Mater Dei School provides contemporary and innovative education for students.

The school’s pedagogy is driven by current Evidence and Research-based practices. Teachers deliver the curriculum implementing high-leverage practices to engage all students.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for developing Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabuses for NSW schools in accordance with the Education Act 1990 and the NSW Education Standards Authority Act 2013. Mater Dei implements these Syllabuses with Universally Designed Learning experiences based on age and stage appropriate outcomes and content. 

Kindergarten – Year 6

At Mater Dei School, Kindergarten to Year 6 includes four Stages of learning:

  • Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten

  • Stage 1 – Year 1 and Year 2

  • Stage 2 – Year 3 and Year 4

  • Stage 3 – Year 5 and Year 6

In Kindergarten to Year 6, schools are required to have educational programs for the six key learning areas of:

  • English

  • Mathematics

  • Science and Technology

  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

  • Creative Arts

  • Human Society and Its Environment (History and Geography).

As a Catholic and Independent School, Mater Dei also provides Religious Education K-6.

For more information on the primary syllabus, view the Parent Guide resources on the NESA website. 

Years 7 – 12

All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Mater Dei implements the NESA LIfe Skills courses for students in Years 7–12.   In Years 10, 11 and 12 students are able to earn an official credential from New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA), recording educational achievement. These include the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) – Life Skills and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) – Life Skills.

For information on the secondary syllabus, visit the Parent Guide resources on the NESA website. 

The following subjects are studied by students in Years 7-12:

Years 7 & 8

(Stage 4 Life Skills)

Years 9 & 10

(Stage 5 Life Skills)

Years 11 & 12

(Stage 6 Life Skills)
Religion Catholic Studies Studies in Catholic Thought 
English English English
Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics
Science Science Business and Economics
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
History History Food Technology
Geography Geography  Work and the Community
Technology Mandatory Food Technology  
Music Music/Languages  
Visual Arts Work Education  

For more information on Life Skills, click here. Link opens to NESA website.