The Creative and Performing Arts Faculty at MGHS is a dynamic team of educators with extensive practical experience across Visual Arts, Music, Drama, VET Entertainment, and Photographic and Digital Media. We are dedicated to developing students’ creative skills, equipping them with the tools to excel in 21st-century careers.
Discover the Opportunities in CAPA
Our programs provide students with access to exceptional learning experiences and pathways:
Dance: Students can participate in workshops and programs with industry-leading organisations, including opportunities to work with professional companies that nurture emerging talent.
Visual Arts: CAPA students frequently showcase their work in prestigious exhibitions, such as Art Express and the Hunter Schools Art Collection, offering recognition at both regional and state levels.
Drama: Students have the chance to perform in high-profile festivals, including the Hunter and State Drama Festivals, and can develop their acting and storytelling skills through competitions and workshops with professional theatre practitioners.
Film: Budding filmmakers can participate in events like the Maitland Grossmann Film Competition, developing their skills and showcasing their work to the school community.
Music: Our school band performs at major events throughout the year, with students benefiting from expert tutoring and leadership opportunities. Music students also participate in regional ensembles and concerts, such as the Hunter Wind Ensemble and Showcase events.
MADD Night: This annual celebration of Music, Art, Drama, and Dance provides a platform for students to perform, display their creative work, and celebrate their achievements in a supportive community.
At MGHS, CAPA students achieve remarkable results, from outstanding academic outcomes to recognition in state-wide showcases. Our alumni have gone on to thrive in creative industries, and our programs provide a solid foundation for those aspiring to follow in their footsteps.
Explore the Creative and Performing Arts at MGHS and unlock your creative potential. We offer comprehensive courses through to Year 12, enabling students to refine their talents and reach their artistic goals. Join us and become part of a legacy of creativity, innovation, and success!
English is a core subject for Stages 4, 5, and 6, emphasising the interconnected roles of Understanding Texts and Creating Texts across all areas of study. Our program ensures a seamless transition across stages, with outcomes and content designed to reflect the essential knowledge, understanding, and skills students need. This includes the exploration of a diverse range of literature.
In Years 7–10, English builds on foundational skills, enhancing students’ abilities in reading, viewing, listening, responding, expressing ideas, and composing texts. Through the study of language and literature, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, fostering connections with others and supporting their intellectual, social, and emotional growth.
Our curriculum engages students with literature from Australia and around the globe, offering texts that reflect diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultural identities. By exploring both historical and contemporary works, students broaden their horizons and are empowered to express their own identities, values, and ethics.
The English staffroom is located in M Block.
Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) encourages students to examine and investigate both the historical and contemporary issues that span the environment, business, the economy, law, and the significant human events from the past. Students explore varied subjects in Human Society and its Environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.
In HSIE the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Year 7 to Year 10 where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.
Geography
The study of geography looks at where things are, why they are there and how humans interact with environments. It involves students investigating geographical issues including contemporary concepts such as sustainability. Students:
ask questions
acquire information
analyse data
evaluate consequences
contribute to the management of physical, social, cultural and built environments.
Students of geography are encouraged to form and express their own ideas and arguments while critically assessing the opinions of others. This forms a basis for a deep understanding of geographical issues; active and informed civic participation and responsible membership of society.
History
Year 7 and 8 students learn about a range of human experiences from the ancient past and modern world. Year 9 and 10 students focus on the making of the modern world and Australia through two mandatory depth studies and a choice of at least another two depth studies. An historical site study is mandatory for Year 7, 8 and 9 students.
A study of history examines the past to help explain how people, places and events have shaped our world today. Through a process of historical inquiry, students study the key historical concepts of:
cause and effect
change and continuity
significance
perspectives
empathy
contestability
Students explore the different stories, perspectives and interpretations of the past using a range of sources. They also use this evidence to provide their own point of view using historical research and skills.
HT Human Society and its Environment located in the G block demountable staffroom.
Industrial Arts at our school offers students the chance to bring their ideas to life through hands-on learning and innovative problem-solving. From woodwork and metalwork to design and technology, our courses foster practical skills and creative thinking essential for success in 21st-century industries. With a strong focus on safety, craftsmanship, and creativity, students are empowered to design, create, and build while exploring potential career pathways in engineering, construction, design, and manufacturing. Whether constructing projects from raw materials or developing innovative solutions, students gain valuable skills that will serve them for life. Join us and discover the satisfaction of creating something extraordinary!
Please note that leather shoes are a mandatory requirement for Industrial Arts lessons.
The Industrial Arts staffroom is located at bottom of A Block
Welcome to high school maths! Building on the foundations established in Primary School, our curriculum continues to develop students’ skills in Number & Algebra (Patterns), Measurement & Geometry, and Statistics & Probability.
Our programs are carefully designed to ensure a smooth transition. At the start of each unit, we review the necessary prior knowledge and provide extra support where needed before moving into new content. All Year 7 students follow the same units of work, and we have high expectations that they will grow their mathematical skills, not only in Year 7 but throughout their High School journey.
If you have any questions about your child’s progress, homework, or classroom experiences, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your child’s success in Mathematics!
The Mathematics staffroom is located on the top level of D Block
Some parents worry that they might not be able to help their High School aged children as they were not confident with maths when they were at school. High school maths does not need to be as scary as some of you may remember.
In the YouTube age, we have an endless supply of free maths help videos and some amazing web sites that can help you to help your (not so) little one get the help they need if you get stuck at home. Have a look at the links below to see if they may be helpful to you.
Useful websites:
At Maitland Grossmann High School, the Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education (PDHPE) course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to take positive action for their health, safety, and wellbeing, as well as that of others. Through engaging and relevant content, students learn to navigate diverse and changing contexts with confidence and resilience.
Physical Education is a key part of the program, focusing on developing movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a variety of activities confidently, competently, and creatively. PDHPE also fosters resilience, builds connections, and promotes respectful interactions.
Year 7 students will participate in 7 PDHPE lessons per fortnight, comprising:
2 Theory lessons to explore key health and personal development concepts.
3 PDHPE skills lessons focusing on practical movement and fitness.
2 Sport lessons contributing to the Department of Education's requirement for 150 minutes of planned moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week.
Preparing for PDHPE Lessons
To make the most of both theory and practical lessons, students should come prepared with:
Theory lessons: Writing materials, an A4 ruled writing book (64+ pages), and any required accessories like glue and scissors.
Practical lessons: MGHS sports uniform, a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and relevant health items (e.g., an asthma puffer).
Assessment in PDHPE
Students are assessed through a variety of tasks designed to reflect their learning in both theoretical and practical environments. These assessments provide opportunities for students to showcase their knowledge and skills against clear, valid criteria, ensuring they can demonstrate their progress and achievements.
We look forward to supporting your child in developing lifelong skills and habits for a healthy and active lifestyle!
Discover the Dynamic World of PDHPE at MGHS!
Premier’s Sporting Challenge (PSC)
As part of our integrated sports program, Year 7 students actively participate in the Premier’s Sporting Challenge, a state initiative promoting healthier and more active lifestyles. This year, our school proudly earned a Gold Award, which allows us to acquire new sporting equipment to support our internal programs, ensuring students have access to high-quality resources.
National Health and Physical Education (HPE) Day
National HPE Day is a highlight of our school year! This year, over 200 students and staff joined forces on the Eastern Oval to celebrate with activities like Volleyball, Tug of War, an Obstacle Race, and the Crossbar Challenge. Our Year 11 Sports Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) students played a key role, connecting their Sports Administration studies with real-world applications, and demonstrating excellent sports management skills. The event showcased our community’s energy and enthusiasm for staying active.
High Potential Academy of Sport
Launched in 2022, the MGHS High Potential Academy of Sport has quickly become a flagship program, fostering the growth of student-athletes in Years 8-10. Aligning with the High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) policy, this academy supports both physical and social-emotional development. Honoured with the 'Outstanding School Program 2023' award, the Academy offers students unique opportunities, including taster sessions in football, basketball, netball, and dance for Year 7 students. Our dedicated staff continuously enhance the program to create even more pathways for success.
Lunchtime Sporting Competitions
Our PDHPE Faculty also brings energy and excitement to break times with lunchtime sporting competitions. Starting with the Year 7 Challenge in Term 1, students can enjoy games like Endball, Netball, Basketball, and Touch Football throughout the year. These events are a fantastic way to build friendships, develop teamwork, and even win prizes!
With such a comprehensive and engaging program, MGHS PDHPE is dedicated to helping every student thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Join us in celebrating movement, resilience, and community spirit!
MGHS Sport Houses
At Maitland Grossmann High School, students join one of four sport houses, named in honour of the school’s past Headmistresses:
Brewster (Red): Surnames A to D
Campbell (Yellow): Surnames E to L
Grossmann (Green): Surnames M to R
Watson (Blue): Surnames S to Z
Which house will you represent? Get ready to show your house pride in our exciting sporting events throughout the year!
Campbell
Watson
Brewster
Grossmann
Science develops students’ skills, knowledge and understanding in explaining and making sense of the biological, physical and technological world. Through applying the processes of Working Scientifically students develop understanding of the importance of scientific evidence in enabling them as individuals and as part of the community to make informed, responsible decisions about the use and influence of science and technology on their lives.
Students in Year 7 will study the following topics:
- Introduction to Science and Matter
- Rocks
- Classification and Cells
- Scientific Method
- Forces
- Separating Mixtures and Resources.
As a part of Year 7 Science, students are provided the opportunity to participate in an excursion to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. This excursion helps students consolidate what is being learnt in the classroom, allows students to explore their curiosity beyond the Classification and Cells topic and have some fun!
It is a mandatory requirement for all students to be wearing leather shoes in the school's science laboratories to protect their feet during practical work. Students with hair longer than shoulder length should also bring a hair tie to tie their hair back during practical lessons. All students should bring the following to each lesson:
- a 192 page A4 exercise book - a blue or black pen - red pen - pencil
- eraser - ruler - calculator - glue stick
The Science staffroom is located in G block.
Enables students to become responsible users of technologies and designers of solutions through the practical application of knowledge and understanding, students develop skills in the safe use of a range of technologies to design, produce and evaluate solutions to identified needs and opportunities.
Technology Mandatory requirements
Leather shoes are a mandatory requirement for practical lessons
MGHS needs to ensure all student allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements are known and considered when participating in practical tasks. An allergy note will be sent home and needs to be returned before practical classes commence.
Students need to bring a tea towel, dishcloth and container for practical lessons.
Pens, lead pencils, glue stick are required for Technology Mandatory theory classes.
The following topics are covered during Year 7:
Agriculture and Food Technologies: ‘Thrive and Grow’
Thrive and Grow integrates content from Agriculture and Food Technologies. It includes practical food preparation lessons using fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat products and opportunities to grow herbs or vegetables. It focuses on the investigation of managed environments, such as farms and managed gardens.
Students will learn about the farming industry and the range of food products that can be manufactured. Students develop knowledge and understanding about agricultural food products through designing and producing solutions. They consider the sustainable supply of agriculturally produced raw materials. Students will investigate features of sustainable agriculture.
Practical food preparation activities will allow students to explore the characteristics and properties of food as they use and manufacture a variety of food products. Students are provided with opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding about food selection and preparation, food safety and Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements. They develop skills to make informed choices when experimenting with and preparing nutritious food.
Digital Technologies: ‘The Amazing Game and Creating an App’
The Amazing Game and Creating an App develops students thinking skills when designing and producing digital and non-digital solutions. Students develop and apply skills in project management and evaluation when designing and producing solutions. Practical skills are developed with tools, materials and processes while working safely, independently and collaboratively on design projects. Developing an App enables students to work creatively while Coding and problem solving. Some activities are:
App Lab Design
Comic creating
Code Collaboration
Designing the User Interface for a positive user experience on their app.
The TAS Staffroom is located on the bottom level of D Block.