Stage 5 Commerce

Stage 5 Commerce

Commerce is the study of the financial, economic, business, legal and political world. Throughout this course students will apply knowledge of commercial concepts into real world situations within the classroom. These hands-on experiences will develop their understanding of investment, marketing, politics, finance small business operations and economics.

Year 9

Students begin with the topic Promoting and Selling, where they develop a marketing plan for a product of their own design. Throughout this topic they develop their understanding of marketing concepts and strategies, and how to use these to maximise sales to a target market. They then explore how individuals are influence by consumer and financial decisions.

In Semester 2 students develop a foundational understanding of investing through a virtual simulation sharemarket during the ASX Sharemarket Game. They then develop and operate their own ‘business’ for the STHS Commerce Market Day as a part of the ‘Running a Business’ topic.

Year 10

Year 10 students continue the course with the topic ‘Employment Issues’, in which they develop their understanding of the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers as well as real world skills such as resume writing and interviewing skills. They then explore the world of Economics through the study of ‘Our Economy’. Students then develop political campaigns for the STHS Political Cup- a 5 week campaign where each class adopts the values of a political party culminating with nominated students presenting a campaign video and speech to the school during assembly.

In Semester 2, students begin their study on Law and Society looking at the role and structure of the law and current legal issues in Australia. They finish the semester with ‘Towards Independence’, a topic that develops students’ independence skills in areas such as managing finances, accommodation, car insurance and major purchases.

Topic studies in Commerce

• Consumer and Financial Decisions
• The Economic and Business Environment
• Employment and Work Futures
• Law, Society and Political Involvement
• Our Economy
• Investing
• Promoting and Selling
• Running a Business
• Law in Action
• Towards Independence

 

Junior Geography

Aligned with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabus, Geography aims to make students informed, responsible and active citizens. The topics studied in stage 4 and 5 Geography focus on developing students’ interest in and engagement with the world through exploration of global and national issues relating to interactions between people, places and environments.

Stage 4 Geography (Year 7)

Semester 1 starts with students exploring the formation, management and value of landscapes and landforms using examples from Australia and the world. They then assess the factors that influence perceptions of liveability, focusing on the elements that support and enhance human wellbeing. During this semester students also conduct a field work study of the liveability of areas within the Sydney metropolis such as Homebush, Barangaroo or Blackwattle Bay.

During Semester 2, Geography students continue to develop their understanding of the processes and influences that form and transform environments through the study of one of the most value resources in the world: water. They finish the semester with a study of the relationship between people around the world in the topic Interconnections. Throughout this topic students will analyse our increasingly globalised world, focusing on how trade, technology and transportation is bringing our global community closer together.

Topics for stage 4 Geography include:

• Landscapes and landforms
• Place and Liveability
• Water in the World
• Interconnections
• Geography Skills

Stage 5 Geography (Year 9)

In Semester 1 students develop their understanding of the causes and consequences of the increase in urbanisation in Australia and across the world. They begin the topic with an in depth study into urbanisation in India including a film study assessing the positives and negatives of India’s slums. Students then examine the business of food in the topic Sustainable Biomes. Students conduct a guided research project into the production, sustainability and challenges of one the world’s most popular foods: chocolate!

During Semester 2 students explore the nature of and inequalities between human wellbeing that exists within and between countries. In this topic, students will be presented with introductory economics terms and concepts that build a foundational understanding of the topics that are explored in senior Economics. Student finish the course by assessing the functions of the environment, how humans have induced environmental change and the strategies used to promote and manage sustainability. As a part of this topic students will conduct an investigative study of coastal environments in Australia, including a field work excursion to either Cronulla Beach or Garie Beach.

Topics for stage 5 Geography include:

• Changing Places
• Sustainable Biomes
• Environmental Change and Management
• Human Wellbeing
• Geography Skills

Senior Electives (Years 11-12)

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Staff (Social Science)

Mel Burgess (Head Teacher Social Science)

Joanne Bilton

Nathan Brown

Sophie Brown

Antoinette Johnston

Milka McNamara

Angela Pettas