The HSIE (Human Society and Its Environment) faculty has the very important task of introducing students to the humanities and social sciences through a broad selection of mandatory and elective courses.
Ample opportunity exists for all students to find their passion and achieve their potential through a variety of extension and enrichment activities, which have been incorporated into all teaching programs.
Our faculty also has a strong focus on development of our students' literacy, research and critical thinking skills along with field study opportunities.
Courses
The HSIE faculty offers a diverse range of courses.
Year 7
All Year 7 students complete the Mandatory Stage 4 History Course covering the topics of:
- The Ancient World
- Investigating The Past
- The Mediterranean World
All Year 7 students complete the Mandatory Stage 4 Geography Course, which from 2017 will include the new Geography Curriculum topics of:
- Landscapes and Landforms
- Water In the World
Year 8
All Year 8 students complete the Mandatory Stage 4 History Course covering the topics of:
- The Ancient to The Modern World
- The Asia - Pacific World
- Expanding Contacts
All Year 8 students complete the Mandatory Stage 4 Geography Course which from 2018 will include the new Geography Curriculum covering the topics of:
- Place and Liveablity
- Interconnections
Year 9
All Year 9 students complete the Mandatory Stage 5 History Course covering the topics of:
- The Making Of The Modern World
- Australians at War
All Year 9 students complete the Mandatory Stage 5 Geography Course which from 2017 will include the new Geography Curriculum covering the topics of:
- Sustainable Biomes
- Changing Places
Year 10
All Year 10 students complete the Mandatory Stage 5 History Course covering the topics of:
- The Modern World and Australia
- Rights and Freedoms
- Australia In The Vietnam War Era
All Year 10 students complete the Mandatory Stage 5 Geography Course which from 2018 will include the new Geography Curriculum covering the topics of:
- Environmental Change & Management
- Human Wellbeing
As a result of studying these mandatory courses, students develop a more sophisticated understanding of the interaction between humans and natural phenomena so that they may be more informed, active and responsible members of society.
Stage 5 Elective courses available for Year 9 and10 Students
Students also have the option of studying electives in years 9 and 10. In addition to their mandatory HSIE courses student may elect to follow; elective History (People In Time), elective Geography (Global Studies), elective Commerce and Big History (History of People and the Universe, Philosophy & Ethics.)
- People In Time (Elective History)
- Global Studies (Elective Geography)
- Commerce
- Big History
Stage 6 Courses - Year 11 and 12
The senior courses offered are: Ancient History, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Legal Studies, Marine Studies, Modern History, History Extension, Studies of Religion, Society & Culture.
Excursions
Excursion opportunities vary from year to year, but some of the regular opportunities our students enjoy include:
- A Broken Head Excursion to the National Park and Nature Reserve
- Minyon Falls waterfall trail walk
- Fieldwork at Belongil/Tallows/Main Beach
- Sea Kayaking in Byron Bay
- Byron Arts & Industrial Estate
- Byron Bay Court
- The South Passage Sailing trip around Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Island
Competitions
We encourage our gifted and talented students to participate in a range of competition, some of which include:
- Australian Geography Competition for Years 8, 9 and 10
- Australian History Competition for Years 8 and 10
- ASX Business Studies Competition for Year 10 Commerce Students
Teachers
Mr Stuart Galletly (Head Teacher)
Ms Michelle Lowe (Teacher and Year 9 Year Advisor)
Mr Kris Lyons (Teacher)
Mrs Sally Miller (Teacher)
Mr Drew Minton (Teacher)
Mr Brian Oxley (Teacher)
Miss Kellie Quigley (Teacher and SRC Coordinator)