Languages, Arts & Technology

Languages, Arts & Technology 

Head of Faculty - Ron Vandergugten

Languages 

The languages curriculum at Campbell High School provides students with the opportunity to develop language proficiency through a four-year sequential program. This continuity allows our students to pursue college language studies at intermediate or advanced levels. Our courses are therefore a part of a continuum of language studies that may start in primary school and go through to university. In Years 7 and 8 students must study either French or Japanese.

Benefits of learning a language

• allows us to communicate in the language learned
• gives us a better understanding of how languages work, including English
• helps us appreciate other cultures
• promotes cross-cultural tolerance
• broadens our career opportunities
• enhances our intellectual development

French

Our course is a fun, interactive course designed for high school students. It unfolds in a sequential manner that allows students to build on their acquired knowledge year after year. Students learn vocabulary and grammatical constructions through practical themes appropriate to their level. Teachers design handouts and use online programs to supplement the vocabulary and grammar supplied in textbooks. Songs and short poems are used to teach pronunciation in an entertaining manner. The cultural assignments allow students the chance to 'visit' France. They are taught how to organise their research, use the library resources and the internet to obtain current information and to take notes and record  bibliographical details. Films provide an insight in the French way of life and sense of humour often establishing a valuable link with historical facts and often establish contexts.

Japanese

The Japanese course is based on Obento and iiTomo textbooks. Each text is an up  to date course specifically designed to appeal to Australian high school students. The hiragana script is taught immediately and students will be able to read and write hiragana within a few months. Authentic materials from the internet, CDs, computer programs, games and worksheets enhance the learning process. Our students have a lot of fun trying out their language skills and making new friends. Students complete major cultural assignments using extensive online resources. The development of students’ intercultural capability, through experiencing Japanese language and culture, and reflecting on one’s own language and culture is integral to our classes. The courses ensure progressive development following a familiar pattern and provide a solid basis for higher studies.

The study of Japanese in Years 9 and 10 builds on the work completed in earlier years. The four semester units are sequential and students selecting Japanese are expected to study the language for a full year. Students in Year 9 have the opportunity to visit Japan, experiencing school and living with a Japanese family while they are there. Each year in August we receive a visit from our sister school in Japan, we invite Campbell High families to host a student.

Excursions

We aim to provide opportunities to travel and learn in Japan, France and/or other French speaking destinations on a rotational basis.  Participation in these trips is not essential to student success in language learning as they are in addition to our curriculum.  However these trips give students an incentive to study because they can look forward to using the language in context at some stage whilst at Campbell High School. Positions on the trips are sought after and students attending have a rich immersive cultural experience.

The Arts

An education rich in the Arts maximises opportunities for learners to engage with innovative thinkers and leaders and to experience the  Arts both as audience members and as artists. Such an education is vital to students’ success as individuals and as members of society, emphasising not only creativity and imagination, but also the values of cultural understanding and social harmony that the Arts can engender (National Education and the Arts Statement, 2007).The Arts curriculum at Campbell is  structured to provide a pathway that supports students to take ownership and develop their skills and personal growth.

Technology 

Technologies enrich and impact on the lives of people and societies globally. Australia needs enterprising individuals who can make discerning decisions about the development and use of technologies and who can independently and collaboratively develop solutions to complex challenges and contribute to sustainable patterns of living. Technologies can play an important role in transforming, restoring and sustaining societies and natural, managed and constructed environments.

The Arts/Technologies Rotation 

In Year 7 all students will study a semester of The Arts participating in the subjects of Drama, Media, Music and Visual Art and a semester of Technologies participating in Digital, Food, Metal and Wood technology. This provides the Campbell High School students with a taste test of each subject preparing them for selecting electives in Year 8. For students who are in the band elective (yearlong) this course is timetabled for one lesson a week, dependent upon staff and room availability.

Electives:

Electives are available for students in Years 8, 9 and 10. Detailed descriptions and necessary costing  are provided regarding all courses offered at the time of selection. Students will need to monitor  emails for more details. These elective courses all run over two terms (one semester) at a time  dependent upon staff and room availability.

Arts Electives

Year 8

Year 8 students enrol in one The Arts course for a semester. In the second semester students will move to a Technologies elective.

The Arts courses offered to Year 8 include:

• Drama
• Media Arts
• Visual Arts
• Band (whole year)

Years 9 and 10 

As student's progress in their learning, opportunities are provided to allow Year 9 and 10's to pursue interests and specialisations. To assist with this a wider range of electives are offered in The Arts, all classes are combined Year 9 and 10 student groupings, and the units offered are dependent upon both staff availability and student numbers, as class sizes must be sufficient to ensure viability.

Arts courses currently offered to Year 9 and 10 students include:

• Ceramics
• General Visual Art
• Digital Photography
• Film Television and New Media
• Directing (Drama)
• Ensemble Production (Productions)
• General Drama
• Music Projects
• Senior Band (whole year)

Technology Electives

Year 8 

Year 8 students enrol in one Technologies course for a semester. In the second semester students will move to an Arts elective.

Technology courses offered to Year 8 include:

• Digital Technology
• Food Technology
• Metal Technology

Years 9 and 10

As student's progress in their learning, opportunities are provided to allow Year 9 and 10's to pursue interests and specialisations. To assist with this a wider range of electives are offered in Technologies, all classes are combined Year 9 and 10 student groupings, and the units offered are dependent upon both staff availability and student numbers, as class sizes must be sufficient to ensure viability.

Technology courses currently offered to Year 9 and 10 students include:

• STEM
• Technology
• Textiles
• Wood Technology
• 3D Modelling & CAD
• Programming Digital Technology
• Metal Technology
• Industrial Design

Students can use the below link to complete OnGuard Safety Training tests online at home. If you are experiencing login issues please see your teacher or email ron.vandergugten@ed.act.edu.au.