One Semester Subject

Community Inquiry in Year 8 asks students to engage in two real-world collaborative projects. In their first term, students take a deep dive into how learning happens and use this to prepare a student workshop to deliver to one of the local Primary Schools within the Footscray Learning Precinct. In their second term, students investigate their local community spaces and prepare a pitch to Maribyrnong Council to share their ideas around how to improve a particular local site. During these projects, students engage in continuous personal and group reflection with a focus on building capabilities such as problem solving, communication, critical thinking, creativity, personal and social skills, decision making, empathy and collaboration.

In Year 8, all students have the option of pursuing one of three themes in Community Inquiry: Social Justice, Wellbeing, or Sustainability. Each elective theme operates out of a different one of our campuses. Social Justice is based at Pilgrim Campus, Wellbeing is based at Barkly Campus, and Sustainability is based at Kinnear Campus. 

Inquiry Learning Continuum - Curriculum Capabilities  - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards 

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Year Long Subject

In year 8, students continue to follow the Rights, Resilience, and Respectful Relationships curriculum which is a department program that supports schools and early childhood settings to promote and model respect, positive attitudes, and behaviours. In SEE, a core aim of the program is to teach our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience, and confidence. 

Students follow levels 7 and 8 of the Rights, Resilience, and Respectful Relationships program which seeks to build self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, mindfulness, and positive coping mechanisms. During SEE, students also have the opportunity of seeing guest speakers and attending bespoke workshops.

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

At FHS, we believe that the study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers, and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them. 

Semester 1

In term one of year 8 English, students read and view a range of literature including the classic, The Outsiders, by H.S. Hinton, and the powerful film, Bran Nue Dae, directed by Rachel Perkins. Students respond to these texts in creative and analytical ways in a range of written, spoken, and multimodal forms. These responses form the basis of students' assessment in English.

In term 2, students continue studying persuasive language. They continue to learn to analyse and use a range of persuasive devices in a number of different modes, including written, oral, and multi-modal. With a focus on 'authentic audiences' students construct a range of texts aimed at shifting others' opinions or views on current real-world issues and in an entrepreneurial 'pitch'. Students' summative assessment is a persuasive oral presentation.

In addition to their school-based assessments in terms 1 and 2, students undertake the PAT reading assessment during term 1.

Semester 2

In term 3 students explore creative writing through a study of poetry. Students read and respond to a range of poetry, exploring the topics, themes, and issues presented. They produce, in print and electronic forms, poetry for a variety of purposes in response to this anthology.

English Learning Continuum - Year 8 Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Achievement Standards 

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester 1

This semester, students studied various texts and worked on writing in a variety of styles including personal recounts, comprehension and creative writing. Students participated in a range of oral activities, with an emphasis on strengthening reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. 

In addition to their school-based assessments in terms 1 and 2, students undertake the PAT reading assessment and NAPLAN during term 1.

Semester 2

In semester 2, students continue reading a range of texts, writing in different styles for a variety of audiences and participating in a range of oral activities,  Students construct narratives and poetry. There is an emphasis on strengthening reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. 

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Junior English Learning Area Leader - Amy Murphy - amy.murphy@footscray.vic.edu.au

Semester 1

In Semester 1, students study History with a focus on societies between the ancient and modern world, including The Vikings and Shogunate Japan. Students also complete an in-depth research task on Renaissance Italy. Historical skills emphasised in this unit include interpreting sources and undertaking independent research.

Semester 2

In Semester 2, Year 8 students study Geography and Civics and Citizenship. They investigate landscapes and land-forms using the concepts of space, place, interconnection, change, environment, sustainability, and scale. Students also study the development of cities, movements of people between nations and the significance of worldwide migration.

Humanities Learning Continuum - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards 

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester 1

In Semester 1, Year 8 students explore the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures according to particle theory. They investigate chemical and physical changes. Students work experimentally to describe the chemical changes observed when new substances are formed in chemical reactions. They also explore the cell as the basic unit of living things. Students are begin to learn that cells have specialised structures and functions, and learn to distinguish between plant and animal cells.

Various common assessments assessment forms are used to inform a students’ level in the Victorian Curriculum:

• Online and/or paper tests

• Practical investigations

• Class tasks and discussions

Semester 2

In semester two, students study physics and learn that energy appears in different forms and can be transferred and transformed. They investigate how energy efficiency can be calculated and how energy is wasted during energy transformations. Some extension work is given looking at the properties of waves in relation to sound and light. 

As a part of this course, students also study Earth Science and learn how sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks form. Throughout these areas students continue to develop their scientific skills and thinking by conducting scientific experiments, and analysing primary and secondary data. 

Various common assessments assessment forms are used to inform a students’ level in the Victorian Curriculum:

• Online and/or paper tests

• Practical investigations

• Class tasks and discussions

Science Learning Continuum -  Victorian Curriculum Science Level 7 - 10 Science Achievement Stands

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

One Term Subjects

At FHS, all year 7 students each of the 'Arts' for one term

Art

During the term, students further explored and experimented with the elements and principles of art through a range of written and practical activities. Students also used lino printmaking processes to explore and create with different materials, techniques, and processes to express ideas, concepts and themes in artworks. Students will also need to create research, and brainstorming pages and sketch compositions in visual diaries and explore possible solutions in their diaries. A detailed visual diary is maintained for technical notes, research and developmental materials. 

Music

Building on year 7, Year 8 students continue to develop aural awareness and music notation skills through singing and other practical instrumentation. They explore the creative use of sound with music production software including Garageband and other similar applications. We believe that students learn best through performance and as such, they develop musical skills in rehearsing and performing through playing in an ensemble. Students also listen to music in order to analyse how elements of music are used to create mood and character.

Note that students also have the option of learning any instrument of their choice through our Instrumental Program which runs separately from classroom music. For more information on this 'opt-in' program, which attracts additional costs, please contact the school.

Drama

In Drama, year 8 students explore the theatrical styles of Melodrama, Commedia Dell'arte, and Greek Theatre. They utilise the expressive skills and dramatic elements necessary to interpret established text and devise their own collaborative works. Students document their ongoing contribution to their collaborative process, demonstrating their understanding of the practical nature of Drama. 

The Arts Learning Continuum - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester 1

Physical Education

Physical Education focuses on students enhancing their own and others’ health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity participation in varied and changing contexts and offers them an experiential curriculum that is contemporary, relevant, challenging, enjoyable and physically active.

In PE at FHS, year 8 students perform a variety of movement patterns in a wide range of individual and team sports activities. Students develop motor skills and enhance their fitness across the semester. They engage in fitness testing at the beginning and end of the semester to determine and reflect on their development of key fitness components. Students develop and deliver a new or modified game in small groups to the class with rules, instructions, and equipment of their choice. 

Semester 2

Health

In Health at FHS, students develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills to strengthen their sense of self, and build and manage satisfying relationships. Reinforcing learning in our SEE program, which focuses on Respectful Relationships, Health helps students to be resilient, and to make decisions and take actions to promote their health, safety and physical activity participation. They also learn to use resources for the benefit of themselves and for the communities with which they identify and to which they belong. In their assessments, students explore a range of topics that concern themselves as adolescents in today's society. These include harm minimisation, and drugs and Alcohol Education. 

Health and PE Learning Continuum - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester subject

STEAM Tech

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics to create solutions to real world problems.This semester students in year 8 have undertaken project work based on the theme of "Electric Vehicles & Renewable Energy". With a focus on the design process, students have engaged in a range of learning experiences such as traditional measuring and cutting processes, gearbox assembly, CAD design, circuitry and soldering along with using emerging technologies such as laser cutting and 3D printing..

Term Subjects

Digital Technology

In Digital Technologies, students learn about how computers represent numbers, text and images using binary, and how text can be encrypted. They learn the basics of programming in Python, producing a collaborative digital design. In the final unit, they learn how to process and visualise data using spreadsheets, to produce an infographic.

Food Technology

In Year 8 Food Studies , students explore the application of nutrition principles and the characteristics and properties of food, food selection and preparation, and contemporary food issues. Students understand the importance of a variety of foods, nutrition principles, food preparation skills and food safety. There is a focus on ethical farming and sustainability within the food industry. Students investigate different ethical food issues and provide solutions. 

Technologies Learning Continuum - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester 1 and 2

At FHS, students have the choice of studying either Japanese or Italian. We value language learning in addition to English as it extends students' literacy repertoires and their capacity to communicate. It also strengthens students’ understanding of the nature of language, culture, and the processes of communication.

Japanese

Students continue to develop their understanding of the Japanese language, culture and writing systems, studying all katakana characters for recognition and written production. Students develop the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening through topics related to describing the "Who, What, When, Where and Why". They communicate about people, places and activities, and develop their knowledge of Japanese grammar structures. Students become aware of differences and similarities between the English and Japanese languages and cultures, and analyse variations in Japanese language according to context. 

Italian

Students continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of the Italian language and culture. They develop skills in speaking and listening, reading and viewing, and writing through the topics of hobbies, weather, countries and nationalities. They use well-rehearsed language, predominantly in the present tense, and produce simple descriptions. They reflect on how they interpret and respond to aspects of Italian language and culture, and consider how their response may be shaped by their own language(s) and culture(s)

Japanese Learning Continuum - Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards

Italian Learning Continuum -  Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Semester 1 and 2

Additional literacy support is offered to students who are identified as operating at 12 months or more behind the age-based expected level in reading or writing. Students are identified through our grade 6 to year 7 transition data, as well as other targeted assessments including PAT Reading, NAPLAN and classroom-based assessments and observations.  Students in literacy support are withdrawn from their chosen language and work with a teacher in small groups.

Teaching Resources (Staff access only) - Unit Plans and Assessment

Literacy Leader - Amy Murphy -  amy.murphy@footscray.vic.edu.au

In both semester 1 and semester 2 year 8 students have the opportunity of engaging in a range of extra-curricular activities that interest them. 

We run a range of whole school and campus-based programs including:

•  Instrumental Music Program

• The School Theatre Production 

• The Student Leadership Collective - reps are elected annually 

• SAGA - Sexuality and Gender Alliance

• Student Monitors

• Inter-School Sports

• Debating and Public Speaking

• The Lorax Sustainability Club

• Student Led Clubs - Board Games, Art, Music, Nintendo Switch, Coding, etc.

• Special Events and Celebrations - Ride2School Day, Wear it Purple Day, RUOK

• Student Organising Committees - Year Book, Graduation,

VHAP consists of ten-week online courses in Mathematics and English for both primary and secondary levels. Students engage in synchronous Webex classes with their teachers. They can also engage with the course material on VSV Online outside of the class time.

The VHAP classroom provides students with the opportunity to:

• explore and express their ideas freely

• make their own decisions about their work

• be inspired and challenged by each other

• gain confidence in their choices and abilities

• feel excited by their learning.

In the VHAP English course, we explore links between reality and fiction by observing the world around us and our journeys into fictional worlds. VHAP English empowers students through cultivating confidence and a willingness to take academic risks.

In the VHAP maths course, students embrace the “why” of maths, not just the “what”. Students and teachers dive into the philosophical implications of mathematical topics.

There are opportunities for differentiation within the course. Students can choose to work at a pace comfortable for them or be extended.

VHAP promotes the development of key skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and resilience.

The program is a safe space for high-ability students to stretch their wings, encounter change and challenge, and confront fears around making “mistakes.”

Please click HERE to view some of the exceptional writing of our VHAP students.