History (Years 7 to 10)
All students study History in Years 7 to 10. In Year 7, we look at evidence, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and ancient Rome. Year 8 covers Medieval Europe, the Aztecs and Aboriginal society prior to 1788. In Year 9, students examine Australian history since 1900, including federation, women at war and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This course continues in Year 10 - We will look at Australians at war (World War One, World War Two and Vietnam), Communism and history's mysteries. Students will sit for the school certificate exam in history for the last time in 2011. The national curriculum will be introduced in 2014, be prepared for some exciting chnages!
Excursions include a visit to Canberra in Year 10 and a site study. Incursions include a visit from the museum of ancient cultures in Year 7, medieval day in Year 8 and a visit by Vietnam veterans in Year 10.
History elective (Years 9 to 10)
Students can choose History as an elective subject in Years 9 and 10. This is an excellent course in that it allow students to choose what they want to examine, how it should be taught and assessed. Student-centred learning at its best! In Year 9, the topics include crime, law and punishment; entertainment in the modern world; terrorism and ideologies. In Year 10, we may examine African history, slavery in the modern world and the Kennedy assassination. This is an intriguing topic and we will look at the evidence behind the official finding and the different conspiracy theories.
Planned excursions include a visit to the police and justice museum, the local court and the Holocaust museum.
Modern history (Years 11 to 12)
In Year 11, we start with the United States civil rights movement, focusing on Martin Luther King, black power and Malcolm X. We also examine the decline of the Romanovs in Russia and the Opium Wars in imperial China. The higher school certificate (HSC) course begins in Term 4 of Year 11 and starts with the core study, World War One. In Year 12, students learn about Nazi Germany, Hitler's favourite filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl and the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students sit for the HSC examination in Modern History.
Excursions to the Holocaust museum are planned in Year 12.
Ancient history (Years 11 to 12)
In Year 11, the topics include archaeology, Greek drama, Tutankhamen's tomb and other ancient societies. The HSC course begins in Term 4 of Year 11 and covers four sections. We look at the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. We also examine the life of Tiberius Gracchus, a radical tribune, and political revolution in Rome, a period of crisis in the republic lasting from 133 to 78 BC. The ancient society covered is Sparta, a fascinating military culture. Students sit for the HSC examination in ancient history.
In Year 11, we visit the museum of ancient cultures and Macquarie university. There are also study days for Year 12.
History extension (Year 12)
Students who are achieving at a high level in ancient and/or modern history can choose to study history extension in Year 12. This challenging course consists of two sections and a research project, which each student completes independently. The first section, entitled 'what is history?', explores the changing approaches to history. Students also examine a case study. We offer either The nature of western imperialism in the 19th century or The presidency of JF Kennedy. For their research project, students can choose any issue, event, personality, etc, which has been the subject of historical debate.
Students can visit the national museum in Canberra and Fisher library, Macquarie university library or the State library to help with their research project.
Legal studies (Year 11 to 12)
In Year 11, topics include sources of law, the individual and the state and the Australian legal system. As part of their assessment, students prepare a moot and research how the law affects disadvantaged groups. The HSC course begins in Term 4 of Year 11 and starts with crime and the law and human rights. Students study two further focus areas, such as family, workplace or world order.
Guest speakers have included the crown prosecutor, Mark Tedeschi, human rights advocates and legal aid lawyers. Excursions in previous years have included visits to Silverwater prison, Parramatta district court, the supreme court (crminial division) in Darlinghurst, Emu Plains women's prison and the Downing Centre. Prison visits depend on approval from the relevant authorities.
Students in Year 11 will have the opportunity to participate in the inter-school mock trial competition run by the law society of NSW and university research competitions.