Columba Catholic College endeavours to deliver a holistic and well balanced curriculum which provides students with opportunities to develop and grow academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. While Years 7-10 students follow the Australian Curriculum, the senior school offers both academic and vocational pathways. Students are encouraged to achieve their personal best and meet the challenges presented in the curriculum. The College has dedicated staff who nurture students and challenge them to perform to the best of their ability.

Our curriculum in Years 7-10 incorporates nine key learning areas:

• Religion
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities (History, Geography, Economics and Business, Civics and Citizenship)
• Health and Physical Education
• Languages (Chinese)
• Technologies (Design and Technologies, Digital Technologies)
• The Arts (Drama, Music, Visual Arts)

In years 7 and 8, students are exposed to a range of core and rotational subjects, which they may choose to explore further in years 9 and 10. In Years 9 and 10, in addition to studying the core subjects, students choose two elective subjects to study. The available elective subjects provide an opportunity for students to experiment with potential subjects that align with their career pathways.

The needs of the individual are at the centre of the senior curriculum. Students in Years 11 and 12 are offered a range of subjects to select from that provides various pathways to further study and careers. Students may embark on an academic program which prepares them for tertiary entrance, or they may access an alternative pathway which includes school-based apprenticeships and traineeships and certificate courses provided by TAFE, Townsville Catholic Education and other Registered Training Organisations (RTO). Year 11 and 12 students are offered a range of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) General and Applied / Applied Essential Subjects in addition to VET certificates.

To find out more about all the subjects we offer at the College, please refer to our Subject Handbooks.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Columba Catholic College is committed to providing a range of programs and opportunities for senior school students. One of the many pathways available to students is Vocational Education and Training.

What is VET?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) refers to education and training that provides students with nationally recognised qualifications that focus on delivering skills and knowledge required for specific industries. Students at Columba Catholic College in Year 10, 11 and 12 have the opportunity to complete qualifications at Certificate II and III level, either at school or outside of school (e.g. TAFE). VET also includes school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Benefits of VET

Participating in VET can provide students with:

•       nationally recognised qualifications
•       credit points towards the attainment of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
•       hands-on work experience in the industry
•       work-ready knowledge and skills
•       support in their transition to employment, vocational and higher education pathways

School Bases Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs)

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) combine school, training and paid employment to give students in Year 10, 11 and 12 an industry-recognised national qualification and credits towards their QCE. Our students are able to complete SATs in a large variety of industry areas, including veterinary nursing, childcare, automotive, tourism and hospitality, engineering, beauty, hairdressing, retail, electro technology, building and construction, health and many more.

 VET Qualifications

Columba Catholic College offers the following VET qualifications in regular timetabled lessons at school:

Columba Catholic College students also have the opportunity to access VET qualifications delivered by External providers (Registered Training Organisations).

Dalrymple Trade Training Centre (DTTC)

Students at Columba Catholic College have the opportunity to complete VET qualifications through the Dalrymple Trade Training Centre (DTTC). Students either complete these certificates at the Dalrymple Trade Training Centre or online in regular timetabled lessons and attend block training at designated times during the year.

More information about VET within Townsville Catholic Education can be found here.