HSIE

Greg Hannelly

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.

Maya Angelou.

Just when we thought 2020 was different then came 2021 and more disruption and changes. It is like the above quote which best summarises the manner that students, parents and staff have embraced this year. We have faced challenges and issues never anticipated nor prepared for, and in our own manner ‘went with the flow’. On behalf of all the HSIE staff we would like to thank the parent body for being so supportive and positive towards the whole home based learning. You have really taken on the role with enthusiasm and have been great role models for your sons. In terms of the students, just maintaining your presence and commitment to turning up to every class has been outstanding. I know it has been isolating and tough trying to continue to achieve course outcomes; be assured this has been the motivation for us as teachers to keep going as well.

The positives to take forward from 2021 has been the growth in independence and individual commitment from students. Too often students look for the easy option and just ask teachers and or other students in the class for clarity. Home based learning has shown and hopefully provided students with the confidence they can learn individually and at their own pace. 2021 has enabled you to begin your continuous journey of learning and taking ownership of this.

This year so many usual programs were cancelled, next year there will be programs such as businesses in Commerce, archaeological investigations in History, mock trials and mooting in Legal Studies and coastal management in Geography. We will really approach these with vigour and teamwork.

Mock Trial Team

Easter Show Easter Show Easter Show

In their absence the HSIE faculty have learnt and embraced the concept of online classrooms. We have tried different approaches to learning, reduced content and made activities more practical. It has not been easy especially with little personal connection with the students. As stated earlier, the commitment of the students and their families has been the success story of 2021.

In place of competitions and excursions, students engaged in their own work tasks. These included locating personal sources in the twentieth century Australian involvement in world conflicts, local area issues, water management in major river systems, local histories, and many examinations of COVID and other medical plagues throughout history. Again, the HSIE department commits its resources to boosting local and international commitment to civics and citizenship.

In Term 1 students in Year 9 Commerce were studying the topic, Consumer Choice: an element of Promoting and Selling. Students learnt how to identify, research, and evaluate options when making decisions related to solving those problems and issues that confront consumers on a dayto-day basis. Students also studied the various strategies that sellers use to promote products to maximise sales. As part of their assessment, students completed a work booklet that involved the investigation of various businesses at the Royal Easter Show.

In Term 2, to obtain a first-hand look at how businesses are organised, an excursion to Erina Fair Shopping Centre was organised. The focus in this unit was for students to investigate how entrepreneurial attributes and dispositions contribute to business success. The excursion provided students with an opportunity to experience businesses in action. They observed and recorded notes on consumer behavior, store layout, store location and methods of advertising while exploring Erina Fair.

Year 7 students still participated in the visit to Taronga Zoo and site studies such as Pioneer Park; a historical area of Point Frederick highlighting experiences in the local area over a hundred years ago. The second study was an archaeology dig. Students learnt how to map and dig for artefacts.

HSIE

The learning from these practical experiences should assist in explaining and interpreting history sources throughout their school career.

Year 11 Projects for Geography

This was the first time we have been able to offer senior Geography and the enthusiasm and commitment by this small group of students has been fantastic. Keep going boys you are pioneering the pathways for the coming years just like Economics five years ago. These students and their projects include:

• Tom McHale - Should Strickland State Forest be Upgraded to National Park Status? • Cameron Shaw - Has COVID Triggered Counter Urbanisation on the Central Coast? • Nicholas Green - The Impact of Development on Bulbararing Reserve • Billy Pritchard - How Does Dredging Impact Ettalong Channel • Jagger Allen - Why do People on the Central Coast Commute to Sydney • Finn Matthews - Water Quality in Wamberal and Terrigal Lagoon • Mitchell Pink - How do we Save Wamberal Beach?

I would like to thank Ms Kylie Celebrin for her efforts as Assistant Leader of Learning HSIE. Her dedication, support and sense of timing, ensured all HSIE classes ran smoothly. As always, the HSIE faculty greatly appreciates the assistance of the College’s ancillary staff. What a team!

Lastly, the HSIE Faculty would not function without the dedication of its staff. The spirit and sense of cooperation was second to none. We have survived the year. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Ms Elissa Bailey who continued to work extensively with Year 7 classes, Economics and recently Business Studies classes in boosting their confidence and skill in literacy. I would like to thank you for your expertise, help and support throughout the year.

King Tut’s Tomb