Lower School (Years 8 – 10)

Students develop creative skills, critical appreciation and knowledge of artistic techniques and technologies in dance, drama, media, music, visual arts and combinations of arts forms. The Arts develops students’ sense of personal and cultural identity and equips them for lifelong involvement in and appreciation of the arts.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within The Arts:

• Dance
• Design
• Drama
• Music
• Photography
• Visual Arts

Students learn about the English language and how to use it effectively. The study of English plays a vital role in the development of literacy, enhances students’ learning in all areas of the curriculum and provides them with the communication skills and critical understanding of language necessary for active participation in society.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within English:

• English
• English as an Additional Language/Dialect

Students develop an understanding of health issues and the skills needed for confident participation in sport and recreational activities. This Learning Area enables students to make responsible decisions about health and physical activity and to promote their own and others’ health and well-being.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within Health and Physical Education:

• Health
• Outdoor Education
• Physical Education

Students communicate effectively in languages and further develop their skills and understandings in English. They gain an understanding of other societies, the ability to interact with people and cultures other than their own, and practical skills which they can use in future social, cultural and vocational areas.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 - 10 within Languages:

• French
• Japanese

Students use ideas about number, space, measurement and chance, and mathematical ways of representing patterns and relationships, to describe, interpret and reason about their social and physical world. Mathematics plays a key role in the development of students’ numeracy and assists learning across the curriculum.

The following contexts are offered in Years 8 - 10 within Mathematics:

• Working Mathematically
• Number
• Measurement
• Chance and Data
• Space
• Algebra

Students investigate, understand and describe the physical, biological and technological world and value the systems and processes that support life on our planet. Science helps students to become critical thinkers who use evidence to construct conclusions.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within Science:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Ecology/Environmental Studies
• Human Biology
• Physics

Students develop understandings of how individuals and groups live together and interact with their environment, a respect for cultural heritage and a commitment to social justice, democratic process and ecological sustainability.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within Society and Environment:

• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Politics and Law

Students apply knowledge, skills and resources in the development of practical solutions to problems. Through this process they learn to be innovative, adaptable and reflective as they select and use appropriate materials, information and systems to achieve worthwhile results.

The following disciplines are offered in Years 8 – 10 within Technology and Enterprise:

• Business
• Career Education
• Design and Technology
• Home Economics
• Information Technology