HSIE stands for Human Society and Its Environment. It incorporates a number of teaching subjects such as Economics, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Geography, Commerce including VET Business Services.
What will students do in the junior years?
Geography is a compulsory subject for students in the junior years (Years 7 to 10). Mandatory Geography is to stimulate students’ enjoyment of and interest in the interaction of physical and human environments. Students achieve this as they develop geographic knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes and engage in the community as informed and active citizens.
The mandatory Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) Geography covers global issues such as:
1. 4G1 Investigating the World.
2. 4G2 Global Environment.
3. G3 Global Change.
4. Global issues and the role of Citizenship.
The mandatory stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) covers Australian Geography such as:
1.5A1 Investigating Australia’s Physical Environments.
2. 5A2 Changing Australian Communities.
3. 5A3 Issues in Australian Environments.
4. 5A4 Australia in Its Regional and Global Contexts.
Further, students in Years 9 and 10 study Commerce as an elective. This covers a wide range of Consumer, Business, Government and Legal Issues.
What can students do in the senior years?
Economics, Legal Studies, Business Studies and Business Services in the senior years is not compulsory. These courses are offered to Year 11 and 12 students to cater for differing levels of ability and interest.
- Economics provides a strong foundation for study of different economies around the world and how governments may use various economic systems to solve economic problem.
- Legal Studies is recommended as a basis to pursue further studies in Law as a major discipline at a tertiary level. It covers wide ranging issues such as Human Rights, Crime, Family and Consumer Issues.
- Business Studies enables students to acquire skills in running and managing businesses, communicate to all interested parties and to make important decisions.
- Business Services provides a strong foundation for vocational pathways, either in the workforce or in further vocational training studies, and for university courses in the areas of business, the humanities, management etc.
What other activities are available to students?
The following additional programs have improved the quality of teaching & learning at Bass High School and have been a huge success with the students providing them with opportunities for improvement and / or enrichment.
• Excursions
• National Geographic Challenge Competition
• WESSTA Teachers Geography Competition
• Stock Exchange Share Game
• Economics and Business Studies Competition organised by the University of NSW
• Mock Trials
• Public Speaking Competitions
• Student Newsletter
• Free tutorials for senior students
• Environmental Education