Years 11 and 12 curriculum

Inspiring young men to
exceed their expectations

Churchie encourages all boys to aspire to a culture of continual improvement through intellectual curiosity and high expectations. Both academic achievement and commitment to academic growth are valued and celebrated.

Learning in the senior years aims to fully extend the academic aspirations of students through two major tertiary matriculation pathways: the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. A vocational education pathway is also available, selected in conversation with the School and with regards to specific learning goals and interests. Parents, students and staff work closely together to help choose the best pathway for each student.

Queensland Certificate of Education

The QCE syllabuses ensure school leavers have the twenty-first century skills they require to be lifelong learners, valued employees, innovators, entrepreneurs and responsible global citizens. Students must meet the Year 10 grade point average and subject prerequisites to be selected for a QCE pathway. To be awarded a QCE, a student must complete a significant amount of learning, to a set standard and in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.

The subject offerings derive from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s subjects leading to an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). Students select six subjects to study, with an external examination for each subject. At Churchie, English or Literature is compulsory as is either General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods. Students then select four additional subjects from the following:

  • Accounting
  • Agricultural Science
  • Ancient History
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • Design
  • Digital Solutions
  • Drama
  • Earth and Environmental Science
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Film, Television and New Media
  • French
  • Geography
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Modern History
  • Music
  • Music Extension
  • Philosophy and Reason
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Spanish
  • Specialist Mathematics
  • Visual Art

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

Churchie is an IB World School authorised for the delivery of the IB Diploma Programme. The IB enables students to make sense of the complexities of the world around them, as well as equipping them with the skills and dispositions needed for taking responsible action for the future. It provides an education that crosses disciplinary, cultural, national and geographical boundaries, and champions critical engagement, stimulating ideas and effective relationships.

An IB pathway consists of six IB subjects, three of which are taken at a higher level and three are taken at a standard level. Additionally, there are three IB core components: theory of knowledge (TOK); extended essay (EE); creativity, activity and service (CAS). Each subject receives a score out of seven, and the core is worth up to three marks, allowing a total possible score of 45.

Students must choose one subject from each of the six groups. However, if the student does not want to do an arts subject, they can choose a second humanities (Individuals and societies) or science subject. Similarly, if a student would like to choose two arts subjects, they can take Environmental systems and societies.

  • Group 1 – Studies in language and literature: Literature
  • Group 2 – Language acquisition: French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
  • Group 3 – Individuals and societies: Business, Economics, Environmental Systems and Societies, History, Philosophy
  • Group 4 – Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Systems and Societies, Physics
  • Group 5 – Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, Application and Interpretation
  • Group 6 – The arts: Film, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts

IB Diploma Programme students receive a Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) rank, an exact equivalent to an ATAR, based on their mark out of 45. The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) receives IB Diploma results directly from the International Baccalaureate and any subject bonus points students are eligible for will be automatically allocated by the institutions.

Vocational education

Churchie also offers a boutique Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway. Students select from a range of QCE subjects (including Mathematics and English) and a combination of Applied subjects and Vocational courses from those listed below. Our VET students are eligible for receiving the Queensland Certificate of Education. Depending on their subject selection, our VET students may also be eligible for ATAR equivalent scores.

The Vocational Education and Training courses available may include:

  • Certificate IV in Fitness
  • Diploma of Business
  • Furnishing Skills (commencing Year 11 2024)
  • Science in Practice
  • Sport and Recreation

The School also supports many of our VET students in studying a TAFE course, catering for a range of additional interests such as plumbing, electrotechnology, automotive vocational preparation, construction, health and health support services and engineering.


Learn more

senior school

overview

Aquila

gifted and talented

Libraries

Literacy and Research skills