In Year 8, students continue to build their skills and knowledge developed in Year 7, with students engaging in more complex texts, problems and concepts across their subjects. Year 8 continues to offer students a broad range of learning across compulsory subjects but offers more choice available in what subjects they would like to study allowing students to explore their interests and specialise in Learning Areas that they engage with best.
Physical Education*
Students will be invited to trial for or continue with Football, Soccer, Basketball, Netball and Volleyball Academies. If successful, the chosen Academy sport will replace Physical Education in a student’s timetable for one semester.
Languages**
Students continue the study of the language undertaken in Year 7.
Elective Subjects
In Year 8 students must select at least ONE subject to study from the Arts, and at least ONE subject to study from The Technologies. Students then choose a further two subjects from either The Arts or The Technologies – noting that students cannot pick the same subject twice.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students develop a broad range of skills and knowledge through exploring different materials and using industry recognised CAD software. Students use technologies, such as 3D Printers, and Laser Cutters to complete two projects. A strong design focus, combined with an introduction to aesthetic principles and environmental issues, are a major component of the theory assessment.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students build on their practical skills through drawing, printmaking, painting and sculpture while exploring a range of artistic techniques and processes. They generate, document and refine ideas in a visual arts folio and investigate Australian artists and artworks to develop an understanding of how artists communicate meaning. Through analysing, evaluating and reflecting on their own and others’ artworks, students create resolved artworks using a variety of media.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students participate in live performance opportunities, showcasing student and teacher choreography and production elements. Students interpret ideas through an understanding of movement and how dance elements communicate meaning. They demonstrate safe dance practices and technique, building expressive and genre specific skills for performances. Students also respond to and evaluate their own and others’ performances across styles and cultures.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students develop a range of skills and knowledge through the use of materials such as solid timber, manufactured board, and sheet metal. They develop practical skills in the production of two projects using hand tools and workshop machinery. Students complete a design folio and related theory tasks allowing them to gain an understanding of workshop safety and material sustainability.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester – Semester 2
By the end of Year 8, students analyse how digital media concepts are used to communicate ideas and perspectives in works from different cultures and contexts. Students evaluate digital media techniques used to construct representations and challenge ideas. Students use digital media languages and technologies to produce works that convey meaning. Students present their work to an audience and plan distribution strategies, using responsible digital media practices throughout the production process.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
By the end of Year 8, students develop and refine digital solutions, decomposing problems and evaluating alternatives based on user needs. Students interpret and model data using spreadsheets and binary representation. Students design, trace, and implement algorithms using a general-purpose programming language. Students select appropriate hardware, explain data transmission and security, and identify cybersecurity threats. Using various digital tools, students create, manage, and share content efficiently, collaborate on projects, and apply responsible practices to maintain their digital footprint.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students explore creating, performing, and responding to drama. They collaborate to shape and sustain dramatic action in melodramas and scripted performances. Students interpret a playscript, evaluating how themes, characters, and plots communicate cultural ideas, including those of First Nations people. They also analyse how drama elements convey meaning through a live theatre response.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students engage in spoken and multimodal texts, developing ideas with evidence. They analyse texts for structure, language, and aesthetic qualities, explaining how context influences meaning. Students create texts, selecting varied structures and language features for different purposes and audiences. Students analyse and create poetry, a film response, a short memoir and study a class text.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students make informed food choices, think critically about nutrition, and develop creative and sustainable packaging solutions. They explore the global issue of food waste and create innovative ways to reduce it. Through hands-on experiences, students engage in recipe development, food preparation, and plating design.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students discover various topics related to History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship. They explore the historical significance of the periods between the ancient and modern past. Examining the causes and effects of events, developments, or challenges in Medieval Europe. They explore the ways Australians are informed and participate in democracy, describing the roles of political parties and elected representatives and the characteristics of laws. They also investigate, through fieldwork, the effects of human activity on landforms and landscapes, developing a response or strategy to address a geographical challenge.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students continue their learning journey of the Italian language. Students participate in a range of listening, speaking, reading, viewing, and writing activities in Italian. Topics include school life, weather, food, and daily routines.
Students build skills to share information about themselves in Japanese. They master the second script, Katakana, and use the three Japanese scripts to create tasks independently, showcasing their understanding that Hiragana represents the basic unit of Japanese sound, Kanji represents meaning, and Katakana is used for borrowed words. Topics include calendar schedules, Japanese festivals, dates, months, hobbies, transport and locations, verbs, past tense, and making suggestions.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students explore irrational numbers, recurring and terminating decimals, and operations with integers and rational numbers. They apply algebraic and exponent laws to simplify and factorise algebraic expressions. Students use mathematical modelling to solve problems using percentages, ratios and rates. They graph and solve linear equations and inequalities using mathematical modelling to analyse real world relationships.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students listen to, compose, and perform music in various styles, developing a deeper understanding of music theory, notation, and ensemble skills. They explore the elements of music through band repertoire, fostering teamwork and musicianship in preparation for performances. Through analysis and composition, students critically engage with musical elements and styles. Assessment includes individual and group performances, aural and theory tasks, and arranging projects.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester – Semester 2
Students engage in advanced music studies, including performance, composition, and music technology. They develop instrumental skills on guitar, drums, and other chosen instruments while working collaboratively in a class band. The course fosters musicianship through ensemble playing, listening, and music analysis. Weekly band rehearsals provide opportunities to refine technique, musicality, and interpretation. Assessment includes practical performance, theoretical knowledge, and reflective analysis.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students explore music technology by composing, mixing, and editing using digital tools. They develop foundational skills in sequencing, sampling, and sound manipulation while creating music in a contemporary style. Through hands-on projects, students analyse how the elements of music are used in different genres and apply these concepts in their compositions. Assessment includes composition, arranging, and analysis tasks.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students analyse factors shaping identity, emotions, and relationships, including stereotypes, respect, and diversity. They assess assertive communication, protective behaviours, and help-seeking strategies online and offline. In movement, they apply skills across contexts, assess strategy effectiveness, and refine approaches for inclusion, fair play, and collaboration. They also propose and evaluate strategies to improve personal health, fitness, and well-being.
Course Length: Replaces One Semester of PE
Students further develop their skills, speed, agility, fitness, strength, stamina, small-sided games, and tactical awareness through coaching and feedback. They will analyse data to develop their game sense in a range of situations. Students will reflect on their skills and performance, setting personal goals for their future.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
Students explore Catholic traditions, their connections with other religions and the world, and the importance of religious beliefs and practices. They examine diverse perspectives, worldviews, and explore Catholic perspectives. Students explore spiritual awareness and an appreciation for justice, fostering inclusivity and empathy in their actions and interactions, and enriching their personal and social understanding.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: Full Year
By the end of Year 8, students explain the role of cell structures in function, analyse organ and body system structures, and apply plate tectonics theory to geosphere changes. They explore rock properties, plate tectonics, and classify different types of energy transfers, physical and chemical changes. Students investigate scientific knowledge development, ethical issues, and science communication. They develop investigable questions, conduct safe investigations, analyse and evaluate data, and communicate findings clearly to specific audiences.
Subject Pathways:
Course Length: One Semester
Students develop foundational textile design and production skills through practical projects. They explore textile materials, construction techniques, pattern development, and embellishment while learning to safely and effectively use a range of tools and equipment. Students investigate design processes, sustainability, and textile technologies, applying creativity and problem-solving skills to design and produce functional and aesthetically considered textile products.
We are committed to supporting students and families as they prepare for Year 8. If you have any questions about subjects or timetables, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing [email protected]
