All schools including Sydney Catholic Schools follow the same Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum, with our Catholic values underpinning everything that we do.

With a focus on the development of the whole person, courses offered at the school cover the NESA syllabus requirements – developing the core skills of literacy and numeracy – and our Archdiocesan Religious Education curriculum.

Our teachers extend and challenge students to be the best they can be, while recognising that every student is unique and learns differently.

Students in Years 7 and 8 study Music and Visual Arts.

From 2024, through the Amadeus Music Education Program students in Years 7-8 will receive tuition in weekly small-group lessons on an orchestral instrument, as well as ensemble lessons. For more information, please visit the Amadeus Music Education Program page on the Sydney Catholic Schools website.

Religious Education is at the heart of teaching and learning at Marcellin College. We believe that students learn best when their faith and spirituality are nurtured in an environment where Gospel values are promoted and practiced and where the spirit of Saint Marcellin Champagnat permeates all aspects of the College. 

Religious Education at Marcellin College is about giving our students an opportunity to encounter God. In Years 7–10, the Religious Education syllabus is based upon the ‘Faithful to God: Faithful to People’ curriculum. In senior years, students study either Studies of Religion I, Studies of Religion II or ‘Studies in Catholic Thought’.

Literacy is the effective use of knowledge and skills to interpret and use language confidently for learning, communicating and engaging in society. It involves the integration of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, creating, writing and critical thinking. These skills are applied in different curriculum areas for a variety of purposes.

The NESA developed syllabus is to be studied substantially throughout Years 7–10. Four hundred hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.

The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Literacy provides further elaboration on the principles of literacy and various roles within and across our schools.

Numeracy is the effective use of Mathematics to meet the demands of daily learning and life. Numeracy takes place across the curriculum and throughout the school day in a variety of contexts. The NESA developed syllabus is studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.

The Sydney Catholic Schools Statement on Numeracy provides further elaboration on the principles of numeracy and various roles within and across our schools.

Accelerated Mathematics
Accelerated Mathematics is offered to students who have demonstrated a mastery of the skills of Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8). Students who are selected into the Accelerated Mathematics program complete Stage 5 Mathematics (Years 9 and 10) in one year so that they can complete the Mathematics Advanced course and sit for the HSC Mathematics Advanced exam in Year 11.
Students then study Extension I Mathematics or both Extension I and Extension II Mathematics in Year 12.

Science and Technology ‘fosters in students a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Students are encouraged to embrace new concepts and to learn through trialling, testing and refining ideas. They are supported to participate responsibly in developing innovative ideas and solutions in response to questions and opportunities relevant to them and the world around them.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.

The NESA developed syllabus is studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours to be completed by the end of Year 10.

Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) ‘provides opportunities for students to explore the past and present to develop an understanding of their personal and community identity. They investigate the interactions between people, places and environments that shape their nation and world. They learn to participate in society as informed, responsible and active citizens.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.

The NESA developed syllabuses are studied substantially throughout each of Years 7–10. Four hundred hours to be completed by the end of Year 10, including 100 hours each of History and Geography in each stage.

Marcellin College has a rich cultural tradition of Languages. Italian is taught in Year 8 and is offered as an Elective in Years 9 and 10. Senior 11 and 12 Italian Beginners and Continuers is also offered. The opportunities to study other languages are offered through the NSW Schools of Languages and the Saturday School of Community Languages. Both mediums of study offer a range of Languages, with up to 30 different choices to choose from. The most popular Languages chosen at Marcellin, with students achieving excellent ATAR’s, have been in Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, French, German and Modern Greek.

‘Through Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) students develop self management, interpersonal and movement skills to help them become empowered, self-confident and socially responsible citizens. The learning experiences in PDHPE provide students with a foundation to actively contribute to, and advocate for the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others in the community and beyond school. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in physical activity to develop movement skills and recognise the impact of physical activity on health and wellbeing.’ – NSW Education Standards Authority.

The NESA developed mandatory 300 hour integrated syllabus in PDHPE is studied in each of Years 7–10.

VET courses are NESA Developed Courses that allow you to gain both HSC qualifications and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET accreditation. AQF qualifications are recognised by industry but require students to spend a minimum number of hours in the workplace. Courses can be studied at school or are delivered by external providers including TAFE.

The following VET courses are offered at Marcellin College:

VET HOSPITALITY: Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
This qualification reflects the role of individuals working in kitchens who use a defined and limited range of food preparation and cookery skills. This qualification provides a pathway to work in kitchen operations in organisations such as restaurants, hotels, catering operations, clubs, pubs, cafes, cafeterias, coffee shops and institutions such as aged care facilities, hospitals, prisons and schools.

VET CONSTRUCTION: Certificate II in Construction Pathways
This course would suit students who are interested in a career in the building and construction industry, building certification or project management in that industry.

BUSINESS SERVICES
VET Business Services is a practical subject that allows students to develop professional workplace skills such as touch typing, spreadsheets, operating office equipment for example laminators and scanners as well as developing professional communication skills both written and verbal.
As Business Services is a VET subject it has no marks allocated to assessments throughout Yr 11 or 12 only an achievement of competent or not yet competent. The single assessment which allocates students a NESA band is the HSC Exam, where students will be examined on their knowledge of the eight HSC examinable Business Services units, this exam is optional for all HSC Plus students but compulsory for any ATAR candidates.

EVET
For students in Years 11 and 12, externally-delivered VET (EVET) courses may be available to those who wish to complete a VET qualification that is not delivered at their own school. EVET courses are available at Randwick TAFE and Ultimo TAFE. Example of subjects to choose from: Animal Studies, Applied Fashion Design and Technology, Aviation – Aircraft Operations – Theory, Baking Retail, Children’s Services – Early Childhood Education and Care, Fitness, Plumbing, Electro Technology

SBAT
Students doing a school-based apprenticeship usually combine the final two years of school with paid part-time work. This enables you to finish the first year of their trade whilst completing the HSC. They then go into the second year full time – usually with the same employer – once they leave school.

The Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) faculty is a diverse department offering a board range of elective subjects to Marcellin students.

In Stage 4 we offer the following units:

  • Food and Agriculture with a focus on paddock to plate as well as creating your own culinary garden
  • Materials Technologies with a focus designing a smartwatch
  • Engineered Systems with a focus on bridge construction
  • Digital Technologies with a focus on programming a BBC microbit

In Stage 5 we offer a range of specialist electives in:

  • Food Technology
  • Design and Technology
  • Graphics Technology
  • iSTEM
  • Industrial Technology Timber
  • Information Software Technology

Stage 6 builds on the electives in stage 5 and we currently run:

  • Food Technology
  • Industrial Technology Timber
  • Design and Technology
  • Information Processing Technology
  • Software Design and Development
  • Marine Studies

Students have access to specialist rooms which are equipped with a range of different technologies such as laser cutter and 3D printing.