Science

Science is mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10.

Science 7-10 provides a way of inquiring about the world around us. It explores evidence and investigates ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real-world problems. Science emphasises the skills for working scientifically, as well as critical and creative thinking to address scientific issues.

In Years 11 and 12, students can choose from different science disciplines, including:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Investigating Science
• Physics.

In Year 12, students who are studying at least one other science subject may also choose to study Science Extension.

Science and agriculture faculty

The Science faculty at Alstonville High School has staff with specialised experience in physics, chemistry, biology and senior science. Teachers are also specialised in agriculture at both a junior and senior level. Vet qualified staff also teach the VET Primary Industry course.

We run Science 7-10 and senior subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Investigating Science and regularly offer Earth and Environmental Agriculture and more recently Primary Industries as part of the Senior Curriculum. We also offer elective Agriculture to Stage 5 and run it in Year 8 for all students.

The Primary Industries and Agriculture courses are fully supported with a one million dollar complex that was finished in 2016. These state of the art facilities are becoming a centre of excellence for the school.

A recent focus has been developing assessment tasks for each unit taught that assesses a variety of outcomes such as researching practical tests, field trips and ICT. We have embraced the entirety of the new 7-12 syllabus by rewriting all our faculty programmes and complementing these with the assessment tasks and topic tests.

Academic Excellence

The faculty is proud of its academic record with HSC results regularly above state average in all subject areas. This is reflected in a strong participation in external science competitions such as Australian and Rio Tinto Science Competitions where many high distinctions and distinctions were achieved. This is supported by experienced staff in all specialist areas.

All science labs have a projector and computers allowing whiteboards and other interactive content to be readily available for teachers and students.

Allan Pelley - Head Teacher Science