Learning 7-10
In Years 7–10 the Australian Curriculum supports the deepening of knowledge, understanding and skills in all eight learning areas. The curriculum continues to prepare students for civic, social and economic participation and personal health and well-being whilst providing increased opportunities for students to make choices and specialise in learning of particular interest. The curriculum is designed to equip students for senior secondary schooling, including vocational pathways.
In English the curriculum continues to provide opportunities to practise, consolidate and extend the knowledge, skills and understanding of previous years. It provides for further development of knowledge of how language works and increasingly sophisticated analysis and construction of different text types, including multimodal texts, in various genres and modes. Students learn how literature can be discussed in relation to themes, ideas, and historical and cultural contexts. Students critically analyse and evaluate texts to develop understanding of purpose and audience and how language techniques are used to position the audience.
The Mathematics curriculum draws on previously established mathematical ideas to solve non-routine problems and develop more complex and abstract ideas. It makes connections between mathematical concepts and their application in the world. It lays the foundations for future studies, including introducing all students to the benefits of algebra and applications of geometry. The curriculum allows for more mathematically able Year 10 students to be extended with more content to enrich their mathematical study.
The Science curriculum continues to develop understanding of important science concepts across the major science disciplines. It focuses on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications using evidence and explanation to move to more abstract models and theories of science including the nature and conservation of energy. It uses the ideas of patterns and systems to move to the complex ideas of form and function, equilibrium and interdependence in the physical and natural world.
The subjects of History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business in the Humanities and Social Sciences learning area also provide for deeper engagement with abstract thought; students are encouraged to question established conventions, practices and values and consider possible outcomes and consequences of actions using logic. Exploration of social and environmental issues widens to local, national, regional and global contexts and a focus on investigative methods promotes the making and systematic testing of simple hypotheses about phenomena, issues and challenges. As they reflect on their own and others’ actions, values and attitudes, students develop and apply ethical thinking skills to real and proposed decisions and actions.
In Health and Physical Education practical learning experiences broaden to encourage life-long involvement in physical activity. Skills are developed for critical and creative appraisal, analysis and refinement of students’ own and others’ movement performance. Social, cultural and political factors that influence health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity participation are questioned and critically analysed to make informed judgements and ethical decisions. Strategies to positively manage change and respectful relationships, leadership and collaboration skills are developed and critically evaluated.
In Technologies the Design and Technologies curriculum develops the knowledge, skills and understanding to design, produce and evaluate a range of designed solutions in four technologies contexts using innovative ideas and project management skills, and considering how these solutions contribute to preferred futures. In Digital Technologies, digital systems and data are considered in terms of networking, human interaction, security and data integrity. It provides opportunities to analyse complex problems and design, implement and evaluate a range of digital solutions taking into consideration ethics, legal issues and sustainability factors.
Through The Arts curriculum students pursue questions regarding intended meaning, audience understanding, cultural context and the beliefs and values reflected in artworks. There is opportunity to engage with artists’ influence on society, the effect of technology on presentation and audience engagement with artwork.
The Languages curricula in Years 7–10 provide opportunities for ongoing additional language study for those students who commenced in primary school as well as the opportunity to commence the study of an additional language.
The optional Years 9–10 Work Studies curriculum, develops knowledge of the world of work and the importance of lifelong learning, capacities to manage careers, change and transitions in an uncertain and changing future. Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and interpersonal and communication skills are developed and applied to work and other diverse contexts, using appropriate behaviours and protocols.
Resources and support materials for the Australian Curriculum across Years 7–10 are available as PDF documents.
Content for Year 7 - Learning area content descriptions
Content for Year 8 - Learning area content descriptions
Content for Year 9 - Learning area content descriptions