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As a Catholic learning community we endeavour to keep the Gospel values at the heart of our school, and actively promote high expectations, respectful communications, perseverance, tolerance, compassion, justice and service.

Our Learning and Teaching programs are designed to:

  • be challenging and responsive to emerging needs in education that are tailored to support personalised learning pathways
  • promote innovation and creative thinking
  • embrace contemporary technologies and real-world experiences
  • excite the imagination and passion in the pursuit of excellence.

Students are encouraged to excel and to work towards continual improvement to achieve their best.

We are very proud of our strong Brigidine identity and ethos, where staff actively promote and nurture the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth of all students.


Junior Curriculum

Year 7 and 8 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

A Year of Transition

At Marian College, we understand that the transition from primary to secondary education is an important step for all students. The curriculum at Year 7 helps in this transition process by providing a wide range of subjects for the students to experience. Students who have specific learning needs (especially in literacy and numeracy) receive special assistance.

The camp at Year 7 is designed to help students to get to know their new classmates and is held early in Term 1.





Year 7 and 8 Subject Selection Handbook 2026


A Year of Consolidation

We focus on enhancing and building the skills and understanding in the subjects introduced in Year 7. For students identified as needing additional support, a specialised literacy program is available. The curriculum for the other subjects remains consistent with what was offered in Year 7.




Middle School

Year 9 and 10 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

A Year of Personal Development

Year 9 and 10 are exciting and important years in the intellectual, physical and social emotional development of our young people and Marian College strongly encourages all students to make the most of every learning opportunity made available to them. It is often through leaving one’s comfort zone and trying something new that a new talent or ability is identified or a lifelong hobby or interest developed.

In Year 9, careful consideration should be given to the selection of electives and subject outlines need to be read carefully. If you are unsure about what electives your child/ren should choose, please make contact with your child’s TA or subject teachers.




Year 9 and 10 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

A Year of Considering The Future

By Year 10, it is very likely that you will have changed your ideas about career choices several times, so it is important to consider the options which will best allow you to achieve your potential.

At Year 10 you will study a number of core subjects which contain options within them and you will also select several elective units for each Semester.

A number of VCE and VET Units 1 & 2 are also offered at Year 10, however, students are required to apply for one of these subjects. The option of VCE and VET will depend on the blocking as well as the academic performance of students in Year 9.





Senior School

Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

The VCE provides students with a post-compulsory certificate which allows students to access diverse pathways beyond school and attests to their readiness to enter post-compulsory education. It is awarded to students who satisfactorily complete a program of studies as described by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). This program for a full time student at Marian College will consist of units taken over four semesters or two years. At the end of Year 12 students would normally receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) which can be used for University and / or Tertiary and Further education (TAFE) entrance.

Victorian Curriculum Assessment Requirements:

To be awarded a certificate in VCE, students must satisfactorily complete a total of no fewer than 16 units over the two years of VCE study.

These satisfactorily completed units must include:

  • Three units of the common study of English (1,2,3 and 4) or English language or Literature

  • Three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than English

At Marian College, full time students studying under normal conditions would:

At Year 11:

  • Undertake five sequences of Units 1 and 2 studies including English or Literature plus Religious Education, OR

  • Undertake four sequences of Units 1 and 2 studies including English or Literature, plus one sequence of Units 3 and 4 studies, (approved by Head of Faculty) plus Religious Education

At Year 12:

  • Undertake five sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies, plus Religious Education

It is expected that irrespective of a student’s study of a Unit 3 and 4 sequence in Year 11 they will undertake five Unit 3 and 4 sequences in Year 12.


Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

​​Marian College offers students the opportunity to pursue their own career path with the Vocational Major (VM) Certificate. The VM Certificate is a recognised Senior Secondary Certificate in Victoria and is suitable for students wishing to pursue further education in TAFE, start an apprenticeship or enter the workforce. VM takes a practical approach to learning while gaining the necessary skills and experience to transition successfully into the workforce.

Students take classes in our newly renovated Applied Learning Centre (ALC) designed specifically for this program. The ALC includes a variety of open classrooms, wet area classroom, workshops and art studio. Our VM program also has access to our Technology classrooms, the Trade Training Centre and our horticulture block which houses our vineyard, olive trees, vegetable patch and fruit trees.

Students undertaking the VM Certificate must complete units in Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development (PDS) and Work Related Skills (WRS). In addition to this, students must undertake a VET Certificate (II or III) as an industry level qualification. VM Students can choose any VET subject.In addition to developing these work skills, students can pursue a Structured Work Placement (one day per week – maximum 20 days) to support their VET Course outcomes. Students can also pursue a School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) where they spend one day on the job, and one day in a VET course of their employers’ choice, and three days in school.Our VM students are proud representatives of Marian College and contribute to both the school and the community with a variety of projects to complete a busy and successful program of applied learning.




Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection Handbook 2026

VET Courses contribute units to either your VCE (including your ATAR) or VCAL Certificates. VCE/VET Courses have end of year exams similar to other VCE courses and it is compulsory for VM students to undertake at least one VET course.

Students may pursue VET Courses within Marian College, within the VET Cluster, or with other external providers, so you can pursue a qualification appropriate for your career choice. The Central Grampians LLEN (Ararat/Stawell) and Highlands LLEN (Ballarat) co-ordinate courses as a VET Cluster group.

VET Programs within Marian College currently include Automotive, Building and Construction, Business (for VM), Community Services, Early Childhood, Engineering, Fitness (for VM), Furniture Making, Music and Sport & Recreation . Please note that VET courses outside of the school will attract extra costs.