The St Mary MacKillop Library subscribes to multiple eBook services for fiction, non-fiction and audiobooks. These are perfect supplements for students at Croagh Patrick.

Fiction eBooks and audiobooks are primarily access through ePlatform by Wheelers.

Introduction

In Science, students cover all three strands of the Australian Science Curriculum (Science Understanding, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry). Students explore the key facets of Science such as chemistry, biology, physics and geology through a number of very practical units. The units covered are Light, Sound and Action, Chemical Reactions, Ecosystems and Change.

Developing Science Alternative Program Task

• Atoms - Subject Guide
• Chemical Reactions 
• Ecosystems 
• Nuclear energy - Subject Guide
• Light, Matter and Physical Forces 

Introduction

Health and Physical Education is an integrated subject features elements of the Years 9 & 10 Australian Curriculum Health course, Pathway Planning, thinking and study skills. Health in Year 9 has a major focus on the following aspects: Safety; Relationships and Sexuality; Food and Nutrition; Participation in Sport. The Physical Education component of the course focuses on: Aquatics and Fitness; Skill Acquisition and Game Sense ; Fair Play and Sports Admin; Leisure and Challenge.

Library resources

Use the Library catalogue to find the resources that you are looking for.

Thinking about my future

Throughout the year, students at the Croagh Patrick campus will reflect on their lives and their learning, and how they think and plan for their future. In term 1, the Future Pathways team deliver a program that looks at possible options available to students, resume writing, and mock interviews with real industry professionals. Later in the year students look at the concept of goal setting. 

• Metacognition and psychology - Subject Guide
• Careers and future planning - Subject Guide

Food and nutrition

The unit examines guidelines for healthy eating in Australia; factors that impact on eating habits and diet related illnesses.

• Diabetes - Subject Guide
• Nutrition - Subject Guide
• Eating disorders
• Obesity - Subject Guide

Relationships and sexual health

This unit examines the notion of respect and the importance of respect in relationships. The unit also explores issues relating to sexual health.

• Relationships
• Respect - Subject Guide
• Sexual health
• Sexuality

Being safe

This unit explores risk taking in adolescents and identifies the difference between positive and negative risks.

• Drugs - Subject Guide

Introduction

Religious Education continues under the name of Meaning, Values, Purpose & Spirituality (MVPS). MVPS is a core element in the Croagh Patrick curriculum that is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understandings of Christianity in the light of Jesus and the Gospel, and its unfolding story and diversity within contemporary Australian and global society. This subject facilitates students’ moral and spiritual growth and nourishes their religious identity and their religious knowledge and understanding. It fosters their capacities and skills of discerning and making connections, and using inquiry and communication skills, interpreting, thinking critically, seeking truth and making meaning. It challenges and inspires their service to others and engagement in the Church and the world. The units covered include Mary Mother of God, Buddhism & Spirituality and Making Moral Decisions. During the year students will have the opportunity to learn about the outward manifestations of religion and to participate in activities that help them develop their own inner spirituality.

Subject guides

• Aboriginal spirituality - Subject Guide
• Buddhism - Subject Guide
• The Legal and Religious Status of Jewish Women - Subject Guide
• Moral Inquiry - Subject Guide
• Religion - Subject Guide

Introduction

The Rite Journey is a unique educational program designed to support the development of self-aware, vital, responsible and resilient adults. Given the current lack of Rites of Passage in Western societies, young people are left to invent their own, which are often unhealthy and unsafe. The Rite Journey provides our young people with opportunities to experience positive rites of passage, guided by the Croagh Patrick team. It also provides opportunities for students to explore a range of adolescent issues and to be challenged in varied ways. The Rite Journey takes place on Friday afternoons, with students working in single gender House-based groups.

Business & Economics

The Year 9 curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop their understanding of economics and business concepts by exploring the interactions within the global economy. Students are introduced to the concept of an ‘economy’ and explore what it means for Australia to be part of the Asia region and the global economy. They consider the interdependence of participants in the global economy, including the implications of decisions made by individuals, businesses and governments. The responsibilities of participants operating in a global workplace are also considered. Students undertake and learn about a range of personal finance and global business issues. This includes personal budgeting, advertising and marketing. The content for Business & Economics 2 includes investing, running a small business (as an extension of the advertising and marketing from Semester 1), and knowing your consumer rights regarding Australian consumer law. Students are taught the content through contemporary issues, events and/or case studies, covering the different contexts (personal, local, national, regional, and global).

• Business - Subject Guide (TASC)
• Economics - Subject Guide (TASC)
• Accounting Business Case Studies - Subject Guide
• Australian Budget - Subject Guide
• Social and Environmental Accounting - Subject Guide

The Geography of Food

In this Geography course, students will understand the production and distribution of food sources around the world and in their own backyard. There will be the application of geographical skills, such as mapping, data collection and analysis, and critical thinking with a focus on the sustainability and security of food production in Tasmania. Fieldwork, including real-world data collection and interpretation, is a significant component of this course.

• Food Security and Sustainability - Subject Guide
• Vegetables, Food and the Home Garden - Subject Guide

Hands-on-History

In this course students interact with historical artifacts and locations,to draw conclusions about the past, with a focus on local history. Students use research techniques to investigate the purpose and significance of artifacts to gain an understanding of what life was like for people in the past. Expect to get behind-the-scenes access to handle historical objects, visit historic locations and learn the secrets of Launceston’s past.

• Launceston History - Subject Guide
• Colonisation, Impacts on First Nations Peoples in Australia - Subject Guide
• Aboriginal Australian History - Subject Guide
• Penal colonies - Subject Guide

Student Directed Inquiry

Have you ever wanted to study a topic of personal interest but haven’t had the chance? Do you want to establish better learning habits? Do you enjoy working independently? Student Directed Inquiry allows
students to investigate a topic of personal choice. The subject enables students to access their learning in a style that best suits them and is quite different from a traditional classroom environment. It encourages students to be critical thinkers and self-directed learners; skills that enables them to be successful in the 21st century. The culmination of the course is a presentation afternoon at the Croagh Patrick campus where students share their inquiry projects with invited guests and friends.

• Student Directed Inquiry - Subject Guide (TASC)

Athlete Readiness

Athlete Readiness is for those who want to improve their fitness and gain a better understanding of what is required to become an elite athlete. You need to demonstrate a high level of fitness to enter this class. You will develop your fitness; participate in a range of fitness-based activities and develop knowledge in the areas of nutrition, physiology, principles of training, strength and conditioning.

• Sportsmanship
• Participation

Outdoor Recreation

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn outdoor pursuits and participate in a variety of hands-on activities. Within these activities, students have the capacity to develop leadership skills, build resilience and teamwork. Students participate in more adventurous activities as a way of exploring areas of self, others and the environment.

Sports science

Sports Science is aimed at students interested in pursuing a pathway into the sports research domain. This academic subject focuses on the science behind sport and is a great lead up for students who wish to study Sport Science in Year 10 and beyond. If you are interested in learning about the body and the science that helps improve athletes’ performance, this may be the subject for you.

• Human body
• Healthy Eating
• Issues in Society
• Sports injuries

Japanese

Japanese is available as a full year course to students who have studied Japanese in year 7 and 8. It covers all aspects of language learning (reading, writing, speaking and listening). We complete intercultural units on travel, shopping, school study and daily life. Our writing focus for the year will be the everso practical Katakana alphabet. After learning Katakana, you will be able to read a range of Japanese signs, menus, websites, Manga and advertising material. Year 9 students are also welcome to participate in the College’s Japanese homestay program. Nihongo wa tanoshii desu yo!

• Nihongo - Subject Guide

Writer's Workshop

‘The pen is mightier than the sword’. The power of language to persuade, incite, inspire and inform is almost limitless. Whether you are an aspiring novelist, poet or investigative journalist, the tools of your trade are words. In this course you look at how language is used in a variety of texts with a view to developing the skills of ‘the writer’. You are encouraged to write in a range of styles and forms, with a focus on vocabulary and writing techniques. If you choose this elective you will need to enjoy reading and writing and have an interest in literature, poetry and/or journalism.

• Creative writing

Science Explorations - The Living World and Us

This subject is an opportunity to explore different aspects of biological science through practical inquiry. You have the opportunity to develop entomological (insect) collections at the Bush Reserve. We work with live insects including phasmids (stick insects) for entomological and classification studies. Students get to be a field ecologist for a day! We go on an ecology excursion to Notly Fern Gorge. Students have the opportunity to explore ecological change, collect field data, identify endemic species and calculate the carbon sequestration of trees. Understanding how climates change helps us to understand how life survives. During Term 2 we study Astrobiology and the conditions necessary for life. You learn to extract DNA, study mammalian physiology (heart/lung and eye dissections) and practice microscope techniques for blood and cell biology. Excursions include a trip to the QVMAG Planetarium, a field ecology trip to Notley Gorge as well as a trip to the zoo to explore animal behaviour and ethics.

• Forest ecosystems - Subject Guide
• DNA
• Mammalian physiology
• Cell biology
• Animal behaviour

Science Explorations Green Chemistry

Discover the amazing world of organic chemistry, bacteria and cheese making. You get to make camembert cheese and yoghurt, advertise your amazing cheese and present it at our cheesy evening extravaganza! Students learn about biochemistry and hygiene in cheese production. We also teach you more chemistry magic when we produce milk glue and use natural materials to make biodegradable polyester! You will also have the opportunity to study forensic chemistry. This is a hands-on class - you are taught chromatography and titration techniques that are used in forensic chemistry. You are given the opportunity to solve simulated mysteries, crimes and consider the impact of chemistry on the environment.

• Organic chemistry, focusing on bacteria and cheese making
• Forensic chemistry

Take Off STEM

In this subject you continue your knowledge of STEM and develop your resilience as you tackle a variety of engineering tasks. This subject focuses on the development of skills through the design and engineering process. This means that the majority of the subject is taught with a hands on methodology. You will need to put your brain and skills to the test as you build solutions to a variety of problems. Major projects in this semester are not limited to, but include participation in the National Science and Engineering challenge and rocketry. Continuing directly from Take Off 1, Take Off 2 takes your practical problem solving skills to the next level as you tackle a large design project. This is a large model, remote controlled, solar car. Learners develop the car from the ground up. You take control of the design. You get to build your ideas. You learn valuable skills in construction and more technical skills like soldering circuits and gearing. This subject culminates in a race day that consists of a one hour race. May the best team win. Please note: Take Off 1 and Take Off 2 should be studied as a full year course. Students cannot join Take Off 2 in Semester 2 if they have not completed Take Off 1 in Semester 1.

• STEM

Robotics

Robots are everywhere these days. They are in factories, businesses and even in our homes, increasingly helping our lives to run more easily and smoothly. So, in the interest of contributing to a more productive world, here is an opportunity for you to learn something about these amazing machines. In Robotics we explore what makes a robot; how they work; how they are programmed and what makes them move. You will build your own robot and bring it to life with the personality you choose to give it. It will compete in challenges and could even see time on the main stage of the Lego RoboCup. So if you want to have a role in ‘tomorrow’ or are just interested in these fascinating machines, sign up for Robotics and see what the future holds.

• Robotics

Aquaventure

This course provides an interactive, hands-on approach to learning the basics of aquatic life, tropical and saltwater aquarium care, fishing and cookery. Throughout the course, students learn about aquatic environments and the animals that live there and how to care for a variety of aquatic animals ranging from tiny ornamental fish through to commercially cultured species. Species, such as Atlantic salmon, are studied along with the impact of invasive species on the environment. Students breed sea monkeys and ornamental tropical fish and have the opportunity to cook and taste seafood products. The opportunity to explore some of the exciting career and study pathways available in this field will also be covered. A visit to a local seahorse farm and specialty workshops run by visiting guest speakers, showcasing their skill and knowledge (for example shucking oysters, fly tying and food preparation) enhance students’ understanding of course concepts.

• Aquaculture

Computers & Design

You will learn how to make everything you need to produce your own computer games. You create a convincing hero or heroine to act out your own epic story made by you. They interact with other people or things in the world you create. Young people need tools to make informed and sensible decisions. The use of modern electronic entertainment can impact on the lifestyle and wellbeing of young people. Now we are offering more opportunities to make computer games and get first hand experience in using a variety of creative technologies. These include laser cutting and 3D printing. This pushes the envelope and gives you a glimpse at the very forefront of technology in this ever expanding world.

Computer Science

Computer Science focuses on developing understanding and skills in computational thinking, such as precisely and accurately describing problems and the use of modular approaches to solutions. Students are also engaged with specialised learning in preparation for vocational training or learning in the senior secondary years. They participate in guided projects, class group work activities, and research tasks. In this course, students gain further understandings in: Computer programing (Python and object-oriented programing languages); Game design and project lifecycle; Essential skills in web
design, word processing and presentations; Data analysis; Virtual reality and augmented reality. It is highly recommended that students enrolling in this subject have strong self-discipline, motivation and a passion for exploring areas of computing in-depth.

• Computer - Programming

Creative Textiles

Combining art and textile components. Students learn various sewing skills; explore fashion and how textiles can become a sustainable resource for future generations. Students undertake both individual and group tasks and be given the opportunity to work in a creative, cooperative and safe manner.

• Crafts - Subject Guide
• Bags, Bags, Bags
• Designing Fashion
• Wear It? Recycle It

Croagh Canteen

Working alongside a qualified chef, you design and cook foods for sale at the Croagh Patrick Canteen. Learning and practising skills for work, you will help design and create a series of menus designed to be sold to students and staff. This class is timetabled so that the canteen can operate every Thursday lunchtime. A roster is created so that students rotate through the lunchtime service shifts.

Food Studies

Continuing the skills you have learnt in Year 8, you cook recipes that provide you with an important blend of life skills and the ability to prepare nutritionally balanced meals for a positive future. This subject also enables you to engage with topical and ethical implications of Western diets. The weekly practical lessons help develop tangible understandings of the impact your dietary choices have on the environment. In this course, you will learn to prepare a wide range of foods with a focus on baking techniques. Students prepare foods for themselves, as well as working to create designed solutions to cater to a range of dietary needs. Preparing foods for others is an important part of this course and will involve learning about allergies and intolerances while preparing foods for a range of occasions.

• Food & Nutrition - Subject Guide (TASC)
• Food Security and Sustainability - Subject Guide

Garden to Grill

Like being able to learn outside? Enjoy cooking? In this unique food subject you have the opportunity to grow foods in the garden to use in your practical lessons. You learn how to prepare seasonal foods that will be preserved and utilised outside of their growing seasons, including making rubs for meats that we will cook on the BBQ. You have the opportunity to experience and understand the requirements of growing food plants and delve into the ethics of food wastage.

• Vegetables, Food and the Home Garden - Subject Guide

Metal Design

Design in Metal is primarily a practical subject. It is undertaken in the College MDT workshops. Learning about design is an important component of this subject and students look at the benefits of using steel in construction and manufacturing. Sustainability is also taught through investigating steel production methods – where students are encouraged to critically evaluate products and consider issues such as embodied energy and carbon footprints.

• Metalwork

Design & Technology

Year 9 Design & Technology (STEM) is the perfect subject for anyone who likes to figure out how something works and how it can be improved. The subject itself focuses on students exploring innovation, design, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To develop their knowledge and understanding of course content and apply this to a range of practical and engaging design challenges. Students also discover how basic electrical systems and circuits work by creating something useful that can be used at home.

• Design

Housing & Design 

This subject is for students who are interested in learning about housing design (exterior and interior) and architecture. It can also be useful as a pathway for students who are interested in undertaking Housing and Design Level 3, in Year 11 or 12. The subject aims to develop learners’ knowledge and skills relating to designing and building indoor and outdoor living spaces. Students are taught to consider environmental, aesthetic, functional, social, and technological issues when designing and building in the future. As well as undertaking tasks to learn about ‘good design’, students design and make a scaled model of a house and visit the UTAS School of Architecture.

• Housing & Design - Subject Guide (TASC)
• Architecture

Wood Design

Design in Wood is primarily a practical subject, ideal for those who love being creative and working with their hands. This subject aims to challenge and extend students’ knowledge in relation to practical woodworking techniques, accuracy, precise measurement, safety and folio writing. Students will also develop a greater appreciation of aesthetics by developing an understanding of the Elements and Principles of Design while applying these to a range of projects. Students also learn about the importance of sustainability to ensure that they become responsible and informed consumers.

• Woodwork