Congratulations to Mr. Araco and Mr. Rowland for joining the HSIE Faculty in 2013. This is an important replacement as the faculty continues to improve teaching and learning outcomes at Bass High. This term has been a busy term for all teachers and students. Last term, students sat for their half yearly exams and teachers marked and wrote reports.
Mock Trial
Last term Bass students competed in the 2013 Mock Trial. The students performed very well in round 3 of the competition even though we did not win on points, but we won the case on the law. In other words our legal argument was better than our opponents.
Geography Excursion
Late April, 2013 all of year 10 went on a Field Study to Home Bush Bay.
Students used the Stream Watch equipment to monitor the health of the wetland that we visited. The year group walked from station to station in a very orderly and commendable fashion, accompanied by their teachers. We collected specimens of bugs to identify and count the health of the wet land system. The students found this a fascinating activity. Through this exercise, it is hoped it will contribute to a lifelong love of learning about the valuable but fragile environment in which we live in. This also furthers the development of a sense of active citizenship that students will display to help preserve our surroundings. The day was full of fun, though tiring. It was worthwhile learning experience.
HSIE Curriculum
Year 12 economics students have been studying the impact of the global economy on Australia. The mega debt problem in Europe, the financial crisis, the worldwide slow down saw a significant drop in the value of the Australian dollar. Good economic news, however, continues to come through, both locally and overseas. Due to growth in Asian markets, the Australian economy is performing very well. Year 12 economics students have been analysing the impact of such global issues on economic growth, inflation, unemployment and external stability of the Australian economy.
National Geography Challenge Skills Competition
A large number of students sat for National Geographic Challenge Skills Competition. Over 85,000 students from 822 schools entered the competition this year. Eight of our students have achieved distinctions and fifteen achieved credits. This is an outstanding achievement compared from last year. This was a nationally recognised Geography Competition and was run by National Geographic Association in Queensland. A very big thank you to all teachers and students for their participation and in running this competition successfully at Bass. Earlier in term 3, students from Bass will have another opportunity to sit for the NSW Geography Challenge Competition.
Term 4 News
HSIE Faculty has been busy with the HSC Trial Exams this term. Students appear to be confident about their ability to handle the exam. We hope that participating students in year 12 would do their best in the external exam when the results come out in mid December 2013. Similarly there has been positive feedback from students and teachers regarding the standard of Year 11Preliminary exam.
National Tree Planting Day
Students below are participating in the National Tree Planting Day in July 2013.
Year 9 Geography Excursion
Early term 3, 2013 all of year 9 went on a Field Study to Campbeltown Botanical Gardens. The whole Year Group walked in a very orderly and commendable fashion, accompanied by their teachers. The students found this a fascinating activity and it is hoped that this will contribute to a lifelong love of learning about the valuable but fragile environment in which we live and develop a sense of active citizenship that they will display to help preserve our surrounds. The day was full of fun, though tiring. It was worthwhile learning experience.
Legal Studies Excursion
In August 2013 Mr Araco and Mr Kumar took year 11 Legal Studies visited the City of Liverpool, to see local Courts, as part of the Preliminary HSC study on Crime. The students met at Chester Hill Station and took a train ride to the Liverpool Local Court of New South Wales.
At this court most of the civil cases are heard. After going through security the students walked around the court, but decided to go to the Bail Court, which is housed in Liverpool.
Mr. A. Kumar,
Social Science/HSIE Head Teacher