Dear Parents and Carers,

This semester, English and Humanities units of study provided students with valuable opportunities to explore real-world issues, current events and diverse perspectives, developing critical thinking, communication and analytical skills essential for active and informed citizenship. 
 
Through studying The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon, Year 7 students developed important reading, thinking and communication skills while exploring real-world issues. The novel encouraged empathy through its exploration of belonging, hope, family and resilience. Students analysed characters, themes, language choices and author purpose, strengthening their comprehension and critical thinking skills. Engaging with diverse perspectives helped students become reflective readers and thoughtful communicators. The text also supported the development of discussion, writing and analytical skills essential for future success in English. In term 3, Year 7 students will be focusing on Persuasion in Advertising. Students will develop critical literacy skills by analysing how advertisers use language, images and persuasive techniques to influence audiences. The unit encourages students to think critically about the messages they encounter daily across digital and traditional media. By evaluating advertising strategies, students strengthen their analytical, communication and decision-making skills while becoming more informed and responsible consumers. These skills support their ability to recognise bias, evaluate information and engage thoughtfully with the increasingly complex media landscape. Furthermore Year 7 students in term 3 will explore importance of water as a precious and finite resource. Through investigating global water distribution, access to clean water and the ways people use and manage water, students develop their geographical knowledge and understanding of environmental sustainability. The unit encourages students to think critically about the challenges faced by communities around the world and the impact of human activity on water resources. Students strengthen their research, mapping, data interpretation and problem-solving skills while learning to analyse geographical information from a variety of sources. By examining local and global water issues, students gain a greater appreciation of the role water plays in supporting ecosystems, communities and economies. This study helps students become informed and responsible global citizens who understand the importance of sustainable resource management and the need to address environmental challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. 
 
During Semester One, Year 8 students studied The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, developing their reading, analytical and communication skills through the exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, empathy, social division and personal growth. Through analysing characters, relationships and authorial choices, students strengthened their ability to interpret texts, support ideas with evidence and engage thoughtfully with different perspectives. The novel also encouraged students to reflect on the importance of understanding others and recognising the impact of social stereotypes and prejudice. In Term Three, students will transition into the unit Analysing Argument, with a focus on the contemporary issue of sustainability. This unit will build students’ critical literacy skills as they examine how authors, speakers and organisations use persuasive techniques to influence audiences. Students will analyse a range of real-world texts and media, developing their ability to identify arguments, evaluate evidence and recognise bias. These skills will empower students to become informed consumers of information and thoughtful participants in discussions about environmental, social and economic sustainability. In Year 8 Humanities classes students develop an understanding of how businesses operate and contribute to the economy. Students explore the role of entrepreneurs, the characteristics of successful businesses and the ways consumers and producers interact within markets. Through real-world examples and practical investigations, students strengthen their financial literacy and decision-making skills while learning about budgeting, consumer choices and business planning. The unit encourages students to think critically about economic issues and the factors that influence business success. Students also develop valuable skills in research, collaboration, communication and problem-solving, which are essential for future learning and employment pathways. By examining how businesses respond to changing consumer needs and economic conditions, students gained a greater appreciation of the role businesses play in society. This study helped students develop confidence in making informed financial decisions and understanding the economic world around them. 

During Semester One, Year 9 students studied The F Team by Rawah Arja, developing their reading, analytical and communication skills through the exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, resilience, friendship and social justice. Through examining the experiences of the novel’s diverse characters, students gained a deeper understanding of contemporary Australian society and the challenges faced by young people from different cultural backgrounds. Students strengthened their ability to analyse character development, themes and authorial choices while supporting their interpretations with evidence from the text. In Term Three, students will move into the study of Argument Analysis, focusing on the topics of Fake News and TED Talks. This unit will develop students’ critical thinking and media literacy skills as they investigate how information is presented, challenged and shared in the modern world. Students will analyse persuasive techniques, evaluate the credibility of sources and examine how speakers construct arguments to influence audiences. These skills are essential for navigating today’s information-rich society and becoming informed, discerning and responsible citizens. Through the study of biomes and food security, Year 9 students develop an understanding of the diverse environments that support life across the globe and the challenges associated with feeding a growing population. Students investigate the characteristics of major world biomes and examine how climate, land use and human activity influence ecosystems and agricultural production. The unit encourages students to consider the environmental, social and economic factors that affect food security at local, national and global levels. Students strengthen their research, data analysis, mapping and critical thinking skills while evaluating sustainable approaches to managing resources. By exploring real-world issues such as climate change, land degradation and population growth, students gained a deeper appreciation of the interconnected nature of environmental and human systems. This study fosters informed global citizenship and encourages students to think critically about the future sustainability of food production and resource management. Further through the Business and Economics unit, Year 9 students examine the Australian economy and explored how individuals, businesses and governments contribute to economic decision-making. Students investigated concepts such as markets, trade, entrepreneurship, employment and financial management, developing a practical understanding of how economies function. Through analysing real-world economic issues and business case studies, students strengthentheir critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. The unit also enhances students’ financial literacy by encouraging them to consider the impact of spending, saving and investing decisions on individuals and communities. Students developed research and communication skills as they evaluate economic data and explore contemporary business challenges. By understanding how economic choices influence living standards and opportunities, students gain valuable knowledge that will support their future participation in the workforce and broader society. This study encourages students to become informed consumers, responsible citizens and confident decision-makers. 
 
During Term Two, Year 10 students completed the unit Analysis of Argument and Persuasive Devices, exploring the contemporary issue of racism in Australia. Through analysing a range of media texts, articles, speeches and opinion pieces, students developed critical literacy skills and learned how language, evidence and persuasive techniques are used to shape opinions and influence audiences. The unit encouraged students to think critically about complex social issues while strengthening their ability to evaluate arguments, identify bias and construct well-reasoned responses. In Term Three, students will begin a text analysis study of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. This acclaimed novel provides rich opportunities for students to explore themes of identity, humanity, ethics, memory and the impact of scientific advancement on society. Through close analysis of characters, narrative structure and authorial choices, students will further develop their analytical writing and discussion skills. The novel encourages deep reflection on moral and social questions, preparing students for the sophisticated reading and critical thinking required in senior secondary English studies. Through the Written Text Study: Business Writing unit, Pre-VM English students will develop practical communication skills by creating professional workplace documents. The unit strengthens students’ writing, organisation and language skills while preparing them for future employment, training opportunities and everyday workplace communication. In year 10 advanced

English the study of VCE Literature fosters students’ enjoyment and appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic merits of stories and storytelling and enables students to participate more fully in the cultural conversations that take place around them. By reading and exploring a diverse range of established and emerging literary works, students become increasingly empowered to discuss texts. As both readers and writers, students extend their creativity and high-order thinking to express and develop their critical and creative voices. Through the study of Pop Culture, Year 10 students will explore how social, political and technological changes have influenced popular culture from the post-war period to the present day. Students investigate the impact of music, film, television, fashion, sport and media on shaping identities, values and social movements. The unit encourages students to analyse historical sources and consider how popular culture both reflects and influences society. Through examining key cultural developments and trends, students strengthen their research, critical thinking and analytical skills while developing an understanding of continuity and change over time. Students also explore how globalisation and technological advancements have transformed the way people communicate, consume media and express themselves. By connecting historical events to contemporary culture, students gain a deeper appreciation of the forces that shape modern society. This study fosters historical understanding while helping students critically evaluate the cultural influences that affect their daily lives. Students will investigate environmental change and management, building awareness of sustainability challenges and human impact on the environment. In Year 10 Legal studies and Accounting students develop an understanding of the Australian legal system, including key principles and structures. This builds civic understanding and critical thinking about justice. Students will move into Economics and Accounting, strengthening financial and analytical skills. Through the study of Political Systems, Year 10 students will explore different forms of government and political revolutions, gaining insight into how political systems develop and change. Later in term 4 they will focus on Australia’s relationships with its regional neighbours, building global awareness. 

Our first cohort of VCE English students have just completed Unit 1. Reasonably this has taken some adjusting for many students due to the increased expectations of rigour. We anticipate that in Semester two when students embrace the learning sequence of Unit 2 they will now be more familiar with the expectations. In Semester Two, VCE Unit 2 English students will engage with two complementary Areas of Study that develop advanced literacy, analytical and communication skills. Through Reading and Exploring Texts, students will study The Hate Race by Maxine Beneba Clarke, a powerful memoir that explores racism, identity, belonging and resilience in Australia. Analysing the text will encourage students to think critically about personal and societal perspectives while developing their ability to interpret themes, authorial choices and cultural contexts. Students will also strengthen their analytical writing and discussion skills through close engagement with the memoir. In Exploring Argument, students will investigate environmental issues through the analysis of contemporary media texts, speeches and opinion pieces. This study will enhance students’ understanding of how arguments are constructed and how language is used to persuade audiences. By evaluating evidence, identifying persuasive strategies and considering multiple viewpoints, students will become more informed and critical consumers of information. Together, these studies foster empathy, critical thinking and effective communication skills essential for academic success and proactive members of society. During Semester 2 our VCE students will be investigating the causes and consequences of social and cultural change in the modern world. Through examining significant movements, events and individuals, students explore how societies have responded to challenges and opportunities. The Modern history unit develops historical thinking skills, including source analysis, interpretation and evaluation, while encouraging students to understand different perspectives and the complexities of historical change. In Unit 2 Business Management, students examine the internal operations of businesses and the factors that contribute to business success. They investigate management styles, human resource management, motivation and workplace culture. Through analysing real-world business scenarios, students develop problem-solving, decision-making and analytical skills while gaining valuable insights into the effective management of contemporary organisations. In Unit 2 Sociology, students explore the ways social norms and institutions influence individual behaviour and group interactions. They investigate the role of culture, socialisation, community and social change in shaping society. The unit encourages critical thinking and the examination of contemporary social issues while developing students’ ability to apply sociological concepts and theories to real-world contexts. In Unit 2 Geography, students investigate tourism as a global phenomenon and examine the impacts of tourism on people, places and environments. They analyse patterns of travel, the management of tourism and the challenges associated with sustainable development. The unit develops research, fieldwork and analytical skills while fostering an understanding of the interconnected nature of human and environmental systems. In Unit 2 Accounting, students develop an understanding of financial decision-making and the role of accounting information in business operations. They learn how to record, report and analyse financial data while investigating budgeting, cash flow and performance evaluation. The unit strengthens students’ problem-solving, numeracy and analytical skills, preparing them for further study and practical financial management. In Unit 2 Legal Studies, students examine the role of laws in resolving disputes and achieving justice. They investigate the Victorian civil justice system and explore the mechanisms available for resolving civil disputes. Through analysing legal principles, case studies and contemporary issues, students develop critical thinking, reasoning and evaluation skills while gaining an understanding of the importance of fairness and access to justice.