At Padua College, our mission is to provide every student with an exceptional education, empowering them to strive for success now and into the future. Our approach encompasses intimate class sizes, innovative learning environments, and a comprehensive curriculum outlined below.
Please contact the College should you require further information regarding our curriculum and subject offering.
Curriculum Year 7-8
At Padua College, our curriculum reflects our core values. To welcome and affirm, the syllabus aligns with the House system to build positive relationships as a basis for the students’ six-year journey through the College. All Year 7 and 8 students undertake a common, integrated curriculum that provides a strong foundation, a love of learning and a sample of the array of subjects offered in the subsequent years of schooling. In addition, to scaffold the higher-order and critical thinking skills built through the primary school model, all students participate in the STEAM Cup (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). This encourages interdisciplinary connections while problem solving through group inquiry. Deep learning is fostered as students take their individual subject skills and apply these in unfamiliar contexts.
Please refer to the Curriculum Handbook for Year 7-8 subjects.
Aspire9 Program
Over the last eight years, the Aspire9 program has provided our students with rich learning experiences, both in and out of the classroom. Each campus has an Aspire9 learning centre that provides a vibrant, positive and hope filled community, where Catholic values and our College mission are transformed through every student’s learning journey. The Aspire9 team is committed to deliver a dynamic program tailored to address the needs of today’s adolescents, with a strong focus on preparing every student towards a successful transition into the senior years.
The program focuses on:
- Educating the whole person
- Building strong relationships that enhance a positive and supportive learning environment
- Developing self-aware learners who are active in the community and the larger world
- Nurturing and cultivating 21st century skills: collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity
- Delivering an inclusive program that challenges, supports, and inspires all students
Aspire9 Student Expectations - “Resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow.” Padua College 2025 theme
At Padua College, we have three key expectations for our students:
- Do your best
- Help others succeed
- Respect yourself, your peers, and your environment
We are committed to making these expectations a central focus, encouraging students to take greater responsibility for their learning and contribute positively to their community. During Jumpstart, students signed a hard copy of this agreement to reinforce their commitment.
Curriculum
The core curriculum includes Religious Education, English, Maths, Science, Health & Physical Education, History, Geography and six electives over the year. All courses have been designed to fully engage our students and give them the necessary skills to move into the Senior Campus in 2026.
Focus Weeks
We are excited about the unique learning opportunities our two Focus Weeks provide. Throughout the year, students will step away from their regular timetabled classes to engage in two immersive, weeklong learning experiences within their House Community Group. Attendance at these Focus Weeks is essential, as they cover key areas of the Victorian Curriculum. Additionally, these experiences play a crucial role in the transition process, as students collaborate in cross-campus groups that will form their senior house community in their senior years at Padua.
Camp
An Outdoor Camp experience will involve students invited to select their camp preferences from a range of outdoor experiences. Student participation and engagement is key to building resilience, outdoor skills and appreciation for the environment.
Aspire9 Days
One day per fortnight, students participate in a practical, experiential learning program designed to extend learning beyond the traditional classroom. These Aspire9 Days foster independence, skill development, and real-world application, covering a diverse range of themes, including but not limited to:
- Work Ready – Career tools, career action plans, HMAS Cerberus excursion, First Aid, Resume writing, Liverpool Academy
- Sustainability – Climate change, ecological footprint, Indigenous perspectives on sustainability and Sustainability elective day.
- Social Innovators – Entrepreneurship, financial literacy and ethical thinking.
- Global Awareness – Model UN, global politics, trade relations looking at our global connections in trade at the Port of Melbourne and intercultural connections across the globe.
These experiences provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop key skills, explore future pathways, and engage with contemporary issues.
Please refer to the Curriculum Handbook for further information on the Aspire9 curriculum.
Curriculum Year 10
At the conclusion of Year 9, students from Tyabb, Rosebud, and Mornington Campuses join to form the Year 10-12 Senior School at the Mornington Campus of Padua College. This structure enables greater pathway opportunities for all students. In designing the Senior School structure staff have worked to establish a flexible learning program that maximises students’ choice and opportunity.
Students in Year 10 have the option of undertaking the traditional Year 10 Curriculum or the Year 10 Applied Learning Program (ALP). Our ALP is designed for students seeking project-based learning with a focus on developing employability skills. This information, plus the presentations on ECAT Evening and consultations with teachers, will help students choose elective subjects online via the Web Preferences Portal.
The Year 10 Curriculum consists of the following core subjects:
- Core - Religious Education (one unit), English (two units), Mathematics (please note, students are allocated to a core Mathematics group – Pre-Methods, Pre-General or Pre-Foundation, based on their performance in Year 9), Commerce (one unit), Science (one unit), Humanities (one unit).
- Electives – students will study a range of elective units
The Year 10 ALP consists of the following core subjects:
- Core - Religious Education (one unit), ALP Literacy (two units), Mathematics (please note, students are allocated to a core Mathematics group - Pre-Methods, Pre-General or Pre-Foundation, based on their performance in Year 9); Personal Development (two units) and (one unit) from History, Geography, Commerce, Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
- Electives – students will study a range of elective units.
VCE Acceleration
Year 10 students may be eligible to undertake a Unit 1&2 VCE subject as an accelerated study, with some limited opportunities also available for undertaking a Unit 3&4 VCE subject. This opportunity is reserved for students who have consistently demonstrated high academic achievement across all subject areas, along with strong literacy, study habits, and organisational skills.
It is important to note that an accelerated VCE subject is undertaken in addition to the full Year 10 curriculum. As such, students must give careful consideration to the increased workload, including the volume of assessment tasks and test conditions, as well as their capacity to balance school demands with any outside commitments.
Students should only consider acceleration if they are genuinely prepared for the rigour of a VCE subject. In some cases, it may be more beneficial for a student to spend an additional year consolidating their skills within the relevant Learning Area before undertaking a VCE study.
VCE VET (Vocational Education and Training) Subjects
In Year 10 students may also choose to study a VCE VET course as an accelerated elective. Interested students should refer to the VCE VET information in curriculum handbook.
Finally, whilst many units are offered for student selection, subjects will only run if there are sufficient numbers to form a viable class. In some classes, there will be a limit on numbers due to staffing and resources.
Please refer to the Curriculum Handbook for further information.
Curriculum Year 11-12 VCE
Padua College takes great pride in its outstanding facilities, dedicated teaching staff, and committed support personnel who work together to help students achieve their personal and academic goals. The College offers a broad range of opportunities, and our VCE students benefit from an extensive selection of subjects to suit their interests and aspirations.
In Year 11, students typically undertake up to six VCE studies. All students on the VCE ATAR pathway are required to enrol in an English subject (either English or English Language) as well as VCE Religious Education Unit 2. Students wishing to study Literature must also select English, as it is a compulsory co-requisite.
The Curriculum Handbook provides comprehensive information about VCE, VCE VM, VPC, and VET programs, along with detailed descriptions of all subjects offered at this level and guidance on the subject selection process.
Please refer to the Curriculum Handbook for further information.
Official VCE Exam Timetable
Please see the latest information, which outlines exam dates:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/Key-dates/Pages/VCE-exam-timetable.aspx
For useful information regarding length of exams, materials permitted, content covered and past exams please visit:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/timetable.aspx
Curriculum Year 11-12 VCE Vocational Major
The VCE Vocational Major (VM) at Padua College is a dynamic and practical two-year program designed for students who are ready to learn through real-world experiences and hands-on projects.
This pathway is ideal for students interested in moving into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education, non-ATAR university pathways, or entering the workforce directly.
Learning in the VCE VM is all about relevance and connection — projects are based on real-world scenarios and are tailored to your interests, strengths, and career goals. You'll build essential workplace skills, grow in confidence, and develop the capabilities needed to thrive in life beyond school.
With greater choice and flexibility, the VCE VM empowers you to pursue what you're passionate about while preparing you to succeed in a fast-changing world.
Join a program that supports your journey to becoming an active and informed citizen, a lifelong learner, and a confident, creative individual.
VCE Vocational Major (VM) – Program Requirements
To successfully complete the VCE Vocational Major (VM), students must meet the following minimum requirements across two years of study:
Core Requirements (16 Units Minimum)
- Four units of VCE VM Literacy or VCE English, including at least one Unit 3&4 sequence
- Numeracy: Units 1&2 of VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics
- Work-Related Skills: Units 1&2
- Personal Development Skills: Units 1&2
- Three additional Unit 3&4 sequences from either VCE or VCE VM subjects
Additional Program Components
- VET: Completion of at least two VET credits at Certificate II level or higher (minimum of 180 nominal hours)
- Structured Workplace Learning (SWL): At least 80 hours in an industry aligned to the student’s VCE VET program, school-based apprenticeship, or traineeship (SBAT)
- Note: In some cases, SWL hours completed in a non-aligned industry may still count towards the VCE VM if a Workplace Learning Record is completed
Religious Education
Religious Education is fully embedded in the VCE VM curriculum. Through project-based learning and community engagement, students will deepen their understanding of Social Justice and Charism, exploring how these principles apply in real-world contexts.
Please refer to the Curriculum Handbook for further information.
VET Programs at Padua College
Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs are nationally recognised certificate courses that enable students to incorporate vocational learning into their Year 10, VCE, or VCE Vocational Major (VM) studies.
These programs are delivered in a range of settings and provide students with valuable opportunities to:
- Combine academic and vocational learning
- Explore potential career pathways
- Participate in Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)
- Learn in adult-style, applied learning environments
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification contributing to the VCE or VCE VM
- Build practical skills that support future employment
Padua College will make every effort to support student access to a suitable VET course, depending on individual interest and availability at external providers.
Please note: All VET programs incur additional costs.
Further details about VET courses, including available options and how to apply, can be found in the Curriculum Handbook.
Hands on Learning (HoL) Program
The Hands on Learning (HoL) program is a creative and practical education initiative designed to support students who thrive through experiential and hands-on learning. Working in small groups with skilled artisan-teachers, students participate in meaningful building and community projects that promote engagement, confidence, and a sense of achievement.
HoL nurtures strong, supportive relationships and provides a safe space for students to grow. Through collaborative, real-world tasks, students develop essential life and employability skills—including teamwork, problem-solving, communication, resilience, and empathy—equipping them to thrive both at school and beyond.
