Faculty Information


English

Courses offered in Years 7-10: English, English (Lifeskills SC)

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: English Standard, English Advanced, English Fundamentals, English Extension 1 and English Extension 2

FACULTY REPORT 2009

The English Department have had a very proud history of achieving excellent results in many areas including the Higher School Certificate, School Certificate, debating and public speaking. Since the new HSC was instituted in 2001 we have had students sit for the Advanced, Standard, ESL and Extension 1 papers. In recent years, we have also had students complete the major works for Extension 2 performing brilliantly against the rest of the state.

In both the HSC and SC our students have ranked highly within the region and the state. In 2009 we have students who have attained some of the highest results to date.

In the last 2 years our Year 9 and 10 debating team have won through to the Regional semi final. Considering 53 teams began in the region to be in the last 4 shows the dedication and commitment of our debating program is reaping fabulous results. The Public Speaking program has also had 2 brilliant years with 2 students making it to the regional Legacy Public Speaking semi final and this year with one student going as far as making it to the last 16 in the state by making it to the State Final of the same competition.

In school we have a Wide Reading program that runs in the library with the school Librarian for Years 7, 8 and 9. In roll call we also have some of our top students assist Year 7's with reading in the Peer Tutoring Program.

We look forward to being able to report on more fine results of classes and programs organised by the English Department.

Mrs S. Davis - Head Teacher English

 

 

Mathematics

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Intermediate, Mathematics Standard, Mathematics (Lifeskills SC)

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Mathematics 2 Unit, Mathematics General, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2


GIFTED AND TALENTED INITIATIVE 2009
The Gifted and Talented Initiative to be undertaken by the Mathematics Faculty involves the development of interactive group projects within a class using the Smart Notebook 10 computer package. Smart Notebook 10 is available through the Department of Education and Training website and can be downloaded on the school network for use by staff and students.

This program provides interactive tasks which facilitate the development of skills in all subject areas. The aim of this initiative is for the students to achieve a level of competence in the use of this program, choose a concept from a topic which is relevant to the content and outcomes of the Stage 4 Mathematics syllabus and produce a notebook presentation which demonstrates how each group of students would teach their concept to the rest of the class.

The stages of the project are:

The aim of this project is to encourage the students to extend their thinking processes from the delivery and retention of information to applying their acquired skills in developing a teaching tool which demands higher order thinking. The development of an assessment task extends their thinking as it requires them to determine how to successfully evaluate if the concepts have been successfully learned. This initiative is a valuable opportunity for these students to participate in an authentic learning activity which offers application and extension of their thinking'and learning processes.

 

Science

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Science, Agriculture (Year 8), Agriculture Elective

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Senior Science

 

History

Courses offered in Years 7-10: History Mandatory course, History Elective

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Ancient History, Legal Studies, Modern History, History extension

FACULTY REPORT 2009
The History faculty at Prairiewood High is an extremely experienced one with four of our five teachers having over fifteen years of teaching in History. In the past we have achieved extremely high results in History at both the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate. Our high achievements have come from our planning skills and our desire to achieve outstanding outcomes for our students.

History develops student's skills in critical thinking and research, as well as this the ability to communicate in both written and oral form. Both of these skills have been a focus for our faculty.

In Years 7- 8, students undertake an introduction to History and the skills associated with this subject. We cover ancient societies, medieval times and Early Modem Societies as well as early Aboriginal History. In this course our students engage in computer research, where their computer application and research skills are enhanced.

In Years 9- 10 we begin to prepare our students for their formal examination at the School Certificate level. Common Assessment tasks in line with the School Certificate outcomes are developed. During these two years students engage in the study of Civics and Citizenship which is a mandatory program across all schools. Students have the opportunity to visit the Electoral commission in Canberra and the War Memorial to enhance their understanding and interest in this subject. In these two years students participate in further development of their computer research skills as well as working on various "School to Work" programs, which are a mandatory part of all school programs. Literacy, numeracy and Aboriginal studies are a vital part of a student's development and have been incorporated in our programs. In Year 10, all students participate in a formal across the state History competition run by the History Teachers association. We are pleased to report, that in the past we have achieved excellent results in this competition with the achievement of a number of Distinction and High Distinction certificates awarded.

History has proven very popular in the junior school and we are pleased to report we operate two elective classes in Year 9 -10. In this course students have the opportunity to study and enjoy aspects of history and develop a lifelong love of History. In this course students are given the opportunity to enhance their skills and enjoyment of this subject. Students will have the opportunity to visit the Jewish Holocaust museum and engage in a tour of this facility with a survivor or a relative of a survivor.

In the senior school, our faculty offers Ancient History, Modem History, and Legal studies. We also run an extension course for the Higher School Certificate. History in the senior school has proven to be very strong with excellent results been achieved at the Higher School Certificate in all of our senior courses. In Legal Studies students visit a court house and experience a trial in action. In Ancient History students visit the Nicholson museum and an archaeological site near the rocks in Sydney.

We in the History faculty look forward to another great year with wonderful outcomes for our students.

Ms F. Humphreys - Head Teacher History.

 

Social Sciences

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Geography Mandatory course, Geography Elective, Commerce Elective, Work Skills

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Business Studies, Civics and Citizenship (Life Skills HSC), Economics, Geography, Retail Studies (VET), Society and Culture, Work Studies

FACULTY REPORT 2009
The Social Sciences faculty topped off a busy year with excellent results in the School Certificate Geography Examination (best ever) and some good results in the Higher School Certificate Examination, especially in Business Studies and Economics.

In 2009, the faculty hosted the first Year 8 Gifted and Talented Geography Skills and Fun Day involving teams from Bonnyrigg. Elizabeth Macarthur and Moorebank High Schools. With the Year 10 Geography Leadership Student Group acting as mentors, the Year 8 Students participated in a variety of outdoor and academic activities, based on the Year 8 course. Prairiewood were the inaugural winners in a closely fought competition. Miss Bond and her Year 10 Geography group did an excellent job in organising the day.

Students also entered several organised state or regional competitions and achieved lots of success. These included the M.W.S.S.T.A. Geography competition, Year 10 National Geographic Geography competition and the U.N.S.W. -Price Waterhouse Business Studies and Economics competitions. In 2008, Michael Catanzariti of Year 12 was awarded a High Distinction prize in Economics at the U.N.S.W.. Some proud parents and Mr Jackson were in attendance at the award ceremony. The 2009 results are yet to be announced.

This year, four Year 9 Commerce student syndicates have entered the Australian Stock Exchange Share Market competition. The idea is to buy and sell shares over a 3 month period to increase the portfolio value ($50,000). Guest speakers were organised to speak to the Year 9 and 10 Commerce students. These included Mr Chris Bowen (Federal M.P.), the Australian Electoral Commission Returning Officer for Prospect and the Commonwealth Bank Finance Foundation.

One of the Year 9 Commerce classes ran a business during terms 3 and 4 to put their classroom lessons into practice. "Yap - a - Shine"PX incorporated many of the Young Achievers Australia policies. Share capital was raised, management staff elected and positions filled. The business washed and detailed over 20 staff cars. At the Annual General Meeting, a dividend was declared over a pizza lunch and a gift was later presented to the Canley Vale Retirement Village along with a performance of some Christmas carols - an excursion to Luna Park followed to reinforce business lessons learned.

The Social Sciences staff continue to be heavily involved in school Talent Quests, Multi Cultural Concert and musical performances. Miss Bond acted as stage manager and looked after refreshments with her Year Group as a fund raiser. Social Sciences also looked after ticket sales and front of house. The Social Sciences Faculty again organised and ran the Middle Eastern Food and Cultural Activities at the annual Multi - Cultural Day which was a big success. Working with Staff and selected students, tasty kebabs and desserts were produced and acquired before a musical item in the hall. Mrs. Isler is to be thanked for her efforts.

A group of Year 9 and 10 Geography and Agriculture students worked with Mr Mulcahy and Mr. Jackson in Term 4 to prepare a garden bed at the front of the school . A watering system was installed and a variety of plants put in to beautify the front of the school. This was followed up by 4 Year 10 Geography students being invited to participate in the Met. South West Schools Environment Planning Day at Campbelltown where 'Green School Strategies were considered along with other school students. Following this successful initiative, 2 students were invited to attend a 3 day Enviro Camp at Wooglemai Field Study Centre

The faculty again provided three House Patrons, a Year Adviser, Sporting Coaches and school bus drivers, making it a busy faculty staffroom.

Bruce Jackson - Head Teacher Social Sciences.

 

 

Languages 2009

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Mandatory Languages Other Than English (LOTE), Italian Elective, Spanish Elective, French Elective, German Elective

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: French (Beginners and Continuers), German (Beginners and Continuers), Italian (Beginners and Continuers), Spanish (Beginners and Continuers), Tourism and Travel (1 Unit and 2 Unit), Languages Extension 1.

FACULTY REPORT 2009
This year there are students participating in a variety of language courses. French in year 7 and Italian in year 8 are studied as part of the mandatory junior course (Stage 4). Students have the opportunity to then choose a language as part of their School Certificate (Stage 5) elective course. This year there are students studying French or Italian in both years 9 and 10. In the senior school there are students studying German Continuers, Italian Continuers, French Beginners, Japanese Beginners, Spanish Beginners through the Open High School as well as a number of students studying community languages at Saturday School in years 7 through to year 12.




relaxing and enjoying the decor...

In 2010 students will have the opportunity to continue (or begin) their study of Italian into year 11 at school. Many activities are organised throughout the year to support language acquisition and the study of the culture. These activities can take place at school – gelato days, Italian breakfasts, French breakfasts, playing bocce / pétanque, pizza / croissant lunches or outside of school in the community – visiting an authentic pizzeria and making pizza, visiting Leichhardt and the Forum, dining at the ‘Little Snail’ at Darling Harbour, going to the movies. Year 10 language students – French and Italian – participated in the ACER competition. This is a national competition for students of French and Italian. The students are assessed and evaluated on their listening and responding skills.


enjoying traditional French food...

As part of the Stage 6 Higher School Certificate course alternatives the Languages department offers a Board Content Endorsed course called Travel and Tourism. This course was designed at the school and approved by the Board of Studies for our students. This course caters for students with an interest in travel and learning how to get by in the usual travel abroad situations without having to undertake rigorous formal language study. They study tourist survival language.

All students have the opportunity to participate in overseas language tours either to New Caledonia or Europe. Our last Europe tour was 2007. Mr Gianni and Mrs Varrica, two senior language teachers, have been evaluating current course programs and new course book resources available in preparation for our new student intake in Year 7 next year. We are excited to be developing new strategies to cater for the needs of the gifted and talented students as they progress through their years of high school education. Students who select to study a language not only develop reading, listening, writing and speaking skills but self confidence, mental focus, ability to manipulate structures into coherent text and speech which forms all forms of communication – these are life long skills and desirable for any career path.

Ms T Gandlgruber HT Admin / Languages

Gifted and Talented Initiative 2009

 

 

Creative and Performing Arts

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Music/Drama Mandatory, Visual Arts Mandatory, Drama Elective, Music Elective, Visual Arts Elective

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Ceramics (1 Unit), Drama, Entertainment (VET), Music,
Photography (1 Unit and 2 Unit), Video and Digital Imaging, Visual Arts, Visual Design (1 Unit)

 

Home Economics/TAS

Teaching Staff:
Mrs Stewart (HT Mon-Wed)
Mrs Marlow (HT Thurs-Fri)
Mrs Hernandez
Mrs Ilic
Ms Kelly
Ms Hoang
Kitchen assistant: Ms Solinas

Courses offered in this Faculty:

Year 7&8 - Technology Mandatory
Technology will introduce students to the Home Ec Faculty where they will use the design process to solve problems in the context of Food and Textiles. Students will develop an ability to design, produce and evaluate quality solutions that meet a specific need. This will be done using a variety of materials, tools and techniques.

Year 7&8 - Computer Studies
This course will develop a variety of computing skills that can be used throughout the student’s school career in all subject areas and beyond. Areas of study include word processing, spreadsheets, the internet, powerpoint and databases.

Year 9& 10 Food Technology
Students will learn about food in a variety of settings. They will look at the relationships between food, technology, nutritional status and quality of life. Students will also gain practical skills in food preparation. Units of work include Bush tucker to contemporary cuisine, Is it good for me?, Great expectations, What’s on the menu?, Food for Life and New Food

Year 9&10 Textile Technology
Students will develop confidence and proficiency in the design, production and evaluation of textile items. Students will actively engage in learning about the properties and performance of textiles, textile design and the role of textiles in society. Students will create a number of different projects based on clothing, theatrical costumes, textile arts and furnishings.

Year 11&12 - Community and Family Studies
This course is designed to develop in each student an understanding of the diverse nature and interdependence of families and communities in relation to the changing nature of Australian society, with a view to enabling students to plan and manage resources effectively.

Year 11&12 - Hospitality
Students who are assessed as competent in all units of work will be eligible for the Certificate II in Hospitality. They study industry based units including organise and prepare food, prepare and serve sandwiches, prepare and serve non-alcoholic beverages, follow workplace hygiene procedures etc. Students participate in 2 industry work placements, totalling 70 hours, where they get to use their newly acquired skills.

Year 11&12 - Food Technology
This course looks at the production, processing and consumption of food, the nature of food and human nutrition, and develops an appreciation of the importance of food to health and its impact on society. Students develop skills in researching, analysing and communicating food issues, food preparation and the design implementation and evaluation of food situations.

Year 11&12 - Exploring Early Childhood
This course provides the opportunity to consider a range of issues in relation to the individual child, their family and the community. Core units include pregnancy and childbirth, child growth and development and promoting positive behaviour. Students are encouraged to consider implications for future interactions with children, be these as a parent, friend, carer or educator.

Year 11&12 - Computer Applications
This is a hands on computer course in which students learn to develop skills in the use of computer technology by providing students with practical experience in a range of applications which may include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics and animation, desktop publishing and multimedia.

Year 11&12 - Textiles and Design
This course involves the study of design, communication methods, construction techniques, innovations, fibres, yarns, fabrics and the textile industry. Later in the course students are introduced to the history and culture of design, contemporary designers, emerging technologies, consumer issues and the marketplace. Practical experiences are integrated throughout the content areas and include experimental and project work.

What’s happening in Home Ec?

Year 7 & 8 Get Creatively Colourful: Twenty-four Year 7 and 8 students were specifically selected to participate in the Gifted and Talented Fabric Decoration Textiles Workshop held in Week 11 of Term 2 by the Home Ec faculty. This was a 2 day workshop run by Mrs Stewart and Mrs Ilic that allowed students to experiment with new innovations in fabric decoration including marbling, inktense colouring, oil paintstiks and sun printing. Students were allowed the freedom to develop their own designs and ideas over the 4 samples, which were then transformed into a variety of cushions and wall hangings currently on display in the school library. We hope we have further developed the passion and interest in textiles for our most enthusiastic students.

Year 7&8 hit the fashion shows: To further develop our Gifted and Talented Year 7&8 students, on the 19th October, Mr Liberatore and Miss Kelly provided them with the opportunity to attend the Theatre Costume Showcase run by the extremely talented NSW TAFE Graduates from the Diploma of Costume at Sydney Institute at Ultimo TAFE in Sydney. Students who are currently studying Fashion design at Ultimo had their final showcase on display for everyone to see. The showcase had designs inspired by different theatre and TV shows. There were fairies and Goblins, Dr Frankenstein and his Monster, Power Rangers, Sound of Music puppets, An Interview with the Vampire, The Dandy Bushranger and Victoriana, just to mention a few. The designers showed a short film of what inspired them as well as the construction of their costumes. The whole show was excellent, the students were amazed by the creativity and work behind each costume. Everyone had fun and the show was a great experience for all. The students saw things they will never forget and they can not wait for the next opportunity to see another. Once again we hope we have further developed the passion and interest in textiles for our most enthusiastic students.

Years 9, 10 and SNR IO Hospitality cook up a storm at the show: Twenty of our most Gifted and Talented Food Technology students were selected to participate in a special workshop to create a variety of food entries for the Penrith Show. The aromas in Home Ec that day were tantalising as the smells of Anzac cookies mixed with scones, cakes and muffins. We would like to congratulate all who participated so enthusiastically in the workshop and would like to congratulate our winners. Special mention goes to Oscar Sarkes who received first place for his amazing carrot cake in the Variety of cake (Special Ed) catagory.

Other winners include: • Eva Lu and George Nguyen- 3rd place- Variety of cake (Special Ed) • Vanine Niyibitanga- Highly commended- Variety of cake (Special Ed) • Hien Phu and Sarah Ginh- Highly commended- Variety of cake (Special Ed) • Kirsty Nguyen and Stephanie Croucher- 2nd place- pikelets • Chantelle Gaffey and Stephanie Dang- 1st place- Plain butter cake- no icing • Kassie Sacco and Josephine Bejin- 3rd- Plain Butter cake, no icing • Catherine Schuster and Rita Odish- Highly commended- Muffins any variety • Deanna White and Stephanie Flores- Highly commended- Muffins any variety • Stevie Bluegum- Highly commended- Hand decorated iced novelty cake • Ivy Ly and Shannon Rowland-Clarke- Highly commended- Anzac cookies • Michelle Sihanyaxay and Jennifer Lam- 2nd place- Scones- any variety • Diana Truong and Jazmin Fernandez- 3rd place- Scones- any variety • Matt Peacock and Latai Fa- Highly commended- Scones- any variety • David Sopaul and Steven Tan- Highly commended- Scones- any variety We also entered a number of textile items in the show with the following students winning awards: • Jessica Pelz- 2nd place- Piece of hand embroidery • Tavita Tuifelasai- Highly commended- Machine made article. 

 

Industrial Arts/TAS

Courses offered in Years 7-10: TAS Mandatory, Technics Electives - Electronics, Graphics Multimedia, Metal or Wood

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: Computer Applications (1 Unit and 2 Unit), Design and Technology Multimedia, Engineering Studies, Information Processes and Technology, Information Technology (VET), Industrial Technology - Electronics/Metal/Wood

Faculty Report - September, 2009
2009 has seen some interesting developments within the Industrial Arts faculty. Early in September the Year 12 Design and Technology students will have their multimedia major projects assessed by Board of Studies examiners. The students are, at the moment, putting the finishing touches to their projects and folios. This year we have some interesting projects dealing with areas ranging from sports to fashion. Good luck to all these students and we hope they get the results they deserve.

As you may be aware; the new Year 11 and 12 Industrial Technology courses have now been confirmed by the Board of Academic Chairs as a 'Category A' subject which means it will now contribute to the ATAR (university entrance mark) for students who complete the course at HSC level. This will have some positive impact on our course numbers into the future and will provide any students who have some practical aptitude in Timber, Metal or Electronics with a realistic alternative subject choice when they select courses for Years 11 and 12. Our current Year 11 Industrial Technology students are working on their Year 11 major projects at the moment. These are due for completion at the end of Term 3 this year.

Within the faculty we are working on developing a new Design and Engineering Technology course that could start in Year 9 in 2011. This course will give students the opportunity to learn about engineering design and construction in a practical, project based way. It is the way of the future and is proving very popular in many other schools across NSW. Hopefully it will also encourage our students to select and engage in Engineering Studies when they get to Year 11 and 12. We have all heard about the aging population and skills shortages in Australia. Employers in industry are desperate for quality people to take up skilled positions. All Industrial Arts courses can provide a good stepping stone for your future. They provide the opportunity to develop hand eye coordination and essential motor skills required in many jobs and professions including engineering and medical careers. Our Year 9 and 10 Graphics students are engaged in a range of project work at the moment using a variety of software and manual drafting techniques to produce some very interesting work. Year 10 Graphics students are currently creating a stop animation production project using a range of exciting technologies.

Mr Albanese has recently taken two teams of Year 7 and Year 8 students to a “tournament of the minds” at East Hills Boys high school where the team performed well. This looks like being a regular event into the future and we will be doing some projects in our Year 7 and 8 Technology course to help students develop the skills they need to compete well in such events. As we enter the second semester of the year our Year 9, 10 and 11 students in Timber, Metal and Electronics courses are working on a range of different practical projects to develop their skills and knowledge in their chosen subjects and we are starting to get some quality work being produced. However, the road to successful achievement is a long one and students must take pride in always doing their best if they are to get full satisfaction from the courses they have chosen. They must always remember to be fully prepared and ready to learn for each lesson if they are to maximise their learning outcomes.

We have recently purchased a new Metalcraft machine which looks set to have a considerable impact on the nature and range of metal projects we make with the students in the Year 7 and 8 Technology course and we should see some new projects being turned out before the end of the year. Next year we hope to purchase equipment that will enhance the quality and range of projects offered in other Industrial Arts courses.

In preparation for our new student intake in Year 7 next year, Mr Turner and Mr Albanese have undertaken special training to improve our delivery of course content to gifted and talented students and we are trialling some new projects and approaches with some of our Year 7 and 8 classes. We are also developing some new curriculum directions into the future that will be open to all students but we feel will particularly cater for the needs of the gifted and talented students as they progress through their years of high school education. Among the new courses that we are considering for Years 9 and 10 are Design and Engineering Technology (as already mentioned) and Information and Software Technology. We are also considering what courses may best meet the needs of our students in Years 11 and 12. Here we are considering the reintroduction of Engineering Studies and some other courses such as Software Design and Development.

As the minimum leaving age for students will soon be 17 we are also considering a range of other patterns of study that may be more suitable for students who prefer to follow a vocational pathway to educational success. When students select Industrial Arts courses they need to remember that the emphasis in these courses is on the development and understanding of practical skills, methods and knowledge by making a range of worthwhile practical projects using different materials, tools and processes. What they learn, and the way they learn it, maybe useful to all students in later life regardless of what career path they choose. We don’t just educate for vocation but we also educate for relaxation – the skills and knowledge that all students learn can be applied to work or leisure in later life. We also help all students to see the relationship between what they learn in subjects such as Maths, Science and other areas to designing and making real, useful products – in Industrial Arts we provide the link between the theoretical and the practical and we develop your ability to solve real problems with practical solutions.

Mr D. J. Rose Head Teacher – Industrial Arts  

 

PDHPE

Courses offered in Years 7-10: Health and Physical Education Mandatory, Sport Science Elective

Courses offered in Years 11 and 12: PDHPE, Sport/Lifestyle and Recreation Studies

 

Gifted and Talented Initiative for 2009