Junior Courses:
HISTORY
History is a disciplined process of inquiry into the past that helps to explain how people, events and forces from the past have shaped our world. It allows students to locate and understand themselves and others on the continuum of human experience up to the present. History provides opportunities for students to explore human actions and achievements in a range of historical contexts. Students become aware that history is all around us and that historical information may be drawn from the physical remains of the past as well as written, visual and oral sources of evidence.
Year 7 History
- Investigating the Ancient Past
- Ancient Societies (Rome, Egypt, Greece, China).
Year 8 History:
- The Vikings
- Japan under the Shoguns
- The Black Death OR Spanish Conquest of the Americas.
Year 9 History:
- Movement of Peoples - The Slave Trade.
- Australians at War
Year 10 History:
- The Holocaust
- Changing rights and Freedoms
GEOGRAPHY
Geography is a rich and complex discipline involving two key dimensions:
• the spatial dimension – where things are and why they are there
• the ecological dimension – how humans interact with environments.
The study of Geography develops a wide range of skills such as gathering, organising and evaluating geographical information from a variety of sources, including fieldwork. Through the spatial dimension, geography enables students to identify and analyse the physical, social, economic, political, legal and technological factors that influence where things are and why they are there. The ecological dimension requires students to identify and analyse the ways humans interact with environments and in so doing develops students' skills in evaluating arguments and problem-solving. Culture is a key determinant of people's lives and worldview and through the study of Geography students develop knowledge and understanding of different cultures and develop perspectives that enhance their understanding of the world. The study of Geography enables students to critically assess the ideas and opinions of others and to form and express their own ideas and arguments. In so doing it forms a basis for active participation in community life, ecological sustainability, creating a just society, promoting intercultural understanding and lifelong learning. Through the study of civics and citizenship students develop knowledge of the decision-making processes that exist at a variety of scales, which informs them of ways they can participate as responsible and informed members of society.
Year 7 Geography:
- Landforms and Landscapes
- Place & Liveability
Year 8 Geography:
- Water in the World
- Interconnections
Year 9 Geography:
- Sustainable Biomes – the Geography of Food.
- Changing Places.
Year 10 Geography:
- Human Wellbeing
- Environmental Change & Management.
Elective Courses (Stage 5)
COMMERCE
The aim of the Commerce Years 7–10 Syllabus is to enable young people to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to research and develop solutions to consumer, financial,legal, business and employment issues in order to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.
Commerce provides the knowledge, skills, understanding and values that form the foundation on which young people make sound decisions on consumer, financial, business, legal and employment issues. It develops in students an understanding of commercial and legal processes and competencies for personal financial management. Through the study of Commerce students develop financial literacy which enables them to participate in the financial system in an informed way.
TOPICS:
- Consumer Choice
- Personal Finance
- Law and Society
- Employment Issues
ELECTIVE HISTORY - "TIME TRAVELS"
History as a discipline has its own methods and procedures. It is much more than the simple presentation of facts and dates from the past. History provides the skills for students to answer the question ‘How do we know?' An investigation of an historical issue through a range of sources can stimulate curiosity and develop problem-solving, research and critical thinking skills. It develops language specific to the discipline of History and provides opportunities to further develop literacy skills. Students learn to critically analyse and interpret sources of evidence in order to construct reasoned explanations and a rational and informed argument based on evidence, drawn from the remains of the past. Students engage in research involving traditional methods and ICT, including evaluating web-based sources and using a range of technologies for historical research and communication.
TOPICS:
- Constructing History
- Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Societies
- Thematic Studies
