“We have created space here in High School where students can feel safe. Safe to make mistakes and take chances in learning, enabling them to build resilience while they learn to overcome challenges. This community fosters healthy relationships, valuing personal wellbeing and modelled on godly wisdom as we prepare each student for their future beyond school.”
Mr Anthony Hudson – High School Deputy Principal
Our students are encouraged to grow, explore, discover and enjoy learning as they continue to build on their education. Throughout High School, our students are encouraged to challenge themselves and achieve their own personal goals. As students develop, they are able to discern their unique God-given gifts and abilities and utilise them well. High School provides students the framework to consider their place in God’s world, as well as the support to find and utilise these gifts to their best ability. Students are taught to be lifelong learners who excel in their chosen fields, for God’s glory.
High School years are an exciting time, during which the development of new friendships and the exploration of new educational experiences take place. We intentionally cater for both the students’ educational and emotional needs, as we recognise that high school is a time of many different transitions and changes. Students are actively encouraged to continue to participate in all aspects of school life, including extracurricular activities, so that they may experience the full breadth of opportunities on offer as they continue to grow into adulthood.
As students enter Senior School (Years 11-12), they are guided in their decision making in determining which subjects are right for them to achieve the best results possible. The academic rigours involved in the senior years of high school allow students to learn more about themselves and the ways in which they can thrive under pressure. We are dedicated to helping students achieve their potential in all areas of school life, offering free tutoring and leadership opportunities in the Senior years to support their growth and support them to lead in their chosen fields.
The High school curriculum is designed to allow students to be inspired by the world that God has created and to recognise their place and space within this world. Students are exposed to a wide range of experiences and subjects as they learn how to learn and make sense of ideas and information in a clear and logical manner. Students are challenge to challenge themselves to achieve academic excellence in all chosen subject areas.
Biblical Studies
The Bible is an extraordinary book which has had an enormous impact on our society and many individual lives. The Biblical Studies program introduces students to the contents of the Bible and helps them develop skills to read and understand it themselves. The teaching staff respect the Bible as God’s Word to us today and seek to provide a safe place for students to interact with its teachings and have the time and space to make an informed response to it.
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
Students who study the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) have a wonderful opportunity to explore their uniqueness, creativity and individuality, given to them by God. They are able to individually and collaboratively communicate ideas, sounds, images and feelings through a variety of physical and conceptual means.
Study in CAPA provides students with strong discipline based knowledge and the fundamental skills, creative expertise, learning mindset and critical capabilities for the future world of work. CAPA students experience and develop the complex skills required to create and test ideas, generate creative works with confidence, shape inquiry and critically evaluate and reflect on what they do. Study in CAPA prepares students to be significant producers and informed consumers of culture. Courses we currently offer include Dance, Drama, Entertainment Industry, Music and Visual Arts
Human Society and its Environment
Human Society and its Environment is the study of how humans interact with the world, how society operates and how it is changing. It encompasses a range of subjects including Geography, History, Commerce, Business, Economics and Legal Studies. In HSIE, students develop the skills to prepare them to actively and responsibly participate as informed citizens in the contemporary world.
HSIE subjects develop students’ knowledge and understanding of both historical and contemporary issues in society and develops the analytical, problem-solving and communication skills of students. We understand that God made our world and the people in it. Through the study of HSIE subjects, students are challenged to analyse how humans interact with the world and each other and evaluate these interactions in light of God’s design and purpose for humanity.
Languages
The Languages Faculty aims to teach students more about God’s world and the vast array of cultural and linguistic communities that exist among the people He has created. WCCS currently offers Stage 4 Spanish to Year 7 learners, allowing students to develop skills in the most widely spoken European language after English and develops the students’ cultural understanding of the more than 20 countries who have Spanish as their native tongue.
In Languages, students develop their literacy skills, as well as cultural understanding, empathy, communication, teamwork and confidence through a shared experience of studying a language and culture in a supportive environment that encourages challenging oneself and recognises that mistakes improve learning, rather than hindering it. Studying a foreign language enables students to think about and better understand the various cultures, customs and languages of the people that God has created. It teaches skills of how to empathise with people who may have a different understanding of the world, while also helping students develop ways in which they may be able to explain and even develop their own understanding of God’s world.
Mathematics
Mathematics allows a pathway to reasoning and creativity which employs theoretical and generalised methods to identify, describe and apply patterns and relationships. The study of mathematics provides opportunities for students to appreciate the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning and to apply mathematical understanding creatively and efficiently. Mathematics allows us to recognise and appreciate the beautiful order of God’s creation and thus of God Himself. Mathematics derives its purpose, meaning, and value from God. The study of the subject enables students to develop a positive self-concept as learners of mathematics, obtain enjoyment form mathematics, and become self-motivated learners through inquiry and active participation in challenging and engaging experiences.
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
The subject area of PDHPE provides students with opportunities to enhance their own and others’ health, safety, wellbeing and participation in physical activity. Students develop self-management, interpersonal and movement skills to become empowered, self-confident and socially responsible citizens. At William Carey we have the opportunity to teach the curriculum in a way that highlights the importance of these practical, real life skills in light of us being unique individuals created in the image of a loving and involved God.
Science
Science provides a way of answering interesting and important questions about the world. The study of Science is a collaborative, creative endeavour which teaches students to use their knowledge to make predictions, develop methods of testing their ideas and work together to collect and analyse data. Students develop a deeper appreciation of the unique nature of science as an evolving body of knowledge and of the complex relationship between evidence and ideas. They are able to demonstrate honesty, ethical principles, and respect for differing viewpoints on scientific issues.
Science encourages students to use their senses to observe and understand God’s world and gives students the tools to explore, discover, and make sense of all that God made. When we study creation and marvel at the things that God created, we are praising God.
Sport
High School sport encourages participation in physical activity for all students, from school sport to elite participation. We participate in weekly sport in the local MISA competition and annual school carnivals and a range of gala days in a wide range of sports which progress to CSSA Zone, State, CIS and NSW All Schools pathways. Students are encouraged to participate in sport to enhance their physical and mental skills, wellbeing, respect, teamwork and to develop their interpersonal skills and their own health.
Sport provides opportunities for students to practice biblical principles such as respect, kindness, self-control and honesty. For those students who have God-given gifts and abilities in sport, they are encouraged to develop their talents to bring glory to God and share the gospel in their interactions with others.
Technologies
The Technologies key learning area provides students with access to a suite of different subjects. In Stage 5 this includes Food Technology, Industrial Technology (Timber), Industrial Technology (Metal), Industrial Technology (Engineering), Information and Software Technology, and Textiles Technology. In Stage 6 this includes Engineering Studies, Food Technology, Industrial Technology, Software Design and Development, and Textiles and Design.
We encourage all students to explore their God-given skills and abilities to create practical projects that reflect the creativity developed by utilising the inherent potential in the Earth’s natural resources. The gifts of intelligence, reason, and manual skills can be used by students to produce ideas, techniques and products that assist material well-being. The Lord also gave permission for the development of science and technology by authorising man to subdue creation. The use of the hands and the accompanying thought in planning, design, implementation and management are thoroughly worthy activities from a Christian perspective. The enjoyment and satisfaction, which comes from technology itself, and the development of practical skills associated with it, are great gifts from the Lord.
VET Courses
Vocational education and training (VET) courses play a role in helping students prepare for further education, training, employment and lifelong learning. The VET courses offered internally onsite include Construction (Pathways), Hospitality (Food and Beverage) and Entertainment Industry. Students are also able to access a diverse range of External VET (EVET) courses through other providers such as Health Care Assistance through NSW Health or Automotive through TAFE. VET courses are highly practical in nature and provide students with real, industry work experience, while students also gain a nationally-recognised VET qualification that contributes towards their HSC studies.
Technology has become a key tool in effective education, allowing students to learn beyond the constraints of the four walls of the classroom, or the limits of the school bell and timetable. Each High School student is required to bring their own device to enhance their learning.
All High School students have access to knowledgeable and helpful advice from our inhouse Careers Department, so that our students can:
Students can visit the Careers Centre (M1) during recess or lunchtimes to ask career related questions, obtain advice or have a one on one Career interview. The careers department assists students in making good career choices by giving them access to a wide range of activities including workshops, mock interviews, excursions, career expos and university open days