Secondary school at Maitland Christian School is where young people discover their unique gifts, deepen their faith, and learn to serve God and others with wisdom and character.
Secondary school is a formative season in which young people grow in wisdom, confidence and character. At Maitland Christian School, we see these years as a time when students begin to understand their gifts, deepen their faith, and discover how they may serve God and others in the world.
Our Secondary School is a community of learners committed to academic excellence, spiritual maturity and genuine care for one another. Through excellent teaching, mentorship and a strong Christian foundation, students are encouraged to pursue growth in both learning and character. We believe that excellence is not reserved for a few, but grows through perseverance, faith and the faithful use of the gifts God has given each student.
It is a joy to see students develop into thoughtful young men and women who are prepared not only for further study and future careers, but for lives of wisdom, service and purpose.
Growing in Wisdom and Confidence
Learning is more than the accumulation of knowledge. Our teachers guide students to think deeply, communicate clearly and evaluate the world around them with both intellectual curiosity and a Christian worldview.
Students are challenged to develop strong academic skills while also growing in discernment, resilience and independence. Through structured learning, thoughtful discussion and collaborative inquiry, students learn how to engage thoughtfully with ideas, texts and the wider world.
Every student is encouraged to discover their strengths and pursue excellence in learning. Whether in the classroom, through creative pursuits, or in sporting achievement, we seek to nurture the unique gifts and abilities that God has placed within each young person.
Learning and Growth
Secondary school is a journey of whole-person growth: intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Within a safe and supportive community where every student is known and valued, young people discover who God created them to be through specialist teaching, rigorous academics, and authentic relationships. From creative arts to sport, leadership to service, we pursue excellence in every area as an act of worship, helping students develop character, faith, and the confidence to honour God and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Creativity and Expression
The Creative Arts program provides students with opportunities to explore imagination, expression and problem-solving through a wide range of artistic disciplines.Students engage in traditional visual arts such as painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and printmaking, as well as digital and film photography and video animation. Music, drama and dance also play an important role in the life of the school, offering opportunities for students to perform, collaborate and develop confidence in their creative abilities.
Character Through Sport
Students are encouraged to pursue physical activity and sporting excellence while demonstrating humility, sportsmanship and respect for others.Students participate in weekly sport, school carnivals and representative competitions across a wide range of activities. Highlights of the year are our whole school swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals, where our four schoolhouses, Crosby, Newton, Watts and Wesley illustrate the value of fun, enthusiasm and participation as they compete. Opportunities also exist for students to compete at regional, state and national levels in a large variety of sports.
Belonging, Leadership and Service
Students are given opportunities throughout their schooling to develop confidence and leadership capacity. From Primary years through to the senior school, students learn that leadership is not simply a title, but a commitment to serve the community and encourage others. The Student Action Leadership Team (SALT) and the school Prefect body provide opportunities for students to actively contribute to the life of the school. In the Secondary School students serve through the portfolios of: Student Experience, Community and Culture, CAPA, Sport, Academics, Mission and School Captains. Through these roles, students learn responsibility, collaboration and the importance of using their gifts to build a strong and supportive community.
Mission and Service
Each student from Year 3 to 12 participates in mission and service opportunities that encourage compassion, humility and global awareness.Students may serve within the school, the local community, regional communities, or overseas contexts. Through these experiences, students learn that leadership grows through service, and that listening, generosity and empathy are essential qualities of Christian character.
A Community That Shapes the Future
Within a safe and supportive community, students are known, valued, encouraged and challenged to become the people God has called them to be.Our hope is that every student leaves Maitland Christian School equipped with wisdom, character and confidence — ready to contribute to their communities, pursue meaningful vocations and live lives that honour God.
Extracurriculars
As our Secondary students approach Stage 5 (years 9 and 10), they have the opportunity to choose two elective subjects in addition to their core subjects. The elective lines are different from year to year, depending on the particular preferences of each year group.
In previous years, electives have included:
Commerce
Commerce provides the knowledge and skills that enable you to make sound decisions on consumer, financial, business, legal and employment issues. It involves aspects such as consumer protection, personal financial management, running a business, the legal system, the economy, earning an income and investing. Commerce is useful for everyone who wants to live and work in the modern commercial world.
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS)
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) enables students to learn about how the human body functions from a sporting perspective. It involves participating in a variety of physical activities which includes competitive and non- competitive games, individual and team sports, and individual and group physical fitness activities. PASS is useful for anyone who enjoys being active and playing sports and wants to develop their movement skills through a variety of activities.
Drama
Drama is a practical based course where you will develop knowledge and skills to perform and express yourself in a variety of situations, both individually and collaboratively. In it you will learn about how to make drama performances that explore a range of imagined and created situations. You will also learn how to perform devised and scripted drama using a variety of performance techniques, dramatic forms and theatrical conventions to engage an audience. Drama will help you appreciate the meaning and function of drama and theatre in reflecting the personal, social, cultural, and political aspects of the human experience.
Food technology
Provides students with knowledge and skills in food properties, processing, preparation, nutritional considerations and consumption patterns. It addresses the importance of hygiene, safe working practices and legislation in relation to the production of food. Students develop food-specific skills, which can be applied in a range of contexts, enabling them to produce quality food products. The course also provides students with contexts to explore the richness, pleasure and variety of food, and how it contributes to both vocational and life experiences.
Graphics Technology
Is a practical course that builds in students a variety of drawing techniques and processes, including computer animated designs. Students prepare and create drawings for a wide range of applications, including real world design needs. They learn the conventions of drawing and the ability to interpret designs. Graphics technology develops skills that are indispensable within the Technology, Architecture, Engineering and Business realms.
Industrical Technology (Metal / Wood)
Provides students with opportunities to engage in a diverse range of creative and practical experiences using a variety of technologies widely available in industrial and domestic settings. This area of study develops knowledge and understanding of materials and processes. Related knowledge and skills are developed through a specialised approach to the tools, materials and techniques employed in the planning, development, construction and evaluation of quality practical projects and processes. Industrial Technology is a two-year course comprising of one year focusing on Timber Technology and one year studying Metal Technology.
Computing Technology
This course will cover topics related to system and computational design thinking. Systems and computational thinking are connected via design thinking through projects. Systems thinking is shown as a key process in the learning and understanding of enterprise information systems. This includes modelling networks and social connections, designing for user experience and analysing data. Computational thinking is shown as a key process in the learning and understanding of software development. This includes building mechatronic and automated systems, creating games & simulations and developing apps & web software.
Music
The Stage 5 Music course enables you to develop your knowledge and skills as a musician and a performer. It involves performance (playing and/or singing with other groups or bands) composition (writing and recording music) and musicology (listening and analysing music). The year 9 and 10 Music course is useful for anyone who enjoys using music to express themselves, who currently plays an instrument (such as in a band or at church) and who is interested in studying Music in Year 11/12. Students are NOT required to have individual instrumental or vocal tuition to do Music as an elective in Stage 5. However, students are required to perform on at least 1 instrument or voice.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts provides the opportunity for students to explore and develop works using a wide range of media in both 2D and 3D forms, including photographs and digital images. It involves artmaking (making original artworks using the various practices, conceptual frameworks and frames) and studying art history (particularly the critical and historical interpretations of art). Visual Arts will help you appreciate the importance of different kinds of creative works in reflecting the personal, social, cultural, and political aspects of the human experience.
Let us think about how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.