Senior School – Years 7-12
The Senior School welcomes more than 1300 students across Years 7–12
At Riverview, all students engage with the curriculum requirements of the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) for the Higher School Certificate (HSC), while also participating in the broader formation flowing from our Jesuit tradition. This tradition encourages each young man to pursue areas of interest and talent at a level that both challenges and supports his growth.
Students who demonstrate aptitude in particular subjects are encouraged to continue developing their strengths throughout their years at the College. In some cases, this may involve flexible arrangements, such as classes scheduled outside the regular timetable, or opportunities to undertake advanced study at a university level.
In keeping with our commitment to flexible progression and personalised learning pathways, the College offers a Pathways program enabling students to complete selected HSC courses over two years, alongside a range of enrichment and acceleration opportunities. These initiatives reflect our desire to meet students where they are and to support them in realising their academic aspirations.
Year 7
The transition into secondary school is a significant stage of each student’s educational journey. In Years 7–8, the Teaching and Learning program establishes strong academic foundations while fostering curiosity, confidence, and a commitment to personal excellence. Students are supported in adapting to the expectations of secondary education within a structured and supportive environment.
The curriculum is broad and balanced, engaging students across a wide range of learning areas. Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, and Humanities, complemented by specialist subjects such as Languages, Visual Arts, Music, TAS and Physical Education. This enables students to explore diverse interests and develop new skills.
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- French/Latin/Chinese/Italian
- Semesterised Music and Visual Arts
- PDHPE
- Technology
Year 8
In Year 8, students are introduced to greater choice through the opportunity to select an elective subject. Elective offerings include the opportunity to study a subject for the first time, such as Agriculture, Design and Production, and Drama. This is an important step in developing student agency, allowing learners to pursue personal interests while beginning to shape their academic pathway.
Students are supported in building independence, with teachers providing both structure and guidance. Student wellbeing and pastoral care remain integral. Strong relationships between students and teachers foster a sense of belonging and engagement. Through this holistic approach, students develop resilience, confidence, and a positive approach to learning, preparing them for their senior years.
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- French/Latin/Chinese/Italian
- Semesterised Music and Visual Arts
- PDHPE
- Technology
- Two Electives
- Choice 1: Mandatory study of at least one foreign language (French/Latin/Chinese/Italian)
- Choice 2: Either a second foreign language OR a choice of
- Ag in the City
- Horrible Histories
- Design & Production
- Drama
- Riverview’s got Talent
Years 9 and 10
Core studies are in English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, PDHPE. In Year 9, students supplement their core educational program with a choice of three electives. Year 10 students continue with two electives. Electives are chosen from the following learning areas:
- Human Society and its Environment (HSIE): Commerce, Global Studies and Environment, Elective History
- Languages: Latin, Classical Greek, Chinese, French and Italian
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE): Physical Activity and Sports Studies
- Technological and Applied Studies: Design and Technology, Industrial Technology - Timber, Computing Technology, Agriculture, Industrial Technology - Engineering Studies
- Creative and Performing Arts: Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Photographic and Digital Media Studies
Years 11 and 12
Subjects offered in Years 11 and 12 reflect the NESA requirements for satisfactory completion of the Year 11 (Preliminary) and Year 12 (HSC) courses. At the completion of Year 10, boys are given advice by their class teachers, Heads of House, Heads of Faculties, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning and Careers Advisor to assist them in an appropriate choice of subjects for study in Years 11 and 12.
Year 11 (Preliminary)
All Year 11 students must choose at least 13 units of study across at least four subjects. At least one of these units must be in Studies of Religion.
NESA requires at least two units to be in English, and at least three courses must be of 2-unit value or greater. The following subjects are offered:
- Religious Education: Studies of Religion 1, Studies of Religion 2, Catholic Studies, Accelerated Studies of Religion 1
- English: English Standard, English Advanced, English Extension 1
- Mathematics: Mathematics Standard 2, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science
- History: Ancient History, Modern History, Aboriginal Studies
- Geography
- Legal Studies, Economics, Business Studies
- Languages: French Continuers, Chinese Continuers, Latin Continuers, Classical Greek Continuers, Italian Continuers
- Technology and Applied Studies: Design and Technology, Industrial Technology - Timber, Software Engineering, Agriculture, Engineering Studies, Accelerated Engineering Studies, Primary Industries, Construction
- Music: Music 1, Music 2
- Visual Arts
- Health and Movement Science, Sports Lifestyle and Recreation Studies
- Drama
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
Year 12 / HSC Study
HSC study requires all students to choose at least 10 units of study for Year 12 with at least one unit of study in Religious Education and at least two units in English. At least three courses must be of 2-unit value or greater and students are expected to continue in a broad pattern of study. More extension courses are introduced for study in the HSC year:
- English Studies
- History Extension
- Music Extension
- Mathematics Standard 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
- English Extension 2
- Languages Extension
- Science Extension
Reporting
The College provides three academic reports each year. The Term 1 interim report offers a brief snapshot of a student’s application across four areas: attitude to learning, contribution to learning, completion of tasks and classroom behaviour. The Semester 1 Report (issued at the end of Term 2) and the Semester 2 Report (issued at the end of Term 4) give a fuller overview of progress.
Each semester report includes:
- Student profile
- Learning outcomes
- Overall achievement
- Assessment schedule
- Course mark
- Course average
- Position in course
- A teacher comment
