Senior Years

​​​​​ Developing a learning pathway to suit the needs and the ability of each individual is continued in the senior school (Years 11 and 12) at St Mary’s College.  The College offers academic and vocational pathways, with both offering the opportunity to qualify for a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE.

Senior Pathways.jpg
 © Brisbane Catholic Education, St Mary's College (2020​)​

Students planning to undertake tertiary study are able to plan a course of between five and six Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) subjects from those offered at the College. Students must meet all requirements as outlined by the QCAA to be eligible to receive an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), used to determine entry into some Queensland tertiary institutions, or to be eligible for a range of other tertiary studies options.

Students who want a vocational focus in senior will find a well-structured vocational pathway at St Mary's College.  We access a range of accredited certificate courses that are delivered at the Trade Training Centre or in conjunction with local TAFE College or other Registered Training Organisations.  Students who choose to undertake school-based traineeships or apprenticeships within their studies may have a reduced workload to incorporate work-related training as part of their course.

More information regarding the actual subjects studied in a year level can be found in the curriculum handbooks and on the individual subject department pages.


Career Path​​ways

St Mary's College provides an opportunity for every student to succeed, and for every student to plan a pathway to enable them to lead a productive life beyond year 12. The College has a progressive Career Development program across all years. This program includes:
  • Personal career profiling
  • Career immersion days in year 10
  • SET Plan Preparation in Year 10
  • Work experience opportunities for students in years 10-12
  • Opportunities for resume development and Mock Interviews
  • Explore University Days
  • Career mentoring opportunities

Head Start Opportunitie​​s

At St Mary's College, Year 11 and 12 students can complete university subjects while they are at school. Completion of these units are either free or heavily subsidised and can lead to direct entry into related courses at a university. More information on Head Start can be found by clicking the below links:

​​​​​​​“Completing a University Head Start subject in Engineering in Year 11 enabled me to achieve outstanding results in my Senior Physics class this year. It is also good knowing that I have direct entry into an Engineering course at the university.” (Year 12 student) 

Vocational Education and ​​Training

Vocational education and training (VET) enables students to acquire workplace skills through nationally recognised training within an accredited course. 

At St Mary's College, our students have a limitless range of options to pursue with the training and courses available to them. 

These opportunities such as school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SAT) and attending external Queensland Studies Authority registered training organisations (RTO).

They are available to all Year 11 and 12 students and in some cases, Year 10 students can access these pathways.​


Courses offere​d at St Mary’s College

St Mary’s College offers several subjects as part of its Vocational Education program. These Vocational Education & Training (VET) courses are nationally accredited courses and certificates.

Students will be eligible to receive one or more certificate qualifications.

Qualifications gained are determined through competency-based assessment. The completed certificate/s and units of competency will appear on the Senior Statement.

Courses offered at St Mary’s College include:

  • ​​Certificate III in Hospitality/Tourism (Certificate II Course embedded into program)
  • ​Certificate II in Manufacturing Technology
  • Certificate III in Sport and Recreation (Certificate II Course embedded into program) 
  • ​Certificate III in Early Childhood Education  and Care 
  • Certificate IV in Crime and Justice
  • Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology
  • Certificate III in Visual Art
  • Certificate III in Business
  • Certificate II in Sampling & Measurement / Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
  • Certificate II in Plumbing​

​“Completing the certificate IV course in crime and justice has been advantageous for me as I am interested in the legal system and how it works and I also get 8 QCE points. It is also great to have the opportunity to get a direct entry into the Bachelor of Criminology course at the University of Sunshine Coast."​ (Year 12 student )​

Courses​ offer​​ed offsite

Students at St Mary’s have the opportunity to complete nationally accredited courses outside of school. These students miss one day of school a week to do their training and pick up a study line where they catch up on schoolwork missed or do their coursework. 

TAFE 

Students are able to study a range of courses at TAFE  who have campuses in Maryborough and Hervey Bay. More information on these courses can be found on the TAFE at Schools Website

​TAFE-Tra​de Tra​​​inin​​​​g Centre

Below are the current courses offered at the Maryborough Trade Training Centre
  • Certificate I in Construction
  • Certificate II in Electrotechnology / Certificate II in Sustainable Energy
  • Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
  • Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways
  • Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation​
​“I currently do the Certificate II in Heath Support course at TAFE and it is great. TAFE at Maryborough has a Health Hub and there is a mock ward, mechanical hoist and shower rooms.  It has been interesting learning the different treatment options available in health care.” (Year 11 student)
​​

VET COURSES AT Mar​​yboroug​​h TAFE Hub

  • Certificate II in Health Support
  • Certificate III in Health Services Assistant (online year 12)
School Links Courses
  • Certificate II in Salon Assistant
  • Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
  • Certificate III in Makeup​

Additional TAFE Co​​urses

  • Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation ​
​​​

Destination of Year 12

The Next Step post-school destination surveys identify the study, work or other point-in-time destinations of students who leave or complete school in Queensland. Click below to see St Mary's College 2023 Summary Report. 

St Mary's C​ollege​ 2023 Summary Report


Helpful Links and Information​

At St Mary's College, we aim to facilitate a range of opportunities for students to explore the ever-changing options available to them. Information and links to helpful websites and resources are available through this site. Updates will be provided through the St Mary's College newsletter regarding upcoming events, deadlines and opportunities.

Please find below links to a number of key resources to help you on your Senior Learning Pathway.