CORE SUBJECTS

All students study these subjects in Year 7 and 8.

English

English focuses on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. In Levels 7 and 8, students communicate with peers, teachers, individuals, groups and community members in a range of face-to-face and online/virtual environments. Students engage with a variety of texts for enjoyment. They listen to, read, view, interpret, evaluate and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts in which the primary purpose is aesthetic, as well as texts designed to inform and persuade. Students create a range of imaginative, informative and persuasive types of texts, for example narratives, procedures, performances, reports and discussions, and are beginning to create literary analyses and transformations of texts.

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, focusing on developing students' proficiencies in understanding, fluency, problem-solving, and reasoning. These proficiencies are applied across the five strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space and Statistics.

Physical Education & Health

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.

In Health education, you will explore various aspects of your life such as sun safety, respectful relationships, mental health and wellbeing, food and nutrition and risk-taking behaviour. You will learn about how these factors impact your health and strategies to increase health-promoting behaviours in your own life.

Religious Education

Students will undertake a new unit of work form the Sandhurst Magnify Source of Life Curriculum each Term. 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

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 recent years, Language study has focused on introducing students to Japan and French-speaking countries, as well as important aspects 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 four fields of visual communication design (Messages, Products, Environments and Interactives). Through small hands-on projects, students explore a range of print and digital mediums for creating designs. Students select and manipulate visual language, methods, media and materials when generating, developing and resolving their design ideas and concepts.

Technology

Digital
In Digital Technologies, students will experience being a creative developer, experiencing the processes of creating a Smartphone Application. 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.