Years 7-8
Year 7
The Western Australian Curriculum, which is inclusive of what is prescribed in the Australian Curriculum, sets out the knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to acquire by the completion of Year 7. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) issues time allocation guidelines for all subjects in the Western Australian Curriculum. In a full school year, student’s complete subjects from the following learning areas:
English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Health and Physical Education (HPE), The Arts, Technologies and Languages
A typical timetable structure in Year 7 consists of four periods of English, Maths, Science and HASS. Students have a library period which supports their reading, literacy development and research skills. A language will be compulsory from 2022 in Year 7 but to ensure continuity from Primary School, we will be including Indonesian in 2021. In addition to this, students have an opportunity to complete additional subjects known as options, which cover The Arts and Technologies. We endeavour to provide a balanced curriculum, whilst catering for student interests. Students will experience a range of option classes throughout Year 7 and 8 to help them choose specialist subjects in Year 9 and 10.
Assessments and assignment work are an important part of the curriculum of all subject areas. Year 7 students will receive an assessment schedule at the start of the semester. Parents will be able to access this via Connect or by contacting the classroom teacher.
As we are trying to assist students to become autonomous learners, we encourage the use of a diary to help students take responsibility for their learning and assignment work. They may also receive other homework to help them establish an effective study routine early in their high school career. This will be an important part of preparation for Senior School studies.
Form
Students attend Form class each morning to provide additional pastoral care. At this time, students get important notes and messages about what is happening on the day ahead. They also receive Positive Behaviour Support at this time, as we explicitly teach the expected behaviours of our school.
Year 8
The Western Australian Curriculum, which is inclusive of what is prescribed in the Australian Curriculum, sets out the knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to acquire by the completion of Year 8. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) issue time allocation guidelines for all subjects in the Western Australian Curriculum. Donnybrook District High School has increased the time given to students in English and Mathematics to 250 minutes per week, up from the recommended 180 minutes to further develop student learning in these critical areas. In a full school year, student’s complete subjects from the following learning areas:
English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Health and Physical Education (HPE), The Arts and Technologies.
A typical timetable structure in Year 8 consists of five periods of English and Maths and four periods of Science and HASS. Students have a library period which supports their reading, literacy development and research skills. In addition to this, students have an opportunity to complete additional subjects known as options, which cover The Arts and Technologies. We endeavour to provide a balanced curriculum, whilst catering for student interests. Students will experience a range of option classes throughout Year 7 and 8 to help them choose specialist subjects in Year 9 and 10.
Assessments and assignment work are an important part of the curriculum of all subject areas. Year 8 students will receive an assessment schedule at the start of the semester. Parents will be able to access this via Connect or by contacting the classroom teacher. As we are trying to assist students to become autonomous learners, we encourage the use of a diary to help them take responsibility for their learning and assignment work. They may also receive other homework to help them establish an effective study routine early in their high school career. This will be an important part of preparation for upper school studies.
Form
Students attend Form each at class each morning to provide additional pastoral care. At this time, students get important notes and messages about what is happening on the day ahead. They also receive Positive Behaviour Support at this time as we explicitly teach the expected behaviours of our school.
Literacy & Numeracy Focus Class
In 2021, a group of Year 8 and Year 9 students will be placed in a focus 8/9 Literacy and Numeracy Support Class. Students will be identified through prior results and data. Entry will then be determined by the Associate Principal, after discussions with teachers and parents. The class will be small and the timetable will be modified to adapt for their particular learning needs. The aim of this alternative curriculum is to provide intense support to assist students to start to achieve at the expected standard for their year level. Literacy and numeracy strategies will be woven through their entire curriculum. These students will join other classes for Options.