Learning
At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.
Why choose us for your child’s learning?
Strong foundations
We focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in school and beyond. This helps them feel confident and prepared for the future.
High-quality education
We offer a range of subjects to match what students enjoy and want to learn about. Our skilled teachers support every student to find what they love, do their best and succeed.
Inclusive and personalised learning
Our teachers adjust how they teach to suit your child’s needs, interests and learning pace. We make sure every student feels confident and supported.
Extension opportunities
Some students are ready for more challenges. We offer open-ended tasks, enrichment programs and support. We help all students to reach their full potential.
What students learn
Students at our school learn a wide range of subjects as part of the Higher School Certificate. They build on the skills they have developed, think creatively and critically as they continue to learn, and take active steps to prepare for life beyond school.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) guide our curriculum and provides information about learning stages, key learning areas and syllabuses for parents, carers and families here.
At our school, students can take part in opportunities connected to special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE).
For your child to participate in any opportunities offered, you will need to give your consent. And you are welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or contact us.
For more information about the opportunities in this area, visit the department’s website or contact us.
At our school, we give the right support to help learners who have high potential and/or are gifted to grow and do their best. Students may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.
Contact us to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.
Students can participate in a range of sporting activities, for recreation and at a competitive level.
Students can choose the sporting activities they are involved in, ranging from participating in recreational sporting clubs at school through to engaging in external fitness programs.
Students can also try out to represent the school in Werrington Zone, Sydney West, NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) and All Schools Competitions, both in team sports and in individual pursuits.
The subjects we offer
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) guide our curriculum and provides information about learning stages, key learning areas and syllabuses for parents, carers and families here.
Our English Faculty teach a number of courses, including:
- English Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- English Extension 1
- English Advanced
- English Standard
- English as an Additional Language and/or Dialect (EAL/D)
- English Studies
- English Life Skills
More information about our courses of study can be found here.
Our Mathematics Faculty teach a number of courses, including:
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Standard 2
More information about our courses of study can be found here.
Our Science Faculty teach a number of courses, including:
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Biology - click here for more information
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Chemistry - click herefor more information
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Earth and Environmental Science - click here for more information
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Extension Science - click here for more information
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Investigating Science - click here for more information
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Physics - click here for more information
At our school, students can choose from a wide range of HSIE courses including:
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Ancient History - click here for more information
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Business Studies - click here for more information
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Economics - click here for more information
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Geography - click here for more information
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History Extension (Year 12 only) - click here for more information
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Legal Studies - click here for more information
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Modern History - click here for more information
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Society and Culture - click here for more information
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Studies of Religion II - click here for more information
In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.
At St Marys Senior High School, we offer a large number of these language courses, both onsite and through other learning opportunities offered by the Secondary College of Languages and the New South Wales School of Languages (NSW SoL) programs.
The language courses we offer onsite include:
- French - click here for more information
- Italian - click here for more information
- Japanese - click here for more information
- Korean - click here for more information
- Spanish - click here for more information
For information about the NSW SoL and Secondary College of Languages, please click here.
In a number of faculties at our school, we teach a range of courses in this key learning area, including:
- Agriculture - click here for more information
- Design and Technology - click here for more information
- Engineering Studies - click here for more information
- Enterprise Computing - click here for more information
- Food Technology - click here for more information
- Industrial Technology, Multimedia Industries - click here for more information
- Software Engineering - click here for more information
- Textiles and Design - click here for more information
VET courses are increasingly popular, with young people keen to expand their career options. For more information about what studying VET courses involves, please click here.
We offer a number of VET courses at our school, and these include:
- Business Services - click here for more information
- Entertainment - click here for more information
- Entertainment with Specialisation - click here for more information
- Financial Services - click here for more information
- Fitness - click here for more information
- Hospitality - click here for more information
- Retail Services - click here for more information
Students are also able to combine studies outside of school (such as at TAFE) with their HSC program of study at our school. For more information about this, please contact us.
Want to know more about our subjects?
We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.
Our learning approach
Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.
Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.
Our learning approach includes:
- real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
- technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
- flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
- community connections: through excursions and local programs.
Helping students progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals for each lesson, each class and each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making supporting wellbeing part of everyday life in our school
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting the senior school or moving to learning in post-school settings.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
Student opportunities and activities
Discover clubs, sports and other activities your child can enjoy at school.
Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.