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This Google Site is dedicated to describing the subjects offered in Years 11 and 12 at O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale.
2026/2027 Stage 6 Course Preference Information and Process
The Higher School Certificate is an external credential provided to students who successfully complete senior secondary studies over Years 11 and 12. It is the highest educational award that can be achieved at secondary school in NSW.
All students must complete 2 units of English and at O’Connor, they also must complete 2 unit Studies of Religion (in Yr 12 this changes to at least 1 unit of Religious Studies). Apart from the extension levels in English and Mathematics, all subjects listed are available to students, regardless of electives studied in Stage 5.
Even though subjects offered are restricted by class size and staffing we have found that all students completing their HSC at O’Connor have been able to link a pattern of study to career aspirations. The school can access Distance Education, Schools online and TAFE courses if students find that a subject cannot run because of a lack of numbers. Students need to be highly motivated and competent as there is usually a cost involved. If students are unsure if they would like to go on to tertiary studies they should still consider a pattern of study that will secure an ATAR.
Selection of subjects requires students and parents to make careful and considered decisions based on their life demands, future pathways, and enjoyment of learning:
Abilities - What subjects are you capable of doing well?
Interests/Motivation- What interests you? What do you enjoy?
Career aspirations and needs - What future career path do you want to follow? Is it realistic?
Syllabus Requirements – be mindful of how many practical works and major works are required for your pattern of study
Subject combinations - do the subjects complement each other?
Other commitments - when choosing subjects, it’s important to balance study with outside commitments and influences such as work, sport and family
Students should consult with Leaders of Learning and the Leader of Student Pathways (Mrs Galvin) for guidance in the selection of a suitable pattern of study.
Subjects/Courses
The majority of courses offered are 2 unit Board Developed Courses, which means they have both internal and external assessment requirements and count towards the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). The Vocational Education Courses offered by the College (Construction, Hospitality, Business Services, Fitness, and Primary Industries) fall into this category.
English Studies is a 2 unit HSC Course that may count towards an ATAR and fulfills the mandatory English requirement.
English Extension and Mathematics Extension are 1 unit courses offered which continue for the HSC year and which have both internal and external requirements and count towards the ATAR.
Pattern of Study
Students will need to meet the following conditions:
Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 units for the Year 11 course;
Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 10 units for the Year 12 course.
Both Year 11 and Year 12 must include:
a minimum of 2 units of English;
at least 1 unit of Religion (2 Unit Studies of Religion is mandatory for Yr 11 at O'Connor in 2025);
a minimum of 4 subjects;
a minimum of 6 units of Board Developed courses.
Restrictions
Students choosing English Advanced or Mathematics Advanced need to have achieved at a certain level in Year 10.
Only 6 units (three subjects) of Science subjects can be chosen for Year 11 and a maximum of 7 units in Year 12.
Extension students must have a special interest and aptitude for the subject and will need to have approval from the relevant Leader of Learning. Classes for these courses will most likely run outside normal school hours.
University Entry
The ATAR-Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is calculated from 10 units of Year 12 HSC subjects. These must include 2 units of English. From 2025 onwards, all subjects that have an HSC examination can contribute towards the ATAR. (Previously, only one Category B subject (2 units) could count)
Course Descriptions
The following pages describe the subjects and assessment requirements for the courses found on the initial survey. Further information can be accessed on the NSW NESA Website: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/subject-selection
2026/2027 Stage 6 Subject Offerings
Religion - Leader of Learning: Mr Andrew May
Studies of Religion II (Compulsory for all students for Year 11)
Category A (2 Unit)
Note: Students will have the option to change from 2 unit Studies of Religion (SOR) to 1 unit SOR, 2 unit Studies in Catholic Thought (SICT) or 1 unit SICT in Year 12.
SOR 1 and SOR 2 have a compulsory HSC Examination
Studies in Catholic Thought 2 unit has no HSC Examination (Non-ATAR)
HSIE - Leader of Learning: Mrs Cherie Stoessel
Ancient History
Category A (2 Unit)
Business Studies
Category A (2 Unit)
History Extension
Year 12 only. HSC 1 Unit (Must be studying Ancient or Modern History)
Legal Studies
Category A (2 Unit)
Modern History
Category A (2 Unit)
Society and Culture
Category A (2 Unit)
Economics (Distance Education)
Category A (2 unit)
Geography (Distance Education)
Category A (2 Unit)
English - Leader of Learning: Miss Lauren Donnelly
Extension English 2
Year 12 only. HSC 1 Unit (must be studying Ext 1 and Advanced English)
Extension English 1
Category A (1 Unit)
English Advanced
Category A (2 Unit)
English Standard
Category A (2 Unit)
English Studies
Category B (2 Unit) (ATAR if exam is sat)
Maths - Leader of Learning: Mr Mark Harris
Maths Extension 2
Year 12 only. HSC 2 Unit (Must be studying Ext 1)
Maths Extension 1
Category A (1 Unit)
Mathematics Advanced
Category A (2 Unit)
Maths Standard
Category A (2 Unit)
Maths Standard 1
Yr 12 only. Category B (2 Unit) (ATAR if exam is sat)
CAPA - Leader of Learning: Ms Melanie Sampson
Music 2
Category A (2 unit)
Music Extension
Year 12 only. HSC 1 Unit (Must be studying Music 2)
Music 1
Category A (2 Unit)
Drama
Category A (2 Unit)
Visual Arts
Category A (2 Unit)
Science - Leader of Learning: Mr Daniel Fittler
Extension Science
Year 12 only. HSC 1 unit (Must study one of either Investigating Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Investigating Science
Category A (2 Unit)
Physics
Category A (2 Unit)
Chemistry
Category A (2 Unit)
Biology
Category A (2 Unit)
PDHPE - Leader of Learning: Miss Camilla Clydsdale
Health and Movement Science (PDHPE)
Category A (2 Unit)
Community and Family Studies
Category A (2 Unit)
Exploring Early Childhood (2 unit)
Board Endorsed (NON-ATAR)
TAS - Leader of Learning: Mr Jon Hawthorne
Design and Technology
Category A (2 Unit)
Textiles and Design
Category A (2 Unit)
Engineering Studies
Category A (2 Unit)
Agriculture
Category A (2 Unit)
VET - Leader of Learning: Mrs Rachael Galvin
Hospitality (VET)
Category B (2 Unit)
Construction (VET)
Category B (2 Unit)
Business Services (VET)
Category B (2 Unit)
Primary Industries (VET)
Category B (2 Unit)
Fitness (VET)
Board Endorsed (NON-ATAR 2 Units)
Additionally, students may choose subjects from out of school VET (TVET) or Distance Ed (Camden Haven High School, NSW School of Languages etc).
TVET Options
See the TAFE TVET brochure for more details:
https://www.tafensw.edu.au/documents/60140/76288/TVET-Brochure.pdf
Also, Mrs Galvin can help you with these options. rgalvin@arm.catholic.edu.au
Distance Education
Mr Stephen Chapman coordinates these options.
Camden Haven ($800 per 2 unit subject per year)
Earth and Environmental Science
Dance
Information Processes and Technology
Assistant Dance Teaching (VET)
Retail Services (VET)
Assistant Dance Teaching
Marine Studies
Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
Visual Design
For more information, see the Camden Haven High School website
For information on these courses, see this booklet
NSW School of Languages $800 (1 year)
See their website for more information:
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