CURRICULUM (Years 7-10)

Technologies

Marketing and Publications - You will have the opportunity to master the Adobe program InDesign, learning how to work with clients and develop communication skills and understanding. You will create your own graphically designed publications and learn how to professionally print, helping you to design and create engaging marketing materials that not only reflect current design trends but that help to discover your own personal design style and aesthetic.

Redesigning the Past - You will look at the way images and texts can be altered and manipulated to reflect modern social values. You will examine the notion that history can be what we make it and that meaning can be derived from anything but that meaning can also change with time. You will use adobe products to explore this idea and create your own masterpieces.

Adventure in Creativity - You will have the opportunity to master the Adobe program Illustrator, developing your creative thinking and responding skills within design contexts, through examining a range of cultures and your specific design styles. You will broaden your understanding, and deepen your analytical skills, in relation to multicultural design trends and traditions through graphic design, drawing and making of vector graphics. By extension, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to respond to client needs for products, working on a design from concept to creation!

Breaking the rules - You will explore traditional elements of graphic design and different eras and styles over time. You will look at rebel designers and the way they broke the rules in design and spearheaded change in their contemporary aesthetics. You will use adobe products to explore this idea and break your own rules with graphic design. 

A - In this unit, you will have the opportunity to build projects that are in the focus areas of Systems design and Product design. This may include projects such as CO2 dragsters, Apostle light seeking robots, LED/lamp building, and Skylap dogfighting aeroplanes.  Design and Technology is recommended for students who have not done DT previously (in year 9/10). It is the starting course. It introduces students to the key concepts for this subject and the technology used for producing practical projects.

B - Waves, shells, leaves, trees, animals, butterflies, caterpillars – nature’s living, curving, undulating shapes have inspired artists, poets and designers ever since time began. In the modern era, this timeless design aesthetic, as it applies to interiors and product design, has been given a new name: “biomorphic” and/or “biomorphism.” During this unit, students will use biomorphic design styles to create lamps that come alive when they’re switched on. Students learn about the properties of light and how it can be used to create shadows and further interest in designs. Students will finish the semester creating Skylap planes, learning about lift, drag, aerodynamics, stalling and more. Skylap is an interactive course that provides students with the opportunity to learn about aeronautical engineering concepts such as Bernoulli’s principle.

C - In this unit, projects are in the focus areas of Environmental design, Systems design and Product design. Students may create projects that include Architectural model making, Down force racers, Photon factor (designing with light) and Racing Solar power projects.

D - In this unit, projects are in the focus areas of Environmental design, Systems design and Product design. Students may create projects that include Architectural model making, Down force racers, Photon factor (designing with light) and Racing Solar power projects.

A - You will be introduced to broader Digital Technologies fields which could include cyber security, programming, software development, network administration, data analysis etc. You will be creating digital solutions to assist with solving worldwide problems.

B - You will be introduced to Arduino and the Python coding language. You will use this to create a range of solutions by learning the basics of creating a Choose Your Own Adventure text-based game. This will give a good solid ground and lead into the UI package Tkinter. You will be required to create a GUI for a range of modules, increasing in difficulty. The final task for students will be to be introduced to Cybersecurity, to develop a wide variety of understanding of Digital Technologies.  

World Food Concerns - In this unit, students explore food concerns around the world and how these directly impact the people and communities affected. Students also learn how to practically design and apply solutions to these concerns and develop the skills required to prepare quality meals relevant to the communities in question.

Food for Everyone - In this unit students will explore the diverse dietary needs of individuals and the impact of their requirements on well-being and lifestyle. They will design and prepare a meal suitable for a designated dietary group

Food Marketing - In this unit, students explore current trends within the food industry that have developed with the advancement in technologies. They will learn the foundations of food service in the hospitality industry as they design, promote and produce a catered function.

Food Service Trends - In this unit, students explore the world of food marketing and how big companies use simple tricks to sell their products – in particular, the foods we know and love as junk foods. Students look at consumer driven marketing, societal trends and how they impact the choices we make every day in the supermarket.

Data Driven Innovation - You will be introduced to Robotics via Arduino, circuits and robots by learning how to use the Arduino IDE and the C++ coding language used to program the Arduino Microcontroller.  Coupled with the coding aspect, you will learn how to wire up circuits and control various electronic components such as LEDs, DC motors, servo motors and buzzers, to name a few. You will apply your knowledge by creating a number of practical projects of varying styles and interests.

Augmented Reality - You will be introduced to Robotics via Lego Mindstorm, circuits and raspberry pi’s, learning how to use coding languages such as Python, C++ and scratch to develop projects that allow your passions to shine. Coupled with the coding aspect, you will learn how to wire up circuits and control various electronic components, for example, LEDs, DC motors, servo motors and buzzers. You will apply your knowledge by creating a number of practical projects of varying styles and interests. 

Focus on Fabric - You will learn a variety of Textile techniques that are used to ‘decorate’ fabric. Some of these techniques include dyeing, patchwork, fabric painting, applique and so much more. Using these techniques, you will design and create a soft furnishing project, and also create a portfolio of the design journey.

Comfort First - In this unit you will construct a Hoodie using Knitted Fabrics. Followed by a Pyjama set- Pants and Top. You will investigate and select the most appropriate materials and technology to incorporate creative design solutions to make your projects. During this unit, you will also study a range of methods used in making Textile items. You will investigate Natural fibres, the sustainability of fibres and fabrics along with examining Care labels.

101 - In this unit, you will explore the fundamental skills required in woodworking, including using hand tools and timber machining (In particular using disc sanders, band saws and lathes). You will learn about the ethical and sustainable impact of timber production as well as having the opportunity to design and build your own products.

Traditional vs Modern Woodworking - You will learn the difference between traditional and modern woodworking and the way technology has advanced woodwork in the modern world. You will learn how to implement the use of more than just timber in creating projects that challenge you while also developing appropriate industry skills. You will do so by using both hand tools and age-appropriate machinery in the workshop.

Contemporary Woodwork - In this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore woodwork and its place in the world in 2021. Designing and building projects that are modern, unique and innovative while also developing skills using hand tools, and timber machining.

Fine Woodworking - You will learn precision in joinery and attention to detail in order to develop your own mini-projects that reflect your unique design style. You will finesse your product and further develop your understanding of finishing techniques. You will do so by using both hand tools and age-appropriate machinery in the workshop.

Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)

Australian in the Asian Century - By 2030, Asia is set to account for 40% of global GDP. There is no doubt that the nations of India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea will play in important role in how the world is shaped in our lifetime. We will examine the challenges faced by these nations in their rise, as well as how Australia handles being in Asia geographically, but Europe and the USA politically.

Geopolitics and Climate Change - Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd labelled Climate Change as “the greatest moral challenge of our time”. While the science is not genuinely debated, the best path forward is heavily contested. Students survey the globe on alternative actions. Furthermore, they analyse prominent Australian political issues at the time to learn more about the world around them.

Australian Politics and Elections - The 2019 election was widely predicted to change the government, and instead returned almost an identical result to the previous 2016 outcome. We will examine the major political parties and policies that will determine the pathway forward for Australia after COVID-19. This course is set to take place during a half-senate election, as well as potentially another federal election.

Rogue States and Terrorism - The challenge of terrorism has been at the forefront of every government since 2001. This course examines the origins of terrorist organisations, and the different approaches that governments and global organisations can take to deal with this issue. Students also study a rogue state, such as North Korea, and how it interacts with the international community – as well as how it gained this questionable status.

Human Rights Law - Thomas Jefferson famously declared that human rights should be ‘self-evident’ or obvious. Recently though, the United Nations declared that online access is a human right, which made writers around the world consider what constitutes a human right – and why it fits this category. We will analyse human rights, and the barriers to these being fulfilled and extended across the globe.

Introduction to Civil Law - Students learn about the origins and key concepts within Civil Law in Australia. Specific topics within this unit include The Constitution and the law-making process, defamation versus free speech, trespass and employment.

International Law - In a world that is only becoming more interconnected, it makes sense that the international laws must evolve to fit this dynamic. However, the more that laws are taken out of the hands of governments, the greater tensions that can exist. We will examine the nature and purpose of international law, how it is implemented by governments, and the way it moves forward.

Introduction to Criminal Law - Students learn about the origins and key concepts within Criminal Law in Australia. They also examine specific cases, and study the sentencing process, along with specific laws and legal precedent that are important to understanding how the system operates.

Business Marketing - We are exposed to up to 10,000 advertisements a day, according to Forbes. This unit examines the impact of marketing on consumers, the tactics they utilise to attract customers, and critiques major companies and their social media engagement. We will use these theories to create a marketing campaign for a popular company.

Commerce and International Trade - Students learn about the different aspects of running a business, as well as the impact of global trade. They have the opportunity to write a business pitch based off local needs, and a range of data to justify their decision. Furthermore, they study the global economy, and the ways that nations benefit from globalisation, while trying to protect their own industries.

The Business of Sport - Despite originally being amateur competitions, sport is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. We will examine how sport interacts with the broader economy, and how the major codes actually operate. We will critique the models used by a major code, and compare their performance against their major rival.

Investing and Financial Markets - Students learn about the benefits and limitations of different investment opportunities. They have the opportunity to select prominent companies on the stock market, and justify whether they are promising places to invest. Students learn to use data in making an argument, and about strategies of growing wealth.