Learning

Our subjects

Explore how we teach the NSW curriculum through key learning areas.

Creative Arts

“Creativity is as important as literacy. The best evidence of human creativity is our trajectory through life. We create our own lives. And these powers of creativity, manifested in all the ways in which human beings operate, are at the very heart of what it is to be a human being." Sir Ken Robinson.

At Killarney Heights High School, the Creative and Performing Arts Faculty (CAPA) allows students to discover and explore how to visually, physically and musically create, envisage, design and bring to life their ideas through Drama, Music and Visual Arts.

Studying the creative arts, students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, devise, collaborate and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives as well as inspire personal expression.

In Stage 4, (Years 7 and 8) students study mandatory courses in Music and Visual Arts.  We also offer Drama to our incoming Year 7 students.  From Year 9 – 12 all CAPA subjects are offered as electives, with a strong tradition of academic excellence in our HSC subjects Drama, Music and Visual Arts.

We are an active and enthusiastic department who consistently run extra-curricular opportunities outside of the classroom such as:

• Art Club
• Year 8 Drama ensemble
• Biennial Plays & Musicals
• Friday Jams
• Annual HSC Showcase
• Annual Junior Showcase

These opportunities make meaningful and relevant links to learning by enabling students to communicate and convey their work in a variety of settings within the school and wider community.

Killarney Heights High School provides the following specialist facilities for students studying CAPA subjects:

• Two Drama studios, new LED lighting system
• Art studios with technology access and Kilns
• Music rooms and keyboard lab fitted with 15 computers and compatible keyboards and software
• Brand new intelligent LED lighting system in Crossley Hall

English

English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.

In English, students learn about the study and use of the English language in its various textual forms. These encompass spoken, written and visual texts through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected. Complexity increases as students progress through their schooling.

Developing proficiency in English enables students to take their place as confident communicators; critical and imaginative thinkers; lifelong learners; and informed, active participants in Australian society. Their understanding of English through knowledge and skills acquisition is essential to their intellectual, social and emotional development.

The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.

The English Faculty at Killarney Heights High School leads by example. Our team works collaboratively to teach the skills required for success in the 21st Century. We focus on applying explicit teaching strategies to enable our students to build the skills required to navigate and compose complex texts. Through the explicit teaching of collaborative learning we encourage students to share, critique and refine. Through the explicit teaching of reading we invite students to consider literal, personal, inferential and critical perspectives. Through the explicit teaching of writing students watch, co-construct and apply the parts of language that lead to clear and purposeful articulation of ideas within both short response and extended texts.

We value challenge, and we practise this in our use of questioning strategies, feedback protocols and selection of texts, always mindful of our motto:  The better we all do, the better we ALL do!

Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)

In Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), students can explore and develop their understanding of current affairs, contemporary issues and the relevance of historical trends and events which contribute to our past, present and future society.

Through the study of HSIE subjects, students will engage in a diverse range of learning activities, with a specific focus on written analysis.  Skills learnt through the study of these courses will provide students with a strong foundation for further tertiary level study across many disciplines and lifelong learners.

As future informed global citizens and leaders, our students consider the complex and changing social, economic, political and geographical world and develop skills in critical thinking, debate and analysis to reach judgements.

In Stages 4 and 5 at Killarney Heights High School, we Study Geography and History with electives in Commerce, Geography and History

At Killarney Heights High School, we are excited to offer a wide variety of Stage 6 HSIE courses including:

·         Ancient History

·         Business Studies

·         Economics

·         Geography

·         Legal Studies

·         Modern History

·         Society and Culture

Languages

In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."  - Nelson Mandela

Language learning opens doors into the world by helping us:

• understand how others speak and think
• appreciate their customs and traditions
• communicate with them with tolerance and savoir-faire
• create opportunities for future careers and international exchanges.

The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year, at Killarney Heights High School all students study French or Japanese in year 8.

French and Japanese are offered as an option in Years 9,10,11 and 12.

Students who have studied French for a minimum of three years at primary school have the possibility to study French in year 7.

The French classes are streamed by ability throughout. Students may be placed in a beginners, prior learners or background speakers class.

In Years 11 and 12 our students can study Continuers French or Japanese with the guidance of our languages staff.

Other languages may be studied through the NSW School of Languages, this course is predominantly online and through phone lessons.

Overview

The aim of the Languages Faculty at our school is to foster and promote the enjoyment of studying a language other than English. Opportunities to gain enrichment through cultural activities and excursions are offered in all courses.

Years 7 to 10

Students who have studied French in primary school continue to study French in Year 7 at either the Prior Learning level (Anglophones) or Background Speakers level (Francophones). All students then study 100 hours of a language in Year 8: French or Japanese. Within French, different classes are offered to cater to students’ level: Beginners, Prior Learning or Background Speakers. Students in Years 9 and 10 can elect to continue their study of languages: French or Japanese.

Other languages may be studied in stage 5 through the NSW School of Languages.

Years 11 and 12

Preliminary and Higher School Certificate (HSC) courses—these language courses are offered at different levels to cater for the language backgrounds of students:

• Beginners courses start in Year 11 and are for students who have not studied the language since Year 8, and who have no background in the language (2 units).
• Continuers courses are offered in Years 11 and 12 for continuing students of French and Japanese (2 units).
• Japanese Extension and French Extension is available for students studying Continuers Japanese or French in year 12 (1 unit).

Other Languages studies

Language in context courses in Asian languages (starting in Year 11), as well as various community languages (Years 7 to 12), are not available at our school but are offered by the  New South Wales School of Languages  (distance education) and the  Secondary College of Languages  (Saturday school).

Please note: language in context course students are typically those who have been brought up in a home where that language is used and who have a connection to the culture.

For further information regarding NSW School of Languages please contact Ms. Kate Thompson or for Secondary College of Languages contact Ms. Nicole Lau.​

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.

Mathematical ideas have evolved and continue to develop across cultures and have been practised in Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for thousands of years. Through the study of mathematics, students apply their knowledge and skills to deepen their understanding of the world.

Mathematics is a reasoning and creative activity, integral to scientific and technological advances across many fields of endeavour. The symbolic nature of mathematics provides a powerful and precise means of communication.

By studying mathematics, students develop essential numeracy skills and fluency, while nurturing the ability to think logically, critically and creatively. They learn about patterns and reason about relationships, creating opportunities to generalise their solutions and to solve non-routine problems.

When students enjoy learning mathematics, they develop a positive self-concept and become self-motivated learners through active participation in appropriately challenging tasks. This can enhance their resilience in solving mathematical problems relevant to further education and their everyday lives.

The syllabus consists of the following strands:

·         number and algebra

·         measurement and geometry

·         statistics and probability

In Year 11 and 12, the study of mathematics is optional. Courses offered include:

·         Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)

·         Mathematics Extension 1

·         Mathematics Advanced

·         Mathematics Standard 2

·         Mathematics Standard 1

Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE)

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.

PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence

Philosophy

The PDHPE faculty is an innovative and enthusiastic faculty that focuses on delivering quality teaching to support 21st century learners.

The PDHPE faculty provides opportunities for all students to adopt lifelong healthy, active living. The knowledge, understanding and skills taught through health and physical education provide a foundation for students to enhance their own and others‘health and wellbeing in ever-changing contexts.

Courses offered

The PDHPE curriculum offers the students the opportunity to partake in a range of different subjects from Years 7 to 12.

• PDHPE Stage 4 and 5 (Years 7 to 10)
• Physical activity and sports studies (PASS) content endorsed course (CEC)—Stage 5 (Years 9 to 10)
• Child Studies 5 (Years 9 to 10)
• Personal development, health and physical education Stage 6 (Years 11 to 12)
• Sport, lifestyle and recreation Stage 6 (Years 11 to 12)
• Community and family studies Stage 6 (Years 11 to 12)

Science

Science at Killarney Heights High school is taught by a vibrant, highly skilled and experienced team of teaching and technical staff who are passionate about engaging our students in Science education.

The study of Science is a collaborative, creative endeavour, which has led to a dynamic body of knowledge organised as an interrelated set of models, theories, laws, systems, structures and interactions. Science provides explanations for a variety of phenomena and enables students to make sense of the natural world. Science education provides many varied opportunities for careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In Science students develop their skills to work scientifically. By engaging in scientific inquiry, they develop a deeper appreciation of the development of science as an evolving body of knowledge and of the complex relationship between evidence and ideas. Students also develop their problem solving and critical thinking skills, essential for thoughtful participation as scientifically literate citizens.

Science at Killarney Heights High School is very well resourced with access 6 well-appointed Science laboratories, each with designated class room and laboratory spaces, projectors and interactive whiteboards. Students have access to a wide variety of specialised scientific equipment which facilitates hands on, practical learning through first-hand investigations and experiments.

Science is a core subject from Year 7 until Year 10. At Killarney Heights High School, we also offer a wide range of elective course that can be selected in stage6.

Courses offered:

Stage 4 & 5 (Years 7- 10)

Science

Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12)

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Earth and Environmental Science

Investigating Science

Extracurricular

Science Club

Primary Links

Senior study sessions

Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)

Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) is mandatory for all students in Year 7 and 8. Students can also select from a range of elective TAS subjects from Year 9.

In TAS, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a design and production process using a range of tools, materials and techniques in theory and practical lessons.

The continuum of technology learning is:

• mandated from Kindergarten to Year 8 through Science and Technology K-6 and Technology Mandatory Years 7-8 syllabuses
• based on students becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to apply knowledge, skills and understanding to design and produce solutions
• optional for student specialisation in high school through a range of syllabuses addressing particular technologies and aspects of design.

The Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) faculty encompasses a vast array of subjects which deal with technology. Students are given the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of creative and practical experiences which draw on a variety of technologies.

Students at the Stage 4 level are mandated to study 4 different context areas, using a broad range of different technologies.

The Stage 4 Context Areas are:

·         Digital Technologies

·         Engineered Systems

·         Agriculture and Food Technology

·         Materials Technology

Students can then specialise in elective subjects that take their interest at the Stage 5 level. They have the ability to choose 3 elective subjects at this point.

Students at the Stage 6 level have the ability to concentrate their study on technologies as diverse as Design and Technology, Engineering, Food Technology, Textiles and Design, Industrial Technology (Timber or Multimedia), Hospitality and Construction.

Throughout all TAS subjects, the underlying principle is one of engagement in creative problem-solving and skill accumulation/building in a project-based context.

Given Australia's need for an ongoing supply of skilled workers, particularly in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), TAS subjects are well placed to meet students' requirements, where an emphasis is on critical thinking in a collaborative environment.

Religion and ethics

At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.

When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.

You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing by sending an email to the school .killarney-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au  or use the online form.

Scripture classes at Killarney Heights High School are held on a Friday, once a term. The students are usually grouped by year, eg Period 2 Year 7&8, Period 3 years 9&10, period 4 years 11&12.

The Christian churches from the local area provide teachers, all of whom hold a WWCC and are checked by our probity system. Each scripture teacher wears a badge identifying themselves.

The curriculum for scripture is found in here.

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

Assessment & Reporting

Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.

Teachers observe students' work in class and look closely at tasks throughout the year. They also formally assess a student's achievement based on the outcomes described in the syllabus of the subject.

As a parent or carer, you’ll receive a written report twice a year. It gives you a clear picture of your child’s achievements – what they know and can do.

In Years 7 to 10, we use the  common grade scale  in reporting. In Year 11, we use the  Preliminary grade scale.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are assessed on achievement of competencies.

Assessments

We provide detailed information to students about what we expect from them throughout the year and how their work will be assessed. Students have a number of formal assessments throughout their schooling.

• National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)  – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy tests for students in Years 7 and 9. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) holds the tests in May each year. Results and student reports are released in August.
• Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID)  – online diagnostic science assessments for students in Year 8. Some schools also choose to sit the tests in Year 10.
• The  Record of School Achievement (RoSA)  is awarded to eligible students who leave school before completing their Higher School Certificate. The RoSA records a student’s grades between the end of Year 10 and when they leave school.
• The  Higher School Certificate (HSC)  is an internationally recognised qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW.
• Some students may apply for placement in a selective high school. For more information, visit  selective high schools and opportunity classes.

High potential and gifted education

At our school, we give the right support to help advanced or talented learners 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.

Contact us to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners.

Scholarships and awards

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia  provides an internationally recognised, self-development program for people aged 14 to 25. The program equips young people with the opportunity to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities.

NSW School Nanga Mai Awards

The  Nanga Mai Awards  are an annual event organised by Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation, excellence and educational achievement in Aboriginal education in NSW public schools, school communities and department directorates.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

This  Premier’s Reading Challenge  encourages students from Kindergarten to Year 9 to develop a love of reading and plays an important role in developing literacy.

Premier’s Debating Challenge

The  Premier’s Debating Challenge  is open to students from Year 5 to 12. Teams compete in a round robin series of debates against other schools. The winners go on to compete at regional and state level to determine the eventual state champion.

Public speaking competitions

The Arts Unit offers  public speaking competitions  for NSW school students. Each competition is a great opportunity for students to develop their speech-writing and presentation skills while representing their schools in a state-wide competition.

Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarships

The  Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarships  are an opportunity to visit significant overseas sites associated with Australia’s participation in war for Years 10 and 11 students in selected schools.