Course Overview

Students develop knowledge about historical and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Students will investigate Aboriginal Peoples’ roles across different scales, from the local to the international level. They will develop an understanding of the importance of self-determination and autonomy to Aboriginal People’s ongoing contribution and success. This subject will develop students' ethical research skills, requiring them to apply community consultation protocols, as well as respecting Indigenous Cultural and intellectual property. These experiences will assist students to become active and informed advocates for a just and inclusive world. 

Year 9 units of study:

• Aboriginal Identities

• Aboriginal Peoples and the Visual Arts

• Aboriginal Peoples and Film and Television

• Aboriginal Peoples in Sport

Year 10 units of study: 

• Aboriginal Self-Determination and Autonomy

• Aboriginal Enterprises and Organisations

• Aboriginal Peoples and the Media

• Aboriginal Peoples’ Interaction with Legal and Political Systems

Typical school-based Course Assessment

• Extended response (Identity and the land)

• Extended response (heritage and identity)

• Local community case study

• Mid-course and End-of-course Exams

Term-3 Exam Sample Format

Duration: 1 hour

Typical format: 5 x multi choice, 5 x short answer {2-5marks}, 1 x extended response {8 marks}]

Possible vocational/career pathways

• Health Care/Allied Health

• Education and Social Work

• Environmental Science/Resource Management

• Media/Arts/Tourism

Skills and attributes developed:

• Openness to new ideas

• Resourcefulness, research, admin,

• Communication, problem-solving, tolerance,  

• Resilience, flexibility, organisation, planning, 

• Leadership, cooperation, independence, initiative etc

Past Student challenges

• Understanding cultural protocol. 

• Emotional and ethical complexity.

• Moving beyond stereotypes.

• Appreciating different points of view.

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Revisit content regularly. 

• Have a consistent study pattern.

• Read widely.

• Stay across news and current affairs.

• Engage in dialogue with the local community.

Course Overview

Students will learn to identify and research issues that individuals face when making consumer and financial decisions. They will investigate laws and mechanisms that protect consumers, including the process of consumer redress. Students will examine a range of options related to personal financial decisions, assess strategies for responsible financial management, and study the principles of promotion and selling.

Year 9 units of study:

• The Consumer and Financial Environment

• The Travel Consumer

• The Work Environment 

• Promoting and Selling

• Towards Independence

• The Business of Sport

Year 10 units of study: 

• The Economics and Business Environment

• Travel

• Law, Society & Political Involvement

• Towards Independence

Typical school-based Course Assessment

• Planning a trip; Investment report

• In-class tests

• Research essay, Extended Written responses

• Mid-course and End-of-course Exams

Term-3 Exam Sample Format

Duration: 1 hour

Typical format: Combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions.

Possible vocational/career pathways

• Sales related fields

• Mortgage/Insurance Broking

• Marketing

• Small or Large Business Owner

• Human Resources

Skills and attributes developed:

• Case study analysis

• Financial literacy,  project management

• Problem solving

• Market analysis

• Financial planning

• Team work and communication

• Study skills

Past Student challenges

• Volume of syllabus content

• Skills in researching, critical thinking, analysing and communicating

• Unwilling to study during personal-time 

• Keeping up with current news and world events

• Maintaining a regular and consistent study plan

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Read widely about world news and affairs

• Have an interest in commerce/finance related matters

• Engage with all course content/activities

• Maintain a regular study pattern

• Track world markets and influences with interest

• Can relate world events to financial matters

Course Overview

This subject takes students around the world, exploring both Earth's oceans and landforms. The course explores the geological processes that give the continents and the oceans their unique shapes. The unit then explores the different environments created by these forces and how those environments shape the lives of animals and humans living in them. The unit allows students who have enjoyed the study of Geography in years 7 & 8 to pursue this passion and deepen their knowledge of Geography. The course also provides many opportunities for students to improve their technical Geography skills through participation in a number of fieldwork programs.

Typical school-based Course Assessment

• Natural Phenomena Research Task and Presentation

• Extended Written Response

• Personal Interest Project

• End of semester in class exam

Term-3 Exam Sample Format

Duration: 1 hour

Typical format: Combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended response. A broadsheet is used as a stimulus for the exam.

Possible vocational/career pathways

• Urban and Town Planning

• Environmental Land Management and Sustainability

• International Aid

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Skills and attributes developed:

• Strong comprehension skills

• Empathy with cultural groups

• Spatial literacy skills

• Geographical fieldwork skills

• Data analysis

• Critical thinking

Past Student challenges

• The complexity in some of the fieldwork/data analysis

• Considering multiple or opposing viewpoints

• Looking at issues outside of their own known context

• Going into depth around case studies and course work

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Read widely around current affairs and news

• Good with numbers and data

• Showed a strong enjoyment and level of success in Stage 4 Geography

• Have a regular and sustained study pattern

• Are across a variety of world issues

• Open to considering multiple points of view

• Have an interest in sustainable practices

Course Overview

Students examine history, heritage, archaeology, and the methods historians use, exploring how history is constructed through options like oral history, film, and historical fiction. They consider ethical issues like ownership and preservation, and study a range of ancient, medieval, and modern societies and themes (e.g., war, gender).

Through historical inquiry, students analyze sources, sequence events (understanding continuity, change, and causation), and develop concepts like empathy, significance, and contestability. They apply research and communication skills, including ICT, examine different perspectives, construct logical arguments supported by evidence, and communicate effectively about the past to diverse audiences.

Typical school-based Course Assessment

• Topic Tests

• Examinations

• Research Tasks

• Source Analysis

Term-3 Exam Sample Format

Duration: 1 hour

Typical format: Multiple choice, short answer and extended response.

Possible vocational/career pathways

• Intelligence and Defence

• Law

• Media, Journalism

• Foreign Affairs/Diplomacy 

Skills and attributes developed:

• Strong research skills.

• Source analysis capability.

• Discussion and collaboration with others.

• Planning of projects.

• Critical thinking.

Past Student challenges

• Essay structure

• Managing multiple information sources

• Structuring projects

• Seeing connection between differing viewpoints on an issue

• Managing workload and study requirements

Students who do well in/enjoy this subject:

• Genuine interest in History

• Have shown strong success in Stage 4 Mandatory History

• Read widely

• Study History for enjoyment in their spare time

• Have a consistent study routine