Science

To explore the inter-relationships and behaviour among the natural, physical and material worlds using the process of scientific inquiry.

Aims

Students will develop their observational skills by using their senses and selected observational tools.  They will gather and record observed information in a number of ways, and reflect on these findings to identify patterns or connections, make predictions, and test and refine their ideas with increasing accuracy.  Students will explore the way objects and phenomena function, identify parts of a system and gain an understanding of increasingly complex cause and effect relationships.  They will examine change over time and recognise that change may be affected by one or more variables.  They will be aware of different perspectives and ways of organising the world, and will be able to consider how these views and customs may have been formulated.  Students will use their learning in science to plan positive and realistic action to improve their welfare and that of other living things and the environment.  Students will communicate their ideas or provide explanations using their own scientific experience, and that of others.

Social Studies

Philosophy

The curriculum consists of a balance of history, geography and society based topics.  These will cover all areas, or concentrate mainly on one.

Aims

Students will investigate aspects of human society, focusing on themselves and others within their own community as well as groups of people that are distant in time and place.   They will investigate how and why groups are organised within communities and the ways in which communities reflect the cultures and customs of their people. They will also develop their understanding of how people influence and are influenced by places in the environment.  They will appreciate the significance of developing a sense of belonging and stewardship towards the environment, valuing and caring for it, in the interest of themselves and future generations.  They will extend their understanding of time, recognising how the past is recorded and remembered in different ways.  They will gain an understanding of how and why people manage resources and why different systems for the exchange of goods and services have developed.

There are 8 over-riding concepts, which underpin the learning of science and social studies.  Eight key questions, linked to the key concepts, form the basis of this inquiry-based curriculum.

• Form:                       What is this thing like?
• Function:                  How does it work?
• Change:                   How is it changing?
• Causation:               Why is it the way it is?
• Connection:             How is it connected to other things?
• Reflection:               How do we know that we know?
• Perspective:            What are the different points of view?
• Responsibilities:      What is our responsibility to it?

Science and Social Studies are taught through Units of Inquiry.