At Siena Catholic College, learning is designed as a coherent journey, with each stage intentionally structured to meet the developmental, academic and well-being needs of students as they grow. From a supportive transition into secondary school, through the Middle Years, and into clear pathways for senior schooling, students are guided, challenged and prepared for future success.
Year 7: Supported Transition through an Integrated Curriculum
Year 7 marks an important transition into secondary schooling. At Siena, this transition is supported through an integrated curriculum model, designed to provide continuity, connection and confidence during students’ first year of high school.
The integrated approach:
- Helps students make meaningful connections across learning areas
- Reduces fragmentation in the school day
- Strengthens literacy and numeracy across subjects
- Builds strong organisational skills and learning habits
Alongside core learning, Year 7 students experience a range of rotational elective subjects, including The Arts, Technologies and Languages. These rotations allow students to:
- Experience a broad range of subjects
- Discover new interests and talents
- Develop foundational skills across multiple disciplines
This balanced structure ensures Year 7 students are both supported and challenged, laying strong academic and social foundations for the years ahead.
Years 8 and 9: Middle Years Strategy and Student Choice
Years 8 and 9 form the heart of Siena’s Middle Years Strategy, a phase designed to support adolescents during a time of rapid growth, increasing independence and identity development.
During these years, students:
- Continue to build strong core academic skills
- Experience a core teaching team who provide consistency in expectations and routines
- Begin to make intentional curriculum choices through elective subjects
- Are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning
Elective Choice and Engagement
In Years 8 and 9, students select from a range of elective subjects across learning areas. This opportunity for choice increases engagement, motivation and relevance, allowing students to:
- Explore areas of interest
- Develop strengths and talents
Our Year 9 students also participate in Mock Job Interviews to best prepare them for the real world.
Year 10: Clarity, Confidence and Future Pathways
Year 10 at Siena is a purposeful transition year, designed to provide clarity, confidence and direction as students prepare for Senior School.
Broad Exposure with Purpose
Students continue to study core subjects while selecting electives that offer breadth and depth across learning areas. This structure allows students to:
- Confirm interests and strengths
- Experience senior‑style learning and assessment
- Make informed subject decisions for Years 11 and 12
Accelerated Curriculum Opportunities
In Year 10, eligible students may also can commence selected ATAR subjects through an accelerated program, allowing them to engage in senior‑level learning earlier. Subjects such as Dance and Digital Solutions provide students with the chance to experience the rigour, depth and expectations of General subjects, while continuing to receive appropriate guidance and support.
Acceleration enables motivated students to extend their learning, build confidence and gain valuable insight into senior study demands, supporting informed decision‑making and strong preparation for Years 11 and 12.
SET Planning and Career Pathways
A key focus of Year 10 is the Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning process, which supports students and families to plan meaningful post‑school pathways, along with our work experience program.
Through SET planning and targeted work experience, students:
- Explore career and study options
- Align subject selections with future goals
- Receive structured guidance and feedback
- Develop a clear and personalised pathway into Senior School
By the end of Year 10, students have:
- A clear understanding of senior subject expectations
- Confidence in their chosen pathway
- A strong foundation for success in Years 11 and 12
