In the EAL elective students will be supported in a language rich environment to build their knowledge of academic and everyday language. This will build capacity and confidence in both English and mainstream classes. Intensive and explicit study of the English language will be offered across a range of contexts. Students will develop their language skills to communicate effectively and confidently. Students will build their skills and knowledge through a supported and structured learning cycle to build reading, writing and speaking and listening skills. Students will emerge as confident and capable users of the English language.

Want to discover the Ancient Sidewalks of Rome? How about cruising down the Canals of Venice? Want to shop to till you drop in Milan? Are you interested in learning about an ancient classic culture? Get prepared for a life rich in cultural adventure by learning Italian so you are ready for your post-school travels!

Italian Language is for students who wish to expand their range and control of linguistic systems and to further develop their language use. Students will experiment with a range of communication modes. They further develop their competency in the language by working on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. In developing their communication skills, students are able to demonstrate comprehension of written and spoken material and communicate ideas through conversation and writing.

Italian Language will take up two elective choices.

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Curriculum Contribution: $20

In this elective students will explore a range of dance styles from different times and cultures. They will learn a range of technical skills and movements as well as developing a basic understanding of the history and context of each style. Students will apply their understanding and knowledge and build their own choreographic skills as they produce a range of different dance works in various dance styles. The students will also develop a strong kinaesthetic awareness and muscle memory as they learn different dance works in their exploration of dance styles.

Curriculum Contribution: $20

In Staging a Revolution: Protest in Performance, students will examine how Theatre has been used as a protest medium to explore past and contemporary issues. They will explore conventions and theories of Epic Theatre, Theatre of Cruelty, Theatre of the Absurd, and Poor Theatre to storytell for social change.

Curriculum Contribution: $20

Are you a keen music maker? Do you want to play music with other musicians? Do you want to become a better musician? Do you want to learn how to perform to an audience? Do you want to learn how to make your own music?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then Music Makers is the subject for you. Come ready to play and perform a range of music both solo and group, discover the elements that make a great song and a great performance, and learn to create your own songs and melodies. Music Makers is the step up you need if you’re passionate about learning music at high school.

Minimum requirements: Laptop device not iPad

This elective expands on students’ digital skills.

First term looks at the usual programs but in unusual ways.  Students learn about human user design and how we now interact with technology. Students will look deeper at how data moves around and understanding the differences in hardware and software.

Second term of this elective is focussed on programming using the script language, Python. Students learn the language but also the difference between good and bad code, different programming environments and writing their own program as a final project.

This elective is for students who are:

• Interested in expanding and improving their current level of digital skills
• Interested in Programming
• Thinking about doing Applied Computing in VCE
• Interested in a design or digital career
• Interested in building games

Do you enjoy being active but would prefer something a bit more self-paced than a competitive team sport? Or maybe you love team sports but want to broaden your sporting horizons? If so, Leisure Sports could be the PE subject you are looking for. In this class you’ll get to experience a range of activities including tennis, golf, badminton, lawn bowls, table tennis, fencing, weight training and many more.

Curriculum Contribution: $20

Are you highly motivated and skilled in many sports? Do you have a competitive edge and love to compete for glory? In Tournament Sports you will get to showcase your talents by competing in many sporting competitions. You’ll be in charge of planning and running the events as you take on various rolls such as captain, coach, umpire, scorer, tournament director and so on. This PE subject requires students who are self-motivated and keen to take learning into their own hands and of course, those that love a bit of healthy competition. To compliment this exciting new PE program, you’ll build on your health knowledge with a deeper look at improving healthy lifestyle behaviours of a teenager.

Do you have what it takes to win in the ‘Game of Life’? Do you have the skills ready for the world of work and finance? Are you confident in evaluating and making life choices? Decisions…decisions….decisions…. Let’s take a journey together through life as we develop our knowledge and skills in making wise financial choices through shopping excursions, Excel budgeting activities and other activities linked to real-world experiences. In exploring the working world, we will investigate the changes in workplaces as well as develop skills to prepare you for your job-seeking initiatives in the near or far future.

We are more connected than ever. Do you want to travel to Europe in under 24 hours? Eat avocados in the middle of summer? Or exploring cultures through social media? There is nothing stopping you. Our whole world is now connected. What we do in Australia can impact communities in Africa. Local events can have global impacts on our resources. Food production, fair trade, and technology connect us all. Discover how you are a global citizen in a newly connected world. Explore how your world is expanding each and every day. If you are interested in finding out how you are part of a global community, this subject is for you

Students will take an enticing walk through some of Australia’s deep past, stretching back tens-of- thousands of years. They will consider the fascinating histories of our First Nations peoples. They will investigate the arrival of the Europeans in what they’d call ‘New Holland’ and how this changed the landscape of the country. Students will consider the impact that industrialisation in Europe had on us and our movements towards the dawn of the twentieth century.

Why did Henry VIII have so many wives? What influence did Elizabeth I have? The Tudor dynasty was a rich and dynamic part of English history that lasted more than 150 years. Investigate the power struggle between Richard III and Henry VII that led to the House of Tudor. Learn about the cultural impacts of Tudor England, their political power and how their decisions impacted the country forever. Join us as we visit the infamous torture methods this period is known for; burning at the stake, the rack, hung-drawn-and-quartered and execution. If you love history, are interested in fights over power, the fight to keep power, and the importance a royal blood line– then this subject is for you.

Obsessed with true crime? In Criminal Investigations you will explore why we have laws and what happens in a society without them. Want to inspect real stories of crime from the most famous cases of murder to the still unsolved robberies?  Join us as we explore the laws protecting society from crime and the consequences of committing the most serious crimes. If you are interested in exploring the role of lawyers, defendants and judges in the criminal justice system this is the subject for you.

How can a fungus control the actions of an insect? Why do our stomachs grumble when we are hungry? What is pus and why does it get created when we get an infected wound? Why are so many different species disappearing from our planet?

In this elective, students will cover the following topics:

1. Ecosystems and environmental science
2. Body systems
3. Pathogens and Disease

Curriculum Contribution $20

What are the common building blocks for all matter in the universe? How do we get energy and what can we do with it? What is an atom and how do you make one? How dangerous are radioactive materials? What makes an explosion BIG and can we control them? What makes something acidic and is there an opposite?

In this elective, students will cover the following topics:

1. Beyond the atom – Protons, neutrons and electrons
2. Chemical reactions – Rearranging atoms, reactions, acids and bases
3. Energy – Radioactivity, combustion.

How does the brain control all the different parts of our body? Can an understanding of the brain help us understand the criminal mind? Can eye-witnesses report a ‘false’ memory, believing confidently that it is true? How do forensic scientists gather evidence at a crime scene to catch criminals?

In this elective, students will cover the following topics:

1. Brain and the nervous system- brain lobes, central and peripheral nervous system
2. Memory – Fallibility of memory, retrieval of memories and brain regions relating to memory
3. Forensic science – Psychopathology and the forensic scientist’s toolkit.

Have you ever wondered how the liquid magma inside the earth creates earthquakes and volcanoes? What impact does the Earth’s climate have on the future of the human species? How did the universe begin? What is out there when you look up at the night sky?

In this elective, students will cover the following topics:

1. The dynamic Earth – Plate tectonic, earthquakes and volcanoes.
2. The climate – Weather patterns, climate change and biodiversity.
3. Space – The night sky and The Big Bang.

Curriculum Contribution: $90

Do you want to be able to: Produce good quality food? Know how food affects your body? Design healthy and delicious meals?

The aim of this unit is to equip you with the skills and knowledge to be able to independently produce good quality food products in a safe and hygienic manner. You will learn about the importance of eating healthy and how food can affect your entire wellbeing. Your creativity will shine whilst using the design process to plan meals on a budget and for particular celebrations.

Curriculum Contribution: $90

The Robotics elective will combine elements for both technology streams: digital and design. Students will be given a drive base design and a specific challenge that the robot will need to achieve. Students will need to design, build, and code the robot, then demonstrate that the robot can successfully complete the set challenge based on the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Students will receive opportunities to learn about the design cycle, using 3D design programs, programming and logic skills, engineering concepts, electronics, project management, and safety awareness. Students will complete projects and assessments from using digital CAD programs to safe handling of tools in the workshop.

This is a year-long elective. First semester is focus on building the robot in time to participate in the two available competitions, the Southern Cross Reginal (Sydney) in mid-March and the Melbourne Robotics tournament in early July. These competitions are an external commitment to class and not compulsory but are an amazing opportunity to develop teamwork and project management skills. Costs for competitions are separate to the class.

Second semester focuses on the surrounding skills in this industry. Students will develop life skills through approaching companies for sponsorship for the Robotics program and creating STEM models to share with peers and other audiences.

The Robotics elective incorporates all areas of STEM. Students will have a significant amount of autonomy in choosing the areas they want to focus on and building a skill set that will be applicable in a large variety of future careers as well as the independence and confidence to pursue them.

Are you passionate about real world issues? Would you like the opportunity to lead initiatives that can create change in our broader community?

This semester long course will empower students to make a difference through activities and projects both within and outside our school setting. Students will also focus on the development of their interpersonal and critical and creative thinking skills to be better prepared for success in their future pathways and aspirations. In particular, students will be supported in their personal growth in areas such as: Leadership, Team Work, Planning and Decision Making.

This subject is also designed to be an introduction to Personal Development Skills which is offered with the VCE Vocational Major pathway in the Senior School program at RSC.

Curriculum Contribution: $35 

This subject focuses on the design and production of a range of visual art works using the elements and principles of art and design. Students will investigate a selection of the materials, techniques and processes used by artists and designers. A range of two and three-dimensional art forms will be explored, such as freehand and technical drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. Students will employ and evaluate strategies to promote personal learning whilst exploring the similarities and differences between art and design.

Curriculum Contribution: $35

Learn the editor’s toolbox, this subject offers a skill set for people who want to make movies and cut videos. Learn how to shoot, focus, frame and stick shots together into engaging film. Get your abilities and edits tight using smash cuts, jump cuts and match cuts to keep eyes on your project. Students work in groups to develop a portfolio of edits and create a trailer or title sequence for a movie/tv show.

Curriculum Contribution: $50

The Sydney Harbour Bridge weighs 52,000,000 kilograms, without a single person or car on it. How does it stay upright to support itself and all of the 160,000 cars and 3000 buses that pass over the bridge each day?

How does an arch bridge not fall down when there is nothing underneath it to support it?

Can I create a bridge from a small amount of lightweight materials that holds ten kilograms (ten 1 litre milk cartons).

In yr 9 Engineering and Product Design, students will explore the engineering principles behind the design and construction of bridges. The development of skills with basic hand tools is also a focus. Students will learn how to visualise their design ideas in three-dimensions and produce high-quality hand-crafted products with a focus on finishing techniques.

Curriculum Contribution: $45

Would you like to design your own clothes or know how to make or alter clothes? Are you interested in Fashion and understanding how designers work? Are you interested in how Fashion has developed over the past century?

If you are, then Fashion and Design is for you.

In this unit you will transfer the theoretical knowledge to practical activities across a range of projects. You will be introduced to traditional and technical sewing skills as you make a pair of shorts/pyjamas. You will use your creativity to generate designs for these and transfer these designs into the production stage by following a Commercial pattern and sewing instructions. You will also be introduced to some forms of creative textiles, such as fabric painting, dying, embroidery, etc. You will also study how fashion has progressed through the decades and research fashion designers.

This subject will lead to Year 10 Fashion and Design > VCE Product Design and Technology > VCE Art Making and Exhibiting.

Curriculum Contribution: $20

Are you looking to continue your PE journey by exploring a wide range of sports throughout the semester? In this, opportunities for all PE subject, you’ll get to participate in the biggest range of sports we have on offer at Rowville SC. You’ll play Invasion Sports like basketball, soccer, netball and AFL plus many more. Try your hand at Net & Court Sports such as badminton, tennis, table tennis, etc. Get out on the field of play with Striking Sports like cricket and softball. Explore Target sports including golf, fencing, bocce, darts and lawn bowls. To compliment this amazing PE program, you’ll build on your health knowledge with a deeper look at improving healthy lifestyle behaviours of a teenager.

Curriculum Contribution: $20

How can you create the most force when hitting or throwing a ball? What is the most effective way to train for an event? Do sports drinks really work? All these questions and more will be explored in this brand-new PE elective. Every year, all over the world, billions of dollars are spent on developing the latest and best equipment and techniques to improve sporting performance. In this practical based subject you will explore the science behind sporting performance with a look at biomechanics, sports nutrition, training principles, fitness assessment, sports psychology, technological advancements in equipment, plus many more. The theory content with be explored in practical PE classes where you will get to see the theories in action. This is also a great pathway for students wanting to do VCE Physical Education. To compliment this engaging new PE program, you’ll build on your health knowledge with a deeper look at improving healthy lifestyle behaviours of a teenager.