Years 7-8 Curriculum
The following list outlines the subject areas offered to students in Years 7 and 8:
- Integrated English and Humanities (IEH)
- Integrated Mathematics and Science (IMS)
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts – Music, Drama, Visual Art
- German/Japanese/French
- Technology (Computer, Food, Textile)
- Life Skills (Christian Education, Personal Development, Principal’s Time)
Year 7 & 8 Integrated English and Humanities
"Why, then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open."
From The Merry Wives of Windsor (II, ii, 2-3)
The potential for self development, growth and discovery in an integrated approach to English and Humanities is vast. The world can indeed be an oyster which we will open by sharpening our intellect and preparedness to learn. The pearls within this integrated curriculum are not content, but cognitive and learning skills that the students will acquire through varied and real-life learning contexts.
The Key Learning Area of English although integrated, encompasses three strands (Cultural, Operational, and Critical) which provide a distinct focus for student learning. These seek to develop students’ understandings about literary, mass media and everyday texts, language use, and associated literacy practices. Through different texts the vitality of cultures and communities are discovered by the students and their stories shared. This contributes to the shaping of the students’ personal identities and facilitates the development of cultural understandings. Through this exposure, the opportunity for students to experience real and imagined worlds, interact with others, and create their own texts is provided.
Similarly, the Key Learning Area of Humanities aims to develop an understanding of a world that is constantly changing and of the forces that have shaped our natural, social, political and economic environment.
The English and Humanities Key Learning Areas are addressed through conceptual units beginning in Semester 1 of Year 7 with a focus on Democracy, followed in Semester 2 with an exploration of the notion of Difference and Diversity. This is developed further through a similar approach in Year 8 with the semester units, Construction, in Semester 1 and Systems in Semester 2. Above all, the magic of learning through discovery and inquiry continues throughout the middle years.
Year 7 and 8 Integrated Mathematics and Science
"As for the future, your task is not to forsee but to enable it."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
At the core of the Middle School Mathematics and Science curriculum is a commitment to challenging, engaging and inspiring young women to see themselves as both scientists and mathematicians in action, and as citizens who can contribute to the future development of their nation. In line with this innovative view of the Mathematics and Science curriculum is the understanding that our learners’ worlds are profoundly linked to various technologies. With this in mind the Integrated Mathematics and Science curriculum utilises an interactive web page which serves as both a teaching tool and a means of communication with the students.
The Year 7 and Year 8 Mathematics and Science program seeks to develop an understanding of key concepts within a scientific framework. The Science content is organised as conceptual units of study and in both Years 7 and 8. Students are introduced to domains of knowledge in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. A major emphasis of the course is to empower the students to independently explore the world around them from scientific and mathematical perspectives. This is facilitated through the acquisition of knowledge and the development of effective communication skills and problem solving strategies.
Syllabus strands (Science and Society, Natural and processed Materials, Life and Living and the Earth and Beyond) provide the focus through which students seek to understand the physical world. Students develop these understandings through opportunities to work scientifically as they investigate, analyse and evaluate data, work co-operatively and independently, read for understanding, communicate and use manipulative skills accurately and safely. Interwoven with this program are the strands of Mathematics, namely Number, Measurement, Space and Chance and Data. At every opportunity, the elements of Mathematics are integrated into fields of scientific exploration and study.
