Course Description: 

Aboriginal Studies provides opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the diverse cultures, identities and lived experiences of Aboriginal Peoples. It explores the importance of autonomy and self-determination and the range of relationships between Aboriginal Peoples and non-Aboriginal people. The development of research and consultation skills for respectful engagement with Aboriginal communities enables students to become active and informed advocates for a just and inclusive world. 

Topics that may be undertaken: 

• Aboriginal identities 

• Aboriginal self-determination and autonomy 

• Aboriginal enterprises and organisations 

• Aboriginal Peoples and the visual arts 

• Aboriginal Peoples and the media 

• Aboriginal Peoples and oral and written expression 

• Aboriginal Peoples and film and technologies 

• Aboriginal Peoples and sport 

• Aboriginal Peoples and legal and political systems 

Materials Required: 

• A4 exercise book 

• Headphones

Course Fees:  Possible excursion

Course Description: 

The Commerce course is designed to enable young people to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to research and develop solutions to consumer, financial, legal, business and employment issues. This will enable them to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.

Commerce provides a range of learning styles and experiences that suit the interests and needs of all students. 

An Introduction to the Commercial World 

• Law and Society – students develop an understanding of how laws affect individuals and groups and regulate society. 

• Employment Issues – students learn about the commercial and legal aspects of employment issues, focusing on their options, rights and responsibilities in the work environment. 

• Consumer and Financial Decisions - students learn how to identify and research issues that individuals encounter when making consumer and financial decisions 

• The Economy- students develop an understanding of the importance and features of the economic environment. 

These are examples of option topics that may be included in the course. 

• E-Commerce – students learn how to use the internet for researching commercial and legal information and buying and selling goods and services. 

• Investing – students learn about the range of investment options and how to make wise investment decisions. 

• Towards Independence – students are involved in decision making and problem solving of issues which may affect them when they leave home. 

• Law in Action – students examine the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a range of legal situations. 

• Community Participation – students learn how to become active and effective participants in community organisations. 

• Running a Business – students plan, organise and examine the range of opportunities for setting up a small business. 

• Travel- students learn how to solve problems encountered when travelling 

• Promoting and Selling- Students investigate the promotions and selling of goods and services including social ethical and environmental considerations. 

Materials Required: 

• A4 exercise book 

• Headphones

Course Fees:  Possible approx $200 for excursion

Course Description: 

Critical thinking is a form of purposeful thinking that emphasises evidence and reasoning. In today’s world, where information is readily available, critical thinking is becoming more important than remembering and recalling facts. Society values critical thinking because it is an interdisciplinary and transferable skill. It means that no matter what path or profession is pursued, critical thinking skills will always be relevant and useful. 

The critical thinking course emphasises the fundamental attributes of critical thinkers and gives students a wide range of opportunities to transfer these skills across multiple disciplines. The course structure encourages students to think about thinking and transcend factual learning. 

After completing the critical thinking elective, students will be able to apply critical thinking processes to analyse the strength and validity of information and claims. Those skills are valuable for learning in Stage 6. By applying their critical thinking skills, students will deepen their understanding of content and skills across many disciplines. 

Two core units must be studied: 

• Core 1: Critical thinking in action 

• Core 2: Research skills to support the critical mind 

Options have been developed to allow students to apply their critical thinking skills in various scenarios. Examples of options that may be studied include: 

• Strategies used in business and war 

• Predicting the future: How certain can we be? 

• Conspiracy theories: Where are the facts? 

• Strategies and innovations in sports: The path to victory 

• Advertising: Have they got your attention? 

• Recreating the human mind: The future of artificial intelligence 

• Solving problems of today and the future 

• Blind justice: You’ve been selected for jury duty 

• School developed option 

This is a NSW Department of Education-approved elective course. It will not be listed on the Record of School Achievement (RoSA). 

Materials Required: 

• A4 exercise book 

• Headphones

Course Fees:  Nil

Course Description: 

History is a disciplined process of inquiry into the past that helps to explain how people, events and forces from the past have shaped our world. The aim of this course is to stimulate students’ interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past, to develop a critical understanding of the past, and to enable them to participate as active, informed and responsible citizens. 

Examples of option topics that may be included in the course; 

TOPIC 1: Constructing History > Focuses on developing students’ understanding of the nature of history and how different perspectives and interpretations of the past are reflected in various historical constructions. 

• Biography 

• Family history 

• Heritage and conservation 

• History and the media 

• Film as history 

• Historical reconstructions 

TOPIC 2: Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Societies>  Offers a more in-depth study into the major features of different societies from the past.

•  Archaeology of the ancient world 

• Medieval and early modern Europe 

• The Americas 

• The Pacific 

• A 19th Century study 

• A 20th Century study 

• An Asian study 

• Africa 

TOPIC 3: Thematic Studies>  Students work more independently and apply historical skills to investigate topics. 

• Children in History 

• Heroes and villains 

• World myths and legends 

• Crime and punishment 

• Terrorism 

• Women in History 

• War and peace 

• Slavery 

• A school-developed study 

Materials Required: 

• A4 exercise book 

• Headphones

Course Fees:  Possible approx $200 for an excursion