Curriculum & Pathways

Mt Maria College Petrie provides a curriculum that aims at:

Engaging the interests of your child
Involving your child in real life and life-like activities
Building on successes
Developing skills which can be transferred across a whole range of life experiences
Improving attitudes towards learning
Enhancing literacy and numeracy skills
Promoting faith learning that is life-long and life-giving

Brisbane Catholic Education's Learning and Teaching Framework and The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019) underpin all schooling at Mt Maria College.

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe - pronounced as 'M- ban-tua') Education Declaration for Young Australians sets the national vision for education for all Australians and notes two goals:

The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity.
All young Australians become:

Confident and creative individuals
Successful lifelong learners
Active and informed members of the community

Curriculum design and delivery at Mt Maria College Petrie are grounded in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration and are mindful of its goals. In alignment with the declaration, which promotes excellence and equity, we support students in achieving high standards and provide structures and adjusted strategies that enable equitable learning experiences. This is achieved within a faith-filled learning environment, where we are committed to supporting students in becoming confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed community members.

Years 7-8: A Time of Transition & Exploration

Year 7 is a crucial year of development as students make the important transition from primary to secondary education. In Year 8, students continue to explore subjects and experiences to prepare them for greater independence. Year 7 and Year 8 timetables are built to ensure students meet the requirements for learning time in all curriculum areas in the Australian Curriculum.

Subjects Studied in Years 7 & 8

Religious Education (RE)
Mathematics
English
Science
Health & Physical Education (HPE)
Humanities (Geography, History, Civics, French - Year 7)
IMPACT (Pathways, Wellbeing, Learning, Thinking, Inquiry Projects)
Technologies: Design Process, Materials, Digital Technologies
The Arts: Visual Art & Drama (Year 7); Visual Arts & Music (Year 8)

Unlocking Creativity Through Integrated Arts

At our school, we believe that learning is most powerful when it is connected and meaningful. Our integrated Arts curriculum exemplifies this by blending disciplines to deepen understanding and spark creativity. In Year 7, students explore the synergy between Visual Arts and Drama, allowing students to bring stories to life through both visual expression and performance. Year 7 also have a fantastic Arts Nexus Immersion Day where we host artists from various fields to run immersion workshops. In Year 8, the journey continues as Visual Arts and Music come together for students to discover how rhythm, texture and emotion transcend mediums. This cross-disciplinary approach not only enhances artistic skills but also fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence. By experiencing the arts in an integrated way, students gain a richer, more holistic understanding of the world—and their place in it.

Innovating Through Integrated Technologies

Our Technologies curriculum empowers students to become creative problem-solvers and future-ready thinkers through hands-on, integrated learning. In Year 7, students explore the exciting intersection of Digital Technologies and Design Technology by programming micro:bits and applying their skills to build functional LED light systems. This fusion of coding and making encourages innovation, logical thinking, and practical application in the real world.

In Year 8, students take their skills to the next level through the DeLorean Project, a dynamic design-thinking journey where they identify “futuristic" real-world problems, develop solutions, and bring their ideas to life through prototyping and 3D printing. This project-based approach nurtures creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial thinking skills essential for the future. The DeLorean Project is also connected across the curriculum with Mathematics and English.

Years 9: A Time of Consolidation

Year 9 - students begin to undertake selected subjects in greater depth. The focus of our curriculum in Year 9 is on wise choices and building on the progress and successes of the previous year.

Core subjects studied all year: Religious Education (RE), Mathematics, English, Science, IMPACT (Pathways, Wellbeing, Learning)
Core subjects studied on a semester rotation: Health & Physical Education (HPE), History
Elective subjects studied for a semester rotation:
Law & Society (Civics & Citizenship)
Geography
STEM: Science, Technologies, Engineering, Math (Connected Curriculum: Science)
Interactive Design (human-centred design solutions, laser cutting, 3D printing, clients) (Design Technologies)
Fashion Design (sustainable use of fibre, Wool for School Challenge) (Design Technologies: Textiles)
Food Design (healthy choices, cooking skills) (Design Technologies: Food)
Engineering Design (CO2 car design, laser cutting, 3D printing) (Design Technologies: Materials)
Digital Design (robotics, microbits, coding, web design) (Digital Technologies)
Drama
Media
Arts
Music
Visual Arts

2027-2028 Years 9&10 Curriculum Handbook (PDF 2MB)

Year 10: A Gateway to the Future

Year 10 offers a range of subjects for students wishing to continue to tertiary education, those moving on to vocational courses and students wishing to enter employment. The curriculum allows students to undertake career education, TAFE-accredited courses and other training options.

Core subjects studied all year: Religious Education (RE), Mathematics, English, Science, IMPACT (Pathways, Wellbeing, Learning)
Core subjects studied on a semester rotation: Health & Physical Education (HPE), History (some changes in 2027)
Elective subjects (6) studied on a semester rotation: (year long from 2027)
- Legal Studies (Adapted Curriculum: Legal Studies) - Multiple pathway opportunities: for students planning to study Humanities General subjects (Legal Studies, Modern History, Study of Religion) or Applied subjects (Social & Community Studies, Religion & Ethics) in Years 11&12.
- Advanced Sciences (Adapted Curriculum: Biology & Chemistry) - Multiple pathway opportunities: for students planning to study Science General subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in Years 11&12.
- Interactive Design (human-centred design solutions, laser cutting, 3D printing, clients) - pathway to Senior Design (General)
- Introduction to Hospitality Practices (preparing food for clients) - pathway to Certificate III in Hospitality, including Coffee Barista and RSA Licence
- Introduction to Industrial Engineering (woodwork, workshop skills, metalwork) - pathway to Certificate II in Engineering/Certificate III in Aviation, CASA Licencing and Industrial Technology Skills (Applied)
- Digital Technologies (EV3 Robotics, micro-drones, web development) - pathway to Certificate II in Engineering/Certificate III in Aviation, CASA Licencing and Information & Communication Technology (Applied)
- Drama
- Media Arts
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Certificate I in Employment Pathways (opportunity to bank 2 QCE credits for senior)

2027-2028 Years 9&10 Curriculum Handbook (PDF 2MB)

Year 11 and 12: Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

2027-2028 Senior Curriculum Handbook (PDF 2.3MB)

By the end of Year 10, students are able to choose from a variety of educational pathways leading to: the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), tertiary study, a trade or employment. Students will study subjects from the following areas over the two years:

Biology (General)
Chemistry (General)
Design (General)
Drama in Practice (Applied)
English (General)
Essential English (Applied)
Essential Mathematics (Applied)
Film, Television & New Media (General)
General Mathematics (General)
Information & Communication Technology (Applied)
Industrial Technology Skills (Applied)
Legal Studeis (General)
Mathematical Methods (General)
Media in Practice (Applied)
Modern History (General)
Music (General)
Music in Practice (Applied)
Physical Education (General)
Physics (General)
Religion and Ethics (Applied)
Social and Community Studies (Applied)
Sport & Recreation (Applied)
Study of Religion (General)
Visual Art in Practice (Applied)

Vocational Education and Training (on campus)

Diploma in Business (starts 2026 with excellent university direct entry possibilities)
AVI30419 Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot)
BSB30120 Certificate III in Business
MEM20422 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
SIT30622 Certificate III in Hospitality
ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology

Other vocational opportunities (off campus)

TAFE@School (many options available)
School-based traineeship
School-based Apprenticeship

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

The QCE is Queensland’s senior schooling qualification. It is internationally recognised and a sign of academic and personal success. The QCE is also flexible and allows you to design a pathway that’s right for you — whether you plan to:

study at university
look for skilled work
complete technical and further education (TAFE) or other training.

For information on the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) visit the QCAA. Here is a link to "QCE Planning Your Pathway" (QCAA, 2024)

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will be used to select school leavers for tertiary entrance from 2020. It is used nationally and indicates a student’s position relative to other ATAR-eligible students. The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will calculate ATARs for students at the end of Year 12. QTAC will calculate your ATAR based on your results in either:

5 General subjects, or
4 General subjects, plus one Applied subject, or
4 General subjects, plus one VET qualification at Certificate III or above.

To be eligible for an ATAR, you must successfully complete an English subject. In addition, the following subject combination rules apply:

only General English subjects or Applied English subjects can be included in the ATAR, but not both
only General mathematics subjects or Essential Mathematics can be included in the ATAR, but not both

You will find more information on QTAC’s website: www.qtac.edu.au.

Other tertiary entrance pathways

Each university has its own policies regarding school leavers without an ATAR. If you are not eligible for an ATAR but wish to gain entry to a tertiary course, check with QTAC and/or the relevant university. Depending on the university, you may be able to gain entry with other qualifications.