Curriculum Guide: Years 7-8

Health & Physical Education

The Year 7–8 Health and Physical Education curriculum develops students’ movement skills, physical fitness and understanding of health and wellbeing.

In Year 7, students focus on skill acquisition, technique development, peer coaching and feedback through units including Aquatics, Athletics, Striking and Fielding, Gymnastics and Team Sports. Students also explore puberty, nutrition, sleep, body systems and physical performance.
In Year 8, students refine their movement and teamwork skills through units including Aquatics, SEPEP, Team Sports, Invasion Games and Functional Fitness. Students investigate movement refinement, water safety and collaboration while applying strategies across a range of physical contexts.

The Year 8 Health program includes units focused on relationships, wellbeing and first aid, supporting students to develop self-awareness, make informed decisions and build practical life skills.

Across both year levels, students develop confidence, resilience and the ability to make positive decisions that support lifelong health and wellbeing.

Humanities

The Year 7–8 Humanities curriculum develops students’ understanding of the world through the study of history, geography, civics and citizenship, and economics.

In Year 7, students explore Deep Time: History of Australia, Ancient Civilisations, Our Liveable World, Why Water Matters and Dollars and Sense, building knowledge of the past, environments and economic decision-making.

In Year 8, students extend their understanding through Landscapes and Landforms, Medieval Influences, People Power and How Nations Change, examining how societies, environments and systems evolve over time.

Through explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning, students build strong foundations in disciplinary knowledge, source and data analysis, research and communication. They learn to evaluate perspectives, make connections across time and place, and engage thoughtfully with complex issues.

数学

The Year 7–8 Mathematics curriculum develops students’ numeracy, reasoning and problem-solving skills through a structured and sequential program.

In Year 7, students build strong foundations through units in Number, Fractions, Decimals and Percentages, Measurement, Algebraic Expressions, Linear Equations, Probability and Statistics. The focus is on developing fluency, accuracy and confidence.

In Year 8, students deepen their understanding through further work in Number, Algebra, Linear Relationships and Measurement, while also exploring Probability, Statistics and Geometry.

Across both year levels, students are encouraged to think mathematically, justify their reasoning and apply their learning to solve problems in practical contexts.

Languages

In Years 7 and 8, students begin their language learning journey by selecting one language from Chinese, French or German. This choice is made prior to commencement of Year 7 and continues across both Years 7 and 8, allowing students to build confidence, consistency and depth in their learning.

Through the study of languages, students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing while gaining insight into diverse cultures, perspectives and ways of communicating. Across all language pathways, students strengthen intercultural understanding, curiosity and communication skills that support future learning and global engagement.

Chinese (Mandarin)

The Year 7–8 Chinese curriculum introduces students to one of the world’s most widely spoken and influential languages, building strong foundations in communication, cultural understanding and confidence.

In Year 7, students begin in either the Second Language or Background Language pathway. In the Second Language pathway, students are introduced to Chinese culture, Pinyin and the writing system through topics including Ni Hao, Numbers All Around Us, Who Am I? and Occupations. In the Background Language pathway, students build on existing language knowledge through units focused on family, health, seasons, school life and everyday experiences.

In Year 8, students extend their skills through practical and culturally rich contexts. Second Language students explore daily routines, transport, clothing, the body and directions, while Background Language students strengthen communication through topics including shopping, food and daily life.

Across both year levels, students develop confidence, resilience and intercultural understanding while strengthening their speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing skills.

French

The Year 7–8 French curriculum introduces students to one of the world’s most culturally influential languages while building confidence in communication and intercultural understanding.

In Year 7, students begin through engaging units including Introductions of Self, Tu aimes les animaux?, Ma Famille and À Table. Students build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing while communicating about themselves, their interests and everyday experiences.

In Year 8, students extend their learning through Chez toi, La vie scolaire, Bon weekend and Allons en ville. They broaden vocabulary, strengthen grammar and apply their skills in increasingly independent and authentic contexts.

Across both year levels, students develop curiosity, creativity and communication skills while establishing strong foundations for future language learning and engagement with the French-speaking world.

German

The Year 7–8 German curriculum introduces students to one of Europe’s most widely spoken languages while building confidence, communication skills and cultural understanding.

In Year 7, students begin through units including Ich über mich!, Spielt ihr mit?, Kleider machen Leute! and Lecker, lecker! Students communicate about themselves, their interests and everyday experiences while developing foundational language skills.
In Year 8, students deepen their learning through Ab in den Urlaub!, Tierisch gut!, Hier steppt der Bär! and Bischt dihai? Students expand vocabulary, strengthen grammar and apply their skills in increasingly independent and authentic contexts.

Across both year levels, students develop curiosity, resilience and intercultural understanding while establishing strong foundations for future language learning and engagement with German-speaking communities.

Science

The Year 7–8 Science curriculum develops students’ curiosity about the natural world while building the knowledge and investigative skills needed to think scientifically. Through practical experiments, problem-solving and evidence-based inquiry, students learn how scientific understanding helps explain and shape the world around them.

Across Years 7 and 8, students explore concepts from biology, chemistry, physics and Earth and space sciences while developing confidence in scientific investigation and experimentation. Students learn to question, predict, test ideas, analyse evidence and communicate scientific thinking clearly.

七年级

In Year 7, students establish foundational scientific knowledge and thinking through units including:

• Thinking as a Scientist
• Move It
• Particles and Mixtures
• Eat or Be Eaten
• Out of this World

These units introduce core scientific concepts while developing students’ ability to observe, question and investigate the world scientifically.

八年级

In Year 8, students deepen and extend their understanding through units including:

• Transforming Cells to Systems
• Sport Science
• Dynamic Matter
• Energetic Earth

Students make stronger connections between scientific concepts and real-world applications while developing increasing independence in scientific inquiry and experimentation.

The program provides a strong foundation for progression into Year 9 and Year 10 Science and future senior science pathways.

Performing Arts: Theatre and Dance

The Year 7–8 Performing Arts curriculum immerses students in the dynamic worlds of Theatre and Dance, developing creativity, confidence and collaboration.

In Year 7, students build foundational skills through The Actor’s Toolkit and The Dancer’s Toolkit, exploring key performance conventions and developing their ability to express ideas through movement and storytelling. Students examine how culture and time shape performance and use this understanding to inform their own creative work.

In Year 8, students deepen their learning through Theatre units including Heroes, Villains and Antiheroes and Haunted Imagination, and Dance units including Performance Readiness, Dance Around the World and ChoreoLab. Students extend their skills while exploring genre, style and identity through both performance and analysis.

视觉艺术

The Year 7–8 Visual Arts curriculum provides students with rich and diverse opportunities to explore creativity through a range of art forms and practices.

In Year 7, students undertake a semester-long course including Seeing Like an Artist and Making it Personal, experimenting with two- and three-dimensional art forms including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and digital image manipulation. Students explore art elements, aesthetics and the influence of cultures and histories on artistic practice.
In Year 8, students extend their creative and artistic skills through units including Art that Speaks and Different Worlds, Different Stories. Through exposure to fine art, photography, media and visual communication design, students explore how meaning is communicated visually, draw on artistic influences and present their work in exhibitions.

Learning combines explicit teaching with creative exploration, supporting students to develop confidence, technical skill and personal expression.

Design and Technology

Design and Technology gives students opportunities to create, build, code and innovate through hands-on and digital learning experiences. Students explore engineering, product design and emerging technologies while developing creativity, technical capability and problem-solving skills.

Across Years 7 and 8, students engage in structured design processes, moving from concept development through to testing, refinement and presentation. Through practical and collaborative learning experiences, students learn to think critically, experiment with ideas and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Year 7 Design & Technology

Year 7 students undertake a term of Design Technologies and a term of Digital Technologies.

Design Technologies

Students develop creative and critical thinking skills through a user-centred design approach. They investigate problems, generate ideas and produce solutions for specific end users using a range of materials, tools and technologies.

Digital Technologies

Students develop computational thinking and coding skills while learning how digital systems are designed and created. Through practical problem-solving tasks, students explore coding, data and algorithms while building confidence in designing digital solutions.

Year 8 Design Electives

Year 8 Design and Technology introduces students to a range of design disciplines including materials, textiles and digital technologies. Students investigate problems, generate ideas and produce creative solutions through practical and collaborative learning experiences.

Students choose one of the following semester-long subjects:

Design and Build

Students design and produce practical solutions using resistant materials such as wood, metal and plastics. The course emphasises safe workshop practices, precision, creativity and craftsmanship while developing practical problem-solving skills.

Creative Threads

Creative Threads explores design through textiles and other non-resistant materials. Students create innovative and personalised products while developing practical skills in sewing, fabric manipulation and embellishment.

Digital Technologies – Entrepreneurship

This subject combines coding, digital innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Students identify problems and develop digital solutions using programming and computational thinking skills. Through a structured design process, students design, test and refine ideas before presenting them as a business or product concept.

Year 8 Ascend

Education Outdoors at the Yarra Junction Campus

In Year 8, students will experience an eleven-day program at the Yarra Junction campus. A series of sequentially structured learning activities are conducted on the campus and surrounding local areas.

The Year 8 Education Outdoors Program has a specific focus on the following learning areas:

Personal challenge

Students are asked to embrace the concept of personal challenge and to explore positive risk taking in order to build resilience and to foster self-esteem.

Community

Students experience communal living, contribute to the Yarra Junction campus community and gain an insight into the value of community. Strong emphasis is placed on respect, communication, supportiveness, collaboration and responsibility to self, others and the environment.

Sustainable food production

Students experience life on the farm and develop an understanding of the origins of produce, in particular dairy produce. They develop a deeper understanding of the resources used in food production and consider some of the ethical issues regarding producing food.

Environmental connection

Students extend and further develop their knowledge of environmental responsibility and environmental management practices. Students should feel empowered, optimistic and motivated to put this knowledge into practice through living sustainably during and beyond their time at Yarra Junction Campus.

Students will be involved in a number of challenging and adventurous activities such as canoeing, bushwalking as part of a three-day expedition, cultural exploration, rustic furniture construction and farm activities.

Students will be accommodated in Eco-Cabins while on campus and in tents for expedition nights. The campus kitchen provides home cooked meals and students may be involved in harvesting food from the campus vegetable garden, cooking and preparing meals for the campus community.

社区生活

Community Life is a dedicated period embedded within the daily learning program where students participate in experiences that support wellbeing, connection and belonging.

Structured through the House system, Community Life Mentors work closely with students at each year level to strengthen relationships, support personal growth and foster a strong sense of community.

A central component of Community Life is Thrive, encompassing Social and Emotional Learning and Life and Faith for Years 7–12. These lessons support students in developing positive identities, managing emotions, building empathy, establishing positive relationships and making informed decisions.

Community Life also includes assemblies, House events, Sport, Thrive, Upskill, and Literacy and Numeracy Masterclasses, contributing to a rich and engaging school experience.

APS Sport

Sport is an important part of life at Caulfield Grammar School, providing students with opportunities to develop skills, confidence and a strong sense of belonging within a supportive and inclusive environment.

Through participation in APS and AGSV competitions, alongside regional, state and national interschool events, students experience both performance and participation pathways across a wide range of sports.

The program encourages teamwork, resilience and active lifestyles while helping students balance wellbeing, learning and personal growth.

Wheelers Hill 校园

Heads of Faculty