Blakehurst High School

Nihil Sine Labore - Nothing Without Hard Work

Telephone02 9546 3281

Emailblakehurst-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Human Society & its Environment

Junior Courses

History

Geography

Commerce (Elective)

Global Studies (Elective)

Histories is Mysteries (Elective)

Senior Courses

Ancient History

Business Studies

Economics

Geography

History Extension

Legal Studies

Modern History

Society and Culture

Staff

Mr S. Greenwood - HSIE Head Teacher

Mr D. Vrhovac - 2iC

Ms J. Camilleri

Mr J. Hankin

Ms K. Shepherd

Ms V. Wiryakusuma

Ms K. Dascal

Ms E. Lu

Ms S. Butler

Ms I. Ancesvski

Ms J. Naumoski

Ms K. Gatenby

Our curriculum intent:

At Blakehurst High School, human society and its environment (HSIE) fires our students’ curiosity and imagination, moving and inspiring them with the dilemmas, choices and challenges of the modern world and its past. It prepares our students for the future, equipping them with knowledge and skills that are prized in adult life, enhancing employability and developing an ability to take part in a democratic society. It encourages mutual understanding of the origins of our ethnic and cultural diversity, and helps students become confident and questioning individuals. 

We teach our students to embrace deep thinking required to apply the knowledge that they learn in the classroom. Student learning is sequenced under enquiry questions which helps them explore the disciplinary concepts in our subjects such as cause and effect in History and interconnections in Geography. By organising their learning in this way students are able to regularly practice the process of gathering and analysing information, reaching judgements and communicating their ideas in a variety of ways. This will enable them to develop skill-sets that are essential for their next steps in education. 

Key Course Content:

Geography (Mandatory Study)

Stage 4

Topic 1: What does place and liveability mean to people?

Topic 2: What is so precious about water in our world?

Topic 3: What do landforms and landscapes reveal about the physical world?

Topic 4: How do interconnections shape our world?

Stage 5

Topic 1: Why is our world rapidly changing around us?

Topic 2: How will the world feed 9 billion people by 2050?

Topic 3: Why does rights and freedoms matter in the modern world?

Topic 4: Why do we need to care more about human wellbeing?

History (Mandatory Study)

Stage 4

Topic 1: How do historians investigate the ancient past?

Topic 2: What is unique about ancient Egypt and ancient China?

Topic 3: What is remarkable about the medieval world?

Topic 4: What do the Shoguns reveal about power and authority in feudal Japan?

Topic 1: Did the movement of peoples lead to the making of a better world between 1750 and 1900?

Stage 5

Topic 1: Did the movement of peoples lead to the making of a better world between 1750 and 1900?

Topic 2: Was every Australian’s experience of war the same?

Topic 3: Why does rights and freedoms matter in the modern world?

Topic 4: How did pop culture shape Australian identities in the 20th century?

Assessment:

Students are continuously assessed using formative assessment strategies that are designed to help students know more and remember more. These strategies support students in reaching milestones that lead to assessment tasks where they are assessed on their knowledge, understanding and skills. Some examples of assessment task formats include but are not limited to; limited scope topic tests, research and presentation, group based activities and skills focused tasks. Please refer to the Assessment Handbooks published at the beginning of each year for further details. 

Elective studies:

We currently offer three elective options that students can select to study at Stage 5. These are Commerce, Global Studies and Histories is Mysteries. Further information and updates on each course is available from Course Leads. Please contact us should you have a query.