Higher School Certificate (HSC)


A Preparation for Tertiary Education

The NSW Higher School Certificate is an internationally respected credential. The approach to assessment and the nature of academic standards required by the HSC prepares a student for future studies. Mindful of this, SACS teaching staff ensure that students are well supported, in their academic studies. Our results reflect the vast majority of students who desire to enter university at the completion of Year 12. 

St Andrew’s HSC students follow their individual passions to a wide and interesting range of pathways to university, colleges and employment. 

HSC studies at St Andrew’s

The St Andrew’s School curriculum at Year 11 and Year 12 level is designed to prepare students for the Higher School Certificate.  Some vocational courses are offered as part of the curriculum to provide for the needs of students who do not wish to undertake tertiary study, or who have specific interests they wish to pursue. 

Year 11 and 12 students at St Andrew’s have the choice to study the Higher School Certificate (HSC); a two year, NSW-based programme and internationally recognised graduating credential run by the NSW Board of Studies. It uses both school-based assessments and externally administered examinations to calculate an ATAR mark for students – for which St Andrew’s has an excellent reputation. 

Excellent teaching

We offer students a broad range of specialist staff members and small-scale tutoring support networks, as well as on-campus study halls throughout the entire HSC process:  from subject selection, to major work drafting, to the final external exams.

A broad range of subject options

Subject selection at St Andrew’s is extremely broad, reflecting the cosmopolitan interests of our student community. English is a mandatory subject, at Advanced, Standard or English as a Second Language level. All students also study Christian Development. More details can be found in the HSC Handbook, please download the pdf for further information. 

Courses on offer include:

  • Ancient History
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • Earth and Environmental Science
  • Economics
  • English Standard
  • English Advanced
  • English as a Second Language
  • English Extension 1
  • English Extension 2 
  • French Continuers
  • General Mathematics
  • Geography
  • German Continuers
  • History Extension
  • Japanese Continuers
  • Legal Studies
  • Mathematics Extension 1
  • Mathematics Extension 2
  • Modern History
  • Music (1, 2 and Extension)
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Society and Culture
  • Senior Science
  • Software Design and Development
  • Studies of Religion II
  • TAFE Delivered Vocational Education Courses
  • Textiles and Design
  • Visual Arts

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Journeys of the Heart

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The Things You Taught Me

It’s not only students who learn at schools.   Ms Lauren Rutter, a third year Primary Education student at The University of Notre Dame, has learnt her first lessons in practical teaching and Indigenous education under the mentorship of a St Andrew’s teacher. Here she ...

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The Man Who Moved Us

“When I say our school, I mean our school, because it will always be fond in my memory.” – Mr Graeme Kightley It was a complete surprise. Everything was organised with the utmost stealth, from music rehearsals and a host of carefully penned speeches to a running sheet th...

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Filling in the Gap: Year 13 at SACS

It’s nearing the end of third term when Alex Abbottsmith Fellows Tim Young and Jarrod Simpson sit down between Christian Development classes, chapel services and Cru groups to reflect on the year so far. Graduating from St Andrew’s last year, Tim and Jarrod are now close to finishi...

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A Holiday to Remember

In mid-August, eight St Andrew’s parents and friends embarked on a 5 day Larapinta Trail Trek led by SACS Outdoor Education Instructors Mr John Chapman and Mr Joh Seiler. The guided programme with various day trips from a centralized campsite covered 60km trek of a much longer trail...

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Inspiring improvisation

It’s been five years since Christian Watson, a music teacher at St Andrew’s, embarked on his 85 000-word journey. Smiling as he described his students who told him, “You look a lot happier” and “a lot more relieved,” Mr Watson admitted, “I am.” A...

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From the US of A to Sydney

“My experience at St. Andrews has been better than anything I could have imagined before I started. Even as the “new kid”, I felt instantly welcomed and could feel the inclusive, friendly nature radiating off of the staff and students… I couldn’t be prouder to be...

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The Rite Journey - An Enriching Programme in the Middle School

Developed in Adelaide and customised by dedicated St Andrew’s Middle School teachers, The Rite Journey is a seven-step programme designed to celebrate students’ social, emotional and spiritual growth during adolescence. 2012 marks the inaugural year for The Rite Journey at St Andre...

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