Our curriculum provides the opportunity for all our students to reach their full potential. The curriculum prioritises literacy and numeracy and is influenced by some of the latest research and best practice in Learning and Teaching and by the Victorian Department of Education’s policies on Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting.
Professional Learning is important at Blackburn High School. Staff participate in a continuous Professional Learning Program that ensures their professional practice is always current and they are engaged in the changing methodologies in teaching and learning.
In 2024, Blackburn High School has five periods a day. Each period is 58 minutes. Students learn in a two-week cycle and the day begins with House Mentor Group from 8:40am to 8:55am.
English focuses on students’ interest in personal identity and the desire to articulate their views. Students analyse a range of texts, including social media, and consider the views and values they reflect and how they are shaped by audience and context. They study how current social issues are represented in different texts, including memes and social media, and how they are shaped by audience and context. Creative and analytical styles of writing are undertaken in Year 9 English.
Students in Years 7–10 who are recent arrivals in Australia undertake EAL classes as an alternative to studying a Language Other Than English (LOTE). In VCE, these students study EAL as an alternative to English.
Any student wishing to pursue study of their first language as an academic study is encouraged to do so at the Victorian School of Languages which operates within Blackburn High School on Saturday mornings.
Students will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of the sciences behind health and movement. They will explore the science behind diet and lifestyle related diseases whilst developing their understanding of how to improve performance, recovery and injury prevention through training, biomechanical principles and nutrition. They will also analyse sports psychology and investigate the role of mental health on individual & team performance.
Year 9 Sports Electives include: Dance, Lifelong Health and Wellbeing, Gym Fitness, Mixed Games, Indoor Sports, Leisure and Recreation, Self-Defence.
Humanities includes, History, Geography and Connections which will develop critical and creative thinking skills, ethical, intercultural, personal and social capability. Students are given the opportunity to develop historical understanding through the application of the following historical concepts and skills: sequencing chronology, using historical sources as evidence, identifying continuity and change and analysing causes and effect. In Geography students further develop their geographical skills in identifying, analysing and explaining significant spatial distributions, interconnections and change over time. Topics vary from The Industrial Revolution, World War 1, Biomes, Food Security and Geography of Interconnections.
Students at Blackburn High School will study either French or German languages, developing their skills and understanding of language and culture. Students explore a wider range of topics within the French and German-speaking worlds through a broad range of contexts, text types and ways of speaking.
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Mathematics, students establish a strong foundation in Numbers, Algebra, Measurement, Geometry, Statistics and Probability. Through Maths Pathway, Rich Tasks and Projects, students will develop problem-solving and reasoning skills and consolidate their mathematical understanding. Learning mathematics creates opportunities in the lives of all students. It develops numeracy capabilities needed in their personal, work and civic life, and provides the fundamentals on which mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics are built.
Our program provides a rich, developmental musical experience for all students in Years 7–12. The program is for students who have never played an instrument before, through to the accomplished musician. It provides a wide selection of specialist music tuition in string, brass, percussion, woodwind, piano and voice.
All students take music in Year 7 and Year 8, and from Years 9–12 the program is elective. It features subjects which allow students to specialise in music history, musicianship, composition, music technology and playing in ensembles.
VCE Music subjects, Music Performance (Solo and Group), Music Style & Composition and Music Investigation, are offered. Blackburn High School consistently achieves some of the top VCE scores in music.
Science students are challenged to further their scientific literacy by making connections between important scientific concepts and how these concepts relate to the world. The following questions are explored: How do we know what is pseudoscience and what is fact? How do vaccines protect us? How does the atomic model help our understanding of reactions? How has our planet and humanity evolved over time? Science provides the opportunity for students to think creatively and critically, solve problems, work in teams and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world.
A variety of Technology subjects are available including; Food Technology, Textiles, Materials, Design Creativity and Technology, Systems Engineering, Computing and Robotics Club.
The Arts offers a wide variety of different ways of interpreting and experiencing Art and the vast array of opportunities including Ceramics, Drama, Art, Media, Theatre Studies, Photography and Visual Communication
Explore the elements and principles in The Arts, students learn many skills and techniques and undertake practical and theory exercises.
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