At Padua College, our mission is to provide every student with an exceptional education, empowering them to strive for success now and into the future. Our approach encompasses intimate class sizes, innovative learning environments, and a comprehensive curriculum outlined below.

Please contact the College should you require further information regarding our curriculum and subject offering.

Curriculum Year 7-8

At Padua College, our curriculum reflects our core values. To welcome and affirm, the syllabus aligns with the House system to build positive relationships as a basis for the students’ six-year journey through the College. All Year 7 and 8 students undertake a common, integrated curriculum that provides a strong foundation, a love of learning and a sample of the array of subjects offered in the subsequent years of schooling. In addition, to scaffold the higher-order and critical thinking skills built through the primary school model, all students participate in the STEAM Cup (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). This encourages interdisciplinary connections while problem solving through group inquiry. Deep learning is fostered as students take their individual subject skills and apply these in unfamiliar contexts. A comprehensive list of the units offered in Year 7 and 8, in each of the nine Key Learning Areas, is available here in the Year 7 and 8 Curriculum Overview.

Aspire9 Program

2024 marks the sixth year of the Aspire9 Program at Padua College. A dedicated Year 9 Centre on each campus provides a learning environment that is supportive and tailored to the needs of adolescents.

The aims of the Padua College Aspire9 program are to:

• Educate the whole person.
• Build strong relationships that enhance a positive and supportive learning environment.
• Develop self-aware learners who are active in the community and the wider world.
• Foster a range of 21st Century skills including innovation, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
• Provide an inclusive program that engages and extends all students.

The Year 9 Curriculum consists of the following core subjects: myLife, English, Numeracy, Science, Health & PE, Geography and History, plus six semester-based electives (three in Semester One, and three in Semester Two).

Students are encouraged to select a minimum of one Arts subject and one Technology subject in either Year 9 or Year 10. Please note, this does not apply to students studying two semesters of Italian or French. Whilst many units are offered for selection, subjects will only run if there are enough to form a viable class. In some classes, there will be a limit on numbers due to staffing and resources.

A key component of our Aspire9 Program is the dedicated learning blocks or Focus Weeks. Students rotate through two week-long units, specifically aimed at developing a range of skills and providing relevant learning experiences.

In addition to this, students spend one day a fortnight participating in Aspire9 experiential learning days. Our Aspire9 days provide opportunities for students to explore areas that they are passionate about through intensive elective units.

Mark De Fazio
Director of Aspire9

For comprehensive information on subjects and electives available, please download the Year 9 Curriculum Handbook here:

Year 9 Camp Guides

For comprehensive information on Year 9 Camps, please download the Selection Booklets here:

Curriculum Year 10

At the conclusion of Year 9, students from Tyabb, Rosebud, and Mornington Campuses join to form the Year 10-12 Senior School at the Mornington Campus of Padua College. This structure enables greater pathway opportunities for all students. In designing the Senior School structure staff have worked to establish a flexible learning program that maximises students’ choice and opportunity.

Students in Year 10 have the option of undertaking the traditional Year 10 Curriculum or the Year 10 Applied Learning Program (ALP). Our ALP is designed for students seeking project-based learning with a focus on developing employability skills. This information, plus the presentations on ECAT Evening and consultations with teachers, will help students choose elective subjects online via the Web Preferences Portal.

The Year 10 Curriculum consists of the following core subjects:

• Core - Religious Education (one unit), English (two units), Mathematics (please note, students are allocated to a core Mathematics group – Pre-Methods, Pre-General or Pre-Foundation, based on their performance in Year 9), Commerce (one unit), Science (one unit), Humanities (one unit).
• Electives – students will study a range of elective units

The Year 10 ALP consists of the following core subjects:

• Core - Religious Education (one unit), ALP Literacy (two units), Mathematics (please note, students are allocated to a core Mathematics group - Pre-Methods, Pre-General or Pre-Foundation, based on their performance in Year 9); Personal Development (two units) and (one unit) from History, Geography, Commerce, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
• Electives – students will study a range of elective units.

VCE Acceleration - It is possible for a Year 10 student to take a Unit 1&2 study. Taking a Unit 1&2 study in Year 10 is only an option for students who have demonstrated strong academic ability across all their subjects, together with very good literacy, study and organisational skills. Students should only select an acceleration if they are ready for the rigour of a VCE subject. This includes an increase in assessment under test conditions. In some cases, students will benefit from an additional year of skills-building within the Learning Area.

VCE VET (Vocational Education and Training) Subjects - In Year 10 students may also choose to study a VCE VET course as an accelerated elective. Interested students should refer to the VCE VET information in the Year 10 Curriculum handbook below.

Finally, whilst many units are offered for student selection, subjects will only run if there are sufficient numbers to form a viable class. In some classes, there will be a limit on numbers due to staffing and resources.

Curriculum Year 11-12 VCE

Padua College is proud of its facilities, excellent teachers and support staff members who are committed to helping the students reach their goals. The College offers wonderful opportunities, and our VCE students have a wealth of subjects from which to select. At Padua College, Year 11 students will take up to six studies. All students undertaking the VCE ATAR pathway must select an English study (English or English Language) and will be enrolled in the VCE Religious Education Unit 2. For students wishing to study Literature, it is compulsory that they also select to study English.

The Year 11 and 12 VCE Curriculum Handbook (see link below) provides general VCE, VCE VM, VPC and VET information; plus a full description of each subject offered at Padua College at this level and the subject selection processes.

Year 11 - 12 Curriculum Guide, Calendars & Policies

For comprehensive information on subjects, electives and courses available, please download the Year 11-12 Curriculum Handbook.

Official VCE Exam Timetable

Please see the latest information, which outlines exam dates:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/Key-dates/Pages/VCE-exam-timetable.aspx

For useful information regarding length of exams, materials permitted, content covered and past exams please visit:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/timetable.aspx

Curriculum Year 11-12 VCE VM

The VCE VM pathway prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program and is designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. Learning in the VCE VM happens through practical activities and projects delivered in a ‘real world' context.

The VCE VM Curriculum is developed around student interests and learning is constantly related back to workplace and employability skills. It gives students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values, and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners, and confident and creative individuals. (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), n.d.)

Selection Process for the VCE VM Program

To be eligible to achieve the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

• Four VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3&4 sequence)
• Units 1&2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
• Units 1&2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units
• Units 1&2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and
• A minimum of three other Unit 3&4 sequences from either the VCE or VCE VM subject areas.
• Two VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)
• Religious Education is embedded throughout the VCE VM Curriculum.
  Students will build on their understanding of Social Justice and Charism as they explore their community in project-focused learning.
• Plus at least 80 hours of Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) in an industry aligned to the VCE VET program they are enrolled in or a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT).
  Please note: In some cases, credit for SWL can also be given in an industry not aligned to the students' VET certificate (of at least 80 hours) if students complete a Workplace Learning Record.

Hands on Learning Program

Hands on Learning (HoL) is an innovative education program that caters to the different ways that young people learn. Artisan teachers work collaboratively with small groups of students on authentic building projects that provide a platform for students to engage, grow in confidence and achieve success at school. HoL fosters strong, long-term relationships that help young people develop the skills and abilities they need to succeed in work and life, such as collaboration, problem-solving, communication, resilience, and empathy.