Primary Curriculum
The Primary curriculum at Macarthur Adventist College is organised under the mandated Key Learning Areas (KLAs) developed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Our Primary school follows the NSW Syllabus’ for the Australian Curriculum, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) K-10. Additionally, Macarthur Adventist College follows the AUC Adventist Encounter Syllabus for the comprehensive teaching of the Bible in our Primary school.
Educational programs developed by our Primary Teachers correlate to the content and outcomes of the NESA syllabuses applicable to Kindergarten – Year 6. Our teachers plan, program, teach and assess according to the syllabus outcomes provided for each Stage.
Our Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program has been carefully designed by adapting key elements of the Early Stage 1 syllabus documents to assist with preparing students for Kindergarten. Knowledge and skills that align with a strong foundation for starting school in the following year have been carefully considered and tailored to meet the needs of our preparatory students.
Secondary Curriculum
At Macarthur Adventist College, our Secondary program follows the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Curriculum, with students able to enjoy an engaging and rigorous learning experience through varied subject offerings.
Senior Secondary students also have the option of studying additional subjects via TAFE and distant education. Students are also provided with additional co-curricular activities and service opportunities with which to build leadership, responsibility and teamwork skills.
Year 7 Subjects
- English
- Food Technology
- Geography
- History
- Industrial Technology
- Mathematics
- Music
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Bible Studies
- Science
- Korean
- Visual Arts
Year 8 Subjects
- English
- Food Technology
- Geography
- History
- Industrial Technology
- Mathematics
- Music
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Bible Studies
- Science
- Textiles Technology
- Visual Arts
Year 9 & Year 10 Subjects
The Core subjects for Year 9 and 10 are:
- English
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Bible Studies
- Science
Students are also able to choose from a range of elective subjects, including:
- Commerce
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Information Technology
- Music
- Visual Arts
Year 11 & 12 Electives
Year 11 students are required to do (Studies of Religion, Work Studies and English) in preparation for their Higher School Certificate. Students who want to go to University need to qualify for an ATAR - Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. This requires you to study NESA Board Developed Courses - English (Compulsory) and at least 4 other Board Developed Courses(those that have an HSC Examination at the end) so that (UAC) can use your school-based assessment and HSC Examination results to do their calculations. This also includes the VET Board Developed Courses (Vocational Education and Training courses eg. Construction, Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment). You MUST sit the HSC Examination if you wish to include these in the calculation of your ATAR.
NESA Board Endorsed Courses
Students studying a NON ATAR pattern of study choose NESA Board Endorsed Course/s. Students can choose a maximum of THREE NESA Board Endorsed Course/s. These courses DO NOT have any formal examinations. These courses DO NOT count towards an ATAR. Courses will be subject to availability – depending on numbers of students choosing each course.
The subjects offered in Year 11 & 12 may include:
- Ancient History (2 units)
- Biology (2 unit)
- Business Studies (2 unit)
- Chemistry (2 unit)
- Community and Family Studies (2 unit)
- English Advanced (2 unit)
- English Standard (2 unit)
- English Studies (2 unit)
- Food Technology (2 unit)
- Industrial Technology (2 unit)
- Enterprise Computing (2 unit)
- Legal Studies (2 unit)
- Mathematics Standard (2 unit)
- Mathematics Advanced (2 unit)
- Music 1 (2 unit) ▪ Music 2 (2unit)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (2 unit)
- Physics (2 unit)
- Studies of Religion 1 (1 unit)
- Visual Arts (2 unit)
- Mathematics Extension 1 (1 unit)
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging (2unit) Non ATAR
- Numeracy (2unit) Non ATAR
- Work Studies (1 unit) Non ATAR
Senior Secondary students also have the option of studying additional subjects via TAFE and distant education.
| Compulsory | Studies of Religion 1 – 1 Unit Non - ATAR + Work Studies – 1 Unit Non - ATAR |
| English Standard | English Studies | English Advanced (New) | |||
| Mathematics Standard | Mathematics Advanced | Advanced Community and Family Studies | Legal Studies | Mathematics (New) 2 Unit Non - ATAR | |
| Biology | Ancient History | Information and Programming Technology | Food Technology | Marine Studies 2 Unit Non - ATAR | |
| Music 1/Music 2 | Chemistry | Visual Arts | Photography, Video and Digital Imaging 2 Unit Non - ATAR | Exploring Early Childhood 2 Unit Non - ATAR | |
| Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Business Studies | Industrial Technology | Physics | Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation 2 Unit Non - ATAR |
In addition to reading the Subject Selection Booklet 2024, we recommend that you watch the introductory video below as it will give you in-depth information about subject selections for Years 11 and 12. We have also compiled a series of individual subject videos to help guide your choices. Each video is a short (2- 5-minute) snapshot that's designed to give you a little more insight into what each subject is really like from the teachers who offer those subjects.
