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Year 11 and 12 subject descriptions

 

English as a Second Language | English Standard | Fundamentals of English | Information Processes and Technology | Software Design and Development | Information Technology (VET) | Chinese (Background speakers) | Indonesian (Background speakers) | Indonesian (Beginners) | Japanese (Beginners) | Music 1 | Visual Arts | General Mathematics | Mathematics | Mathematics Extension 1 | Mathematics Extension 2 | Biology | Chemistry | Physics | Senior Science | Business Studies | Economics | Accounting | Business Services

English as a Second Language: 2 unit

(Eligibility rules apply)

In the Preliminary English (ESL) course students acquire and develop specific English language skills, knowledge and understanding of the ways ideas and processes are represented in texts. In the HSC English (ESL) course students reinforce and extend their language skills, and develop and apply skills in synthesis.

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English Standard Course: 2 unit

(Eligibilty rules apply)

This is a 2 unit course for Preliminary and HSC. The course is designed for students to become proficient in English in order to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives.  The course offers a rich language experience that is explored through the modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing.  Students explore language, respond to and create texts.  Students are given the opportunity to appreciate the importance of the imagination as a way of responding to the world. Emphasis is also given to flexible and critical thinking within the context of the diverse Australian society.

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Fundamentals of English Course: 2 unit

This course is a compulsory component of both the ESL and Standard English Programs. It is a 2 unit course, which may be delivered flexibly across the Preliminary and HSC years.  It is non-examinable for the HSC. However, it is essential practice in assisting students to improve their English mastery. The course addresses the literacy needs of students and assists them to use English effectively in their study and for vocational and other purposes. This is a skills-based course with opportunities for students and teachers to work with modules, texts and activities appropriate to student needs and interests.  The course enables students to spend more time on, and receive more intensive tuition in English and in other subjects.

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Information Processes and Technology: 2 unit

Information Processes and Technology is the study of computer based information systems.  It focuses on information processes performed by these systems and the information technology that allows them to take place.  Social, ethical and non-computer procedures resulting from the processes are considered.  Different types of information systems are studied.  Through project work, students will create their own information system to meet an identified need.

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Software Design and Development: 2 unit

The Preliminary course introduces students to the basic concepts of computer software design and development.  It does this by looking at the different ways in which software can be developed, the tools that can be used to assist in this process and by considering the interaction between software and the other components of the computer system.

The HSC course builds on the Preliminary course, and asks students to develop and document software using a variety of data structures and language facilities, and through these will learn to solve a number of interesting and relevant software problems.

This course is academically demanding, with a need for highly developed numeracy skills.

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Information Technology Curriculum Framework for Vocational Education and Training (VET): 2 unit

This course covers competencies in the use of Software Applications. These competencies are accredited for the HSC and provide students with the opportunity to obtain nationally recognised vocational qualifications as well.

Earned Qualifications:

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Chinese for Background Speakers: 2 unit

(Eligibility rules apply)

In the Preliminary course, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Chinese through the study of language texts and contemporary issues. In the HSC course, students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Chinese through the study of language texts and contemporary issues. Students will study language and culture through literary texts and contemporary issues.

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Indonesian for Background Speakers: 2 unit

(Eligibility rules apply)

In the Preliminary course, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Indonesian through the study of language texts and contemporary issues. In the HSC course, students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Indonesian through the study of language texts and contemporary issues. Students will study language through literary texts and contemporary issues and culture.

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Indonesian Beginners: 2 unit

(Eligibility rules apply)

In the Preliminary course, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Indonesian across a range of topics. These will be explored through the integrated use of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Indonesian through the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  All themes listed in the syllabus must be studied for the HSC.  Themes previously studied in the Preliminary course will be studied in greater depth.

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Japanese Beginners: 2 unit

(Eligibility rules apply)

In the Preliminary course, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Japanese across a range of topics. These will be explored through the integrated use of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Japanese through the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  All themes listed in the syllabus must be studied for the HSC.  Themes previously studied in the Preliminary course will be studied in greater depth.

Other languages such as Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic and Malay are available on request and depend on the number of students enrolled.

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Music 1: 2 unit

In the Preliminary and HSC courses, students will study: the concepts of music through learning experiences in performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres. Students study three topics in each year of the course. Topics are chosen from a list of 21, which cover a range of styles, periods and genres. In addition to core studies in performance, composition, musicology and aural, students select THREE electives from any combination of performance, composition and musicology.  These electives must represent EACH of the three topics studied in the course.  Students selecting Composition electives will be required to compile a portfolio of work as part of the process of preparing a submitted work. The portfolio may be requested by the Board of Studies to validate authorship of the submitted work.

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Visual Arts: 2 unit

Visual Arts involves students in the practices of artmaking, art criticism and art history.  Students develop their own artworks culminating in a ‘body of work’ in the HSC course that reflects students’ knowledge and understanding about the practice and which demonstrates their ability to resolve a conceptually strong work.  Students critically investigate works, critics, historians and artists from Australia as well as those from other cultures, traditions and times.
The Preliminary course is broad, while the HSC course provides for deeper, increasingly more independent investigations.

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General Mathematics: 2 unit

This course focuses on mathematical skills and techniques, which have, direct application to everyday activity. The course content is written in five areas of study, with an emphasis on applications and modelling tasks.

The modelling tasks may draw from more than one area of study, and encourage transfer of knowledge across the entire course, as well as linking with study in other subjects. The course is fully prescribed, and is designed to support vocational courses. It provides an appropriate mathematical background for students who do not wish to pursue the formal study of mathematics at tertiary level, while giving a strong foundation for university study in the areas of business, humanities, nursing and paramedical sciences.

Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course:

HSC Course:

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Mathematics: 2 unit

The course is intended to give students who have demonstrated general competence in the skills of Junior Mathematics, an understanding of and competence in some further aspects of mathematics, which are applicable to the real world. It has general educational merit and is also useful for concurrent studies in science and commerce. The course is a sufficient basis for further studies in mathematics as a minor discipline at tertiary level in support of courses such as the life sciences or commerce. Students who require substantial mathematics at a tertiary level supporting the physical sciences, computer science or engineering should undertake the Extension 1 and 2 courses.

Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course:

HSC Course:

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Mathematics Extension: 1 unit

The content of this course, which includes the whole of the 2 unit course, and its depth of treatment indicate that it is intended for students who have demonstrated a mastery of the skills of Junior Mathematics and who are interested in the study of further skills and ideas in Mathematics. The course is intended to give these students a thorough understanding of and competence in aspects of mathematics including many, which are applicable to the real world. It has general educational merit and is also useful for concurrent studies of science, industrial arts and commerce. The course is a recommended minimum basis for further studies in mathematics as a major discipline at a tertiary level, and for the study of mathematics in support of the physical and engineering sciences. Although the Extension 1course is sufficient for these purposes, students of outstanding mathematical ability should consider undertaking the Extension 2 course in Year 12.

Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course:

HSC Course:

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Mathematics Extension 2: 1 unit

The course offers a suitable preparation for study of Mathematics at tertiary level, as well as a deeper and more extensive treatment of certain topics than is offered in other Mathematics courses. It represents a distinctly high level in school mathematics involving the development of considerable manipulative skill and a high degree of understanding of the fundamental ideas of algebra and calculus. These topics are treated in some depth. Thus the course provides a sufficient basis for a wide range of useful applications of mathematics as well as an adequate foundation for the further study of the subject.

Main Topics Covered:
The course content includes the entire 2 unit Mathematics course, the entire Mathematics Extension course and, in addition, contains:

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Biology: 2 unit

The Preliminary course includes the study of the mechanisms and systems living things use to obtain, transport and use material for their own growth and repair. In additions, the biotic and abiotic features of the environment and the relationships between and interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem; the evolution of life on Earth; and the effects of global changes that took place during the formation of modern Australia on the diversity of Australian biota are studied.

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course. It examines the processes and structures that plants and animals, especially humans, have developed to maintain a constant internal environment and the way in which the continuity of life is assumed by the inheritance of characteristics from generation to generation.

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Chemistry: 2 unit

Chemistry provides students with a contemporary understanding of the physical and chemical properties of substances and their interactions. Chemistry attempts to provide chemical explanations and to predict events at the atomic and molecular level.

Students investigate natural and made substances, their structures, changes and environmental importance; they learn about the history and philosophy of science as it relates to Chemistry; students work individually and with others in practical, field and interactive media experiences related to chemistry; they undertake experiments and decide between competing theories. They assess the impact of decisions based on an understanding of chemistry on society.

The course builds on the foundations laid in Stage 5 Science, and recognises the fact that students bring a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations to the course.

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Physics: 2 unit

The Preliminary course incorporates the study of kinematics and dynamics; the properties of waves; electrical energy, electric and magnetic fields, generators, superconductors and transformers; and the interaction between energy and matter that brought about the formation of the Earth.

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course.  It examines the effects of gravitational fields, momentum, projectile and circular motion and the development of our understanding of the macro and atomic world throughout the Twentieth Century.


Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course:

HSC Course: 

One Option from the following:

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Senior Science: 2 unit

Senior Science is an alternative science course presented to students who have completed Preliminary Biology, Chemistry or Physics but who might not wish to continue on to the HSC in that course. The HSC course builds upon skills developed in your preliminary courses.

The HSC Course covers topics from Biology, Chemistry and Physics and provides students with a more general background in science. It includes the investigation of the physical and chemical properties of household and urban chemicals and their effects on the human body; the study of blood flow through the human body, the skeletal system and the medical advances that allow doctors to repair and replaced damaged body parts; the transmission of information using electromagnetic radiation, geostationary satellites and optical fibre communication.

It is not possible to study Senior Science in year 12 while studying any other Science. Therefore students studying two or more sciences will need to select alternative subjects or may need to continue studying their chosen science subjects and not choose Senior Science.

HSC Course:

One Option from the following:

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Business Studies: 2 unit

Business Studies investigates the role, operation and management of businesses within our society. Factors in the establishment, operation and management of a small business are integral to this course. Students investigate the role of global business and its impact on Australian business.  Students develop research and independent learning skills in addition to analytical and problem solving competencies through their studies.  In the Preliminary course there is a research project, investigating the operation of a small business or planning the establishment of a small business.

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Economics: 2 unit

Economics provides an understanding for students about many aspects of the economy and its operation that are frequently reported in the media. It investigates issues such as why unemployment or inflation rates change and how these changes will impact on individuals in society. Economics develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the operation of the global and Australian economy.  It develops the analytical, problem solving and communication skills of students.  There is a strong emphasis on the problems and issues in a contemporary Australian economic context within the course.

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Accounting ( A 2 unit Non-framework VET course)

This is a Category B subject and only one Category B subject may contribute to the UAI.

This course is designed to for students who wish to become accountants.

In Year 11, students will be taught basic skills associated with manual accounting and information and ledger. Students will acquire skills and knowledge to record transactions and other financial information and to compile financial accounting reports.

In Year 12, students develop skills and practice tasks related to general computer concepts and computing for accounting. They study Business Computing and Computer Accounting modules.

There is no work place requirement for this course.

In November of Year 11, students will sit for the HSC examination in Accounting but will not be credited with the marks until the following year when they have satisfactorily completed the Year 12 computer modules.

The Examination, which assesses all learning outcomes is held in November this year. It is 49% of your HSC mark. 21% of your HSC mark comes from the Y11 Assessment marks as shown above. 30% of the HSC mark comes from Y12 Assessment. The HSC mark will not be awarded until the Y12 coursework is completed.

Students may be eligible for a Certificate II in Accounting at the end of Year 12. After the HSC, students may study Certificate III and IV in Financial Services or the Advanced Diploma in Accounting at TAFE.

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Business Services ( A 2 unit VET course)

This is a Category B subject and only one Category B subject may contribute to the UAI.

The business services industry provides clerical and administrative support.

InYear 11, students will:

In Year 12, students will:

Students are required to do 35 hours of work placement in both Years 11 and 12. This usually takes place during one week of the school holidays in each year.

The HSC examination mark is 100% of the mark for this course.

Students may be eligible for a Certificate II in Business Services at the end of Year 12. 

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