All schools including Sydney Catholic Schools follow the same Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum, with our Catholic values underpinning everything that we do.

With a focus on the development of the whole person, courses offered at the school cover the NESA syllabus requirements – developing the core skills of literacy and numeracy – and our Archdiocesan Religious Education curriculum.

Our teachers extend and challenge students to be the best they can be, while recognising that every student is unique and learns differently.

De La Salle College Cronulla aims to offer a curriculum that provides opportunities for all students to work in a challenging, engaging, and supportive environment. Key to this is students and parents working with staff to develop a pattern of study such that a commitment to “best effort” leads to:

  • Further study at the Tertiary level
  • Study at TAFE and/or employment
  • Transition to employment, possibly before completing Higher School Certificate studies

Students are given strong guidance during the course selection process. Please see an outline of this in the enrolment section of this website. However, broadly speaking, students should select courses that they find interesting, challenging, and generally directed towards one of the pathways above.

To qualify for the Higher School Certificate students must satisfactorily complete a Preliminary pattern of study comprising at least 12 units and an HSC pattern of study comprising at least 10 units.

Both patterns must include:

  • At least six units from Board Developed courses;
  • At least two units of a Board Developed course in English;
  • At least three courses of two units value or greater;
  • At least four subjects.

To satisfy the pattern of study requirements for the Higher School Certificate a student may count a maximum of six Preliminary units and six HSC units from courses in Science.

In recent years, the college has developed a curriculum that:

  • Is supported by high-quality pedagogy reflected in strong Higher School Certificate results.
  • Caters to the needs of all students, including those seeking Vocational Education and Training (VET).
  • Is increasingly supporting one of the “strength and interest” areas in the community – that of Creative and Performing Arts. We have many highly talented students and the facilities and teaching to support study in this area are outstanding.

All students are asked to demonstrate their commitment to “best effort” at the commencement of their Year 11 studies. It is not acceptable for any student to consistently and deliberately distract the learning of others. To ensure the best possible learning opportunities for all students those that are not willing to do this will be challenged in an appropriate and supportive manner. Parents are expected to support teachers in this endeavour.

The role vocational education and training (VET) courses play in helping students prepare for further education, training, employment, and lifelong learning is widely recognised by key stakeholders in education.

Students in NSW have the option of studying VET courses at school, through TAFE NSW or other training providers. VET courses provide students with practical learning that gives them a head start with their careers, and many may be counted towards the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and are suitable for students on both academic and vocational pathways. All courses have dual accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

The College offers four VET courses that enable students to achieve nationally-recognised VET qualifications at certificate levels I and II:

  • Construction
  • Hospitality
  • Information and Digital Technology

The College also offers VET students access to School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).

For students who are committed to a vocational pathway, they can also access other VET Frameworks through Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, Burwood, and other Catholic Schools’ industry-standard trade training/skills centres where they have the opportunity to gain their HSC with a focus on vocational programs and School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs).

Religious Education

Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and supports the evangelising and catechising mission of the Catholic Church. Through Religious Education, young people come to know and love the person of Jesus Christ.

All students are expected to participate in the religious life of the school. This includes their participation in Religious Education classes, their study of the Archdiocesan curriculum and their use of the To Know, Worship and Love textbooks and resources.

While recognising that parents are the first educators of their children in faith, the secondary Religious Education curriculum enables our students to see and respond to God in their lives.

Through a variety of experiences the Religious Education curriculum nurtures the natural capacity that young students have for curiosity, imagination and wonder. The students are invited to reflect on sacred Scripture, talk with God through prayer, discover the beauty of God’s creation and explore the meaning of symbols and rituals.

Through the study of English students learn about the power, value and art of the English language for communication, learning and enjoyment. Developing proficiency in English enables students to become confident communicators, critical and imaginative thinkers and lifelong learners. Students develop their language skills through activities involving speaking and listening, reading and writing, and viewing and representing. They learn about language and literature through working with a wide range of print, spoken, visual, media, multimedia and digital texts.

The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Literacy provides further elaboration on the principles of literacy and various roles within and across our schools.

NSW Education Standards Authority

The Mathematics syllabus provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in mathematics and working mathematically. Students have the opportunity to develop increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving skills. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems relevant to their present and future needs.

The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Numeracy provides further elaboration on the principles of numeracy and various roles within and across our schools.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Through the study of Science students learn about our biological, chemical, geological, physical and technological world. They actively develop skills in planning and conducting investigations, recording and analysing data, and problem solving. Students explore real world phenomena and develop solutions to authentic problems.

Students develop knowledge of scientific concepts and ideas about the living and non-living world. They gain increased understanding about the unique nature and development of scientific knowledge, the use of science and its influence on society, and the relationship between science and technology.

Students actively engage individually and in teams in scientific inquiry. They use the processes of Working Scientifically to plan and conduct investigations. By identifying questions and making predictions based on scientific knowledge and drawing evidence-based conclusions from their investigations, students develop their understanding of scientific ideas and concepts, and their skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. They gain experience in making evidence-based decisions and in communicating their understanding and viewpoints.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. Through the study of HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Learning languages opens minds to difference where diversity is seen as a regular part of society. Proficiency in languages provides a resource that encourages more effective engagement with the global community. The study of languages strengthens essential foundational skills for literacy. It also fosters intellectual and emotional development, and cultural understanding.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Through the study of technology courses, students engage in a diverse range of practical experiences and develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary and advancing technologies. They develop solutions to identified problems and situations, and explore the impact of technologies on the individual, society and the environment.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Study in the Creative Arts provides students with strong discipline based knowledge and the fundamental skills, creative expertise, learning mindset and critical capabilities for the future world of work. Creative Arts students experience and develop the complex skills required to create and test ideas, generate creative works with confidence, shape inquiry and critically evaluate and reflect on what they do. Study in the Creative Arts prepares students to be significant producers and informed consumers of culture.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Through the study of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education courses, students develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to take action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts. Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively.

NSW Education Standards Authority

Course selection to form an appropriate pattern of study is a critical aspect of enrolment into Stage 6 schooling. The college works closely with students and parents in this process. The Enrolment Information Evening and Subject Selection Market provide opportunity for discussion to inform decision-making about courses. Students and parents are also advised to take the time to view our Subject Handbook and associated information on the NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority) website.