HSIE
Year 8 High Potential Geography Challenge
A group of 12 students participated in an inter-school Geography challenge on Friday, December 1, where they demonstrated their problem-solving and Geography specific skills in a series of activities over the day. These students were commendable representatives for our school. Thank you to Mrs Kellie Tilden for providing these students with this fantastic learning opportunity.
Year 9
Year 9 have been learning about the value and contribution of multiculturalism to Australian society and developing their understanding of the experiences of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. As part of this topic, students have learnt about the history of the Greta Migrant Camp and its connection to Kurri Kurri when the ‘nissen huts’ from the camp were transported to Kurri Kurri to address a housing shortage, after the camp closed in 1960. The recent assessment task enabled students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of modes- academic short answer responses, an empathy task, a visual or digital representation and a voice recording, which catered for the diverse strengths of our students. I have been reading student reflections for their Semester Two reports and many students have written comments about how much they have been enjoying this learning. Parents and carers can look forward to reading those when reports are published.
Year 10
This term, Year 10 have been feeling relieved that their final assessments are over, and each class has been exploring topics of their own interest.
10.1 HSIE has investigated the Prohibition era in America and the Salem Witch Trials and the impact of these events on American society of the time and legacy for modern day. In these last few weeks, they have selected their own History or Geography related topic to research.
10.2 HSIE have had opportunities to learn about mini case studies on past and modern-day piracy and Ned Kelly- national hero or villian? Students have been encouraged to form their own judgement on this historical figure based on the sources and information available.
10.3 and 10.5 HSIE have been studying popular culture and the origins of America’s influence on Australia since the 1950’S. They have been exploring music, television, fashion and sport and to end the term, they will compete in a mini Olympics event.
10.4 HSIE have been learning about the ‘Roaring Twenties’ era in America- the rise of the ‘flappers’, jazz music and gangster warfare between the Italian mafia and Irish gangs due to the introduction of Prohibition.
10.6 HSIE have also been studying popular culture with a specific focus on Brother Grimm fairytales and their modern-day representations in television and film.
All classes are developing skills essential for Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) HSIE subjects such as research, Cornell note-making and academic writing strategies which is supporting their preparation and readiness for Year 11 courses.
Year 12 (2024 cohort)
Our next cohort of Year 12 students have commenced their HSC courses. Modern History are investigating the rise of dictatorships in post World War II Europe and the power and authority of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. Legal Studies are examining the legal implications and responses to human rights abuses which historically has always been a popular topic with past students. Lastly, Society and Culture students have commenced their Personal Interest Project (PIP) which is a mandatory component of the course- students select and investigate their own topic of interest and conduct ethical research using a range of methodologies. It is essential that students in this course are working on their PIP’s regularly for the next 9 months to ensure they submit a quality piece of work to maximise their HSC marks.
Parents/ carers please be aware that Both Legal Studies and Society & Culture have their first assessment task due in Week 9.
HSIE- Year in Review - Ms Flanagan Head Teacher
It’s been a very busy year in the HSIE faculty with multiple learning opportunities being provided by external facilitators and excursions and we have even bigger plans for 2024. This year, we have purchased a broad range of Geography fieldwork equipment and will be integrating mini fieldwork investigations into each of our Geography topics for next year. This will mean more opportunities for our students to learn in an outdoor environment, developing real world skills.
Additionally, in Term 1 next year, we will be calling on our families and the community to support a bigger and better project to collate treats and goodies to post ‘Care Packages’ to our military serviceman and servicewomen currently serving Australia overseas in peace keeping roles in time for ANZAC Day. More information to come in the new year.
…. and that’s a ‘wrap’ for 2023.