We hope this newsletter finds you well.  Our Humanities students are all well into their units at the moment.

In Year 9, half of our students are studying History this semester and are working on their research into the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  The other half of our students are studying a Humanities elective - either Geography, Civics & Citizenship, Economics & Business or Ancient History & Philosophy.  Students in these classes are preparing for their first exam task in the next few weeks.  We would encourage you to check your student's One Note to see what they are doing in class and to ensure that they are completing the required work in class and for homework in order to best set themselves up for success.  In Semester 2, students will swap, and those doing History will move to their Humanities elective, while the rest of the students will study History.

In Year 10, all of our students are currently studying History.  This term our focus is WWII and the holocaust.  Students have been engaged in learning about what happened in Germany and the world after WWI to lead to WWII just 21 years later and the impact of the holocaust.  Our skills focus this term is on analysing historical sources and writing historical analysis paragraphs.  This is a challenging skill that is vital for students and assists them not only in History, but in many other subjects.  Students are developing these skills and their historical knowledge in preparation for their source analysis exam later this term.  Due to the focus of this unit, students are required to view and analyse various sources that may contain violence, war footage and mature themes.  These sources are closely selected by the teacher and Head of Department and reflect key information. Please take the time to check your student's One Note to see what they are studying in class and ensure that they are effectively completing class work, homework and using this to study for their exam.  Students have a wide variety of resources to assist them in their studies, and as Year 10 students, our aim is to develop increasing independence in their learning.

As always, please contact your student's History or Humanities teacher if you have any questions or concerns.  All lessons are available on One Note for students to work through and use to revise key information and skills and for you to see what they are learning.

Danielle Goddaer

HOD English and Humanities