English Curriculum

Head of Faculty: Ellie Mayne

Students study the Australian Curriculum for English in all year levels. English classes at Campbell High School are not generally streamed and our teachers are experienced at differentiating learning opportunities and assessment programs to meet individual students' needs. However, places are available in Extension classes in years 8, 9 and 10 for students with particular gifts, talents and interests in language arts.

Students have opportunities to:

• read widely for pleasure
• write effectively in a range of forms
• research effectively and synthesise material from a range of sources
• speak formally and informally for different purposes and audiences
• listen reflectively to others
• learn to use and value different literacies, such as critical literacy and visual literacy
• work independently and in groups
• share their ideas and skills with others
• respond creatively to texts
• participate in a range of activities  such as national and international writing competitions, Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition, Writers' Camp, debating and theatre performances

Wide varieties of texts are utilised including novels, poetry, short stories, newspapers, online literacy, advertising materials, film, video and live performances.  Novels cover a range of topics, issues and settings of particular interest to adolescents, including cyber-bullying, environmental concerns and personal journeys.  We study multi-cultural texts and maintain a diverse collection from Shakespeare and modern classics to recent indigenous and other Australian fiction.

The Australian Curriculum English

English plays an important part in developing the understanding, attitudes and capabilities of those who will take responsibility for Australia's future and the English curriculum at Campbell High School relies heavily of the Australian Curriculum and its achievement standards.

Although Australia is a linguistically and culturally diverse country, participation in many aspects of Australian life depends on effective communication in Standard Australian English. In addition, proficiency in English is invaluable globally. The Australian Curriculum: English contributes both to nation-building and to internationalisation.

The Australian Curriculum: English also helps students to engage imaginatively and critically with literature to expand the scope of their experience. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have contributed to Australian society and to its contemporary literature and its literary heritage through their distinctive ways of representing and communicating knowledge, traditions and experience. The Australian Curriculum: English values, respects and explores this contribution. It also emphasises Australia's links to Asia.

For more information on the Australian Curriculum: English and the Achievement Standards you can visit the ACARA website.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Curriculum

Head of Faculty: Ellie Mayne

In the Australian Curriculum, the Humanities and Social Sciences learning area includes a study of history, geography, civics and citizenship and economics and business.

Through studying Humanities and Social Sciences, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change.  The Humanities and Social Science subjects in the Australian Curriculum provide a broad understanding of the world in which we live, and how people can participate as active and informed citizens with high-level skills needed for the 21st century.

All students from Years 7-10 study a semester of History and Civics and Citizenship and a semester of Geography and Economics and Business.

Year 7

• History: The Ancient World
• Civics and Citizenship: The key features of Australia’s system of government
• Geography: Water in the World and Places and Liveability
• Economics and Business: The relationship between consumers, workers and producers in the market

Year 8

• History: The Medieval World
• Civics and Citizenship: how laws are made and the types of laws used in Australia and how Australians can participate in a democracy
• Geography: Landforms and landscapes, Urbanisation and Migration
• Economics and Business: exploring the ways markets work within Australia and the rights, responsibilities and opportunities that arise for businesses, consumers and governments

Year 9

• Geography: Biomes and Food Security and Globalisation
• Economics and Business: the concept of an ‘economy’ what it means for Australia to be part of the Asia region and the global economy
• History: The Making of the Modern World and World War One
• Civics and Citizenship: the features and principles of Australia’s court system, including its role in applying and interpreting Australian law

Year 10

• History: The Modern World and Australia; World War Two
• Civics and Citizenship: Australia’s system of government within an international context, such as its involvement with United Nations, and the role of the High Court
• Geography: Environmental change and human wellbeing
• Economics and Business: The ways governments manage economic performance to improve living standards and ways to manage changing economic conditions