Learning
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.
Core Curriculum
Year 7 and 8
Year 9 and 10
Students study nine subjects in Years 9 and 10. The following subjects are core curriculum in both years:
Electives
Students may study up to six electives selected from the list below:
Learning outlines
Year 7 students have entered Stage 4 and study the following mandatory subjects defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).
What subjects will my child study at school this year?
English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Personal Development/Heath/Physical Education, Technology, Language (French), Visual Arts, Music, Drama and Learning Skills.
How are student classes formed?
Year 7 is made up of five core classes seven technology classes. We have two Academic Selective classes and two Talented Technology classes with other students grouped in mixed ability classes. In forming these classes, student gender and learning and development needs have been taken into account to carefully arrange the best mix in each class. The core classes remain together for all subjects except for Technology and Visual Arts where they have been divided into smaller class groups.
How do we know what assessments students need to do?
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 7. Examinations within lessons are part of the assessment program for Year 7 students. Parents and students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
Year 8 students have entered the second phase of Stage 4 and study the following mandatory subjects defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).
English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Personal Development/Heath/ Physical Education, Technology, Language (French), Visual Arts, Music and Learning Skills.
There are two Academic Selective classes and two Talented Technology classes with other students grouped in mixed ability classes. In forming these classes, student gender and learning and development needs are taken into account to carefully arrange the best mix in each class. The Academic Selective class and the mixed ability classes remain together for all subjects except for Technology and Visual Arts where they are divided into smaller class groups. The Talented Technology classes remain together only for Technology.
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 8. Examinations within lessons are part of the assessment program for Year 8 students.
Parents and Students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
Year 9 students have entered Stage 5 and study the following mandatory subjects defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA): English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Personal Development/Heath/ Physical Education.
In addition to these mandatory subjects, students at Gymea Technology High School also undertake study in three Electives. Electives offered include: Child Studies, Commerce, Creative Writing, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Engineering in Technology, Food Technology, Forensic Archaeology, French, Industrial Technology – Multimedia, Information & Software Technology, Music, Photography & Digital Media, Physical Activity & Sport Studies, Visual Arts.
Core subjects are grouped either as academically gifted or as mixed ability classes. Class composition may very from subject to subject. Students are grouped in Electives as mixed ability classes except for the Talented Technology class, who undertake study in an accelerated HSC course.
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 9. Examinations within lessons are part of the assessment program for Year 9 students.
Parents and Students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
Year 10 students have entered the second phase of Stage 5 and study the following mandatory subjects defined by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA): English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Personal Development/Heath/ Physical Education.
In addition to these mandatory subjects, students at Gymea Technology High School also undertake study in three Electives. Electives offered include: Child Studies, Commerce, Creative Writing, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, Engineering in Technology, Food Technology, Forensic Archaeology, French, Industrial Technology – Multimedia, Information & Software Technology, Music, Photography & Digital Media, Physical Activity & Sport Studies, Visual Arts.
Core subjects are grouped either as academically gifted or as mixed ability classes. Class composition may very from subject to subject. Students are grouped in Electives as mixed ability classes except for the Selective Technology class, who may undertake study in an accelerated HSC course.
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 10. Students work towards the ‘Record of School Achievement’ which requires satisfactory academic performance, application and attendance in all subjects studied.
Parents and Students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
Year 11 students have entered Stage 6 and study English (2 units) as a mandatory subject. In addition to this mandatory subject, students at Gymea Technology High School must also undertake study in another 10 units (usually 5 subjects valued at 2 units each).
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 11. It also contains the policy and procedures that students require to qualify for the attainment of their progress in Year 11 towards the HSC.
Parents and Students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
Year 12 students have entered phase 2 of Stage 6 and study English (2 units) as a mandatory subject. In addition to this mandatory subject, students at Gymea Technology High School must also undertake study in another 8 units (usually 4 subjects valued at 2 units each). Most students choose to complete more units than this minimum requirement.
The Assessment Policy is available for download and contains a summary of all formal assessment undertaken by students during Year 12. It also contains the policy and procedures that students require to qualify for the attainment of a Record of School Achievement and Higher School Certificate.
Parents and Students are encouraged to regularly check this page for relevant posts. Teachers will increasingly add task notifications that provide details and requirements for assessments to this page.
At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.
Subject Selection
In Term 2 each year, students in Years 8, 9 and 10 make choices about the subjects they would like to study. In Years 8 & 9, students choose 3 elective courses for study in the following year. In Year 10, students choose a pattern of study to attain a Higher School Certificate. Further information about subject choices is available for download in the publications below.
Formative Homework Tasks
Our weekly formative tasks and accompanying progress summaries is our unique learning program here at Gymea that provides a regular snapshot of each student’s individual progress with their learning. Junior students receive a weekly homework task across all four core subjects (English, Maths, Science, History/Geography) and a fortnightly homework task for all remaining subjects. Senior formative tasks are delivered each week across all senior courses and are based on HSC content and exam preparation.
You can see further information and a series of quick videos on how your child can access and submit their homework tasks in our Information Post.
Dance
Dance is a thriving and popular art form that is studied and enjoyed by students at Gymea Technology High School. Dance provides students a platform on which they can be creative, fit and healthy as well as build confidence to perform for audiences. Opportunities to explore and excel in dance are available for all students through our ensembles and troupe.
Dance as part of the curriculum
Dance is offered as an elective subject in Years 9-12. Students who study Dance in Years 11/12 work towards completing the Board endorsed 2 Unit Dance course for their Higher School Certificate. Past high achievers in HSC Dance have received Band 6 marks and have been nominated for Callback, a showcase of the most exemplary works from the HSC candidature.
Extra-curricular Dance programs
All students have the opportunity to audition for a place in one of Gymea’s extra-curricular Dance Companies. Being part of a Dance Group gives students the opportunity to express their talent and love of dance. These programs cater for students of various experiences, from all year levels. Rehearsals are held weekly during sport time or after school. Our dance companies have many opportunities to perform and in numerous events both inside in and outside of school. These include:
- Sutherland Dance Festival
- Sydney Dance Festival
- State Dance Festival
- Schools’ Spectacular
- Formal Assemblies
- GTHS Dance Performance Night
Drama
Drama is a vital and robust aspect of the NSW Curriculum. At Gymea Technology High participation in Drama plays an important role in the confidence and self-esteem building of our students. We aim to help our students develop and extend their creativity, group skills, leadership qualities, historical knowledge and focus in a fun and safe environment.
In Years 7-9 students engage with Drama through the English syllabus; we build a Drama classroom based on trust and safety, combined with respect and an appreciation for all participation. Anyone can be a successful learner in Drama, regardless of academic interest.
Students engaged with elective Drama from Years 9-12 are exposed to live performances from established theatre companies; group work; devising their own work; explorations into stage craft; and performing for audiences. Students will also explore drama as an art form through improvisation, scripted drama, rehearsal and performances.
Special Religious Education (SRE)
At Gymea Technology High School, Special Religious Education (SRE) is delivered each Tuesday for one period to Year 7 and Year 8 students who choose to participate.
Christian SRE is provided by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. For more information about SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit the website: CEP Curriculum Overview.
During the time that SRE classes are being held, students not attending will attend regular timetabled lessons and will participate in learning activities such as reading, revision and completing homework that does not introduce new content.
On enrolment, parents/caregivers can indicate their preference for their child’s participation in SRE using the department’s online form. The link below will take you to this online form.
Alternatively, parents/caregivers can complete the paper based SRE participation letter and return it to the school. A copy of this letter can be downloaded here.
After a student’s initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child’s enrolment in SRE should be given to the school in writing.
Sport and Fitness
Sport is an integral part of Gymea Technology High School. Our school provides a variety of exciting opportunities for students to participate in weekly sport and representative sport.
Weekly Sport
At Gymea, our weekly sports program is an integrated part of our curriculum and is structured across the different stages. Every Wednesday, Year 7 students participate in Stage 4 Sport during periods 1 and 2, while Year 8 students participate in Stage 4 sport during periods 3 and 4. Years 9 and 10 participate in Stage 5 sport during periods 5 and 6.
Sports Curriculum
Sport will consist of students rotating through a range of sporting activities including athletics, fitness training and team games. These activities will take place on the school oval, in the school’s gym or at Kareela Oval depending on the rotation the student’s group is completing that week.
Following on from our previous term’s positive engagement rewards program in sports, selected students in Years 9 and 10 have the opportunity to participate in the reward sports listed below. Eligible students are notified on their successful qualification for these additional sports.
For those students that have qualified, Term 2 consent forms are below and are to be returned to the front office by the specified date indicated on the note.
The Learning and Support Team
The learning support team draw together teachers and other support staff together to work towards learning and teaching adjustments that address the individual needs of students with a disability or disabilities.
The learning and support team will:
- get to know your child
- work with your child’s teachers to make sure your child’s additional learning and support needs are identified
- organise the planning process, and design the supports for your child
- work with the whole school community and other professionals to improve learning for all students.
- The learning and support team also assists in transition into Gymea.
Through strong partnership between families, students and teachers, the learning and support team structure the development of support around a model that brings together a common understanding of a student’s needs and a plan of appropriate adjustments to meet those needs.
Integration funding support
Integration funding support (IFS) is additional funding for extra support, such as for an additional teacher or school learning support officer in a mainstream classroom. The Department’s website provides further information on IFS and indicate that very few students with disability will need IFS in schools.
The department have identified for your child to be eligible for IFS they:
- are school-aged
- are enrolled full-time in a mainstream class in a NSW public school
- have a moderate to severe intellectual disability, physical disability, mental health disorder, autism spectrum disorder, hearing and/or vision impairment as defined by the Department’s disability criteria
- need essential adjustments to access learning opportunities and school experiences.
The learning and support team can provide guidance and work with the family through the application process where an IFS pathway is needed.
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