Secondary School

Secondary education is made up of Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8), Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) and Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12).  It is an aim of the College that the learning needs of each child are met.  To this end the learning environment encourages and motivates children to reach their full potential, both academically and socially.   Students experiencing difficulties are supported by our Learning Support team whilst the more able students are exposed to enrichment activities, greater subject depth as well as cross-referencing between subjects.

Years 7 - 8

Years 7 and 8 forms the foundation of the secondary school.  It is an exciting time of discovery and challenge as adolescents have the opportunities to express their individuality and creativity, within the appropriate context and with self-discipline.

At The McDonald College the academic curriculum in years 7 and 8 consists of the mandatory subjects English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, Technology, HSIE, Visual Arts, LOTE (French),and Music.  Specialist teachers deliver the curriculum at the Stage 4 level.  

Captured within the student’s day is a diverse and challenging performing arts programme.  This programme is often vertically-streamed recognising the creativity and spirit of young adolescents.  Performing arts classes take place for two hours each day.

The transition to Stage 4 is well supported at The McDonald College with students and their parents undergoing a range of events like our Year 7 Welcome Day, Orientation and family BBQ; aimed at making the adjustment to Secondary School as easy as possible for students, and for families to be welcomed into our community.

Years 9 - 10 

Years 9 and 10 are important years where significant consolidation of learning takes place providing a gateway to the senior years.  Stage 5 represents the two years of preparation for the School Certificate.  It is a time which allows students to develop further confidence in themselves and their skills as they move towards their first formal state-wide examinations.  In Years 9 and 10, students continue with the core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE (Australian History and Geography) and PDHPE; as well as being able to choose two electives from French, Commerce, Design & Technology, Visual Arts, Information & Software Technology and Music.  From time to time students are permitted to undergo study via Distance Education if there is a particular interest and commitment to a course not offered at the College.

The performing arts programme provides an extension to the Board of Studies academic curriculum and supports much of the study in the elective courses.  The performing arts programme is vertically-streamed and takes place for two hours each day.

Years 11 - 12 

Years 11 and 12, the final Stage of Secondary schooling, creates an opportunity for students to focus on quite specific areas in their academic study which will help build flexible career paths for the future.  Each student will prepare an HSC Pathway, which will be planned over the two years.  The McDonald College has a unique delivery in the Preliminary and HSC courses.  English, Mathematics and Legal Studies are offered in the usual manner over the two years but all other subjects are studied intensively for up to 8 hours per week, with each of these being completed in one year.

During the first year of senior schooling (Year 11), most students will sit for the HSC examination in two subjects.  In the second year (Year 12) students will sit for the remaining HSC subjects, thus accumulating the full requirements for the HSC over the two years. It is also possible to take longer than two years if this is necessary to meet the student’s needs.  This pattern of study at the College provides greater flexibility and is much more adaptive to individual needs and circumstances.

All students have the opportunity to choose a combination of subjects from a wide range of options including the Creative and Performing Arts as well as from most of the traditional HSC options.  This arts-rich curriculum is also strong in the humanities, in technology and the sciences preparing students for further study at the tertiary level and a vast range of career pathways.  Students from The McDonald College perform consistently above the State average in the external examinations for the HSC, and an achievement of a University Admission Index (UAI) above 95 is a regular occurrence.