CORE SUBJECTS

All students study these subjects in Year 7 and 8.

English

English in Middle School (Year 7 & 8) focuses on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. You will communicate with peers, teachers, individuals, groups and community members in a range of face-to-face and online/virtual environments and experience learning in familiar and unfamiliar contexts that relate to the school curriculum, local community, regional and global contexts.

Humanities

In Year 7 Humanities students examine the complex processes that have shaped the modern world and investigate responses to different challenges including people’s interconnections with the environment. Students begin to develop historical knowledge and skills through a study of ‘Early Humankind’ and ‘Ancient Egypt’. Students also develop Geographical knowledge and skills through the study of ‘Landforms and Landscapes’ and ‘Water in the World’.

In Year 8 Humanities students are introduced to the discipline of Civics and Citizenship in secondary school through a study of the Australian political system. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of the process of economic and business decision-making. Geographical and historical skills are further developed through a study of ‘Liveability and Urbanisation’ and ‘Medieval Europe’.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all students in Middle School (Year 7 & 8) and focuses on developing students in the proficiencies of understanding, fluency, problem solving and reasoning. These proficiencies are applied across the five strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space and Statistics.

Physical Education & Health

In the Middle School (Years 7 & 8) students are exposed to a range of sports and activities to maximise their movement skills and confidence. You begin to learn the importance of participation in physical activity to enhance your physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. We reflect on and refine communication and leadership skills as you participate in a range of theoretical and physical activities including, striking/fielding, net/wall, invasion games and health-related fitness activities.

Religious Education

In the Middle School (Years 7 & 8) our students engage in a variety of activities and learning experiences that assist them in developing an understanding of historical and social justice issues and events found in a variety of religious traditions. They will listen, read, view and interpret a range of written, spoken, film and visual texts which develop an understanding of the people and events that contributed to various religious traditions.

Science

In the Middle School Science program, you will gain knowledge in the biological, chemical, physical, earth and space sciences which will allow you to make informed, evidence-based decisions about current and future applications of science.

 

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

Students pick a language and will be allocated four Arts and four Technology subjects to study over Year 7 and 8.

Languages

In Year 7 and 8, students will make an important choice between Japanese and French. They will continue to study the same language throughout Year 7 and 8, which helps students to develop foundational skills in this new language.

In these years, Language study is focused on introducing students to Japan and French-speaking countries, important parts of daily life and the opportunities that speaking another language presents. Students also learn foundational language skills to help them interact in the classroom and to interact with others about their lives and interests.

Arts

Drama

Students participate in workshops to increase confidence with basic drama skills such as movement, mime, voice and play building. Together we develop these skills through improvisational games, activities and performance.

Media

In Media students learn about different media forms and create products related to audio visual and still image media. You also learn about the importance of Media Literacy and how the Media can manipulate audiences. You learn the skills and techniques involved to manipulate still images in Adobe Photoshop and create short films displaying cutting on action or continuity editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. You will plan, create and animate your own stop motion animation using Stop Motion Studio, and experience the processes of pre-production, production and post production workflows.

Music

Music allows you to experience music performance and refining your instrumental technique on guitar, drum kit and piano/keyboard.

You will explore music technology and will be given the opportunity to compose original pieces while developing key song writing skills. This subject also includes an introduction into music language and development of key listening skills.

Visual Arts

In this class you will investigate and explore a variety of materials and techniques to create artworks using the following mediums: ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. This is a very hands-on subject where you can extend your creative capabilities.

Visual Communication Design

We use a range of hand drawn and digital methods to explore the design process across the three fields of visual communication design (Environmental, Industrial and Communication). These methods include print mediums such as logo, poster and font type, architectural, interior, product and environmental designs.

Technology

Digital

In Digital Technologies students will experience being a creative developer experiencing the processes of creating a Smartphone Application. Largely based on collaborating in small teams, you will learn about Computational and Design Thinking processes and their role in creating Digital Technologies. Our class will also learn about and experience basic programming languages through interactive tutorials, Minecraft and various coding challenges. We will learn about and experience current and emerging technologies.

Fibre

In Fibre you will learn a range of fabric surface decoration techniques such as hand embroidery, tie dye and fabric decoration, as well as how to thread and use the sewing machine. Using these techniques you will follow a design process to  produce items such as bookmarks, cushion covers, bags and pencil cases.

Food

We practise different methods of cooking with a wide range of ingredients. We will make salads, stir-fries, pasta and rice dishes, scones, muffins and many more. Our class decorates cupcakes and designs a healthy lunch. We gain an understanding of hygiene, food safety, sensory properties and sustainable food practices.

Materials

In Materials we use workshop equipment to build projects using metal or wood, to create practical projects which you can take home. You begin to understand how the design process and sustainability issues impact the making of everyday products. These classes give you the opportunity to explore your creativity and discover your practical talents.

Systems

You are introduced to computer aided design (CAD), safety, soldering, electronics, 3D printing, programming an Arduino open-source electronics board. We build and program an Acrylic LED flasher (using the Arduino), and other projects that you take home.