Offering choice and expertise

English is taught across the College, in line with the relevant WA Curriculum Syllabus for each year level. Literacy is a key focus area, especially in the early years, as it provides the foundation for students' ability to access other learning areas. There are three strands in the English learning area: Language, Literacy and Literature.

In Year 9, students have additional opportunities to expand their English skills with two Electives (Creative Writing or English Extra Help)

In Year 11 and 12, Helena College offers English ATAR, English General and Literature ATAR.

Our dedicated and passionate department of Physical, Health and Outdoor Education specialist teachers strive to offer students the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities with the aim of helping every student find a passion that sets them on a path to living a healthy, active and fulfilling life.

Junior School (Kindy to Year 5)

Delivered by classroom teachers, Health is an integral  part of life and learning. Key inclusions are Protective Behaviours, Healthy Eating, Cybersafety and more.  The big focus for Physical Education is on students participating with enjoyment, confidence and skill. The lessons allow students to try a range of sports, with a focus in building students' strength, confidence, fundamental movement skills, spatial awareness, and game strategy. For the youngest students, the anchor of the program is fundamental movement skills, such as running, jumping, hopping, skipping, balancing, throwing and kicking. 

Middle and Senior School (Years 6 to 12)

Students learn how the body moves; how to approach and resolve challenges; how to optimise movement performance; and the benefits of physical activity to themselves, others and communities. Through movement in a variety of contexts and settings, students acquire, practise, manage and refine personal, interpersonal, social and cognitive skills.

Health Education is a compulsory unit for all students in Years 6 to 10. 

In Year 9, all students will compete a compulsory Outdoor Experiences unit.

In Year 10, electives include Physical Recreation, Sports Science and Outdoor Education (Kayaking and Canoeing, and Abseiling and Climbing)

Students in Year 11 and 12 have the opportunity to study Physical Education Studies (ATAR or General) as well as Outdoor Education General. 

In the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) learning area students learn about the world they live in. They study people and places and learn about the past and the present. HASS includes: 

• Civics and Citizenship – introduced in Year 3 and carries through to Year 10
• Economics and Business – introduced in Year 5 and carries through to Year 10
• Geography – introduced in Pre-primary and carries through to Year 10
• History – introduced in Pre-primary and carries through to Year 10.

In Year 10, all students will complete a Future Pathways program. 

In Year 11 and 12, students can select from a range of HASS courses, including Business Management and Enterprise General, Careers and Enterprise General, Geography ATAR, Modern History ATAR and Politics and Law ATAR

In the Languages learning area, students learn languages other than English. While learning a new language, students build communication skills and learn about other cultures.

Junior School students from Pre-primary to Year 5, learn Auslan.

From Years 6 to 8, students learn French as their second language. 

It becomes an elective option for students in Years 9 and 10, with students able to choose from French and Indonesian.*

In Year 11 and 12, both French and Indonesian* are available as ATAR subjects. 

_{*Depending on class numbers, Indonesian may only be offered as School of Isolated & Distance Education (SIDE) course.}

In the Mathematics learning area, students build numeracy skills and their understandings of mathematical ideas and processes. Numeracy helps students with their daily lives, and is an essential element of the Teaching and Learning Framework at Helena College. It is a core subject from the early years through to Year 10.

In Year 11 and 12, students can select from Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Mathematics Methods ATAR, Mathematics Applications ATAR and Mathematics Essentials General.  

In the Science learning area, students develop a scientific view of the world and develop their understanding of science ideas and uses. They use this view to explore the world around them, and is a core subject from the early years through to Year 10.

In Year 10, students can try their hand at basic forensics through the CSI: Helena program

In Year 11 and 12, students can select Biology ATAR, Chemistry ATAR, Human Biology ATAR, Physics ATAR and Psychology General. 

There are two subjects in the Technologies learning area. The first is Design and Technologies. The second is Digital Technologies. Students develop skills in creating solutions for now and the future in both subjects. 

Junior School (Kindy to Year 5)

From Kindergarten to Year 5, the students develop the skills and understandings to become effective users of the technologies that are now an integral part of our professional and personal world.

Through hands-on experiences and explicit instruction, the students learn how to use digital systems to investigate and create, communicate and manage data. The skills and knowledge developed in Digital Technology (computing) lessons further enhance their use of classroom iPads.

Design and Technologies is incorporated in a range of ways in classroom learning, and is often part of cross-curricular activities.  

In addition, elements of the digital technologies curriculum is enhanced by the Junior School's fun and engaging Electives program, which includes an expanded Computing program.  During the course of the year, optional lunch time STEAM and Coding clubs are also available.  

Senior Campus (Years 6 to 12)

Our Design and Technologies learning area includes Engineering and Food Technology, as well as Digital Photography, Applied Information Technology, Innovation, Robotics and Digital Citizenship. These are generally available as the rotation subjects for Years 6 to 8.

In Year 9, Electives include Design Engineering, Digital Photography, Digital Technologies, Graphic Design and Food Technology (Creative Cooking). In Year 10, the options include Advanced Digital Photography, Graphic Design, International Food, Innovation and Engineering Studies.

In Years 11 and 12, the courses available to students are Computer Science General, Design General, Engineering Studies (Mechanical) ATAR, Engineering Studies (Mechanical) General, Food Science and Technology General.  Year 12s also have the option of Dimensional Design General.

The Arts learning area consists of Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, and Visual Arts. Subjects from The Arts build students’ creativity and communication skills. Students learn how to express their ideas and solve problems.

Junior School (Kindy to Year 5)

In the Junior School, a dedicated Performing Arts teacher at the Junior School works with students from Kindergarten to Year 5, building their awareness of dance, drama and music. In addition, students can access expanded range of dance, drama, music, create and make, and visual arts through the Electives program. 

Senior School (Years 6 to 12)

Through the rotational program in Years 6 to 8, and electives in Years 9 and 10, students participate in Drama, Media & Film, Music and Visual Arts (2D and 3D). 

An added opportunity is the Instrumental Music program which allows students to learn to play an instrument with specialist music tutors during school hours. 

In Year 11 and 12, students can select from Drama ATAR, Media Production and Analysis ATAR, Music General, Visual Art (ATAR or General).