St Patrick's College is unique in the Mackay region in catering specifically for Years 7 to 10 on one campus and Years 11 to 12 on another Campus. The Mercy Campus (Junior) the ‘middle years’ of schooling are vital to the life-long learning journey and especially crucial to success in senior studies and other vocational pathways. In specialising in these year levels on one campus, the College is able to offer learning opportunities and an environment to bring out the best in young adolescents.

The St Patrick's College Curriculum is based on the Australian National Curriculum.

St Patrick's College maintains a Catholic Christian Learning Community where appropriately qualified staff engage with students to foster self-directed life-long learning, and the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills that will assist them to contribute positively to society. Staff work to equip students with Christian values to face the challenges of an ever changing world.

The provision of a varied curriculum that is both relevant and appropriate to a middle school philosophy provides all students with the opportunity to experience successful learning within a safe and supportive environment.

Our curriculum seeks a balance between innovation and tradition. It is responsive to all National, State and Diocesan directives and guidelines while maintaining elements which enhance learning for middle school students. These elements include the curriculum’s semi-vertical nature, unitised, term and semester based curriculum and flexible choice of subjects catering for the needs, interests and abilities of our students.

We believe learning is an individual journey for every student and, while all students have a right to be taught content which is age appropriate, some students will benefit from consolidation and others with extension. Our curriculum recognises this distinctiveness in each student and has created a flexible structure in which this can occur.

Quality accredited teachers who engage in on-going learning are seen as crucial in the learning journey of students. Teaching excellence is deliberately encouraged, cultivated and supported so all students may benefit from quality teaching and learning.

Curriculum at St Patrick's  College is embedded within community. It involves students, teachers, non-classroom staff, parents, parish, community and leadership working together as a learning community. As members of this community we strive to reflect upon our learning by continuously reassessing and seeking to improve upon our practices.

Our curriculum is also built upon social justice principles, with the promotion of the dignity of every human person, are at the heart of our Christian beliefs. Implicit in this is the need for every person to have access to the possibility of full growth regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, material poverty, social disadvantage, or physical or mental difficulty. Enrolment into the College, human and physical resourcing and unit offerings are reflective of this core belief.

Year 7 is an introductory year to high school with an emphasis on welcome and belonging. 

Year 8 has an emphasis on students making choices and taking ownership for their learning. 

Year 9 has an emphasis on students making choices and taking ownership for their learning. 

Students in Year 9 will choose Elective Subjects for each semester, as well as the core subjects to be studied. All students will study 7 subjects as well as 3 careers lessons over the fortnight.

Year 10 is a transition year in preparation for senior studies. All students will study 7 subjects as well as 3 careers lessons over the fortnight.