Senior School Drawing upon their values and educational experiences, Senior School students begin to explore and seek support for their pathways beyond graduation.

In Senior School our Year 10 students complete their final year of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), whilst Year 11 and 12 students choose to study either the IB Diploma or the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Within both curriculum models students choose subjects from the essential areas of learning: the Arts, English, Languages, Physical Education, Mathematics, Science, Societies, Technology, and Religious Education. Wellbeing models are also provided through Home Group classes.

Home Groups

Students in Years 10 to 12 are welcomed each day by a their Home Group teacher. These teachers work closely with students and may advocate on behalf of them in the event of illness or matters of personal wellbeing. They also serve as the intial point of contact for families. It is in this group that students participate in our Growth and Personal Skills Programme (GPS), a weekly programme of activities focused on aspects of personal growth, and skills relevant to life beyond school.

Student Leadership

Through our formal leadership structure, all students are provided with the opportunity to express themselves and be a voice for the student body. Our leaders demonstrate a range of skills including vision, reliability, commitment, and inspiration with the Mercy Keys of Compassion, Loyalty, Justice, Integrity, Responsibility and Mutual Respect becoming the essence of this journey. Opportunities for student leadership exist through the Student Representative Council and College or House Captaincy, as well as leadership in Sports, Arts, Social Justice, and Student Mentoring.

Student Services Centre

As our Senior Students begin to look ahead to life beyond school, they receive information and guidance from our Student Services Centre. Staff here offer career and tertiary course counselling, skill and aptitude assessment, work experience and other services to assist with decision-making and opportunities.

Learning Areas

Students in Year 10 complete the MYP. More information about this curriculum is best found under our Middle School section.

In Year 11 and 12 students choose the IB Diploma or SACE pathways of study.

Year 11 IB students must still meet the criteria that completes Stage 1 SACE to ensure they can transfer to SACE in Year 12 if they choose to do so.

Detailed subject information, as well as an explanation of the Growth and Personal Skills Programme (GPS), grading structure, and more, is available in the following Curriculum Handbooks.

Subject Information for families

The IB Diploma

The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre‐university course of study for students in Years 11 and 12. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open‐mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view.

The Diploma encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas. Students study an IB Core of the Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service, as well as set subject streams in:

  • Language and Literature
  • Language Acquisition
  • Individuals and Societies
  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • The Arts

The Theory of Knowledge course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, reflect on the process of learning, and make connections across their academic areas to apply transferable skills across disciplines. It is designed to develop critical thinking about the process of how to learn, rather than learning a specific body of knowledge.

The Extended Essay is a piece up to 4,000 words about a student's topic of choice that develops independent research skills, whilst Creativity, Activity, Service is about experiential learning through artistic, physical, and service activities.

South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

The SACE is an internationally recognised senior secondary qualification that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they require to advance to further learning and work as confident and responsible global citizens. Upon successful completion, the SACE qualifies graduates for admission to tertiary institutions both nationally and abroad.

The SACE offers subjects and courses at Stage 1 (Year 11) and Stage 2 (Year 12). Students acquire valuable literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The SACE helps students to learn how to work with and alongside others, and to understand how one’s decisions can affect people, situations and the world.

An example of subjects offered through the SACE include:

  • English and Literacy
  • Accounting, Business Innovation, and Economics
  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Language Acquisition
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Health, Nutrition, and Physical Education
  • Life and Faith, and Religion Studies
  • Societies, History, and Politics
  • Legal Studies
  • Psychology 

Students must also undertake a compulsory Research Project in Year 11.