Curriculum Handbook Middle Years - 2020 EDITION - Perth Modern School
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Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Curriculum Handbook
Middle Years
2020 EDITION
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Please read this handbook in conjunction with:
• Curriculum Opportunities 2018 And Beyond (available on the Perth Modern School website).
Students and parents are advised to refer to the most recent handbooks or websites from
TAFE Institutes of Training, TISC, the Universities and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority
and School Curriculum Opportunities, prior to making subject selections and career plans.
PUBLICATION DATE: May 2019
PUBLISHED BY: Perth Modern School
Roberts Road
SUBIACO 6008
9380 0555
www.perthmodernschool.education.wa.edu.au
ii Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Health and Physical Education Learning Area . . . . . . 17
Savoir C’est Pouvoir (Knowledge is Power) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Key Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Personal Best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Enrichment Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Humanities And Social Sciences Learning Area . . . . . 21
Advanced Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Co-Curricular Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Student Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Student Academic Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Languages Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
The Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Timetable Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Advocacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Pegasus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Mathematics Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Modern Innovations Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Career Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2020 Course Selection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Music Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Years 8 and 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Leadership and Entrepreneurship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Arts and Technology Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Science Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Appendix 1: Careers and Education Websites . . . . . . . 37
Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
English Learning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Year 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Year 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Year 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 1
CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Introduction
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Introduction
SAVOIR C’EST POUVOIR (KNOWLEDGE IS POWER)
The school motto, Savoir C’est Pouvoir, acknowledges the value of knowledge within
our society. Perth Modern School continues to value its traditions whilst preparing
students to meet the challenges of the future. The Middle Years program strives to
empower its students by fostering a love of learning.
As Western Australia’s only selective school for academically gifted students, Perth Modern School
delivers a program to meet the needs of students who have been identified as having the potential to
achieve high levels of academic excellence. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some
already have well-developed talents, while others need further opportunities to develop their ‘gifts’ into
talent. Our Middle Years program aims to provide a wide range of opportunities to enable students to
reach their full academic potential.
Perth Modern School has established a learning environment that is unique and advantageous to gifted
learners. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop with like-minded individuals. As a result,
teachers are able to effectively modify the curriculum specifically to meet the needs of their students.
Teachers aim to design instructional activities that foster growth of thinking skills at high, complex and
abstract levels.
Each Learning Area provides students with the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and ethos
necessary for academic success. The content of each subject is designed so that students may achieve
outcomes consistent with their ability and effort.
Our curriculum is differentiated on the basis of acceleration, enrichment and extension to engage and
challenge our students. The Middle Years content is compacted to allow enrichment differentiation to
be focused on the degree of difficulty of the material and on the curriculum being studied at greater
depth.
The acceleration and differentiation is focused on the faster pace of classroom instruction and on the
earlier introduction of advanced subject matter into the classroom. Teachers aim to make learning
enjoyable, stimulating and relevant. Students are provided with a sound platform of understandings
within a range of disciplines that will enable them to excel in the Senior Years.
The use of Information Technology is a key feature in the provision of the educational program. Students
are encouraged to explore ways in which technology can assist them in their learning.
4 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
KEY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The core goal of the Middle Years curriculum is to engage ADVANCED PLACEMENT
students in a love of learning. The following principles guide Students may choose advanced placement by subject or
the development and delivery of our curriculum: by year. Information regarding acceleration by advanced
• High expectations for all students. placement is available in the Information Handbook.
• Gifted and talented teaching and learning principles. Students wishing to access a subject advance placement
• Curriculum which is differentiated, compacted and should consult the Head of the Learning Area. Students
accelerated. wishing full year advanced placement should meet with the
• Appropriate challenge. Associate Principal.
• Deep core learning.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
• Breadth of curriculum.
Perth Modern School offers a wide selection of clubs, arts
• Learning beyond the classroom.
productions, sport, camps, excursions and tours. Clubs
• Personalised learning opportunities.
are advertised on the clubs notice board, on Connect or
• Co-curricular opportunities.
through the daily notices. Students are encouraged to join
• Support for all students.
up for or try out for activities that take their interest.
• Personal development.
Additionally, the curriculum values social, civic and STUDENT PROGRESS
environmental responsibility that aims to explore and Parents receive a formal report twice each year. The
promote the common good; meet individual needs in report indicates the grade achieved in each subject.
ways which do not infringe the rights of others; participate Each student’s progress is monitored closely. If individual
in democratic processes; social justice and cultural students encounter difficulties with their learning, parents
diversity; respect and concern for the natural and cultural are contacted before the formal reporting period. Parents
environments; and a commitment to regenerative and are welcome to contact the school at any time if they are
sustainable resource use. concerned about their child’s progress.
PERSONAL BEST STUDENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Each student is encouraged to achieve their personal Even though our students have outstanding academic
best and to develop a sense of pride in themselves, the ability, some experience the same pressures all teenagers
school, their environment and their society. As well as face when growing up in a complex society and this may
enhanced in‑class learning opportunities, students have impact upon their academic performance. The school has in
the opportunity to pursue areas of individual interest and place well‑established procedures for providing our students
to develop a high level of competency by participating in with the support they need when they encounter personal
a range of co‑curricular activities provided by the school or academic difficulties at school. The school provides a
and by external providers such as tertiary institutions and homework club in the library four afternoons per week,
professional associations. listed on Connect, pathway.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Perth Modern School recognises that although all of its
students have exceptional ability, there will be some whose
achievement in, and passion for, a particular subject requires
a program that enriches them even further.
Students have access to Academic Enrichment in English,
Mathematics, Science and Humanities and Social Science
class groups. To be placed in an Academic Enrichment
group, students must demonstrate outstanding
achievement and a well-developed work ethic. Placement is
decided by the Head of each Learning Area.
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 5
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
THE CURRICULUM
TIMETABLE STRUCTURE Co-Curricular
Our innovative curriculum will operate on a 10-day cycle List of the extra-curricular participation (e.g. School Netball
and with designated weeks A and B. This will allow for a team, Chess team, Debating team etc).
smoother curriculum delivery. Periods are 54 minutes in
House Participation
length with some doubles to permit deep exploration and
core learning to take place. List of the House activities participated in (e.g. House Bake
off, House Sudoku etc).
ADVOCACY
Competitions (examples)
Our Advocacy program contributes to the wellbeing and
• Australian Geography Competition
well-rounded growth and support of our students through
• Australian History Competition
emphasis on social and emotional wellbeing. Advocacy
will add to the curriculum through developing effective • Australian Mathematics Competition
organisational skills, interpersonal relationships and an • Australasian Problem Solving Maths Olympiad
appreciation of the value of community service and ‘giving • Language Perfect World Championships
back’. School spirit and connection will be advanced • Australian Space Design Competition
through participation in House activities, social and whole • Australian Brain Bee
school events. • Book in a Day
The Advocacy program for students in the Middle Years • YoHFEST
will build self-confidence, awareness and aspirations whilst
• UNSW Competition
embedding the School Values of: Respect Yourself, Respect
• Dorothea McKellar Poetry
Others and Respect the Space. Students will participate in
• Big Science Competition
camps to develop relationships, health and wellness and
leadership skills. Students will explore: • Black Swan Portraiture
• Year 7: Sense of Belonging and Sense of Worth • F1 in Schools
• Year 8: Sense of Community and Sense of Humour • City of Subiaco Art Awards
• Year 9: Sense of Purpose and Sense of Future. • Science IQ
• Have Sum Fun Online
In the Senior Years, students will participate in health and
wellness activities, career and university lectures as well as • Make Your Own Story Book
listening to guest speakers and experts in the field. Special • Python Competition
Advocacy groups are formed for those students involved • Tournament
in the Student Council and those students interested in • UNYouth Voice
Sustainability, Community Service and Wellbeing. • WA Debating League
• Tim Winton Award for Young Writers
PEGASUS
• Science Café
Pegasus Society is an opportunity for Middle Years students
to be recognised for their contributions to the School and • Youth on Health
wider community for non-academic activities. There are four • Write4Fun.
areas, each with specific criteria that must be completed: Each Middle Years student receives a Pegasus book to
record all the activities undertaken to achieve Pegasus. For
Community Service
each semester a student achieves Pegasus, they receive a
List of the community service completed and hours of each certificate. For the first semester they achieve Pegasus they
entry. also receive a Pin and after four semesters students receive a
Pegasus Bar to wear.
6 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Mod Time CAREER PLANNING
All students will participate in Mod Time. In the Middle Years Students begin investigating career education in Year 7 as
this will involve Clubs (e.g. dance, sports, film, art, circus, an ongoing pathway through secondary school. They will
debating, robotics). The focus of these clubs is to broaden be assisted by teachers in planning and mapping individual
student experiences and enable them to pursue their pathways as part of planning for the direction their future
interests and build relationships. education and careers will take.
In Year 7, students develop interpersonal skills, building
MODERN INNOVATIONS CURRICULUM
resilience and communication. In Year 8, students investigate
In contemporary educational thinking, the teaching of
changing trends in the job market and the future of work. In
innovation is considered increasingly important in a rapidly
Year 9, students undertake a range of online questionnaires
changing world. The Australian Curriculum and its General
to identify their strengths and interests, assisting them with
Capabilities emphasise creativity, critical, creative and
their future career pathway decision‑making.
computational thinking and problem-solving as well as
communication and collaboration. Cultivating these 21st 2020 COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
century learning skills is the cornerstone of our Modern For all years, subject selection must be entered via Subject
Innovations Curriculum in the Middle Years. A key aim Selection Online (SSO). Students should seek input from
is to add depth to students learning with the teaching subject teachers, counsellors and parents and choices
of structured visible thinking, particularly through the should be guided by the current years’ Semester 1 results.
integration of the philosophical Community of Inquiry,
Thinking Routines, and Habits of Mind. We believe that YEAR 7
thinking involves the structured learning of a skills-set and
the appropriate habits or dispositions for thinking. Year 7 students follow a set program designed to help
explore their strengths and challenges.
The Modern Innovations Curriculum links directly to key
principles of gifted and talented best practice embracing The core theme is:
interdisciplinary approaches to learning. It encourages Know Thyself: personal and social competence
inquisitiveness, imagination and engages students School Value: Respect Yourself
conceptually in real world issues. It differentiates learning Typically, students in Year 7 will follow a set timetable
in accordance with each student’s interests by providing which will include core studies in English, Mathematics,
opportunity for choice. The Modern Innovations Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and
Curriculum extends the learning experience beyond Physical Education, a wide range of creative subjects in
subjects by its emphasis on analysis, evaluation and Arts and Technology and Enterprise and an Apprenticeship
synthesis, which are the phases of higher order thinking that in Thinking component. Year 7 students will explore four
must be used in the process of researching, problem‑solving, languages before they settle on their preferred option in
and the planning and presenting of innovative solutions and Year 8. Clubs will be an integral part of the Year 7 timetable
ideas to an audience. with students given opportunity to explore debating, chess,
In Years 7 and 8 this program forms part of the core subjects future problem‑solving, sustainability, art, astronomy and
and integrates learning areas through problem‑based amongst others.
learning and STEAM as well as a structured Coding program. Music is an important aspect of Perth Modern School and all
In Year 9 student complete a course in Entrepreneur/ Year 7 students will participate in the Music program.
Leadership course and a Thinking program designed to
For more information see: www.perthmodern.wa.edu.au/
inspire independence, originality and perseverance.
curriculum-opportunities/
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 7
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
YEARS 8 AND 9 YEAR 9
In Years 8 and 9, additional to the core studies in English, Additional to the core studies in English, Mathematics,
Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical
Health and Physical Education and Apprenticeship in Education and Apprenticeship in Thinking, students will
Thinking, students will have the opportunity to select their have the opportunity to select their language and electives.
language and electives.
LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Core themes:
Encourages students to develop their critical thinking and
Year 8 Self and Others-Community and ethical
problem‑solving skills. Students will implement the skills
understandings
they have developed in both the school context as well as
School Value: Respect Others pitching their innovative solutions to the wider community.
Year 9 Self and Community-National, Global, The unit provides opportunities to work with their peers as
Universal and Intercultural Understandings well as mentors from business and industry.
School Value: Respect the Space
Students must choose at least one semester of Technologies
and one semester of Arts within their program.
In Years 8 and 9 students may choose to continue with class
level or the specialist extension music program. As part
of the music program students will participate in choirs,
orchestras and bands.
8 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Arts and Technology Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Arts and Technology Learning Area
Year 7
ARTS TECHNOLOGIES
DANCE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGIES
Students develop an understanding of the elements of Students learn and develop the skills required in the
dance and choreographic devices to create dance that workshop; this will cover workshop safety and the correct
communicates an idea. They continue to improve their use of tools and machinery. While learning tool skills,
technical dance skills, focusing on confidence, clarity students will be incorporating wood and plastics into their
of movement and projection. As they make dance and design projects. This will be the basis for their future study in
respond to it, they reflect on the meaning, interpretations Design and Technologies, as the skills can be developed and
and purposes of dance. improved upon in the coming years. This course focuses on
Safe dance practices underlie all experiences, as students two Design and Technologies Outcomes—Technical Process
perform within their own body capabilities and work safely and Materials. Students will be encouraged to research,
in groups. Students will rehearse and refine technical skills in design, create and evaluate their individual projects.
Street Dance/Hip Hop genre and perform a class dance with
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES: CODING
technical and stylistic accuracy appropriate to style and/or
choreographic intent. A short introductory course provides students with the
opportunity to use their thinking skills, involving the
DRAMA key concepts of abstraction, data representation and
Drama aims to engage students in the knowledge and interpretation in the development of algorithms and
skills of Drama through drama games, warm-up activities implementation of these to create digital solutions to
to develop voice and movement technique, and practical computer-based design problems.
workshops to introduce drama processes including dramatic Using digital systems to efficiently and effectively transform
play, play‑building, rehearsing, performing and responding. their algorithms to discover solutions to open‑ended tasks
Students will be introduced to simple production elements using the programming language Scratch. Students will
such as costumes and props and will learn how to use then be given the opportunity to investigate algorithms to
the performance space. They will work in groups to plan, solve problems from The Hour of Code, involving a similar
rehearse and perform a circus routine. The emphasis of the interface to Scratch. For experts, students will be given the
course is for students to gain confidence and skills as they opportunity to explore coding with Javascript.
explore how drama contributes to personal, social and
cultural identity. INTRODUCTION TO FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Students learn about where their food comes from, how
VISUAL ARTS it is produced and how they can prepare it. They will
Encouraging personal interpretation, exploration and develop an understanding of the properties of foods, food
imagination. Students have opportunities to use and apply groups, safety and hygiene, food processing, presentation,
visual language and artistic conventions in their design sustainability and nutrition requirements. Students will then
and production process. They create 2D and 3D artworks apply their knowledge through the design and preparation
which encourage personal response and an understanding of foods for specific purposes.
of compositional structure. Students are introduced to an
awareness of cultural, social and historical contexts that are
embodied in artworks and or art styles which, in turn, allows
them to link their own production to a given context. There
is a focus on safe visual arts practices when using tools and
media within the art room, as well as how to present their
artwork to enhance audience interpretation.
10 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Year 8
ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL IMAGING
Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
DANCE This course offers students an exciting opportunity to
Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course. explore the ever-growing industry of digital photography
Students will engage in an exciting and creative course of and graphic design. The course is designed to have a heavy
study, building on the Year 7 Dance short course. Students emphasis on using software, including Adobe® Photoshop®
will further develop their Hip Hop technique: a free, funky and InDesign®.
expression of movement to popular music. They will also Students will complete a photo shoot in the Fashion Studio
be introduced to improvisation skills through contemporary as well as shooting on excursion, which will introduce
dance to create new movement, and choreograph dances them to a broad range of image capture skills. These skills
using the elements of dance and choreographic devices are widely transferable to many situations, which will be of
for a purpose. Students will discuss how dance can huge benefit to the students as they continue to explore
communicate meaning and how dance genres/styles differ photography throughout their lives.
including, but not limited to, ballet, jazz, Hip Hop, street Students will experiment with many other technologies,
dance, tap and cultural dance (for example, Spanish, Indian, including professional studio lighting, drawing using Wacom
Bollywood). drawing tablets and printing their work on industry standard
printers. Final tasks will be commercially printed, so students
DRAMA and parents can use and enjoy the final products.
Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
Drama is designed to build students’ confidence in the VISUAL ARTS
performance space through practical workshops and Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
improvisation activities. Students will explore character Students have opportunities to develop their creativity
creation and play-building through the performance style of further using artistic conventions of more complexity
Children’s Theatre, with an initial focus on stereotypes and in their design and production process. They create 2D
familiar characters. This will be followed by an exploration and 3D artworks with awareness of producing a personal
of realism, through script interpretation and the creation of response to given stimuli, through exposure to a variety of
believable characters. techniques. Students will go on a field excursion to put their
Building on their understanding and practical use of voice observational drawing skills in to real world practice. These
and movement techniques, as well as a range of stagecraft drawings, and photos taken, will influence their concept
skills to assist in refining and rehearsing group performances. and design development for their own art project. Students
With a focus on practical performance, Drama students apply knowledge of techniques used by other artists and
enjoy furthering their understanding of how these consider audience interpretation in the production of their
techniques are applied. own artwork. The course enables students to develop their
visual literacy skills whilst discovering their own creative
style, appreciation and enjoyment of art.
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 11Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Arts and Technology Learning Area
TECHNOLOGIES Year 9
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGIES
An introduction to using tools and machinery in the ARTS
workshop. Throughout the semester, students will be
working with plastics, wood and metal, and will learn the DANCE
processes involved with manipulating these products. Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
Students will be utilising hand skills, which will lead to using Emphasis on choreographic elements. Students will further
heavy power tools in further years when developing their explore the choreographer’s use of the elements of dance,
creative projects. All of the projects developed in Design choreographic devices and structures, and design concepts
and Technologies have a structure that is based on the for choreographic intent in the dances they make and view.
creative design of the student, moving through a process of Events such as the ACHPER Dance Festival will provide an
research, design plans and then creation. By the end of the opportunity for students to apply these skills.
course, students will come out with a variety of projects that Students further explore the choreographer’s use of the
will display their hand skill development. elements of dance, choreographic devices and structures,
and design concepts for choreographic intent in the
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
dances they make and view. With emphasis on stagecraft
Focuses on further developing understanding and skills in
components such as costuming, stage make-up, lighting
computational thinking. This course provides the students
and set design.
with opportunities to develop the practical skills and
knowledge to set up and operate the essential functions DRAMA
of a computer. Students will learn useful skills that enable Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
them to effectively use software applications to create
Students will participate in a series of improvisation
digital products. They will also learn about PC hardware
workshops, providing them with the necessary skills to
fundamentals, safety aspects, networks and hardware, and
compete as a member of a team in the annual Improvisation
the different fields of digital technologies.
Evening. This will be performed to an invited audience.
As a result of this learning students will have opportunities Students will then investigate the theatre form of Commedia
to create a range of solutions, such as interactive games, dell’Arte, building on physical performance skills and using
web applications and digital graphics. This will be done stock characters to create hilarious story lines. Along the way
through exploring software such as Scratch, MsLOGO, HTML, students will continue to develop both their collaborative
JavaScript and others. and reflective analysis skills.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY Students will be introduced to political theatre and the work
of Bertolt Brecht. Students will use theatre technologies
A creative, hands-on subject encompassing many life skills.
including multi-media, lighting and sound to create their
Students are encouraged to use their own initiative to solve
own Docudrama on an issue relevant to them. This unit
problems while working cooperatively with others, using
provides the opportunity for students to further develop
appropriate equipment and managing time effectively. This
their performance skills in presentational theatre styles, as
is done in the context of food preparation where students
well as undertaking the roles of dramaturge and scriptwriter.
will learn to safely prepare a variety of foods suitable for
For the final task of the year students will also engage in
breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks. Students will
script interpretation.
examine the relationship between their diet and their
health. They are given the opportunity to consider society
and ethics; and economic, environmental and social
sustainability factors that can impact our food choices.
12 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL VISUAL ART
IMAGING (INTRODUCTION) Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
Students will explore digital photography in a course that Students enhance their creative expression to a
focuses on producing high quality photographic images greater complexity during their design and production
and graphic designs. A wide variety of media concepts will process. Documenting ideas, applying understanding
be studied, where students learn about how the print media of compositional structure to create a unique personal
market their designs, communicate their message and target response, while representing a theme. Students manipulate
specific audiences. Students will learn how to develop their materials, techniques, art styles when producing 2D and/or
own typeface and to apply colour theory to a design. The 3D artwork which communicate their own artistic intention
study of these conventions gives the students an excellent and creative style. Students experience a growing awareness
platform to build on for their study of Design in Senior of how and why artists are influenced by their environment
School. Students will participate in a field excursion to Kings and contexts. Students will go on excursion to view and
Park, with the results printed, framed and showcased in a respond to artworks in society to further develop their
Year 9 Photography Exhibition. They will also shoot in the visual literacy and communication skills. The course enables
Fashion Studio as well as collaborating on a task to show the students to explore their own art making with consideration
skills necessary when working in a creative industry. to personal expression and audience while forming a greater
understanding and appreciation of art and culture.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL
IMAGING (ADVANCED) TECHNOLOGIES
Students will be exposed to more complex photographic
skills and techniques to enable them to express their DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
creativity through the form of photographic images. It
Designed to introduce a wide array of technologies to our
will be expected that students develop skills to critically
Computer Science students. The course will explore various
analyse photographic images and design components
forms of computer programming including Arduino (C),
within the print media. Students will study how professional
Python, and SQL. Students will be exposed to a number
photographers compose and design images as well as how
of different programming languages and techniques, and
graphic designers apply typography, colour and graphics to
then will compete in a number of national programming
print media designs. A major focus of this unit is on students
competitions. We will explore Blender and Unity with a focus
developing advanced skills to fully manipulate digital SLR
on C# in order to teach the basics of game development.
camera controls to enhance their image designs. Equipment,
Students also learn the fundamentals of how computers
including tripods, external light meters and studio flashes,
work. With a focus on practical, hands-on activities, students
the Product Studio, will all be used by the students to
will develop a preference for one computer tool over
enable them to produce industry standard photographs and
another.
graphic designs.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES: MULTIMEDIA
Using computers, programs, software and hardware to
present text, graphics, video, animation and sound in an
integrated way. The aim of this course is to understand and
develop ICT skills, as well as to appreciate the importance of
design principles in the creation of a multimedia product.
Students learn to use the latest tools of multimedia
presentation and will use industry standard programs such
as Dreamweaver®, Flash®, Photoshop®, Blender, Adobe®
Premier®, Audacity and others. The students will be working
on the design, creation and testing of interactive and
multimedia projects including 3D Design, animation, digital
installations and other forms of multimedia presentations.
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 13Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Arts and Technology Learning Area
ELECTRONICS MATERIALS DESIGN: WOOD
Exploring how human beings interact with electrical Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
products through sound, light and movement. Using Woodwork in Year 9 will encourage students to develop
product design processes, digital manufacturing techniques solutions to practical problems through the use of wood
and electrical circuit design, students will learn how the and acrylics. By developing their application of hand and
human needs and technological processes influence power tools, students can analyse and appreciate the
design decisions. Students will use Fusion 360 3D Modelling process required to create their projects. This course will
software, the laser cutter and 3D printers to design and give students the opportunity to develop their skills and
make components to house the electrical circuitry for a knowledge in the workshop. Throughout the semester, a
portable speaker and a robotics platform project. They will variety of tools will be used, from high‑end power tools to
also learn how to design and produce electrical circuitry the basic hand tools. Students will be provided with the
using microcontrollers and soldering techniques to opportunity to learn their skills in a safe and encouraging
control lighting circuits and mechanisms that respond to a environment. They will create projects that will not only look
student‑selected scenario. good, but also last as a sturdy household creation. Through
providing designs, students can research and manipulate
INTRODUCTION TO FOOD SCIENCE
their project ideas to create their own modified designs that
Why do egg whites increase in volume? What influences our will be as unique as the students themselves.
perception of taste? These are just some of the questions we
investigate in this unit. With a nutrition focus, this unit will PRACTICAL ENGINEERING
introduce students to a range of cooking and processing Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
techniques using specialised equipment and new
Practical Engineering will be developing students’ practical
technologies that can be used in the preparation of food.
skills of metal manipulation. This course throughout the
Students will have the opportunity to use creativity and
semester will focus on the creation of multiple metalwork
innovation to broaden their skills through hands-on practical
projects that will allow students to use a variety of machinery,
lessons that will expand their understanding and ability to
from power tools to hand tools. Students will also be learning
use different foods and equipment whilst increasing their
how to use 3D modelling software for prototyping which
confidence and independence collaborating with others.
will be taken with them throughout their high school years.
FOOD WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAIR Students will be manipulating multiple metal types while using
a variety of metal joining processes, from different welding
How do cooking methods change around the world?
methods to basic folding techniques. The purpose-built
Where does that food come from? Has it spent many hours
metalwork rooms will be able to provide plenty of opportunity
flying around the world or has it come from your own
for students to develop their skills and build creations that will
garden? In this course, students look at a wide variety of
only be limited by the students’ imaginations.
foods and trace their origins. They will also consider what
Australian cuisine is, where it has come from, how our diets
STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
have developed and what has influenced this. They will
ENGINEERING, ARTS, MATHEMATICS)
investigate and practise traditional food preparation skills
Students will undertake a project based on collaborative
from native Australian to around the globe cuisines. There
research into a selected scenario. This will result in students
is a focus on working with others in teams, following safety
creating and communicating a unique response to the
guidelines, hygienic food-handling skills and developing
information they have gathered. In this subject, students
presentation and evaluation methods.
will learn how to manage and assess their own learning
throughout the project with guidance from the teacher
and selected experts from within the school community.
In the production of their project students will have the
opportunities to explore and use a variety of: 2D and 3D
physical and virtual representations; digital fabrication
using the LASER cutter CNC router, and the 3D printers; and
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies.
14 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 English Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
English Learning Area
Year 7 Year 8
ENGLISH ENGLISH
Focuses on fostering a love of learning, developing creative Students will engage in critical literacies through a variety of
and critical thinkers, and encouraging students to engage different modes. In addition, students will study imaginative
imaginatively and critically with literature. Students will journeys through the use of allegory, symbolism and
journey through four units that help them explore not only metaphor in poetry, picture books, novels and film. To
literature, but also themselves and their relationship with the conclude the term, students will participate in the Make Your
world around them. Four units studied address the Personal Own Storybook competition.
and Social Capability from the Australian Curriculum. Term 2 focuses on the stories of others. Students will
Students will work in close reading circles, focussing on conduct inquiry-based research into a particular culture in
understanding genre, writing of analytical responses, and order to generate theses about a litany of different cultures.
creating their own written and visual texts. Students will Students will form new classes for Term 3, choosing a
study the modules Fantasy in Drama and Poetry, Historical learning context that interests them, e.g. Walk a Mile in My
Fiction, Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction, and Shoes, or Create a Planet, culminating in individually driven
Documentary Film. presentations that synthesise and represent ideas within an
authentic context.
In Term 4, students will engage with non-fiction writing and
texts, culminating in the production of a class magazine
exploring a diversity of real-life issues.
Year 9
ENGLISH
Three to four units work to further students’ knowledge,
understandings and skills in both critical and cultural literacy.
Two compulsory units—Literature of the Ancients, and
The Language of Shakespeare—focus on developing a
foundational understanding and appreciation of ancient
texts and Shakespearean plays, and how those texts
influence other texts. Other units that may be explored
include Language and Technology, and The Power of
Graphic Novels.
16 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Health and Physical Education Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Health and Physical Education Learning Area
Year 7 Year 8
In Health and Physical Education students develop knowledge, In Health and Physical Education students develop knowledge,
understandings and skills for creating and maintaining a understandings and skills for creating and maintaining a
healthy lifestyle, developing respectful relationships and using healthy, active lifestyle, developing respectful relationships and
effective communication. using effective communication.
Students are provided with a variety of contexts to apply The curriculum provides opportunities for students to
knowledge and practise skills in order to build their build resilience, make informed decisions and take personal
proficiency through the years of schooling. responsibility for their own health, physical activity levels,
The Physical Education contexts include: Netball, safety and wellbeing.
Gymnastics, Athletics, Badminton, Tee-ball and Soccer. The Physical Education contexts include: AFL football, Floor-
The Health Education Contexts include: Resilience, ball, Athletics, Basketball, Fundamental Movement Skills and
Relationships, Healthy Choices, Preventative Health and Folk Dance.
Online Safety. The Health Education Contexts include: Relationships,
Some of the extra-curricular events held by the Health and Identity, Diversity, Drug Education, Health Promotion and
Physical Education Department are: Healthy Strategies.
• Year 7 winter sports carnival Some of the extra-curricular events held by the Health and
• Whole school swimming and athletics carnivals Physical Education Department are:
• Interschool swimming and athletics carnivals • Year 8 winter sports carnival and beach carnival
• After School Interschool Sports teams through School • Whole school swimming and athletics carnivals
Sport WA. • Interschool swimming and athletics carnivals.
18 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Year 9
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION AQUATIC RECREATION
In Health and Physical Education students develop This elective is designed for students who want to
knowledge, understandings and skills for creating and experience and develop skills in activities that are water
maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, developing respectful based and easy to access in Perth. Some examples of
relationships and using effective communication. activities offered are kayaking, surfing, water polo and
The Physical Education contexts include: fitness, supping.
cheerleading, touch rugby, Mod crosse, European handball Prerequisites: Ability to complete a swim test of 100 m.
and softball.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Health Education Contexts include: relationships,
sexuality, drug education and diversity. Students will learn about the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’
while undertaking practical activities that may include
Some of the extra-curricular events held by the Health and
snorkelling, fishing, rock climbing, orienteering, group skills,
Physical Education department are:
camp cooking and leadership skills.
• Year 9 winter sports carnival
Prerequisites: Ability to complete a swim test of 100 m.
• Whole school swimming and athletics carnivals
• Interschool swimming and athletics carnivals
• After School Interschool Sports teams through School
Sport WA.
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 19Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Health and Physical Education Learning Area
SPECIALISED PHYSICAL EDUCATION
HIGH PERFORMANCE
Can be studied for one semester or as a yearlong course.
Designed to provide Year 9 students with essential sport
science knowledge and improving their practical skills in
preparation for the WACE exams. Students will have the
opportunity to work in a range of sporting contexts while in
the program to develop their physical literacy. Specifically,
this includes the development of the following aspects
of performance: Cardio-respiratory endurance, speed
(including skill and power aspects), power, strength, agility,
flexibility and core stability across several sporting contexts.
The opportunity to gain an Australian Sports Commission
Coaching accreditation will also be provided.
20 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Humanities And Social Sciences Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Humanities And Social Sciences Learning Area
Year 7
Economics—students explore economic theory, concepts History—students investigate the way of life in Medieval
and ideas through a variety of class-based learning activities Europe as well as key events during the time period.
including a simulation. The simulation based loosely on the Significant developments such as the changing relations
‘Game of Life’ requires students to respond to a variety of life between Islam and the West (the Crusades) and the impact
and career scenarios as they travel down the road of ‘life’. It of the Black Death will be explored. An examination of the
is envisaged that along the way, students will draw on their political and legal system such as the divine right of kings,
studies to help guide and explain their decision-making. trial by battle and trial by ordeal enables students to explore
Geography—students learn to investigate, understand and pre-democratic government and the rule of law as well as
communicate how individuals and groups live together and changing values to crime, punishment and the concept of
interact with their environment. The unit focuses on Place natural law.
and Liveability. Students investigate their local area and Civics and Citizenship—students build on their
share their findings to build an understanding of the factors understanding of early law systems to gain an
that influence decisions people make about where they live. understanding of the concepts of democracy, justice, rights
and responsibilities. They examine how the Australian legal
system works to support a democratic and just society.
22 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Year 8
History—students examine the key developments during the Economics and Business—students examine how
Industrial Revolution. Students investigate the impact these business attempts to solve the Basic Economic Problem to
had socially, economically, politically and consider the extent maximise profits. Students will investigate types of firms and
to which these contributed to making a better world. Students how they make decisions about what product or services
will consider the causes of World War I, its impact on and they produce, how it will be produced and how to make
significance for Australia. their product more unique. The relationship between the
Civics and Citizenship—students build upon their consumers and producers will also be examined.
understanding of civics to investigate the types of law in Geography—students will investigate the geographical
Australia and how they are made in Australia through the process involved in the creation of landforms and
parliament. They consider the responsibilities and freedoms landscapes. The values and attitudes that people ascribe
of citizens and how Australians can actively participate to landforms and landscapes including indigenous
in their democracy. The students study the role of key perspectives will also be explored.
players in the political system, the ways citizens’ decisions
are shaped during an election and how a government is
formed.
Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020 23Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Humanities And Social Sciences Learning Area
Year 9
Students study concepts from the four HASS disciplines and Civics and Citizenship—students examine the key features
make connections, were applicable between the disciplines. of Australia’s democracy and how it is shaped through
The focus of Year 9 is Australia’s place in the contemporary the Australian Constitution and constitutional change. In
global community. addition to this, students explore Australia’s responsibility at
Economics and Business—students will examine the the global level and its international obligation. As part of
interdependence of Australia and other economies by their studies they inquire into the values and practices that
identifying Australia’s trading partners and the role of the enable a resilient democracy to be sustained.
government. An investigation of the Global Supply Chain History—students study Australia since 1945, examining
will enable students to investigate global interconnectivity the impact of events such as the Holocaust and post-war
and interdependence of participants. refugee resettlement. How Australia dealt with issues arising
Geography—the concept of interconnection is developed from mass migration and the development of human rights
further through examining the ways places and people are will be explored from a historical perspective. Students will
connected with other places through a range of factors explore the Civil Rights Movements in Australia and the
including global trade, information technology and tourism. legacy of the Stolen Generation as well as the development
Students will apply and utilise their understanding gained of multiculturalism.
through the study of geography to explore the cultural, This course culminates with a program that requires
spiritual, economic, historical connections people have with students to utilise the skills and knowledge across the
places. various disciplines within Humanities and Social Sciences
acquired in the middle years. Students will practise
decision‑making through scenarios using real issues facing
Australia and Australians in the 21st Century.
24 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Languages Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Languages Learning Area
Year 7 Year 8
All students are actively encouraged to study a language to Please note that all language courses are designed for
Year 12 and beyond. We offer 4 languages: students who do not have a background in the language—
• Chinese (Mandarin) as a Second Language, that is, students who have learnt the majority of their language
• Chinese (Mandarin) as a Background Language (from they know in an Australian school or similar environment.
Year 8), We currently do not offer Languages courses for background
speakers in French, Italian or Japanese.
• French,
• Italian, The exception is Chinese as a Background Language Course
(in line with the Australian Curriculum). This course will be
• Japanese.
offered for those students who already have a background
Each language currently offers enrichment and extension in Chinese. Students can study two languages if their
through a biennial trip to the country and the opportunity timetable permits this.
of an exchange program to one of the countries.
We offer a variety of competitions and excursions. Students
follow these courses from Year 8. Students have the
opportunity to try each of our four languages offered at
Year 9
Perth Modern School by experiencing a different language
each term. During this time, students cover some basic Students will continue with the language they studied in Year
language and cultural aspects of each country, allowing 8. They may not change languages at this stage. This year,
them to make more informed decisions about their the emphasis is on more complex communication through
language choice for Year 8 and beyond. reading, listening, speaking and writing activities. Students
studying a language may have access to overseas tours
and exchange opportunities. During Year 9, students make
decisions about continuing a language in Year 10.
The Languages Learning Area advises all students to
continue with their language until the end of Year 10 at least,
as the knowledge and skills gained will ensure students can
communicate effectively in their chosen language. Also, it is
important to note that students will not be able to pick up
their language again in Year 11, so students must carefully
consider the long-term benefits of having skills in another
language in our global community.
Many Australian universities offer ATAR bonus points (up
to 10 per cent of the scaled score) to students who study
a language through to Year 12. This can be of real benefit
to students seeking entrance to a particular course. Please
contact the Languages office for more information.
26 Perth Modern School • Curriculum Handbook Middle Years 2020CURRICULUM HANDBOOK MIDDLE YEARS 2020 Mathematics Learning Area
Western Austr alia’s only selective academic school
Mathematics Learning Area
Year 7
We introduce the students to a number of mathematical • Problem-solving: formulating and solving authentic
concepts as well as helping to develop their thinking and problems using numbers and measurements, working
problem‑solving skills: with transformations and identifying symmetry,
• Understanding: describing patterns in uses of indices calculating angles and interpreting sets of data collected
with whole numbers, recognising equivalences between through chance experiments.
fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios, plotting • Reasoning: applying the number laws to calculations,
points on the Cartesian plane, identifying angles formed applying known geometric facts to draw conclusions
by a transversal crossing a pair of lines, and connecting about shapes, applying an understanding of ratio and
the laws and properties of numbers to algebraic terms interpreting data displays as well as justifying the result
and expressions. of a calculation or estimation as reasonable, deriving
• Fluency: calculating accurately with integers, probability from its complement, using congruence to
representing fractions and decimals in various ways, deduce properties of triangles and finding estimates of
investigating best buys, finding measures of central means and proportions of populations.
tendency and calculating areas of shapes and volumes of • Coding: Approximately one hour per week will be
prisms. It also involves calculating accurately with simple dedicated to the basics of coding through the online
decimals, indices and integers, recognising equivalence platform Grok Learning. Grok courses and competitions
of common decimals and fractions including recurring will improve the student’s problem‑solving as well as
decimals, factorising and simplifying basic algebraic their computational and critical thinking ability. The
expressions. programming will be self-paced, and their ability will be
assessed in the form of mathematical and cross-curricular
investigations.
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