In Years 9 and 10 you will be able to choose from a range of fantastic electives that interest you and build on your strengths. These change year to year, but we are currently offering the following subjects:
This elective will include the study of plant and animal nutrition, growth and reproduction, and will allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to local agricultural and horticultural practices. Key knowledge in this subject includes identifying different breeds and features of domestic plants and animals, raising chickens, researching the growth patterns of plants and animals, analysing the weather and its effects on agriculture and developing a knowledge about how different types of farms operate. The concepts of ‘paddock to plate’ and ‘grass to glass’ will be examined, as will the multiple careers that can be pursued in the agriculture industry. Students will investigate aspects of agriculture and horticulture in a hands-on and active way, and will be involved in a range of visiting speaker workshops, excursions to local farms, practical projects, experiments and activities.
The Advance program provides students with opportunities for personal growth in the areas of:
These will be developed through the key focus areas of:
Students in ADVANCE get to go on lots of fantastic adventure camps involving canoeing, bushwalking and rail trail cycling!
Sport elective subjects provide the opportunity for you to develop your sporting skills both physically through practical sessions and academically through theoretical units of work. The major focus of these electives is human movement and physical activity. During these units you will gain practical experience in coaching as a sports leader and undertake your own training program with a wide range of sporting opportunities.
This rewarding elective explores what volunteering is and provides opportunities for pupils to foster leadership, teamwork and initiative skills. We get out and about in the local community, both within school and around the Hawkesdale township to help in projects which make our area a better place to be. Students learn what it means to be part of a team and see jobs through to the end, jobs that benefit others, not just themselves.
Students will have the chance to contribute their ideas and vote on decisions which affect the group and to help plan, organise and lead the sessions as much as possible. When everyone does their part, the group can operate fairly, consistently and most importantly ensure that students have their say about how time is spent. New tasks and ideas are always welcome and open to negotiation.
This unit introduces the concept of planning balanced family meals that students could easily produce independently at home. The course is based on:
Food Technology will involve students in planning, researching and presenting healthy recipes, as well as practical food preparation, cooking and presentation techniques. A particular emphasis is placed on learning about OH&S principles in kitchens, as well as strategies for safe food handling, storage and food hygiene. This subject will see students involved in a range of theory and practical cooking projects.
Visual Communication (Art) at the Year 9-10 level aims to develop students' ability to communicate ideas and information graphically. It also enables them to interpret, understand and appreciate the world of graphic communication and design around us. Students are encouraged to develop creative, practical and imaginative drawings using graphic elements and drawing systems to understand graphic devices such as diagrams, maps and symbols.
Product Design Technology focuses on designing and developing new products.
Key aspects include:
Overall, it fosters creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills for careers in design and engineering.
In this subject, students are encouraged to design, create and evaluate works of art using the medium of clay. Pinch, coil and slab and potter’s wheel techniques will be explored as students use a range of tools to sculpt and mould clay models across the semester. You will learn how to use different sorts of pigments to finish and seal your pieces during the kiln firing process. Working with clay is a tactile and hands-on experience, and students will have the opportunity to experiment with this ancient craft to construct a variety of creative and functional pieces. You will acquire skills in various forms of printmaking, and will explore a range of printing techniques and materials. This elective develops the creative imagination. Across the semester, you will create a simple ceramics and printmaking portfolio across the semester for assessment and display.
The study of Chinese language involves the skills of speaking and understanding spoken Chinese as well as reading and writing both characters and Pinyin (the Romanised pronunciation form of Chinese). A large part of the study of Chinese language also involves understanding cultural similarities and differences to Australian culture, with students comparing and contrasting the beliefs, customs, festivals and lifestyles of both cultures. Although our optional biannual cultural exchange to China was put on hold during 2020-2022, the school will begin investigating the re-starting of this relationship with our sister-school, Number 27 Middle School in Beijing, into the future. This is a fantastic cultural and travel experience for secondary students, and presents an authentic opportunity to put into practice language and cultural skills developed in Chinese classes.
Students moving into Years 10, 11 and 12 have a range of pathway possibilities that they can choose to be involved in. You could take part in courses at South West TAFE from Year 10 onwards, in vocational areas such as automotive, cookery, building construction, childcare and retail beauty.
This would prepare you to follow a vocational pathway in VCE which could involve weekly workplace learning or becoming a school based apprentice.
Students interested in agricultural studies can complete courses with the Rural Industry Skills Training.
Students in Year 10 are able to complete a VCE Unit 1 and 2 subject (Year 11) early, to prepare for their final years of schooling and get a sense of what VCE is like.
Subjects on offer differ from year to year based on student interest but have included Outdoor Education, Health and Human Development and History.
