HSIE

Year 8 History students have been studying the Japanese Shoguns, the military generals of Ancient Japan.   Part of their studies involved making a Samurai Warrior from paper and masking tape. 

Year 9 students have been working on Writing Letters from soldiers experiencing life on the front lines. Below is an extract from one of the letters written:

“There's something happening, I can feel it in my veins. I can feel it in my footsteps, squishing and sliding in blood, no mud. I make my way past trenches, murky grey water reaching up to my knees, so noisy, but war has a way of making less violent things silent. Someone's approached me, wearing khaki green, looking important, talking important, being important, But I'm slipping away, and the man is becoming no more than a number, mixed in with stainless steel with somehow relevant words swinging on a dog tag.”

 By Skye Atkinson

Students in Year 10 have been researching  Rights and Freedoms, with particular focus on the Vietnam War. Groups are currently creating news reports on significant battles and experiences whilst in Vietnam.

Recently Year 11 Legal Studies and Year 12 Ancient and Modern History spent time in Sydney learning about different cultural experiences.

Year 11 Legal Studies students had a wonderful first day out at the Parramatta Court precinct observing NSW State Parole Authority hearings, and Local and District Court matters. They were fortunate enough to have a spontaneous audience with Magistrate Tsavdaridis, who was kind enough to speak to the class during his lunch break. The students also observed the workings of the NSW Drug Court - a specialist court which focuses on rehabilitation as a means of diverting offenders away from the criminal justice system.

Year 12 Ancient and Modern History classes spent the first day at the History Teachers' Association  "study day" at the University of Sydney. This provided them with the opportunity to attend sessions, prepared by experienced HSC teachers and markers. With the sessions being held at Sydney University, the experience also afforded the students an insight into life on campus.

Students also visited NSW Parliament House and participated in an education program run by the Parliamentary Education Office. This involved a role-play in the lower house of Parliament, the Legislative Assembly.

A visit to the Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst, gave insight into the atrocities of the Holocaust through the use of interactive displays and information presented by the volunteers. Francine, a Holocaust survivor, provided a moving account of her experience and the impact the Holocaust continues to have.

A stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Capitol Theatre, the lights, music and atmosphere of the Sydney Vivid Festival and a gold class screening of Aladdin. 

Year 11 Society and Culture students were fortunate to have Senior Constable Troy Fisher, School Liaison Officer visit the college to assist with their primary research investigations.

Students have been investigating the impact of mobile phone technology and associated applications on the social experiences of adolescents.  They developed their own interview questions for Constable Fisher with an emphasis on cyberbullying, responses to inappropriate use of mobile phones and strategies for protecting themselves online. The responses provided by Constable Fisher were comprehensive, relevant and insightful for student research. We are very appreciative of his dedication to assisting students  with their classroom learning.

Mr Rod Buik | HSIE KLA Leader