In human society and its environment (HSIE), both subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Students learn specific historical and geographical concepts and skills in history and geography. They also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects in Years 7 to 10 (Stages 4 to 5).
A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:
- research, gather and analyse information
- question and make judgements
- write for a variety of purposes.
In Year 11 and 12, students can choose from a range of HSIE courses. These include:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Ancient History
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Geography
- History Extension
- Legal Studies
- Modern History
- Society and Culture
- Studies of Religion.
At Riverstone High School, we combine History and Geography under the banner of Human Society and its Environment (HSIE).
Students study History in Semmester 1 and Geogrpahy in Semmester 2.
- Term 1: History
- Term 2: History
- Term 3: Geography
- Term 4: Geography
History
The aim of the history is to stimulate students' interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past, to develop a critical understanding of the past and its impact on the present, to develop the critical skills of historical inquiry and to enable students to participate as active, informed and responsible citizens.
Year 7 study a combined curriculum across the Key Learning Areas of English and History. The program is designed around the principles of Project Based Learning (PBL) and requires students to actively investigate and communicate their understanding of a complex inquiry question
Year 7:
- Term 1: Documenting the Ancient Past (Film Making)
- Term 2: Go Big or Go Homer! (Greek Drama)
Year 8:
- Term 1: Speak your Truth! (Multimodal Creative Task )
- Term 2: Medieval Maddness! (Student Curated Event)
Year 9:
- Term 1: Industrial Revolution
- Term 2: Australians at War
Year 10:
- Term 1: Jewish Holocaust
- Term 2: Rights and Freedoms
Geography
The aim of Geography in Kindergarten to Year 10 is to stimulate students' interest in and engagement with the world. Through geographical inquiry they develop an understanding of the interactions between people, places and environments across a range of scales in order to become informed, responsible and active citizens.
Year 7:
- Term 3: Love Where you Learn (Research Report)
- Term 4: Wide World of Words (Poetry Anthology)
Year 8:
- Term 3: Water in the World
- Term 4: Interconnections.
Year 9:
- Term 3: Sustainable Biomes
- Term 4: Changing Places.
Year 10:
- Term 3: Environmental Change and Management
- Term 4: Human Wellbeing.
Staff
Head Teacher
Mr Chris Puleo
Classroom Teachers
Miss O'Connell
Mrs Pirovic Moss