Week 3 Friday 2 May 2025

Year 7 Assessment Schedule 

Term 2, 2025

Subject

Assessment Overview

Supporting learning at home

English

This term students will study either the novel "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien or "Once" by Morris Gleitzman. Throughout this unit, they will develop their knowledge and understanding of key literary concepts such as genre, character development, themes, and literary devices. Students will engage with the text through a variety of activities that promote critical thinking, creative expression, and analytical skills. They will be assessed on their contributions to class discussions, chapter questions and reflections, before a final assessment where they analyse a character from the text.

Encourage independent reading or listening to audiobooks for interest.

Engage with the school and community libraries.

Talk with families about novels and stories that they have read/watched and discuss what makes them exciting or engaging.

Maths

This term students will begin to explore averages in statistics. They will use the mean, mode and median to describe data. Students will demonstrate their learning with a test and a by completing a statistical analysis on a chosen question such as “Which class is taller?” or “Which year was hotter?”

Students will then be exploring fractions and using them with the four operations. Students will demonstrate their understanding and skills with a test.

Point out graphs you see in the media or advertisements and have your young person interpret them. Talk about averages used in real life such as average fuel efficiency or averages in sports.

Use the words halve, thirds, quarters and have your young person help cook with measuring cups and spoons.

Science

This term students will be looking at how the positions of the Earth, moon and sun impact phases of the moon, seasons, tides and eclipses.

Students will be assessed by completing a series of mini quizzes and by producing a video to explain one of these events.

Look at the moon each night with your young person and try and figure out where the sun is. Talk about how seasons are different in different places you have lived, visited or know about.

Humanities

This term students will learn about Ancient Rome followed by studying place and liveability. Students will examine social structures and significant historical figures and events. Students will develop their skills in sources analysis, developing inquiry questions, and supporting their opinions with evidence. Place and liveability will focus on analysing liveability data, continuity and change, what makes a place liveable and what would our ideal liveable location include.

Talk about their town, Alice Springs or other places they have lived. Discuss resources or features of these towns and what makes them liveable.

Visit and engage with local attractions that explore the history of Alice Springs, e.g., Telegraph Station, Women's Prison, Hartley Street School.

Health & PE

This term students are building a greater understanding of water safety and developing their awareness of their own social, emotional and physical growth in a range of circumstances.  Students are reviewing their identity, culture and community to analyse the impact that emotional, social and physical changes have on their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

In physical education students are working through many different Bluearth and team building games to develop skills of fair play and teamwork. Additionally, students will improve specific skills related to Australian Football (AFL) and basketball in preparation for interschool sports.

Music

This term students will learn the fundamental concepts of beats, bars and rhythms that underpin popular music of the 20^th and 21^st century. Students will learn the vocabulary needed to discuss these elements when responding to the music they listen to. They will apply this knowledge when composing their own music through both conventional rhythmic notation and through use of beat grids when making music digitally.

All students will learn either piano or keyboard and explore the elements of music through their own self-directed practice. They will then apply this knowledge in order play the chord progression in a pop song.

Design & Technology

Students will explore the design features and factors of a product, (e.g. an iPhone or Play Station) and how it has changed over time to meet societies demands.

Students will also create different concept drawings for characters and film set development. The final product will be a 30 second – 1 minute stop motion film. Students will learn about camera and iMovie technology learning a range of techniques such as green screens and software development skills.

Year 8 Assessment Schedule 

Term 2, 2025

Subject

Assessment Overview

Supporting learning at home

English

This term students will analyse different types of texts. They will complete a film study on “Moana” in the first half of the term and look at dystopian short stories in the second half. The film study will tie in with the study of Polynesian expansion in Humanities (history).

In the first half of the term, students will think about how the film challenges stereotypes and learn about film techniques, such as music, lighting, camera angles etc. In the second half of the term, students will read short stories in the genre of dystopian fiction and write their own short story using the conventions of the genre.

Talk to your young person about common stereotypes.

Watch film/TV with their children and ask them to talk about how some of the film techniques are used in what they are watching.

Maths

This term in mathematics, students will continue to build on arithmetic skills with two main units on linear relationships and statistics.

In Unit 1 Linear Relationships, students will revise graphing on a Cartesian plane and build knowledge of linear relationships by using digital tools to investigate and solve them graphically in practical contexts

In Unit 2: Statistics, students will study statistics including, mean, median, mode and range, collection of data and sample types.

Students will be assessed with a number of quizzes and a statistical analysis looking at bias in data.

Extra practice in the form of worksheets are available if requested.

Look at Australian Bureau of Statistics together on a topic of interest to your family or ask your student to explain what mean, mode and median are.

Science

This term in chemistry, students will learn to classify matter as elements, compounds or mixtures. They will compare physical and chemical changes and identify indicators of energy change in chemical reactions.

Assessment will include all student work throughout the term along with a mid-term quiz and student-led investigation to measure variables. Students will be assessed on their experiment and their scientific report which includes safety and ethical guidelines.

Humanities

In history, students will study the theme of migration and expansion in the middle ages, by looking at the spread of Polynesian people and culture throughout the Pacific, and at the Viking invasions of England and North America.

Students will be assessed on various pieces of classwork throughout the unit demonstrating their ability to develop inquiry questions, analyse sources and develop historical arguments.

Ask your young person what they have learned about Polynesian or Viking culture.

Encourage them to do some independent learning about these cultures by reading or watching online resources.

Health & PE

This term students are discussing the value of healthy lifestyle and common lifestyle diseases that can result from poor choices. Students will study most common lifestyle diseases, their causes and symptoms to develop a wider understanding of the impacts and lasting consequences of lifestyle choices. Students are also learning about their own healthy lifestyle choices and are putting strategies in place for them to make healthier choices in their day to day lives.

In Physical Education this term students will be developing their confidence and good sportsmanship in playing team sports. Students will improve specific skills related to Australian Football (AFL) and basketball in preparation for interschool sports and developing an active lifestyle.

Food Technology

This term students will learn about the benefits of eating a variety of food, food waste prevention, and the vital role we can play in protecting our planet and creating a sustainable future. Students will learn how to prepare and cook nutritious food, using the Australian Dietary Guidelines to highlight the health benefits of consuming a variety of food. They will also learn how to use food hygiene and safety practices. Students will design and create recipes with a focus on variety and avoiding waste. As evidence of learning, they will describe how the characteristics and properties of food determine preparation techniques and presentation when designing solutions.

Visual Art

This term students will study Pop Art and Cubism. They will be assessed on their knowledge and and skills creating towards creating a Pop Art contemporary still life painting inspired by Andy Warhol’s “Campbell Soup Can” and a Cubist portrait inspired by Pable Picasso’s “Weeping Woman".

Year 9 Assessment Schedule 

Term 2, 2025

Subject

Assessment Overview

Supporting learning at home

English

This term students are studying World War I poetry. This unit pairs with the WWI history unit to enrich their understanding of this time and the experiences of people at war. Students will analyse a range of WWI poems, identify poetic techniques and discuss how these are used to convey meaning. Students demonstrate their understanding of one poem they have studied by completing an extended analysis essay.

In the second half of the term, students study the film Bran Nue Dae, directed by Alice Springs' own Rachel Perkins. They will explore representations of people on screen and analyse a specific character by completing a written and visual biography. 

Read poems together; a range can be found at poetryfoundation.org. Discuss what was completed in class and their family's relationship to war or the armed forces.

Watch Rachel Perkins’ other films together, such as Jasper Jones or some of her TV shows. Watch other works by local Indigenous filmmakers such as Sweet Country by Warwick Thornton or the TV series Robbie Hood or Thou Shalt Not Steal by Dylan Rivers. Families should make the final decision for what content is appropriate for their young people.

Maths

This term, students revise the Cartesian plane and explore how changes in gradient and y-intercept effect linear graphs. They will use linear equations to solve problems involving proportion, rates, scale, and finance. Students will also calculate gradient, midpoint, and the distance between two points.

In statistics, students will calculate mean, median, mode, and range. They will interpret and analyse real-world data, compare data sets, and explore data collection methods.

Students will be assessed on tests, bookwork, Maths Pathways assessments and a statistical investigation.

Encourage your young person to interpret graphs or data found in everyday life—such as maps, shopping receipts, or news articles. Practice organising real items, like counting and sorting shoes by colour. Encourage your young person to complete Maths Pathways modules at home for extra practice and progress.

Science

This term in Science, students complete their study of atoms as a system of protons, electrons and neutrons, and how this system can change through nuclear decay.  They describe energy transfer by applying the wave and particle models. Students select and construct appropriate representations to organise, process and summarise data and information. They select and use content, language and text features effectively to achieve their purpose when communicating their ideas, findings and arguments to specific audiences. Summative tests, bookwork and participation in learning and practical activities will form the basis of assessment.

Discuss what your young person has learnt in Science class and have them work out energy types and transfers in household items. Later in the term, discuss the carbon footprint of household items.

Humanities

This term in history, Year 9 students are learning about World War I. Students will examine the main causes of the war, the response to the war in Australia, and the development of trench warfare. They will learn about the rapid change in technology that occurred and the ultimate futility of the 'War to End All Wars'. To demonstrate their understanding, students will complete the following assessments:

• mini-essay on the main causes of the war;
• photo-essay about the Battle of Gallipoli; a virtual museum which showcases their enduring understandings of the WWI and this period of history.

Discuss or tell stories about family and ancestors who have fought in World War I or other wars. Visit the war memorial on Anzac Hill.

Watch films and documentaries about World War I, including Gallipoli, Beneath Hill 60, War Horse, and 1917*.

*1917 is an MA15+ - to be viewed at parent discretion.

Health & PE

This term in health, Year 9 students explore common mental health challenges and learn to differentiate between mental health, distress, and illness. The unit promotes healthy coping strategies, the importance of support networks, and help-seeking, with students creating a personal well-being plan and contributing to a mental health awareness initiative.

In PE, students develop key skills in lacrosse and field hockey, focusing on dribbling, passing, tackling, and teamwork. Each lesson builds through drills, minor games, and major games, with an emphasis on fair play, communication, and strategy.

Encourage your young person to journal, practice mindfulness, stay active, and talk to trusted adults. These habits help reinforce mental health awareness and build personal resilience.

Food Technology

This term in food technology students have the option to choose between either food trucks or grazing boxes. They will conduct research, generate ideas and choose the best solution for their project. They will create a trendy new menu to be enjoyed by customers. Their menu will need to be exciting and creative. They will choose one of their main meal ideas and cook this in one double period in class. The ‘cook off challenge’ will in Week 8 as an opportunity to showcase their talents and launch their new meal.

Design & Technology

This term students will develop a design process to create a ukulele.  Students will plan the project from scratch, exploring the correct safety procedures and sustainability considerations. Students will have choice in the design and creation of a second project.

Visual Art

This term students will be assessed on how to manipulate materials, techniques, and processes to represent ideas and subject matter in their own artworks. Students will create a Pop Art portrait in Lichtenstein's style and will pay homage to Namatjira's work by recreating one of his paintings in their own style.

Music

This term students will develop their understanding of music as cultural expression and will analyse and discuss the music they listen to in the form of a podcast. Through the creation of a podcasts, students will develop their vocabulary and analytical skills to script and record a short music podcast that will air on local radio. 

Students will also continue to develop their instrumental music skills, building a repertoire of works that they can play on their instrument of choice.