The Score

Humanities & Languages

What is Year 8 Up to This Semester ?

Common Assessment Tasks 4

The Medieval is the longest major era in European history. It is also exceedingly complex. It is generally defined as the period of European history from the fall of Rome (5th century) to the Renaissance (15th century). The Medieval era is often only given limited attention in histories of the West. In fact, the Medieval era by far is the longest period of European history – spanning a millennium. The impact on the Western mind and our modern society was enormous. The era was one of religious faith affected by war (Crusades), famine, and disease (such as the Black Death). 

 

Constant warfare occurred along with stunning artistic achievements. Nations were formed along with legal codes that laid the bases for our modern democracies, the rule of law and basic human liberties.

The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Afro-Eurasia from 1346 to 1353. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351. 

 

The task given to our Year 8 students for their CAT4 was to create a PowerPoint presentation to present the findings to their research on the topic of the Black Death. Very fitting given our current situation.

Below is a montage of students’ work with each slide having been taken from submitted work by students in 8B. Each slide covers an area all students had to research. Names are published on each slide to recognise their hard work and efforts, especially in Remote Learning.

 

 

Ms Su-Nhi Kim 

Humanities Coordinator

 

VCE Legal Studies

Our Year 11 Legal Studies class is currently studying the ways in which our human rights are protected. The students have been learning how Australian rights are protected through statute law, common law and the Australian Constitution. The current political and social landscape is providing an abundance of material, particularly surrounding whether the Government’s decision to mandate vaccinations goes against human rights.

Here are some interesting facts about how human rights are protected within Australia:

  • Did you know that Australia is one of the few Western democracies that does not have a national charter or bill of rights?
  • The Australian Constitution protects five express rights which can only be removed by altering the Constitution. One of these rights was the focus for a High Court challenge in the movie ‘The Castle’. Do you know which one it is?
  • Parliament, as the supreme law-making body, has the authority to override human rights that have been established in common law (except for judgments made in the High Court).
  • It took 10 years for the High Court to hand down its final decision in the Mabo v Queensland case. Unfortunately, Eddie Mabo (the applicant) had already passed away.

The Year 12 students have been busy finishing off their final content and preparing for their end of year exams. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Year 12 students the best of luck in preparing for their final examinations. It has been without a doubt a difficult two years, however with the perseverance and resilience they have shown, we can be assured that they will tackle their examinations with the same tenacity and rigour. Good Luck to all!

Ms Emily Phibbs 

Legal Studies