Curriculum
The Curriculum at Killester is underpinned by the ideals of:
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- flexibility
- options
- diversity
- success
Killester supports all students to select a pathway that best suits their interests and abilities therefore their learning becomes more purposeful and future focused. Pathways planning aims to broaden each student’s options through the making of informed choices. This involves:
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- Consultation and a conversation with significant people in the student’s life
- Research into Pathways options
- Realistic assessment of strengths
- Recognition of each student’s likes and wants
In Year 10 the World of Work is explored through the Dare to Dream week and Work Experience. The curriculum begins to offer more choices and students can undertake a VCE or VET subject while a range of electives begin to specifically introduce more specialised subjects leading to Years 11 and 12.
Pathways are mapped out in a one-on-one interview with the Careers and Pathways Educator and each student is assisted to choose her VCE or VCAL subjects for her final secondary years. Killester encourages parents to participate actively role in their daughter’s Pathway selection by providing current information. The curriculum emphasises a strong link between independent learning, skill and knowledge awareness and requirements pertaining to the VCE or VCAL Pathways.


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Year 7
The broad goals of the Year 7 program are:
- To raise the standard of literacy, numeracy and the quality of output for all students in all subjects
- To ensure that we support all students in all subjects in order to help them to close the gap on key skills and knowledge required
- To engage and enrich learning and begin to develop an understanding in students of how they best learn
Core Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Science
- Digital and Design Technology
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts
Students will study both of the following semester length language units:
- Indonesian
- Italian
Year 8
The broad goals of the Year 8 program are:
- To consolidate the foundations of Year 7 learning and understanding and move students beyond their learning comfort levels
- To offer challenges to develop higher order thinking, creative and critical thinking, increased standards and a sense of self worth through learning about themselves and the world in which they live
Core Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Science
- Health and Physical Education
- Indonesian OR Italian
Across Years 7 to 9 students also study the following semester length units.
Two units are studied per semester:
- Art 1 Drama 1 Food 1 Music 1 Textiles 1 Design and Materials: Wood 1 Information Technology 1
- Art 2 Drama 2 Food 2 Music 2 Textiles 2 Digital and Design Technology 2 Visual Communication 2
Year 9
Year 9 – Independant Learning
At Year 9 students experience a year of challenge and awakened awareness of their role in their own learning.
The broad goals of the Year 9 program are:
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- That our students become more engaged in their learning – in learning which is relevant and empowering.
- That students take more responsibility for their own learning.
- That the curriculum which is taught is academically rigorous.
- That the emphasis will be on student learning, rather than on the teacher teaching.
- That students develop their ability to make informed choices about what and how they best learn
- That the curriculum should be differentiated as much as possible to bring out every student’s potential.
- That digital technology would be used to a large extent in enabling and empowering student learning.
Core Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Science
- Health and Physical Education
- Indonesian OR Italian
Term Length Projects:
Students will do 4 term-length projects. These include Personal Development , which is compulsory plus choices of 3 other units. These will come from a range of electives which are on offer each year from the Arts, Technology, English and Science Curriculum.
Year 10
Core Subjects:
- Religious Education
- English
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Health and Physical Education
- Science
- *Maths Enhancement – upon recommendation
Electives:
Students choose 5 semester length units from the following subject areas:
- Art
- Drama
- Food Technology
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Media Studies
- Multi-media
- Music
- Science
- Textiles Technology
- Visual Communication
- Designer Materials Technology
Instrumental Music is available to students at all year levels.
Year 11
Year 11
At Year 11 students are individually encouraged to recognise their learning strengths and preferences. There are opportunities also available for students to select a Vocational Education and Training (VETiS) course offered either at Killester or with an external provider. A key feature of a VETiS program is it enhances and develops a student’s interests that allows for learning to take place in a variety of environments.
Killester also works in a Partnership Program with Tertiary Institutions to provide ongoing opportunities to gain experience and broaden students’ knowledge of post secondary possibilities.
Killester encourages the pursuit of a diverse range of Pathways so that all students have a smooth transition to life beyond Killester.
Units in the following subjects are offered:
Arts/Humanities
- Accounting
- Art
- Drama
- Economics
- English
- History
- Health & Human Development
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Legal Studies
- Literature
- Languages other than English (Indonesian & Italian)
- Music
- Physical Education
- Global Politics
- Religion and Society
- Texts and Traditions
- Visual Communication
Maths/Science/Technology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Information Technology
- Health & Human Development
- Mathematics – Further, Methods, Specialist
- Physics
- Psychology
Year 12
Year 12
At Year 12 students are supported with the higher demands of subject knowledge and skills, time management and prioritising. Advisory Teachers and subject teachers work closely with individual students to offer a variety of delivery modes that best suit individual student learning and pathway needs.
The VCE is a two year certificate, generally taken over Year 11 and 12. Students study a programme of 24 units – 13 in Year 11 and 11 in Year 12. English/Literature and Religious Education are compulsory studies.
Each unit is one semester in length. Students receive detailed information about the VCE and Units as part of their transition from Year 10 into Year 11.
Units in the following subjects are offered:
Arts/Humanities
- Accounting
- Art
- Business Management
- Drama
- Economics
- English
- History
- Health & Human Development
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Legal Studies
- Literature
- Languages other than English (Indonesian & Italian)
- Music
- Physical Education
- Global Politics
- Religion and Society
- Texts and Traditions
- Visual Communication
Maths/Science/Technology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Information Technology
- Health & Human Development
- Mathematics – Further, Methods, Specialist
- Physics
- Psychology
VCE
WHAT IS THE VCE?
The VCE is the certificate received by most students who satisfactorily complete secondary education. The VCE aims to provide pathways to University, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and employment.
For further information on options within the VCE, course structure and assessment see the VCAA website.
VCE SUBJECTS OFFERED AT KILLESTER COLLEGE
Killester College offers a range of subjects including VET. A full list of these is available in the college’s Student Handbook. Here you will find detailed statements of subjects offered, course outlines, student advice as well as policies on assessment, attendance and satisfactory completion of work.
The handbook is updated annually.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE VCE
SAC (School Assessed Coursework) CALENDAR
Each year a calendar of SAC dates is published. This is of particular importance to any student undertaking a Year 12 subject at Killester College.
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL FORM
When a student is absent from a SAC (Year 12) or Outcome (Year 11) they must present a medical certificate to verify the absence. Students absent from a SAC must also present a Supplementary Medical Form which is to be completed by an authorised Medical Practitioner. This form along with the medical certificate is to be presented to the student’s homeroom teacher immediately upon return to school.
PRESENTATIONS
Each year the Senior Pathways team provides information to students and parents via a number of briefings. The dates for these briefings are published on the college calendar and the presentations offered at these briefings are:
Year 10 into 11 student briefing:
Year 10 Pathways evening:
Year 11 into 12 Information
Handbook
VCE Handbook can be downloaded below:
VTAC
VTAC Application Information
Advice
- CourseWork/Assessment Information
See VCE Handbook and VCAA website.
Students are also given specific information by their subject teachers at the start of each unit and prior to any assessments.
Links
VCAA website to find all information about courses and assessment.
VET
VET
A number of VET courses are offered in coordination with the South East Local Learning and Employment Network. Students may choose an off campus VET course or select from those offered at Killester:
- VET – Certificate III in Applied Fashion Design & Technology
- VET – Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
- VET – Certificate II in Hospitality
- VET – Certificate II in Sport & Recreation
Students normally undertake Units 1 and 2 in Year 11, and Units 3 and 4 in Year 12. However, opportunity exists for students in Year 11 to undertake Unit 3 and 4 studies, and students in Year 12 may have the option of undertaking University enhancement subjects.
Killester students generally complete external VET studies at Chisholm, Holmesglen, Box Hill and Fountation Learning Centre.
External VET programs are also available through the VCAA website.
VET studies contribute towards the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) as either scored or unscored VET subjects.

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ENROLMENT
STUDENT WELLBEING
Killester College is a Kildare Education Ministries School in the Brigidine Tradition.
Killester promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all students.
We recognise, acknowledge and respect the history, culture, diversity and value of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.