COMMERCE

The study of Commerce aims to guide students towards personal competence and responsible participation in our changing commercial environment.

The Commerce syllabus has been planned to provide students with progressive experiences based on the concepts of:

Core Units:

Options

Students take part in the Share market Game and other subject competitions.

MANDATORY AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

Australian History is compulsory in years 9 & 10. The theme of this study is the development of Australian identity through the social and political history of Australia since 1901. The course is tested at the end of Year 10 in the School Certificate.

The topics studied in this course are:

Australia to 1914
This topic provides an overview of the nature of pre-World War I society. This study will focus on the lives of Australian people, the background to Federation, the political rights of different groups and the impact of the Immigration Restriction Act.
Australia and World War I
Students will examine the experiences of soldiers at Gallipoli and develop an understanding of the Anzac tradition through an analysis of the Anzac legend. Students have the opportunity to consider how the tensions of war created social and political divisions within Australia.
Australia between the Wars
This topic offers students CHOICE in their study of specific aspects of Australia’s social, cultural and political development between the wars, including the experiences of individuals and groups and defining moments in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Australia and World War II
Students will explore the experiences of Australians on both the war front and the home front. Students also examine why Australia’s relationship with Britain and the United States was fundamentally altered.

Australia in the Vietnam War Era
This era was one of enormous social change and may be seen as a watershed in Australia’s post-war history. Students will examine the reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War and the social, political and cultural changes that resulted from it.
Changing Rights and Freedoms
Students will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the experiences of different cultural and social groups in Australia during the 20th century and their struggle for recognition and civic rights.
People Power and Politics in the Post-war Period
An important focus of this unit is the role played by both individuals and groups in the democratic process. Students are encouraged to explore the different perspectives of those engaged in political action and to critically evaluate both the processes and the outcomes of such action.
Australia's Social and Cultural History in the Post-War Period
This topic offers students an opportunity to learn about some major social and cultural trends of the post-war period, within a specific decade, and to appreciate the role they have played in shaping the present.

ELECTIVE HISTORY 2008

Elective History focuses on developing knowledge and understanding of history and historical inquiry into past societies and historical periods outside Australia. History as an elective subject offers much more flexibility and areas of interest than mandatory Australian History.

This elective is intended to be a practical approach to the process of historical inquiry and understanding.

The areas of study for elective history are drawn from three topic areas for the 200 hour course in Years 9 & 10.

Topic 1 Constructing History – Within this topic a choice of one or two from the following

Topic 2 Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Societies -Within this topic a choice of one or two from the following

Topic 3 Thematic Studies - Within this topic a choice of one or two from the following

Children in History Heroes and Villains Religious Beliefs and Rituals through the Ages
Sport and Recreation in History War and Peace World Myths and Legends 
Crime and Punishment Music through History Slavery
Terrorism Women in History School-developed study

Due to the nature of this course (inquiry based and focused on skill development) it is anticipated that excursions would be undertaken as a mandatory component. They may incur travel and/or accommodation costs.
MANDATORY GEOGRAPHY

This compulsory course is tested in the School Certificate at the end of Year 10.

The Stage 5 Geography course consists of the following focus areas.

This course does not give students a great deal of latitude in their studies and tends to give an insular view of the country. It also focuses on civics – how people are expected to act as citizens.

ELECTIVE GEOGRAPHY

Elective Geography calls on the skills learned in the mandatory Geography course but deals with a selection of different topics and regions outside Australia. It will further promote skills which have application in the Year 11/12 Geography course and develop student’s interest in international aspects of geography.

The course is developed around 5 of the 8 elective topics listed below and will involve extra fieldwork.