Humanities

The Year 7's have had an introduction to historical skills and have been building up their knowledge of key turning points throughout history cause and consequences in historical events and change and continuity in history, with a focus on the Olympic Games. The students showed their impressive timeline skills making personal timelines which were very interesting and informative. This term the students delved into ancient Australia and examined evidence such as the Lake Mungo footprints and cave artwork made thousands of years ago, gaining an understanding in indigenous culture and connection to Country. They have learned to use the OPVL (origin-purpose-values-limitations) method to interrogate historical sources. The students have since commenced learning about ancient Greece, exploring the gods, heroes and myths. We will be covering Archaic and Classical Greece, looking at the mighty Persian wars, the different Greek societies and the road to democracy in Athens, which will lead into our Term 4 Civics and Citizenship unit. Between creating slides about Greek deities and storyboards of myths and heroes, the classes have learned to march together in hoplite phalanx formation!

Our Year 8's have finished their physical and human geography units and are currently investigating Civics and Citizenship in Australia. As well as being able to differentiate between levels and branches of government, the students have wrapped their heads around the preferential voting system, and, very importantly, where one can locate a democracy sausage at election time. They have even created their own political parties and policy platforms. Students will be moving into History in Term 3, starting with Medieval Europe and moving into Japan under the Shoguns, which will complement and build in vocabulary learned in their LOTE: Japanese classes. We will also include an examination of Meiji Japan, which will link to our modern history studies in Years 9 and 10.

We are looking forward to some special events in Semester 2, starting with the Year 8s’ Medieval Day! Students will be able to engage with activities such as archery and medieval crime and punishment! Please do not forget to complete permissions and payment on Compass Events for this exciting incursion.

Raquel Fenby

Curriculum Leader