The Senior School experience represents the final and very important phase of a student’s education. Students of The Cathedral School are prepared for life-long learning through engaging classroom and broader community experiences and they are inspired by talented and professional teaching staff.
Teachers at The Cathedral School are dedicated to the pastoral care and educational well-being of every individual student. Professional growth is actively encouraged and facilitated through Tutor Groups that provide professional reflection, goal setting and support. Senior School students belong to a vertical House system where students meet daily with their Tutor for pastoral care support and interactions with students from Years 10, 11 and 12.
The Cathedral School students are remarkable young men and women. On a daily basis, they are genuinely friendly, polite, respectful and helpful. Year 10, 11 and 12 students flourish in a supportive and caring environment where they develop great relationships and provide outstanding role modelling to the whole school community.
It is a privilege to be part of The Cathedral School community and students, staff and parents work harmoniously to ensure we maintain our proud traditions and future opportunities in a supportive environment focused on continuous improvement in all that we do.
Simon Midson
Head of Senior School
Curriculum
The senior phase of learning incorporates Years 10, 11 and 12.
At Cathedral, Year 10 is seen as a foundation year that prepares students for Years 11 and 12. It is a year in which students can ‘sample’ senior subjects to assist them in choosing which pathway they would like to travel down in the final two years of school. In Years 11 and 12, Cathedral offers students many options in their academic choices, as well as the support that matches students to the pathway that best suits their interests, tertiary prerequisites, career aspirations and personal strengths.
Students are prepared for employment, traineeships, apprenticeships, TAFE, the Defence Forces and university. The Cathedral School senior curriculum is a challenging and inspiring mix of traditional study and modern skills that equips students to take their place in the changing environment that is the workforce in the 21st century.
Programs
Accelerate at Cathedral
The Accelerate at Cathedral program is for high-achieving students who wish to complete a Year 12 General subject during Year 11. Accelerate at Cathedral will begin in 2025.
Operational Details:
- Accelerate at Cathedral students join with the year group ahead of them for the accelerated subject
- Accelerate at Cathedral commences in Term 4 of the Year 10 school year, and concludes with the sitting of the external assessment mid-November of the following year. Your result is banked and contributes to your QCE and future ATAR.
- Students must make an application to the Director of Studies to take part in the program and must satisfy the following criteria
– Majority of subjects at achievement level A from Semester 1 of Year 10
– Effort results across all subjects at Year 10 level are A’s with at most one B
– Is pursuing an ATAR pathway - On completion of the accelerated subject, students can:
– Complete another subject (from Unit 3 and 4)
– Complete a university subject or external learning pathway
– Focus on five remaining subjects - Review period: At the end of Term 4 of Year 10, the progress of students in an accelerated subject will be reviewed to determine their suitability to continue in the program. Following the review, students will either:
– Continue in the Accelerate at Cathedral program the following year, or
– Discontinue the accelerated subject, and undertake a Year 11 subject instead
Available subjects for 2025:
- Accelerate at Cathedral will be offered in 2025 for these six subjects
– Legal Studies, Psychology, and Digital Solutions (will replace Term 4 Humanities)
– Drama, Modern History, and Design (will replace a Term 4 elective) - Other subjects may be considered in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Other points to note:
- The non-completion of Units 1 and 2 means the student has not been exposed to assessment types before their completion at a summative level.
- Accelerate at Cathedral subjects will be shown on the Year 11 subject selection form. Ensure you look at the availability of all your chosen subjects before deciding to undertake this program.
Vocational Education & Training (VET)
In society, there is an increasing need for highly skilled workers. Today’s school leavers entering the workforce need skills that meet the expectations of the 21st Century, and Vocational Education & Training (VET) programs have been developed and supported by the QLD Education System to assist students to meet these challenges.
Extracurricular
Life contains much more than just work and study, so it is important that every student’s school years provide the foundations for a rich and diverse life experience.
Within the Senior School, the extracurricular program gives students countless opportunities to explore and broaden their experiences, while developing skills and attitudes that will lead to life-long participation in healthy and fulfilling recreational and cultural activities.
Pastoral Care
Care of students in the Senior School is based on a House system. The House Tutor plays a significant role in the social and academic development of the students. The House Deans are responsible for the overall pastoral care of all students in their Houses and assist the Tutors when required. The House system also forms the basis for many of the social and sporting activities and students identify strongly with their House.
Year 10 Open Day
Students entering Year 10 are invited to experience a Cathedral School education firsthand at our Year 10 Open Day.
This is your chance to learn firsthand what a Cathedral education offers and make an informed decision about your Senior School years.
Bookings are essential. Reserve your place today!
Ayr Bus & Weekly Boarding
Get more out of your school week and be home every weekend with our Weekly Boarding and Bus Service.
Weekly boarding is not only for students living out of Townsville. Quite often parents are challenged with working in remote areas or are required to travel on a regular basis. With such irregularity and uncertainty, providing a stable routine can become a burden on families and disrupt their child’s education.
Being a weekly boarder allows both parents and students to maintain some form of certainty and stability – especially knowing that the child has a safe, supported, and nurtured environment to live and study during the week.
Find Out More
Educating for life-long success.
154 Ross River Road, Mundingburra QLD 4812