HSIE
Year 7 Geography
Over the course of Term 1 and Term 2, Year 7 students have engaged with the beginning of the Stage 4 Geography course - specifically the topics of Landscapes and Landforms, and Place & Liveability. In some Year 7 classes, students were able to physically create the movements of tectonic plates through re-creating this through playdough.
Check out some of the incredible work by students in 7G!
Recently, students have been involved in fieldwork activities to assess, and compare liveability factors across local suburbs in the Macarthur Area. This has enabled students to engage with collection of secondary data, and primary data, assisting them in making judgements about areas our Council does well or areas of improvement.
Check out examples of students engaging in fieldwork!
Year 8 & 9 Subject Selection
We are thrilled to offer three Elective subject options for Year 8 for 2026. Students in this cohort were invited to a subject selection expo, and were provided with an opportunity to ask some HSIE teachers regarding Commerce (100 & 200 Hour), International Studies (100 Hour) and Elective History (200 Hour).
The same opportunity was provided to Year 9, who are able to select another 100 Hour Course for 2026. HSIE offers Commerce and International Studies. We hope to see a lot of students in our courses in the next few years!
Year 8 History
Congratulations to Year 8 who are finishing up Semester 1 in History. Over the past two terms, they have worked towards completing their study of The Western & Islamic World, focusing on Medieval Europe and life in the Middle Ages. Then, after their Course Examination, students have worked through the topics of the Unit titled The Asia & Pacific World - focusing on Medieval Japan, and most recently, Expanding Contacts, with a focus on The Spanish Conquest.
Within the topic of Medieval Japan, students across all classes were provided with a choice for creativity and research tasks, with many designing a Medieval Castle, or a battle ground for Samurais. Their creations were fantastic and showcased creativity, attention to detail and willingness to collaborate with others in constructing key features of this Ancient society. Other students were able to deep dive into the life of Samurais, including the Code of the Bushido, or researched the role of the Tokugawa Shogunate, including their role in controlling Japan in 1603. Many students in Year 8 were also provided the opportunity to extend their learning through choice - assessing who would win in a Medieval Battle - A Knight or a Samurai? Many completed this assessment through comparing and contrasting key aspects of training and weaponry.
To finish off the term, many students have delved into the history of The Spanish Conquest and the Aztecs. Some classes will recreate key sources, including replicas of artwork and dress through craft.
Well done Year 8 - We look forward to seeing you all achieve in Semester 2 in Geography!
Check out some examples of student work!
Year 9 Elective History
Our class of budding History enthusiasts have just completed their unit of work on The Vikings. Students learned about Viking culture and history, and debated questions such as ‘Were the Vikings the original colonisers?’. As part of this unit, the class were lucky enough to attend an excursion to United Cinemas Narellan, where they watched the film ‘How to Train your Dragon’. They were also required, as part of their second assessment task, to create a Viking artefact or museum display piece. Mrs Bright and Ms Roberts were amazed at their effort and handiwork, and they should all be very proud of what they produced.
We also had our inaugural winner of the Historical History Games, with Anopa S winning Finska, a game which has Scandinavian origins. Corbin L and Zachariah P won the teams competition.
Year 9 Commerce
Over the past Semester, students in the Year 9 100 and 200 Hour Commerce Elective have engaged with content focused on three topics of the syllabus - The Nature of Commerce, Investing and Travel. Across both classes, students have engaged with content in various ways.
100 HOUR
Recently, students spent time in class engaging with the Australian Stockmarket Game through the ASX website. Students compete on a live platform, learn to engage with business outcomes and projected sales, as well as learn how to buy and sell shares. Students worked to analyse the current state of the Australian Stock market and how factors both nationally and internationally, influence the cost of, and flux of stocks. Well done to Ayden T, Harshita B and Harry B who were able to achieve the best outcome over the 3 weeks!
From this, the 100 Hour class have worked on a short unit on Travel. Through this, students engaged with reasons and factors to consider prior to travelling, factors that influence one’s decision making when travelling, key aspects of sustainability promoted by businesses and countries when travelling, as well as the reasons for acknowledging customs and traditions of a society. Additionally, students worked in small collaborative groups to complete their Travel Expo Assessment Task. This task required students to create their own travel-style business, to market and ‘sell’ an itinerary to a place of their choice. In doing so, students were to reflect on their selected demographic, and to effectively review key forms of entertainment, pricing and modes of transport suited to such persons.
Together, the class produced some incredible businesses. I am blown away by the effort of the students in this class to assist in the creation and success of this Assessment Task. Well done!
Year 9 History
On Tuesday, the 27th of May, Year 9 Students were provided the opportunity to engage with learning outside the classroom. Year 9 History went to the Maritime Museum to view the Chains of Empire exhibition in relation to our unit on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. We were able to do a self guided tour and explored both the submarine and Navy ship that are docked there. The kids had a wonderful time exploring the museum and Darling Harbour.
Year 9 Geography
The other half of the year group ventured to Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, exploring the incredible biome of the Rainforest. Students were provided with the opportunity to see first hand, the incredible range of species that form and rely on each other for life. Along the boardwalk, students listened attentively to the guest speakers and Rangers who identified the key features of the rainforest residents. They were provided with knowledge from a local First Nations woman who shared the history of connection to land, and what is being done to preserve the Budderoo National Park. Lastly, they worked in groups to participate in Fieldwork activities.
Students in Year 9 Geography have also been working through the last topic of Sustainable Biomes. Students have completed fieldwork around the school, identifying key aspects of soil for plant growth, including texture and physical observations. Additionally, students in 9I have worked to identify key skills in comparing ph Levels and climatic conditions in the class lettuce growing competition.
Great work Year 9!
Year 10 HSIE (Subject Selection)
On Monday of Week 8, Year 10 students and parents/guardians were invited to attend the annual Year 10 Subject Selection Evening. As always, we are very proud of the turn out and excitement shown by students alike seeking to understand the subjects on offer. For Year 11 and 12, we offer: Ancient History, Business Studies, Geography, Legal Studies, Modern History and Society & Culture.
Year 11 Ancient - Excursion to Museum
In Week 10, our Year 11 Ancient History students will attend an excursion to the University of Sydney’s Chau Chak Wing Museum. They will explore the museum’s significant collection of ancient artefacts, including a scale reconstruction of Pompeii built from Lego - the work of Brickman himself. Students will also have the opportunity to get a hands on and actually examine artefacts from ancient Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia.
Year 12 Society & Culture - HSC Study Day
On Friday of Week 7, Year 12 Society & Culture students were invited to participate in, and learn from an incredible range of HSC markers to assist them in preparation for their Trial and HSC Exams. Students were provided with an opportunity to revise key strategies for the Core Study, Popular Culture and their last topic Social Conformity & Non Conformity. Additionally, they were provided with an opportunity to experience by the First Nations Group Yidaki Yulugi. We are very proud of Shaun T who had a go and volunteered to learn some cultural dancing in front of the hundreds of students there.
Year 12 History - HTA
In Week 6, Year 12 Ancient and Modern History students attended the annual ‘History Teachers Association of NSW’ HSC Study Day at the University of Sydney. Students attended various lectures presented by HSC markers and Stage 6 teachers, with the lectures covering a number of topics which will be assessed in the HSC exams. The students who attended the day found the lectures incredibly useful and insightful, especially the sessions which focused on exam skills. It also provided students with a taste of university life.
Year 12 Business Studies
Earlier this term Year 12 Business Students went to Luna Park for an exciting and educational excursion, accompanied by Ms Borland and Ms Kwasniak. The aim was to give students real-world insight into how marketing, finance and operations function within a major entertainment business.
Students explored the park and observed key business elements in action. They took notes on customer service, promotional strategies, pricing and the day-to-day logistics of running an iconic venue. The experience helped connect classroom learning with the real world in a fun and engaging way.
Of course, no trip to Luna Park would be complete without a bit of fun! After the educational component, students enjoyed unlimited rides and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere the park is known for. It was a fantastic balance of learning and enjoyment, and a clear highlight of the school year.
HSIE Faculty