Learning

Curriculum

Learning reflects the diverse nature of the teachers and students and complements the values that we share with parents. Our aim is to challenge each student to reach his full academic potential by effective classroom teaching and the development of internalised motivation, as well as sound habits of responsibility, scholarship, and respect for truth.

In addition to satisfying the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum requirements for all the Key Learning Areas, distinctive features of the Wollemi Curriculum include:

  • The structured and systematic Spalding approach to teaching language and literacy, emphasising the phonetic components of language
  • Study of a modern language and a general emphasis on history studies throughout the College to foster a universal outlook and cultural depth in students
  • Honours programs for students in Years 7-10 in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Art, and Music, allowing the ablest students to discover new challenges
  • An integrated approach to the personal development curriculum, delivering selected PDHPE syllabus content through PDHPE and religion classes, mentor sessions, and at home from parents


  • IT facilities and curriculum integrated into studies
  • Ongoing studies in Catholic teaching, open to all students
  • Specific qualities of character are highlighted each week in all areas of the College. Over time in each class, the class teacher reviews in a practical manner the full range of qualities that make up a well-rounded personality. The emphasis in this program is to equip the students with a multiplicity of practical approaches and to see personal development in these terms
  • The opportunity to benefit from an ongoing and wide-ranging program of guest expert speakers.
year 2 - year 6

Primary

We pride ourselves on providing a quality education for every student; however, we take it one step further by pairing academics with character development to produce well rounded young men. We focus on developing the whole person. Our core mission is the character formation of our students; it is in everything we do.

For our mission to be truly successful we call on you, as parents and primary educators, to allow Wollemi College to support you in this endeavour. At Wollemi College, a strong emphasis is placed on involving parents in all aspects of school life.

I am very proud to be a part of the Wollemi College community. It is warm, welcoming and very inclusive. We encourage and work with class parents to facilitate family gatherings throughout the year.

Academics and co-curricular activities play an important role in developing character. Practising industriousness, perseverance and discipline in the classroom and through assessments, as well as participating in a club or team activities has many benefits socially and academically. Teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving are all essential skills for success which are nurtured during the primary years at Wollemi.


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The Primary Student Representative Council is heavily involved in instilling a spirit of service amongst the classes. They find opportunities for the students to look beyond themselves and serve family, peers and community, as well as coordinate fundraising events for worthy causes and the buy-in across the College community is nothing short of extraordinary.

Wollemi College is a special place. The balance of academic rigour, character formation, faith and community spirit makes it a great fit for all!

Teaching and Learning

As required by the NESA, our Primary school’s curriculum includes the six Key Learning Areas:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Technology
  • History/Geography
  • Creative and Practical Arts
  • PDHPE

In addition, all students study Religion, a program developed by Wollemi to reflect the ethos, mission and values of the College, and Spanish as a Language Other Than English.

To cater to the needs of all primary students, both teaching and learning require a balanced approach. The delivery of concepts requires a deep understanding, explicit instruction and a student-centred framework to meet the learning needs of our students. With character formation in mind, our teachers encourage their students to challenge themselves to reach their personal best in all academic endeavours.

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Instruction and assessment are inseparable and the two aspects drive a differentiated classroom. Wollemi Primary teaching and learning programs are informed by assessment. Knowing where students are placed on the learning continuum allows teachers to create learning experiences for all abilities within the class setting.

In addition to these approaches, Wollemi students have the added advantage of a school mentor, who meets with them and their parents regularly, to discuss academic goals, track progress and all the while nurturing character development.

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Wollemi Primary currently offers extension activities to students in a number of ways.

  • Differentiated practice: teachers identify individual students who display talent and set expectations and tasks according to their ability. These students are encouraged to think critically, compare, contrast, evaluate and hypothesise concepts and subject matter. They are also encouraged to question and enquire
  • Weekly withdrawal Mathematics program: a group of students is selected from middle and senior primary years to participate in the Australian Maths Olympiad, a five-part test conducted each week that requires advanced maths problem-solving skills
  • Inter-school opportunities: there are various events hosted at other schools and private organisations throughout the academic year for students to participate in, including Maths, writing, problem-solving, creative arts, and teamwork challenges, which allows students to compete with other students outside of their classroom.

year 7 to year 12

Secondary

Our Secondary School aims to challenge each student to achieve his full personal and academic potential. We achieve this by providing students with a broad and well-rounded education that fosters individual student's talents, encouraging a deep love of learning and a passion for scholarship.

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Helping Your Son Reach His Full PotentialSecondary School Subject Electives

Year 7 and 8 focus on the foundational subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and the Social Sciences. Classes are organised into mixed ability groups for all subjects. Students are supported to develop strong study habits and core academic skills, to take increasing ownership of their learning.

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • Spanish
  • Technology
  • Visual Arts
  • Music
  • PDHPE
  • Religion 

Honour Program
The Honour Program is an enrichment program designed to challenge and extend Year 7-10 students. It provides wonderful opportunities for students to take their studies to a much higher level by pursuing an area of personal interest. The program is available across many subjects, and all students may apply to participate.

In Years 9 and 10 students are given the opportunity to select two electives to complement their normal program of study. These electives are based on student interest in particular subjects. Student choices fluctuate each year and sometimes not all electives are offered.


All Year 9 and 10 students study:

  • English
  • Mathematics – Level 5.3 and 5.2
  • Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • PDHPE
  • Work Education
  • Religion

Electives
In addition, students select two elective subjects each year from a combination of:

  • Commerce
  • Design and Technology
  • Digital Media
  • Music
  • Spanish
  • Agricultural Technology
  • Elective History
  • Industrial Technology
  • Visual Arts

Work Education
Work Education provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the world of work, including its dynamic and diverse nature. Students develop an understanding of the roles of education, training and employment, and an appreciation of the role of lifelong learning in career development and managing transitions. They develop transferable work-related skills, including interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial behaviours.

Work Experience 
Year 10 students undertake work experience in Term 4 for one week.

Honour Program
The Honour Program is an enrichment program designed to challenge and extend Year 9 and 10 students. It provides wonderful opportunities for students to take their studies to a much higher level by pursuing an area of personal interest. The program is available across many subjects, and all students may apply to participate.

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Wollemi provides a comprehensive range of subjects to cater to students' interests and abilities, and are linked to further education and training.

In addition to the subjects offered at Wollemi, students can also study recognised courses through external providers, including various languages, Board Developed Courses and Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers. Wollemi arranges the enrolment, supervision, and support of these students.

English

  • English Standard
  • English Advanced
  • English Extension 1
  • English Extension 2

Mathematics

  • Mathematics Standard
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Extension 1
  • Mathematics Extension 2

Other

  • Ancient History
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Design and Technology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Modern History
  • Music 1
  • PDHPE
  • Physics
  • Visual Arts

Additional Extension Subjects
Other extension courses are available to enable students to undertake more in-depth study in areas of specific interest, including:

  • History Extension
  • Music Extension
  • Science Extension

In Years 11 and 12 students continue to study Religion as part of the curriculum at Wollemi.

Completing the HSC is a rigourous and demanding task for students. Wollemi provides the additional support of teaching study and examination skills, small class sizes, and personalised mentoring to help students navigate challenges and perform to the best of their abilities.

Religion plays an important part in the life and ethos of Wollemi. All students in Years 7-12 are given the opportunity to deepen their understanding of teaching of Jesus Christ and traditions of the Catholic Church though participation in religion classes. They also learn about the value of prayer and a personal relationship with God in their everyday life through guided prayer and lessons by our College chaplains and the opportunity to attend daily Mass.

We encourage our students to make a positive difference in the community in which they live through developing a love of God and others, and encouraging our students to serve others through a range of community service projects. The key to this is a partnership between parents, mentors, teachers and students.

Diverse Learning

The Diverse Learning department at Wollemi College plays an important role in developing the literacy and numeracy skills of students involved in our program.

We use a variety of evidence-based programs to assist our low progress learners to acquire the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy. Our Learning Support Team has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past years and this is attributed to the tireless work of our wonderful parent volunteers, committed staff, and the implementation of research-based remedial programs.

Students involved in our programs receive:

  • One to one instruction in MULTILIT
  • One to one instruction in MULTILIT - extension
  • Small group guided reading sessions
  • Small group spelling sessions
  • One to one reinforced reading
  • Small group comprehension classes
  • A variety of diagnostic and standardised assessments -  Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests and Pat Maths
  • In class support across literacy and numeracy subjects
  • In class support with Individualised Education Programs

The Diverse Learning Team encourages a consistent teacher-parent communication network and fosters a warm and caring learning environment.

Luke Baxter
Diverse Learning Coordinator

Primary Extension
Wollemi Primary currently offers extension activities to students in a number of ways.

  • Differentiated practice: teachers identify individual students who display talent and set expectations and tasks according to their ability. These students are encouraged to think critically, compare, contrast, evaluate and hypothesise concepts and subject matter. They are also encouraged to question and enquire
  • Weekly withdrawal Mathematics program: a group of students is selected from middle and senior primary years to participate in the Australian Maths Olympiad, a five-part test conducted each week that requires advanced maths problem-solving skills
  • Inter-school opportunities: there are various events hosted at other schools and private organisations throughout the academic year for students to participate in, including Maths, writing, problem-solving, creative arts, and teamwork challenges, which allows students to compete with other students outside of their classroom.

Secondary Enrichment
Wollemi Secondary offers extension and enrichment activities to students in a number of ways:

Honour Program 
The Honour Program is designed to challenge and extend Year 7 to 10 students. It provides wonderful opportunities for students to take their studies to a much higher level by pursuing an area of personal interest. The program is available across many subjects, and all students may apply to participate.

Da Vinci Decathalon
The Da Vinci Decathlon is an external academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds. Students compete in teams of 8 across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, chess, code-breaking, art, poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy.

Each year Wollemi enters both Primary and Secondary students in this competition.

HSC results

School Summary

  • 12 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 8 unique Band 6/ E4 students

Individual results

  • Students with 3 Band 6/ E4 results - Samuel James
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - Joseph Lee, Johann Presty
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Jeremy Wright, Jerome Lapid, Daniel O'Neill, Paul Ivan Isidro, Jae Ramos

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School Summary

  • 13 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 5 unique Band 6/ E4 students

Individual results

  • Students with 6 Band 6/ E4 results - Yohann Marquez (All-rounder 2021)
  • Students with 4 Band 6/ E4 results - Matthew Conejar
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Ronan Hersey, Miguelle Canete, Albin Benoy

School Summary

  • 16 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 10 unique Band 6/ E4 students

Individual results

  • Students with 4 Band 6/ E4 results - Paulo Cabrera
  • Students with 3 Band 6/ E4 results - Dylan Sequeira
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - Matthew Conejar
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Alec Linga, Joshua Leifi, Artem Kotenev, Cyril Jadraque, Joachim Cabanero, Jonathan Blades, Timothy Allen

School Summary

  • 9 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 6 unique Band 6/ E4 students

Individual results

  • Students with 3 Band 6/ E4 results - Penna, Anton
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - Russell, Daniel
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Isaiah Strickland, Antony Pincevic, Mohammed Jawad Hosain, Jed Aguilar

School Summary

  • 26 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 12 unique Band 6/ E4 students

Individual results

  • Students with 7 Band 6/ E4 results - Phillip Kristyono (All-rounder 2018)
  • Students with 4 Band 6/ E4 results - Joseph Woolnough
  • Students with 3 Band 6/ E4 results - Liam Warda, Justin Gonzaga
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - Cameron Wright, Joshua Lay, Joseph Hoffmann
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Edrian Reyes, Mitchell Leifi, Michael Kerbage, Liam Gilbert, Mitchell Stead

School Summary

  • 25 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 10 unique Band 6/ E4 students
  • 1 State rank (top achiever)

Individual results

  • Students with 5 Band 6/ E4 results - Benjamin Rubbo (Ranked 1st in NSW for Business Studies)
  • Students with 4 Band 6/ E4 results - Francis Gonzaga
  • Students with 3 Band 6/ E4 results - Mark Estoque, Nathan Bartolo
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - Isaiah Soriano, Jordan Lay, Derrick Laurente
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Marcus Seecy, Jyron Calleja

School Summary

  • 10 Band 6/ E4 results
  • 5 unique Band 6/ E4 students
  • 1 State rank (top achiever)

Individual results

  • Students with 5 Band 6/ E4 results - Michael Gonzaga
  • Students with 2 Band 6/ E4 results - James Pirotta (Ranked 1st in NSW for Maltese Continuers)
  • Students with 1 Band 6/ E4 results - Stanley Santiago, Blake Weber, Jeramiah Dowling
Find out how to apply

Kindergarten to Year 1