Studies of Society and Environment & Languages Other Than English
The Studies of Society and Environment learning area develops students' understanding of how individuals and groups live together and interact with their environment. Students develop a respect for cultural heritage and a commitment to social justice, the democratic process and ecological sustainability. In doing so, they are engaged in actively exploring, making sense of and contributing to improving the world around them.
In the Languages Other Than English learning area, students learn to communicate effectively in languages other than English; gain an understanding of other societies, the ability to interact with people and cultures other than their own and practical skills which they can use in future social, cultural and vocational areas and are able to further develop their skills and understandings in English and of literacy in general.
SoSE
All students in Year 8, 9 & 10 complete term and semester based SOSE courses throughout the year - (please refer to the SOSE lower school continuum below). They can continue their studies if they wish in upper school by selecting to attempt one or more of the following SOSE Tertiary Entrance Exam subjects: TEE Economics, TEE Geography and TEE History.
| Year & Term | Lower School SOSE Course Context | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 8 | 1 & 2 | Introduction to Geography: Physical Geography: Atmospheric, terrestrial physical systems, (weather, climate etc) features & forces. Research, mapping & graphing skills. |
| 3 | Introduction to History: Ancient to Modern History: Primary & Secondary Sources, Historical Investigations, Interpretation & Empathy skills | |
| 4 | Introduction to Economics: Basic Fundamentals of Economics - Needs, Wants, Economic Problem and Theory | |
| Year 9 | 1 & 2 | Australian History & Cultural Geography: Pre-European settlement, Aboriginals , Early exploration, Settlement - triumphs & disasters, Convicts, Gold, Federation & 20th Century Australia - complimented by the interrelationships between the natural environment & human activity |
| 3 | Politics & Government: Australia's Federal Political Structure and the Election Process | |
| 4 | Law: An introduction to Australia's Civil & Criminal Law | |
| Year 10 | 1 | Natural Systems: Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere & Biosphere. |
| 2 | Introduction to Economic Systems | |
| 3 | 20th Century History: 1900 to modern day | |
| 4 | National & International Contemporary Issues | |
LOTE
All students in year 8 & 9 must complete Semester based LOTE courses in French, German or Indonesian throughout the year. If they wish to further their studies they can choose to continue LOTE in Year 10.
Extra Curricular
Apart from the opportunities available through the normal course work the SOSE & LOTE Faculty conducts a numerous extra curricular activities for students on an annual and bi-annual basis including:
- Sydney/Canberra Excursion for Year 10 & 11 students every second year.
- Harmony Week student forums in Bunbury.
- Simpson Prize Essay Competitions
- National Geography Competition.
- Model United Nations Assemblies conducted by Rotary International.
- Constitutional Convention Student Forum.
- National History Competitions
- John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library Role Play, Curtin University.
- Holocaust Museum excursion
- TEE Revision Seminars at UWA, Curtin and Notre Dame Universities.
- Sister School International Exchange Program - until recently, for twelve years recently we have had an annual exchange visit (to and from) a sister Japanese school. We are currently seeking another sister school to compliment our Indonesian, German, French LOTE programs.
- Australian Language Certificate Competitions
- ASX Stock Market Games
- Numerous guest speakers from various community and state, national and international non-government organisations
- Indonesian Cultural Expo.
- Overseas excursions - in the past we have conducted overseas student excursions to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. We are currently planning to commence these once again.