Human Society and It's Environment

The HSIE Faculty congratulates all the students who worked hard, displayed resilience in their learning and committed themselves to doing their very best in HSIE this semester. We were very pleased with the excellent quality of classwork and assessment presented by our HSIE students in their studies of History and we are looking forward to sharing our exciting Geography curriculum in Semester Two. We encourage students to enjoy their Term 2 holidays and return to school ready and willing to learn new skills.

Years 7 –10 History

This term Year 7 have studied Ancient Egypt and recently completed a source analysis and extended response for their assessment. During this topic, students from Miss Blanch’s 7 Emerald deconstructed the mummification process. They were able to get hands-on experience when they mummified voodoo dolls! The skills developed in their recent assessments will continue to serve them in future studies and all students are encouraged to continue revising them. Year 7 students should be congratulated on their efforts and are encouraged to continue applying the same effort next term when studying Geography. 

Year 8 has been exploring the Spanish Conquest of The Americas. For this topic we examined the fascinating Aztec  civilisation. Students recently completed their assessment task where they identified unique features of the exceptional city of enochtitlan. Keep up the great work year 8! 

Year 9 have been continuing their extensive look at the topic of Australians at War. The focus this term was understanding the home front. Students completed a source analysis and extended response utilising TEEEC paragraph skills refined earlier this term. We are proud of your effort year 9! 

Year 10 investigated Rights and Freedoms this term. In this topic, students survey the human rights movement in Australia and America and the foundation of the United Nations. Students should be commended on their recent assessment results and should continue this application in Geography next term.

Learning Japanese with Mrs McNeil

In LOTE this year, students have been learning about Japan in terms of its language, culture, geography and general information.

Students are using a range of vocabulary to articulate greetings and common expressions and to engage in simple dialogue.

Additionally, Year 7 students are learning how to say and write Japanese numbers up to one hundred and beyond.  They are acquiring skills to identify and write a range of Japanese characters in Hiragana and kanji script. Furthermore, they are applying techniques to write Japanese words and phrases in authentic script. Subsequently, classes will extend their writing skills by attempting Japanese word processing.

Later this year, students will undertake independent research on a topic of interest relating to Japan. The task will require students to present their work in an electronic format. Extension students will access multimodal sources, working collaboratively to create a class activity or game aimed at reinforcing selected topics and concepts.

There are many reasons for students to study a language as an elective course. Learning a foreign language can enhance proficiency in one’s native language. Students studying a language tend to perform well in other subjects due to enhanced memory, listening and analytical skills. The ability to multi-task and to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills can also be attributed to language studies. It can also promote empathy and cross-cultural awareness. Learning a language is known to enhance musical ability and promotes creative thinking. Additionally, language connects people.  Bilingual skills can extend career options, both at home or overseas.

Are you thinking about what to study next year? Check out our awesome HSIE Electives available for Year 9 and 10 students.

Commerce Elective

Year 9 Commerce have been studying Running a Small Business and Learning about financial statements. 

After looking at both the revenue and expenses associated students have developed and analysed their data from a Google survey, that was distributed across a range of year groups. This revealed hot chips would be a good Commerce Stall to run at school.

Students set about measuring the cost of goods, before determining the selling price.

Last term the students focused on promoting and selling and creativity is also high in this cohort of students.

The class discovered Jenna Bowles had an aptitude for design and has hand drawn our promotional material for week 10 stalls. 

History, Mystery and Conspiracies

Elective History is an elective offered in both Years 9 and 10 where students focus on developing research and analytical skills that will be beneficial in their senior studies. There is a lot of freedom for students to follow their interests and opportunities to work collaboratively.

Year 9 Elective History students have been learning about Viking society this semester. They have been focused on learning to simplify given information and presenting this in a creative way to engage a younger audience. Students then used this experience to help inform their next assessment task, creating a children’s book on a chosen society. Below are some photos of students working to create their books for this course.

Travel and Tourism Elective

Travel and Tourism is an elective offered in both Years 9 and 10 where students learn about the world around them through the eyes of a tourist. Students have been conducting investigations into places of interest that they would like to visit, along with the requirements of travel such as passports, visas, travel routes and most importantly the types of tourist attractions available at their chosen location.

Students compete with each other to answer the weekly “Lollipop Question”, which is always about some interesting aspect of the world. The question is posted on the Google classroom, and correct responses are rewarded with a lollipop. An example is below:

This term students are learning about sustainability issues relating to travel. Their next assessment task will be one where students will conduct a research action plan about a topic of their choosing, regarding pollution or environmental impact. A popular topic in previous years has been the study of plastic pollution caused through the use of single use toiletries in motel rooms.

Throughout the year there is also the opportunity to taste foods from overseas. Pizza, dolmades and various sweets are always popular tasting treats. Recently students prepared, cooked and devoured hot croissants, made with either ham and cheese or jam and cream.

Next term students will investigate and learn about real world opportunities available to them to work, study and volunteer overseas.

Interested in finding out more?

MVHS HSIE Faculty offers a broad range of courses which engage students in topics of study which support students who are intending to engage in tertiary study and also students who are seeking opportunities to broaden their skills in readiness for the work force on completion of Year 12. If you are interested in one of our Year 9 or 10 HSIE Electives or what like to know more about the selection of HSIE Senior Subjects available in 2024: Business Studies, Ancient or Modern History, Geography, Legal Studies, Society and Culture, Work Studies or VET Retail Studies, please talk to your HSIE teacher or pop into the HSIE Staffroom.

Retail Studies visits the workplace!

Selecting VET Retail in Years 11 and 12 provides students with the opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Retail, which not only serves as a suitable credential for seeking employment in the retail industry, it also can be used to gain admittance to university courses and carries the equivalent value of 67 ATAR points.

This term some students have successfully undertaken work placement. This allows the students the opportunity to implement their theoretical knowledge in a real workplace. Employers reported that students from Mount View High School were very adaptable, polite, and cooperative at all times. Some students have also been provided with offers of part-time employment following their work placement.  

As part of the second assessment task, students also had to complete some hands-on activities in the classroom, which would be representative of the workplace. Students tidied and restocked shelves, dressed mannequins and arranged products for display.

Year 12 Retail Students are working busily to complete coursework and assessment tasks so that they can fully concentrate on the revision process. This term, students have been given multiple-choice questions from previous HSC papers, once completed, discussions were held regarding how to choose the best answer, as often there is more than one answer that looks correct but is not the accurate choice.

Students were also required to plan, build and analyse promotional displays, as part of the retail experience. The displays created were colourful, attractive and used accurate signage.

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