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Subject selection for year 8

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​​​In addition to the mandated subjects of English, Maths, Science, Health and Physical Education and Humanities, Year 8 students get to elect and study 1 Arts subject and 1 Technologies subject (electives) as listed below.
Students who wish to continue studying LOTE may do so also in lieu of one of their other electives. 

Available subjects

Click on the links below to learn more about each subject.

The Arts - Dance

The Arts - Drama

The Arts - Visual Art

Technology - Digital Technologies​​

Technology - Esports (NEW)​

Technology - Industrial Technology and Design

Technology - Food and Fashion

LOTE - German

LOTE - Indonesian

The Arts - Dance

Dance has the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, exciting the imagination and encouraging students to reach their creative and expressive potential. Dance enables students to develop a movement vocabulary with which to explore and refine imaginative ways of moving both individually and collaboratively. They choreograph, rehearse, perform and respond as they engage with dance practice and practitioners in their own and others’ cultures and communities.

  • Popular Dance
  • Jazz Dance
  • Contemporary Dance
  • Australian Dance
  • Ballet Dance Ballroom Dance
  • Musical Theatre Dance
  • Ethnic Dance
  • Hip Hop Dance 

How learning occurs

Through practical and theory lessons students will develop their skills in three areas - Choreography, Performing and Appreciation (evaluation/reviews of dance).

Possible careers

  • Dance educator
  • Dance performer
  • Aerobics instructor
  • Choreographer
  • Dance critic/historian

The Arts - Drama

Drama is the expression and exploration of personal, cultural and social worlds through role and situation that engages, entertains and challenges. Drama enables students to imagine and participate in exploration of their worlds, individually and collaboratively. Students actively use body, gesture, movement, voice and language, taking on roles to explore and depict real and imagined worlds through:

  • Collage drama
  • Realism
  • Clowning
  • Puppetry
  • Improvisation 

How learning occurs

Through practical and theory lessons students will develop their skills in three areas - Forming, Presenting and responding (evaluation/reviews of drama).

Possible careers

  • Actor
  • Director
  • Critic / historian
  • Producer
  • Drama teacher

The Arts - Visual Art

Visual Arts engages students in a journey of discovery, experimentation and problem-solving relevant to visual perception and visual language. Visual Arts includes the fields of art, craft and design. Learning in and through these fields, students create visual representations that communicate, challenge and express their own and others’ ideas as artist and audience. 

Students will experience different Artistic media such as:
  • Painting 
  • Clay Work
  • Printmaking
  • Drawing 

How learning occurs

Through practical and theory lessons students will develop their skills in three areas – Folio of drawings and research – visual diary, art pieces and Responding (evaluation/reviews of art work). 

Possible careers

  • Artist
  • Art teacher
  • Critic / historian
  • Cartoonist
  • Sign writer

Technology - Digital Technologies

If you enjoy creating things from scratch and seeing them work and want to learn to code and program, then Digital Technologies is the subject for you! Digital Technologies will teach students about programming and coding and give them a great range of skills that employers really value. All while experimenting, tinkering and having fun. Throughout the subject students will study:
  • Robotic programming using visual, block based programming tool
  • Computer systems and networks
  • Design and development processes
  • Problem solving skills
  • Collaboration techniques both online and in person

How learning occurs

Due to the hands-on nature of this subject, most learning will take the form of projects. Peer-teaching, where students work together, is encouraged and students participate in an online course allowing for 24/7 access to all.

Possible careers

  • Technician
  • Engineer
  • Multimedia developer
  • Programmer 

This brand new subject is at the cutting edge of new technology.  Students will get to learn about the rapidly booming professional and amateur gaming industry, including sneak peaks into a wide range of future career pathways.  Learning experiences include:
  • Design and build networks to connect & compete
  • Become a positive Digital Citizen set standards for behaviour online
  • Communicating online and controlling your digital footprint
  • Big Data, why companies want it and how they use it
  • Design a game in our new game engine
  • Become a content creator and cast your own gameplay

How learning occurs

Due to the hands-on nature of this subject, most learning will take the form of projects. Peer-teaching, where students work together, is encouraged and students participate in an online course allowing for 24/7 access to all learning materials. 

Possible careers

  • Professional gamer
  • Computer technician
  • Game designer
  • Event/marketing manager​


Technoloy - Industrial Technology and Design

Industrial Technology and Design will develop a range of practical skills and knowledge involving creating designed solutions and the manufacturing of projects. It is a practical subject that provides students the opportunity to work with a range of workshop tools and machinery in the completion of projects.  Students will investigate and create designed solutions, research and plan project development, construct and manufacture projects developing skills using a range of materials including, metal, timber and plastics.

How learning occurs

In conjunction with pratical projects, students will complete related project based theory and graphical representation.

Possible careers

  • Manufacturing and Construction industry
  • Carpentry
  • Engineer
  • Electrician
  • Plumbing
  • Furniture Design

Technology - Food and Fashion 

Learn how to select snack foods that are healthy and nutritious and create your own super snack as well as how to construct items from fabric to protect surfaces and cutlery. "Super snacks" teaches students skills to choose nutritious and healthy snacks and how to design and make their own super snack. In “Protect it” students will learn how to use the sewing machine to make a coaster and a cutlery wrap and then design their own item to protect something they own. Students will use the computerised sewing machines to add a design to their own item.

How learning occurs

Investigation, teacher demonstrations and practical activities develop knowledge, understanding and skills required to choose nutritious snacks and prepare them. Class work involves students designing, planning and problem solving, as well as evaluating their overall results. 

Possible careers

  • Food science 
  • Hospitality
  • Food Styling
  • Dietetics 
  • Nursing 
  • Health 
  • Social work 
  • Fashion 
  • Event Coordinator
  • Childcare  

LOTE - German

Studying German as a second language can give you an advantage in business, and open up whole new worlds. Using virtual tours and internet sites we’ll investigate the world of travel – at home and abroad – gather the knowledge to advertise overseas to attract tourists.  Then students will create an advertising campaign to attract our overseas visitors.  Students will also investigate the different types of foods, recipes, culture, TV and the media in Germany and Australia and create a Variety Show to be presented at the Southern Cluster Cultural Festival. 

How learning occurs

By adapting verbal language and non-verbal language according to purpose, context and audience.  By using familiar language to help interpret and convey main ideas and supporting details.  By noticing and comparing similarities and differences between the target language and English.  By Investigation into language use and cultural beliefs, attitudes and practices to further develop intercultural competence.

Possible careers

  • Flight attendant
  • Travel agent 
  • Event manager
  • Police
  • Hotel manager
  • Foreign affairs 
  • Teacher 
  • Translator

LOTE - Indonesian

Studying Indonesian as a second language can give you an advantage in business, and open up whole new worlds. Australia has become one of the major tourist destinations in the world.  Using virtual tours and internet sites we’ll investigate the world of travel – in Australia, Indonesia and other countries.  Students will then explore creative and interactive ways in advertising and attracting overseas visitors.  Students will also investigate the different types of foods, recipes, culture, TV and the media in Indonesian and Australia and create a Variety Show to be presented at the Southern Cluster Cultural Festival. 

How learning occurs

  • Adapting verbal language and non-verbal language according to purpose, context and audience  
  • Using familiar language to help interpret and convey main ideas and supporting details  
  • Noticing and comparing similarities and differences between the target language and English  
  • Investigation into language use and cultural beliefs, attitudes and practices to further develop intercultural competence

Possible careers

  • Flight attendant
  • Travel agent
  • Event manager
  • Police officer 
  • Hotel manager
  • Foreign affairs 
  • Teacher
  • Translator
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Last reviewed 11 October 2022
Last updated 11 October 2022