St. Mary of the Angels is proud of the strength of its core curriculum and are pleased to be able to offer students a broad range of electives from which to choose.  Students increasingly have the responsibility of selecting their course of studies as they move through the school.  Such choices are made in consultation with parents, their Learning Advisors, the Deputy Principal - Learning and Professional Practice, the Senior School Leader and the Careers/Pathways Coordinator.

Year 7 Core Subjects

Religious Education, Integrated English/Humanities, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, Science and Languages (Italian).

Year 7 Art / Technology Subjects

All Year 7 students participate in the electives listed below:
Arts – Art, Drama, Music
Technology – Foods, Wood/Plastics, Agriculture/Textiles, ICT
Personal Development – Cyber safety, Respectful Relationships

Year 8 Subjects

Core Subjects: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science, Humanities and Languages - Italian.
All students in Year 8 undertake elective studies in The Arts and Technology. The elective options available are described in the Year 8 Course Information Hub. Year 8 students will study two electives per semester.

Click here to view the Year 8 Information Hub

Year 9 Subjects

Core Subjects: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, Science, and Humanities.
All students in Year 9 undertake elective studies each semester chosen from all discipline areas. The elective options available are described in the Year 9 Course Information Hub. Year 9 students will study three electives per semester.

Click here to view the Year 9 Information Hub

Year 10 Core Subjects

Religious Education, English, Mathematics or 10A Mathematics, Science and Humanities.

Click here to view the Year 10 Information Hub

Year 10 students are encouraged to consider accelerated studies or ‘fast tracking’ a VCE study or Vocational Education and Training (VET) Course in Year 10.  Given appropriate advice, these options can cater to students’ individual needs. Consultation with the student and parent are undertaken.

VCE

Years 11 & 12

A comprehensive range of subjects is offered at VCE level. These include:

 
Click here to view the Senior School Subject Site

Some of these classes are offered in conjunction with the Nathalia Secondary College.  A small number of select subjects are offered through the Virtual School Victoria.  These subjects are studied via distance education correspondence. 

Learning Advisor Program

The Learning Advisor Program, involves regular three-way reporting and conversations between Students, Parents and Learning Advisors. This program will deepen the relationships between the three key stakeholders in education: the students, the parents and the College.  It will focus on the academic, extracurricular and social needs of each student.

Parents are invited to contact the Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Level Team Leaders, Learning Advisor or subject teachers at any time for an interview to discuss a student’s progress or any other aspect of College life.

Excursions

Excursions are viewed as an important aspect of our curriculum.  They are designed to enhance the teaching/learning experiences of the classroom.  Excursions undertaken by students include camps, retreats, and visits to educational centres, career centres, environmental walks and sporting events.  Parents are notified in advance regarding all excursions and all excursions are appropriately supervised.

Extracurricular Activities

Student Leadership

The College provides opportunities for student leadership throughout all year levels.  These leadership opportunities include S.R.C., Bus Captains, Sports Captains, Justice Matters Representatives, College Captains and Junior Shire Council members.

The development of leadership skills is emphasised through leadership camps and organisational planning.  These leaders are the voice of our students and play a vital role in the life of the College.  They should always show pride and respect for the College and its community through modelling Gospel values.

Social Justice Group

“Justice Matters” is the name of the St Mary of the Angels Social Justice Group.  The name represents our acknowledgement of the importance of social justice and highlights our purpose – to inform, discuss and act on social justice issues and matters.  Through meetings and activities we raise awareness (for ourselves and the College Community) of social injustice issues and where appropriate raise money to help organisations, such as Caritas, in their work for a more just world.  

Student Enrichment

We acknowledge the importance of providing opportunities for each individual to maximise their gifts and achieve their potential and so we are continuing to develop our student enrichment program. In 2010 a program involving students from Years 7 to 10 was introduced with the aim of providing opportunities for those students who showed advanced development relative to their chronological age. 

Academic Competitions and Activities

Students have the opportunity to participate in national English, Maths, Science and Information Technology competitions as an extension of the work they undertake at school.

A number of our students participate in Science Summer Schools and other extra-curricula opportunities conducted at various universities.

Physical Education and Sport

Sporting activities are conducted both within the school and on an interschool basis. 

The College competes against other secondary schools in swimming, cross-country, athletics and winter sports.  It also has teams that compete in various netball, football and athletic carnivals.  Extended state-wide competitions and carnivals are made available for students. Canoeing, cycling, bush walking, recreational sports and snow skiing are incorporated into the regular Physical Education and Outdoor Recreation programs.

Public Speaking and Debating

The College provides a range of extracurricular opportunities across all year levels for students to be involved in public speaking and debating at St Mary of the Angels.  These include:  Lions Youth of the Year, Legacy Junior Speaking Award and Rotary Club Debating.  In 2009 The St Mary of the Angels debating team won the annual Ian Murphy Perpetual Rotary Debating Competition for Victoria.

Music and Performing Arts

Classroom music is part of the core curriculum for students at Year 7 and an elective at Years 8 – 10, depending on student classes. The College organises for students to learn an instrument and students can learn to play a wood, brass, strings or percussion instrument. Students who undertake these activities are withdrawn from classes on a rotational basis and instrumental work is in small groups of 3 or 4. Keen music students may undertake VET Music from Year 10.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the College Choir, Band and the annual Musical Production.

Dance and Drama

The College provides the opportunity for students to perform in drama and dance activities.  The current focus is on a College production each year.  These performances bring the whole school community together and involve all students who wish to participate.