Senior Secondary 2029–2030

Strong pathways. Personal direction. A future with purpose.

Mary Help of Christians Catholic College will welcome its first Year 11 students in 2029, followed by its first Year 12 cohort in 2030.

Our senior program is being designed to give students strong opportunities for university, further education, training and employment, within a Catholic learning community where they are known, challenged and supported.

We want every student to leave the College with meaningful achievements, a clear next step and the confidence to contribute to the world beyond school.

Three priorities shaping our senior program:

Strong tertiary entrance pathways

We are planning a strong academic program of General subjects that supports students seeking an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and university entry.

Subject planning will consider university prerequisites and recommended study, helping students prepare for a range of degrees and future professions. Explicit teaching, effective study habits, purposeful practice and feedback will remain central to learning in the senior years.

Relevant VET and employment pathways

Our senior program is also being designed to connect students with North Queensland’s training and employment opportunities.

Planned pathways may incorporate vocational education and training (VET), TAFE at School, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, workplace experiences and industry learning. These opportunities will support students preparing for further training, post-school apprenticeships and traineeships, or direct employment.

We will continue to develop connections with training providers, employers and the wider community as the College grows.

Students’ needs at the centre

Students bring different strengths, interests, goals and aspirations. Our approach will help each young person build a purposeful program that reflects these differences while maintaining high expectations for learning, commitment and progress.

Through subject guidance, pathway conversations and ongoing review, students and families will be supported to understand their options and make informed decisions.

A strong foundation with room for choice

Our planned senior structure is being developed to support students working towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), with subject and qualification combinations appropriate to their intended direction. Students seeking an ATAR will be guided to select a program that meets the relevant eligibility and tertiary entrance requirements.

Individual programs may combine academic subjects and vocational learning, where the timetable and course requirements allow.

Religious Education will remain central to the senior experience, inviting students to explore questions of faith, ethics, meaning and responsibility as they prepare for adulthood.

Flexible Pathways Day

A planned feature of our senior program is Flexible Pathways Day, operating each Week B Wednesday.

This dedicated time will support personalised learning, training and future pathway opportunities. Depending on their individual program, students may participate in:

  • Subject tutorials, consolidation and deliberate practice.
  • Assessment development and teacher conferencing.
  • Structured independent study and targeted learning support.
  • Approved external education, training or workplace learning.

On these fortnightly days, timetabled subjects will focus on strengthening and applying learning, with no indispensable new syllabus content introduced.

Week A Wednesday will remain a regular teaching day. Some approved external programs may require attendance every Wednesday; these arrangements will be considered individually, with clear expectations for managing school learning.

Flexible Pathways Day will be structured learning time, with attendance, participation and progress expectations appropriate to each student’s program.

Preparation begins before Year 11

Our senior vision builds on a connected journey through the College:

  • Years 7–8 — Formation: establishing strong knowledge, learning habits and the ability to apply thinking.
  • Years 9–10 — Pathways: exploring interests, developing capabilities and making increasingly informed choices.
  • Years 11–12 — Purpose: pursuing a more defined direction and preparing for life beyond school.

In Year 9, Future Ready will help students discover their strengths, build practical skills and explore possibilities. In Year 10, Future Forward will support students through Know → Experience → Decide → Act, including the development of their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan.

This preparation will help students enter senior schooling with a clearer understanding of their choices and the commitment those choices require.

Learning and leadership with purpose

Senior schooling will be an important stage of personal formation as well as academic achievement.

As the College’s oldest students, our senior cohorts will help shape its traditions and culture. Opportunities for leadership, service and participation in the faith life of the College will encourage them to use their strengths generously and recognise their responsibility to others.

Our Learning and Thinking Model — Attend → Build → Practise → Improve → Reflect — will continue to guide students as they develop greater independence and take increasing responsibility for their learning.

Developing the program with our students and families

Planning for senior secondary is underway. Final subjects, qualifications and external opportunities will be shaped by student interests, staffing, course viability and provider availability.

Our full Senior Subject Guide is planned for Term 3, 2028, ahead of the first Year 11 cohort commencing in 2029. Families will receive further information and opportunities for discussion as the program develops.

We welcome conversations with prospective families about their child’s interests, aspirations and future at Mary Help of Christians Catholic College.

Contact the College to discuss enrolment and our developing senior pathways.