Learning

Year 7

Curriculum

In Year 7 all students follow the same course of study, with the exception of Year 7 Special Program classes who study extra visual arts, drama, dance, music, accelerated maths or academic extension. This curriculum is designed to provide a wide range of experiences in all key learning areas. Emphasis is placed on English, mathematics and science.

Although students are taught by the different specialist subject teachers in specialist rooms, they remain in the same class grouping throughout the year. This provides a degree of stability and assists the new students to settle into high school routine. Subjects studied include:

• English
• Music
• Mathematics
• PDHPE
• Science
• Art
• History/Geography
• Sport
• Technology
• Language

English

In English, students work on developing skills in writing, reading, listening, viewing and speaking. Writing will concentrate on the development of paragraphs, spelling, using correct punctuation, the writing of dialogue and writing in both the first and third person with an emphasis on drafting and redrafting. Wide reading is encouraged and specific novels are studied in depth. Each student will give a speech in class and participate in a public speaking contest. A television unit examining the impact of television on 21st Century lives will be studied to develop the students’ discernment as viewers.

Mathematics

The Year 7 course consists of the following strands:

Number

Language of number, basic number skills, decimals, directed numbers, fractions, whole number theory.

Geometry

Plane shapes, solid shapes, using geometrical instruments, angles, triangles and quadrilaterals.

Algebra

Introduction (through patterns), algebraic expressions, operations in algebra.

Measurement

Length and time, area, mass and volume.

Problem-solving

Contents of problems will come from such areas as number, estimation, combinatorics, geometry and logic.

Science

All students study science in Stages 4 and 5 which correspond to Years 7 and 8, and Years 9 and 10.

The course over the four years aims to develop scientific knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes within the broad, traditional disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology and earth sciences. Students learn about the need to conserve, protect and maintain the environment, the use and role of technology and how to select resources to solve problems.

History

History is a compulsory subject for all students in Stage 4 and will occupy 100 hours of study over Years 7 and 8. The syllabus is comprised of a series of inquiry questions which will be related to the study of ancient societies. Following a unit, Introducing History, students will study either Ancient Mesopotamia or Ancient Egypt in one term and Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome in the other.

Geography

Year 7 and 8 students will study Geography from a global perspective. This world Geography course uses geography as a vehicle to facilitate investigation of the world. Areas to be studied are:

• Introduction – What is Geography?
• Global Environments

Within these areas the topics to be considered may include:

• Investigating the World
• Environments and Communities
• Mountain Lands
• Deserts
• Tropical Forests

Technology

Technology is a mandatory course of study for Years 7 & 8. Students undertake a series of problem solving exercises, based closely on the Industrial Design process. They are required to complete a minimum of six design problems, from a variety of context areas. These include: electronics technologies, food technologies, graphics technologies, information technologies, metals technologies, polymer technologies, textiles technologies, timber technologies, mixed material technologies. Within this context students complete approximately 50 hours of hands on computer studies and will explore the implications of computer technology.

Languages

Each Year 7 class has 3 periods of languages per fortnight. It is intended that a new language will be introduced each term.

The aims of the Year 7 language course are to:

• introduce the students to the study of Italian, French, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese
• teach the students useful communicative skills in each language
• instill in the students an enthusiasm for the language, the country and its culture
• promote an awareness of Australia as being a multi-cultural and multi-lingual society

The course content will equip students with the language skills needed in particular situations such as conversing with friends, asking and giving information, finding places in towns, ordering food and drinks and so on. The emphasis is on speaking and listening. The study of the culture of each country is included so the students will develop an understanding of the people, their culture and their country.

Music

Music aims to give students the opportunity to be involved in the performance of music within class and, if they wish, as an extra curricula activity. Year 7 students learn to perform on guitar, bass, drums and voice. The music theory taught is enough to support the performance standards we aim for in practical work. Listening and musicology studies develop aural skills and introduce students to the broader musical culture.

PDHPE (Personal Development Health and Physical Education)

Students in Year 7 will have 3 periods per fortnight devoted to PDHPE. This subject is concerned with development of the whole person and the improvement of quality of life for all.

The 10 content strands that will be covered over Year 7-10 are as follows:

1. Self and Relationships
2. Movement Skill
3. Individual and Community Health
4. Lifelong Physical Activity

The above areas are theory based. However, participation in regular and varied physical activity is an inherent component of the syllabus.

Visual Arts

Our Year 7 program is entitled 'The Year of Discovery', and is based on discovery of self, of environment, of media, and of form. The experiences are intended to increase perception of the real world, to heighten responses and to improve manipulative skills and organisational abilities. Students should develop a critical awareness, and be able to evaluate the work of the other artists, and their own work. The work for the year may be summarised as follows:

• Making marks upon a surface – an exploration of the variety of approaches, methods and techniques of drawing and painting.
• Constructing a Form – an exploration of 3D, of multiple view points and multiple surfaces.
• Graphics – an exploration of graphics and graphic techniques.

There will also be a theory component that involves assignment and class work based on Art History and Art Criticism.

Sport

Carnivals are held in Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country. Students who are successful can then represent the school at the Zone Athletics, Swimming and/ or Cross Country Carnivals.

Sport for all students is held each Thursday during Period 1 and 2. Students participate in a set sport program throughout the year. There are Knock Out sports that students can try out for as well the GATS sporting program.  The GATS sporting program includes basketball, futsal, tennis and table tennis.

Year 8

Year 8 students follow a similar pattern of study to Year 7. However they have a choice of languages which they study for 100 hours:

• French
• Italian
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Spanish

Year 9

This year our Year 9 students will experience their first elective courses. Electives give the students the opportunity to study a subject they really enjoy and want to pursue. This is also a good lead-up to choosing subjects for their senior studies at the end of Year 10.

Year 10

All Year 10 must complete the Record of School Achievement (ROSA). The vast majority of students will be continuing into the senior years to complete the Higher School Certificate. So this year is an important one, which will help consolidate the skills needed to succeed in the senior school.

Year 10 has a camp in term 4, the Life Ready camp, which is a mandatory program to enable the HSC.

Year 11

Year 11 is a short and intense three terms of study. In term 4, students commence their HSC year. Our students are focused and have chosen academic subjects and are bound to succeed in the HSC 2027.

Students studying VET (Vocational Educational and Training), Hospitality and Entertainment will take part in a work placement program. Entertainment students may work at the Royal Easter Show and Hospitality students are placed in commercial kitchens in the local area. These students learn valuable ‘real life’ work skills while on work placement, with some students attaining part-time jobs after a rewarding work experience week.

Year 12

Year 12 is the final year of secondary school study leading towards the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Students commenced this course in term 4. With a focus on projects, performances and research, Year 12 students are engaged and very busy.

For the past five years, more than 90% of all Mosman High Year 12 students have received First Round University offers.

Mrs Fiona Ackerman can be contacted regarding Disability Provision applications for the HSC.

Religion and ethics

At Mosman High School, Special Religious Education (SRE) is delivered on Mondays on a rotational format and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) classes are held weekly on Wednesdays 9:00-9:30am.

On enrolment parents/carers will be given the SRE/SEE participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in SRE or SEE should be emailed to the school at mosman-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

The following classes are offered at Mosman High School:

• Catholic SRE provided by Catholic Diocese of Sydney. For more information about Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://ccd.sydneycatholic.org/publications/curriculum-resources/
• Anglican SRE provided by Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW). For more information about Anglican SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit https://thinkfaith.com.au
• Special Education in Ethics (SEE) provided by Primary Ethics. For more information on their high school program, please visit https://highschools.primaryethics.com.au

During the time that SRE classes are being held, students not attending remain in class and will participate in meaningful activities such as reading, private study or completing homework/revision.

For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.

Careers

The school has a full time careers teacher who delivers career information as part of the Year 10 curriculum and provides ongoing advice and information about university and TAFE courses. The careers teacher provides expertise to other staff in implementing the school-to-work components of Stage 5 subject curriculum. The careers role also involves coordinating students who are enrolled in TAFE courses that form part of their HSC curriculum. Many of these courses have a vocational orientation that assists students to gain valuable employment skills.

The aim of career education is to assist students to develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to make informed decisions about school and post-school options and enable their active participation in working life.

The learning process in career education is both ongoing and recurring. If students are to be adequately prepared to make realistic career decisions about school and post-school options, they need to be continually reviewing, updating and expanding their awareness and understanding of the world of work.

To achieve the outcomes of the program students in class are able to do a basic self -directed search which will produce a list of occupations, matching the responses to the questions for which they may have an interest; they are all issued with the Job Guide; all attend if available a careers market and may participate in work experience throughout the year.

Students are all expected to develop their own action plan and career and training pathway and know how to compose a resume, write a job application letter and research jobs and careers on the internet. Guest speakers are invited to the school to present seminars on goal setting, interview skills and other topics.

Students in Year 12 are able to do a computer program, which produces an interest profile and possible career paths. They are all issued with the UAC Guide, outlining all university options, are assisted in applying for scholarships and access schemes; and those applying for TAFE are issued with the TAFE application forms.

All students are encouraged to make a time to speak to the careers advisor concerning their career choices.

High potential and gifted education

At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.

We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.

Learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.

Assessment guidelines

Year 7 2025

Year 8 2025

Year 9 2025

Year 10 2025

Year 11 2025

HSC 2026

Subject selection booklets

Year 8 2025 into Year 9 2026

Year 9 2025 into Year 10 2026

Year 10 2025 into Year 11 2026

MHS assessment procedures

Application for consideration regarding a missed assessment task or examination

BYOD charter

VET education handbook