How is it possible that a piece of canvas covered in paint can be worth millions of dollars? Why are there so many tragic Shakespearan heroines turning up in 19th century artworks? And what's up with Skywhale? Through the new elective 'Art Lives in HaSS',  we will use art history to learn and reflect upon how art can reveal insights to the society of the day, and how this enriches understanding the humanities in general.  Areas of study will include history (historical events through art, contrasting views, portraits, architecture, fashion and design), geography (maps, indigenous Australian interpretations of the land), civics and citizenship (public arts, art in our daily life, murals, graffiti), and business (the art market, and looking at art as a commodity). 

Students will explore the qualities and skills that define successful entrepreneurs, with a focus on innovation, leadership, and adaptability. Throughout the semester, they will design and develop their own innovative product or service as part of a business concept. Students will analyse key aspects of their business idea and investigate how major global companies and brands use innovation to stay competitive, using case studies to deepen their understanding.

The course also introduces foundational economic theory, including concepts such as supply and demand, market structures, and economic systems. Students will apply these theories to real-world examples and case studies, examining how businesses operate within different economies and how government policies influence market outcomes. Through this integrated approach, students will gain insight into the dynamic relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic forces.

An example of an assessment is a case study looking at different types of economies

This unit explores the key features of Australia’s political and legal systems including how they work, why we have laws, and how they’re made. Students learn about different types of laws, including criminal and civil, and explore Australia’s international legal obligations. They’ll also look at how justice is achieved through crime prevention, sentencing, and rehabilitation, with a focus on fairness and social justice.

Students will dive into real-world legal issues, from freedom of speech to technology and young people’s rights. They’ll unpack how courts and governments make and change laws, and how citizens can influence reform. It’s a great choice for anyone interested in justice, current events, and understanding how laws shape everyday life.

It can sometimes be hard to make sense of everything we see on the news. This elective helps you gain a better understanding of the world today. It provides you with a broad understanding of the economic, political and social ideas that are reflected in the news, as well as an understanding of the role of the media in selecting and framing news stories. The content of this elective will change every year. It all depends what is in the news. 

This unit is built around the core theme of environmental, economic and social sustainability. Students studying Global Development will examine global geographic issues relating to poverty, inequality, human consumption and environmental degradation. They will also examine the ways in which global organisations and systems work for and against a sustainable future.