education Program
Religious Education in the contemporary Catholic school comprises two distinct but complementary dimensions – teaching people religion and teaching people to be religious.
Our religious education syllabus is based on the Parramatta Diocesan Religious Education program. This program offers a wide scope and sequence and rich learning opportunities for students to explore their personal faith journey.
Programs have a variety of assessment tasks, including opportunities for group work and individual challenges that take into consideration the students social context, and moral and faith development.
There is a strong information technologies focus in the RE classroom, as St Agnes is lucky to have outstanding IT facilities.
Each year there are a number of incursions and excursions to enrich the learning of our students. These kinds of real life activities make learning more engaging for students, as they are exposed to many different points of view, which support their faith journey.
St Agnes has built many positive relationships with guest speakers who support our students and encourage their lifelong learning.
Reflection Days
Students are blessed with opportunities to experience their faith, both in and out of the classroom. Reflection days are a focus day for teachers and students to come together to celebrate students’ gifts and talents outside of a classroom context.
The English faculty at St Agnes aims to develop in each student, a love of learning and the skills needed to become an independent learner, so that the student is equipped to be an effective learner for the rest of his/her life.
English offers purposeful learning activities in speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing in contexts that are relevant to the students.
- Year 10 study The Novel, Film, Racism and Discrimination, Poetry and skills in English, and Resume Writing.
- Year 9 study The Novel, Evolution of Science Fiction, Shakespeare and Humour.
- Year 8 study Myths and Legends, The Play's The Thing, The Novel and The Animal Kingdom.
- Year 7 study What's the Story, Heroes and Villains, Images of Australia, and other Worlds and Fantasy.
Students also use technology extensively, including the use of blogging through Livejournal and Wikispaces. Apple Macintosh computers are available in the classroom which aid in the creation of films, podcasts and magazines.
Students at St Agnes Catholic High School are given opportunities to develop an appreciation of Mathematics and its applications in their everyday lives and in the worlds of Science, Technology, Commerce, Arts and Employment. The study of the subject enables students to develop a positive self-concept as learners of Mathematics, obtain enjoyment from Mathematics and becomes self-motivated learners through inquiry and active participation in challenging and engaging experiences.
The Mathematics faculty uses the Mangahigh program as an additional resource, during which students are allowed to do activities suited to their level and at their pace.
Students from Years 9 through to Year 12 are given every opportunity to change their pathways according to their ability.
In HSIE, students learn about their society and the different people who live in it, as well as the physical environment. The actual subject matter includes Australian history and its people, and Australia’s links with other countries and cultures around the world. Students have the opportunity to develop important values and attitudes concerning social justice, other cultures, the democratic processes, the natural environment, and moral codes.
In studying HSIE, students learn to research, evaluate and use information and information technology. Students are encouraged to be creative and develop projects in which they can promote positive change in their communities.
At St Agnes the HSIE faculty also offers elective classes in Stage 5. These classes have proved to be very popular with our students who see it as a springboard to further studies in Stage 6. The subjects include Commerce, Work Education and Vocational Education (Business Studies).
Science provides a way of thinking about the world. It is through the study of scientific knowledge that students are able to explain the biological, physical and technological world.
Students are provided with the opportunity to perform investigations, develop skills in problem solving and to work independently or as part of a team.
Science encourages critical thinking and understanding of the social and cultural context of the subject. Students apply their scientific knowledge and communicate their understanding in a scientifically literate way, so that they are able to make informed decisions on the biological, physical and technological world in which they live.
The main aim of TAS at St Agnes Catholic High School is to engage students in all areas of technology. We endeavour to develop within students, skills that will enable them to contribute not only to Australia’s future, but also to successfully manage the rapid rate of change that faces them daily.
Technological and Applied Studies is taught throughout Years 7 to 10:
| Year 7 | Technology Mandatory |
| Year 8 | Technology Mandatory |
| Year 9 and 10 |
Food Technology Industrial Technology (Timber) Information Software Technology |
St Agnes currently offers 4 subjects in the Creative Arts. These are Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts. The latter two are compulsory in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8), and all four subjects can be chosen as an elective in Stages 5 and 6 (Years 9 to 12).
Dance
In the art form of Dance, focus is on the practice of performance, composition and appreciation. Students explore a range of dance styles whilst they are informed about key dance artists in these styles.
Drama
In Drama, the focus is on the areas of making, performing and appreciating drama. We do this through engaging in different types of drama practices and applying these to our own performance of dramatic roles.
Music
Music focuses on listening, composing and performing music. Students study different genres (types) of music. Technology in music is integral to the learning at St Agnes.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts students are engaged in learning about different styles of art (genres) and techniques. This informs their art making and appreciation of artists.
In all areas of the CAPA faculty we aim to show the important and significant roles these subjects provide in giving students an opportunity to develop their intellectual and practical application, as well as fostering the social, cultural and spiritual needs of our students.
Learning a second language is an invaluable experience. Students learn to appreciate other languages and with that comes an appreciation of the culture and customs of those countries.
Students in turn learn to have a greater awareness of our multicultural world and respect for this diversity. This also gives them a greater awareness of their place in our multicultural community. Moving between countries, culture and language has become more common in light of the modern world and globalisation.
Currently at St Agnes, students in Year 8 study French/Italian. Language studies can also be offered as an Elective.
PDHPE is an integrated area of study that provides for the intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of students. It involves students learning about and practising ways of maintaining active, healthy lifestyles and improving their health status. Some examples of health topics include Nutrition, Drug Education and Anti-bullying, which incorporate discussion on building self esteem, relationships, lifelong physical activity and the damage created by racism and discrimination. Some examples of practical activities are gymnastics, dance, soccer, Oz-tag, volleyball, basketball and cricket
As part of our Integrated Sports program, students are able to participate in activities such as ice skating, ten pin bowling, indoor rock climbing and tennis.
Physical Activity and Sports Studies
Physical Activity and Sports Studies represents a broad view of physical activity and the many possible contexts in which individuals can build activity into their life. It promotes the concept of learning through movement and incorporates a wide range of physical activities such as gridiron, ice hockey, rugby union and rugby league.
Child Studies
Child Studies aims to enhance students' understanding of the needs of children from conception through to the age of five. The course requires students to participate in a wide variety of activities in order to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for raising a child.