HSIE
YEAR 7
It’s been an energetic start for our Year 7 students as they begin their HSIE journey at Mater Dei. Diving straight into the Landscapes and Landforms Geography unit, the classes have been investigating diverse environments across the globe.
A highlight of the term was the hands-on creation of playdough landforms, which students used to develop their own detailed contour maps. We are excited to see these aspiring historians and geographers continue to grow throughout their time at the College.
YEAR 8
Our Year 8 Geographers hit the ground running with their new unit, Interconnections. This study focuses on the intricate links between people and places, specifically looking at how trade, travel, technology, and production draw the world together. Through collaborative discussions and detailed mapping exercises, students are discovering how our global society functions as a complex, interconnected web.
YEAR 9
In Year 9 History, students have been tracing the global impacts of the Industrial Revolution, specifically how it sparked the mass movement of people through events like the slave trade and convict transportation. The focus has now shifted toward Australia’s role in World War I and II. As we approach Anzac Day, this investigation provides students with a profound perspective on the sacrifices of the past, adding a layer of deep personal meaning to our upcoming commemorations.
YEAR 10
This term, Year 10 History students are undertaking a deeply significant study of the Holocaust. By engaging with primary evidence and moving survivor testimonies, the cohort is exploring the immense human cost of this period in history. Within a supportive classroom environment, the unit aims to foster critical thinking, empathy, and reflection on the dangers of prejudice, while reinforcing the importance of remembrance and education to prevent future atrocities.
COMMERCE
As part of their first Year 10 Commerce unit, The Economic and Business Environment, students have been learning about the Circular Flow of Income. As a fun way to explore this, students played Monopoly and PayDay to experience a simplified version of the circular flow of income in action. Money moves between players as they earn income, pay rent, purchase assets, and cover expenses—just like households and businesses exchange wages, goods, services, and payments in the real economy.
STAGE 6
Our Senior HSIE students are off to a productive start across all disciplines, including Modern and Ancient History, Business Studies, Legal Studies, and Society and Culture.
Year 11 have officially commenced their Preliminary courses, diving into the foundational concepts and inquiry skills that will underpin their senior years. At the same time, our Year 12 students are continuing their HSC journey with focus and dedication, deepening their subject expertise and refining their analytical skills as they move through their final syllabus units.
2025 HSC RESULTS
Congratulations to Lily Stansfield-Smith who received a Band 6 in 2 HSIE subjects - Legal Studies and Society and Culture and also to Olivia Mills who received Band 6 results in Ancient History and Legal Studies.
FAREWELL TO MR BUIK
Mr Buik is a foundation member of staff at Mater Dei Catholic College and has served as HSIE KLA Leader for 20 years. While staff and students have had the opportunity to farewell him this week, on behalf of the HSIE faculty I would like to sincerely thank Mr Buik for his leadership, dedication and lasting contribution to the school community. We wish him all the very best for his future endeavours, he will be greatly missed.
Miss Karina Rudd | HSIE KLA Leader