Humanities

Humanities 

In Humanities this term the Year 7s followed up their Civics and Citizenship studies with a look at the Law. They learned about where laws come from, why they are needed and how courts work. Students completed their Civics KLTs in which they formed action groups to raise awareness about a local issue. They made websites about stopping dumping of rubbish, improving Rockbank Station and its amenities, establishing public transport in Thornhill Park and putting lights on Leakes Road. Although our State member of Parliament, Luba Grigorovitch, was unable to attend the school to speak to the students as planned, the students have all written letters about their issues which we will deliver to Ms Grigorovitch. There were some very articulate letters explaining the issues very well!

We were also fortunate that the Hellenic Museum agreed to visit the Year 7 cohort for an incursion (usually schools have to go to them, in the city). They had never run an incursion for so many students! Students were able to hold replica ancient Greek warrior helmets, touch actual ancient artefacts and practice marching and charging in phalanx fighting formation. They then played ancient Greek board games (based on military tactics).

Our Year 8s had a look at the opening up of Japan at the end of the Tokugawa Period and the rapid industrialisation during the Meiji Period. 8B and 8D demonstrated impressive analytical skills in looking at images and cartoons from the Russo-Japanese War and how this war showed a power shift from the old world Europe of empires to Asia. They then launched into a study of Spain and the Americas, looking at the Reconquista of Spain and the building of a global empire. They brushed up on their geography of central and South America and are getting good at recognising the countries. We looked at the different cultures and spectacular cities existing in Mexico and Pacific South America, the violence and ambition of the Spanish conquistadors and the spread of disease in the New World. Students examined the creation of myths, such as the romantic story made up centuries later that Mexican conqueror Hernán Cortés burned his ships so his men could not turn back (in reality they had disintegrated in the tropical waters and he had carpenters who could build new ones) or that the conquistadors won with bravery and cleverness (when they had actually wiped out their enemies with disease and used brutality). We discussed who controls the writing of history and why historical myths are formed. 

Raquel Fenby

Curriculum Leader