For a student to receive a Higher School Certificate (HSC), they must complete

• at least 12 units of Preliminary courses 

• 10 units of HSC courses, including English. 

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All students must study 2 units of English (NESA requirement).

Students will need to select which English course is the most suitable. There are three to choose from - English Advanced, English Standard and 

English Studies.

Students who wish to obtain an ATAR, must study 2 units of Religion in Year 11 (SMC requirement).

Students must study at least 1 unit of Religion in Year 12 (SMC requirement).

Students can elect to study:

• 2 units of Religion- Studies of Religion 2 OR

• 1 unit of Religion- Studies of Religion 1 OR

• 1 unit of Studies in Catholic Thought (this subject does NOT contribute towards an ATAR calculation).

Additional 1 unit subjects that can be selected in Year 11 include: 

• Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (non-ATAR)

• Work Studies (non-ATAR) 

• Mathematics Extension 1

• English Extension 

To reach the required 12 units, students need to select another 8 units (4 courses).

Other course options

• If students wish to study a course the College does not offer, they are to see the Assistant Principal to discuss their options.

• If students find a course is not offered at the College due to timetabling constraints or insufficient numbers, it can usually be offered online. A fee is attached, and students need to be self-directed and highly motivated. A parent/student interview with the Assistant Principal will be required.

• Students can study courses provided online or by distance education through various providers - Armidale or Lismore Catholic Schools.

  • • Some subjects offered are Aboriginal Studies, Ancient History, Beginners Japanese & Indonesian, Business Services, Economics, Engineering, IPT, Software Design & Development and History Extension.

• NSW TAFE offers a selection of VET courses. Students are to see the College VET Coordinator to discuss their options.

All courses offered for the Higher School Certificate have a unit value.

Subjects may have a value of 1 Unit or 2 Units.

The following is a guideline to help you understand the pattern of courses:

• 2 Unit Courses: 

  • • This is the basic structure for all courses.

    • It has a value of 100 marks. 

    • Most courses are 2 Units.

• Extension Courses: 

  • • Extension study is available in a number of subjects. Extension Courses build on the content of the 2 Unit course and carry an additional value of 1 Unit, requiring students to work beyond the standard of the 2 Unit course. Extension courses are available in English, Mathematics, History, Music, Science and some Languages.

    • English and Mathematics Extension courses are available at Preliminary and HSC levels. Students must study the Preliminary Extension Course in these subjects before choosing to proceed to the HSC extension courses (Extension 1 and Extension 2). Note: Mathematics Extension 2 course requires students to work beyond the standard of the Extension 1 course. English Extension 2 requires the completion of a major work.  

    • HSC Extension Courses in subjects other than English and Mathematics are only offered and examined in Year 12.

• 1 Unit Courses

  • • This is roughly half the class time you would spend on a 2 Unit course. There are a number of 1 Unit Board Endorsed Courses. These courses do not count in the ATAR.

There are two main types of HSC courses: Board Developed Courses and Board Endorsed Courses. 

Board Developed courses  are developed by NESA. Achievement in these can count towards an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). View a list of all Board Developed Courses broken down by subject.

Board Endorsed courses are developed by schools, TAFE and universities. They count towards your HSC but do not have an HSC examination and do not contribute towards the calculation of your ATAR.

Special Education (Life Skills) - A student can attain their HSC by studying Life Skills courses if they have special education needs. There are specific entry requirements for the Life Skills courses. Life Skills courses do not count towards the ATAR.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) - VET courses can be studied either at school or through TAFE NSW and other training providers. Students need to speak to the VET Coordinator to check about which courses are available and the requirements of the different courses. 

VET courses contribute towards your HSC and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET credentials and are recognised by industry and employers throughout Australia. Some Board Developed VET courses have an optional HSC exam so if you choose to sit the exam, your results may also contribute to the calculation of your ATAR. 

Removal of ATAR course categories

From 2025, any course that schools offer with an HSC exam can count towards the calculation of the ATAR.

This categorisation change is a university measure, not a school-based or NESA policy. Schools retain oversight and responsibility for their school’s subject offerings.

This reform will:

• improve student choice, with more students able to select a course of study that recognises a breadth of applied and academic learning

• strengthen the value and recognition of VET

• reduce the barriers of HSC VET examination.

What is changing?

English Studies, Mathematics Standard 1, and VET courses with an HSC exam are currently classified as Category B.

Previously, students could only have a maximum of 2 units of Category B courses contribute to their ATAR calculation.

The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) is removing this categorisation from the 2025 HSC onwards. Students will therefore have more courses contribute to their ATAR.

What does this mean for students?

Students can undertake English Studies, Mathematics Standard 1 AND pursue more VET pathways while having the option of an ATAR pathway into university.

The ATAR will continue to be calculated on a minimum of 2 units of English, plus the 8 best units.

What if my school does not offer the VET course I want to study?

Students in NSW can study VET courses at school or through TAFE NSW or other training providers.

For more information, visit the Universities Admission Centre

2026 Term 3 Timeline

Week 4

• Student/Parent Information meeting > Monday 10th August 2026

• Stage 6 Course Information slides and SMC Curriculum site available on Compass

• 2027 Stage 6 Course preference survey sent to students > Tuesday 11th August 2026 

Week 5

• Students discuss their preferences with the teaching staff, leadership team and Assistant Principal

• 2027 Stage 6 Course preference survey due > Friday 21st August 2026

Week 6

• Student/Parent interviews for TVET or SBAT applications begin

• Students issued with EDVAL code to enter subject preferences > Friday 28th August 2026

Week 7

• Online preferences submission is due on EDVAL Webchoice by > Friday, 4th September 2026

       Week 10

• Course lines/blocks determined for the 2027 timetable

• Students to confirm selections on the  2027 Course Selection form and re-select subjects if required

2026 Term 4 Timeline

Week 1 

• Students return the 2027 Course Selection Form.