Human Society and It's Environment

As we finalise a very successful Term 1 in the HSIE Faculty, we are pleased to share the highlights of this term's educational journey. 

Year 7: Unlocking the Mysteries of History

Our Year 7 students embarked on a captivating journey into the annals of history this term. They have enthusiastically delved into the study of historical timelines, chronology, and the critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. A particularly thrilling highlight was the in-class investigation into the enigmatic murder mystery of Otzi the Iceman. Students showcased their creativity and critical thinking skills by crafting their theories on how Otzi met his fate. Additionally, some fortunate students had the opportunity to engage in a chocolate chip cookie excavation, adding a hands-on dimension to their learning experience. In Language, students commenced their study of learning Japanese. Students are eagerly learning Japanese greetings and participating in applying their skills in games like Kahoot. We eagerly anticipate their continued enthusiasm and scholarly growth in the upcoming term. 

Year 8: Conquering Medieval Europe

In Year 8, our students embarked on a fascinating exploration of Medieval Europe. With a focus on siege warfare, they honed their evaluative language skills through extended writing tasks, demonstrating an impressive understanding of the effectiveness of various siege weapons in attacking medieval castles. We are immensely proud of their progress and the dedication they have shown towards mastering these essential historical skills, which will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation for their future academic endeavors. 

Year 9:Investigating the Industrial Revolution

The Year 9 cohort immersed themselves in the study of the Industrial Revolution this term. With a focus on developing their writing skills, students crafted letters from various perspectives, providing insightful glimpses into this transformative period of history. Their engagement and commitment to honing their source analysis and communication skills have been commendable, and we are excited to witness their continued growth and development throughout the remainder of the academic year. 

Year 10: Commemorating the Holocaust

Students embarked on a thought-provoking exploration of the Holocaust this term. Students have gathered information from a broad range of primary sources including Survivor testimony, to build their historical understanding. Through the design of a virtual museum exhibition dedicated to the concentration camp Auschwitz, they showcased their new – found knowledge, creativity and empathy for his tragic chapter in history.  

Spotlight on HSIE Electives

History, Mysteries and Conspiracy and Commerce

Over the past few weeks, students in Commerce have been deeply engaged in a project that involved organising a 7-day travel itinerary for a cruise ship. In this project, our students have had the opportunity to delve into various aspects of commerce, from logistics to customer experience. They've been tasked with selecting different ports of call and organising a range of onshore excursions, all while harnessing their geographic skills in mapping. What's truly impressive is how this project has allowed our students to deepen their understanding of different cultures. By researching each destination and considering the cultural significance of various landmarks and attractions, they are gaining invaluable insights into the diversity of our world. Moreover, sustainability has been a key focus throughout this project. Our students have been challenged to ensure that their travel itinerary promotes sustainable practices, from minimising environmental impact to supporting local communities. We couldn't be prouder of the dedication and creativity our students have shown throughout this project. Their enthusiasm for learning and their ability to apply commerce concepts to real-world scenarios are truly commendable.

Year 9 History Mysteries and Conspiracies started the term looking at archaeological sites. As part of this they had to piece together frescoes without knowing what the item was (as shown in the photos of Fletcher Phillip and Corey Wilson). They have also completed Assessment Task One where they researched a site of their choice. Since then, they have been analysing evidence from the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a particular interest in the ransom letter. As part of this they took items from several willing participants and went through the process of writing ransom letters and collecting their payment for the safe return of the item.

Year 10 History Mysteries and Conspiracies have focused on honing their analytical skills. Their first activity was to analyse a variety of sources from a fictional case to work out how the man died. Students exposed some interesting theories and supporting evidence. For Assessment Task One, students looked at source material relating to Australia's worst rail disaster - the 'Granville Train Disaster' and are continuing to improve their understanding of key concepts of reliability and usefulness. Their second assessment focused on local heritage with students choosing topics from the local area that has interested them. A wide range of topics were considered including the Bellbird Mine Disaster, closing of BHP and the death of Alison Newstead. Students have also started to look at one of Australia's more controversial murder cases with students analysing the evidence used to convict Lindy Chamberlain in the death of her baby. 

Exploring Ancient and Modern Worlds in Senior Histories

Year 11 Ancient History have just completed their sites and sources topic culminating in some outstanding presentations of their historical investigations.  Students have enjoyed learning about the archaeological process but are ready to start learning about women in different societies throughout the ancient world. Year 12 Ancient History are currently completing their study of the fall of the Roman Republic. Learning about political intrigue, betrayal, blackmail, bloodshed and gang warfare in the government has both shocked and fascinated our fledgling historians to the point that some are learning Latin! They are about to now do a deeper dive into this world with a personality study of the man himself, Julius Caesar. We wish them luck.

Year 11 Modern History have delved into the captivating era of the American Civil War, a pivotal moment in history that reshaped the landscape of the United States. After examining the complexities of this transformative period, our students culminated their studies with an assessment task which included analysing sources about the economic disparities between the Northern and Southern states. Additionally, they tackled an essay question, showcasing their historical awareness of the role of slavery as a catalyst for the conflict.

Meanwhile, in Year 12 Modern History, our students have been meticulously exploring the United States from 1919 to 1941—a period marked by profound social, economic and political upheaval. They've examined the ramifications of the Great Depression and the consequential policies of the New Deal driven by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Highlights of their studies have included the economic boom and cultural transformations of the Roaring Twenties—an exhilarating era of jazz music, silent movies and shifting societal norms embodied by the flappers. For their second HSC assessment task, students were presented with a choice between two essay questions, enabling them to demonstrate their understanding of either the New Deal or the processes of urbanization and industrialization in America. Lastly, in our USA Easter Egg Challenge, students eagerly embraced the opportunity to test their knowledge. Each correct response was rewarded with a delicious Easter egg, adding an element of fun to their historical explorations (see photos).

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