Year 8

Year 8 English

In Year 8 English, students embark on a global journey through short stories that explore diverse cultures and voices, encouraging reflection on their own lives. They learn to analyse how writers use language and structure to express ideas, then apply these skills to craft their own narratives with a clear personal voice. Students develop planning and story structure skills, explore transformation through literature, and master the art of rhetoric and persuasion in speeches and letters. Finally, they examine how media shapes truth and bias, distinguishing between fact and “fake news” through the study of news and current affairs.

Year 8 English builds cultural awareness, narrative skills and confident personal expression.

Year 8 Maths

In the Lower Secondary years, our Mathematics program is designed to build confidence, logical reasoning, and analytical skills. We follow the Western Australian Curriculum (SCSA), ensuring every student develops the numeracy skills essential for everyday life and future careers.

To support our teaching, we use the Cambridge Essential Mathematics for the WA Curriculum series. This resource provides students with a consistent, high-quality framework that includes digital interactives, scaffolded examples, and varied practice problems to cater to all learning levels.

Year 8: Expanding Mathematical Thinking

Year 8 moves toward more abstract concepts and real-world applications.

• Number & Algebra: Students dive deeper into ratios, rates, and percentages (like calculating discounts). They begin working with linear equations and graphing them on a coordinate plane.
• Measurement & Geometry: Developing formulas for the area of circles and the volume of prisms.
• Statistics & Probability: Exploring more complex data sets and how to represent them visually using various charts.

Year 8 Science

In Year 8 Science, students build on their investigation skills through exciting, hands-on learning. They use molecular model kits to build chemical molecules, carry out their first real chemistry experiments, and explore how fossils form by creating their own. Students discover how cells work, how energy moves as heat and electricity, and how rocks and plate movements shape our planet. They ask questions, test their ideas safely, and share what they learn using clear scientific language. 

Year 8 Science sparks curiosity and helps students see the science behind how our world works.

Year 8 Technologies

Explore. Create. Code. Connect.

In Year 8 Digital Technologies, students step beyond the screen to become creators and problem-solvers in the digital world. This hands-on course blends creativity with logic, empowering students to understand and shape the technologies that influence everyday life.

What students will learn:

• Networked Systems: Explore how data travels across global networks—from memes to medical records.
• Algorithmic Thinking: Design and test algorithms using branching and iteration to solve real-world problems.
• Digital Project Development: Build interactive solutions such as games, simulations, and multimedia presentations.
• Data Analysis: Model and interpret data using tools like pivot tables and graphs to uncover insights.
• Online Collaboration & Citizenship: Learn to work safely and ethically in connected environments, understanding privacy, security, and digital responsibility.

By the end of the course, students will have built their own digital creations, developed critical thinking skills, and gained the confidence to innovate in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Year 8 Design and Technologies

Advancing innovation, independence, and sustainability through purposeful design.

In Year 8 Design and Technologies, students deepen their understanding of two dynamic contexts—Food and Fibre Production and Materials and Technologies Specialisations (Wood/Metals/Engineering). In Food Production, students refine their cooking skills while exploring ethical food choices, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition. They plan and prepare meals with increasing independence, applying safe food handling and hygiene practices. In the Materials and Engineering context, students design and construct more complex products using wood, metal, and basic engineering principles. They investigate material properties, apply technical drawings, and use tools and machinery safely to bring their ideas to life. Students are encouraged to think critically, manage projects responsibly, and collaborate effectively, all while considering environmental and social impacts in their design decisions.

Food and Fibre Production

Skills:

• Intermediate food preparation and cooking techniques
• Safe and hygienic kitchen practices
• Meal planning and time management
• Evaluating food choices for sustainability and health
• Using a wider range of kitchen tools and appliances

Knowledge:

• Food systems and ethical sourcing
• Nutritional analysis and dietary considerations
• Agricultural practices and food production cycles
• Environmental impact of food choices
• Food waste reduction strategies

Materials and Technologies (Wood/Metals/Engineering)

Skills:

• Advanced measuring, cutting, and shaping techniques
• Safe use of power tools and workshop machinery
• Introduction to basic engineering principles (e.g. force, load, structure)
• Technical drawing and graphical representation (e.g. orthogonal, scale)
• Project planning and time management

Knowledge:

• Properties and applications of wood, metals, and engineered materials
• Safety protocols and risk assessment in workshop environments
• Design process refinement and evaluation
• Sustainability in material selection and product lifecycle
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of tools and equipment

Year 8 HASS

In Year 8 HASS, students deepen their understanding of Civics by exploring the role of political parties and how elections work in Australia. In Economics, they investigate how the market economy operates, the role of government, and how taxation supports society. Geography focuses on landforms, landscapes, and natural hazards, as well as the impact of urbanisation and how places change over time. In History, students explore the fascinating world of Medieval Europe and the transformative period of the Industrial Revolution.

Students build skills in critical thinking, analysis, and inquiry across all HASS subjects.

Year 8 HPE

Students dive into health choices and how they affect wellbeing. They learn to manage stress, build respectful relationships, and stay safe online. Topics include saying no to smoking and alcohol. In sport, they sharpen skills, learn strategies, and work as a team.

Year 8 Visual Arts

Expanding creative confidence through exploration, experimentation, and visual storytelling.

Where the world of skate and surf art comes to life! Channel the vibe of Jim Phillips to craft your own “Screaming Hand” masterpiece, then dive into sculpture and create an exciting clay trophy. Building on your Year 7 skills and introducing portfolio development, this course is a dynamic launchpad for your artistic journey—all set in a vibrant, upbeat classroom environment.

In Year 8 Visual Arts, students build on their foundational skills by exploring a wider range of materials, techniques, and artistic styles. They engage in both 2D and 3D art forms—such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital media—while developing their ability to communicate ideas visually. Students investigate how artists from different cultures, times, and places use visual conventions to express meaning, and apply this understanding to their own work. Through the dual focus of Making and Responding, students refine their creative process, develop visual literacy, and learn to reflect critically on their own and others’ artworks. Safe studio practices and personal expression are key components of this dynamic and engaging course.

✏️ Skills Developed

• Drawing, painting, and sculpting techniques
• Experimentation with mixed media and digital tools
• Composition, layout, and design principles
• Safe and responsible use of art materials and equipment
• Visual analysis and interpretation of artworks
• Reflective writing and self-evaluation

📚 Knowledge Gained

• Elements and principles of art and design
• Cultural and historical influences in visual art
• Artistic styles and movements (e.g. Impressionism, Pop Art)
• Visual conventions and symbolism
• The role of art in society and personal identity
• Processes involved in planning, creating, and presenting artworks