Learning

Creative and performing arts

Studying the creative arts, students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.

Students must study 100 hours of both music and visual arts during Years 7 to 10. They also have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in other art forms through elective subjects including drama, dance, photography and visual design. Students can then select from a range of courses in Years 11 to 12.

Music

There is a long and proud tradition of musical excellence at Willoughby Girls High School. In the classroom, students can study Music all the way from Year 7 to 12. All students in Years 7 and 8 have Music as part of the curriculum, and from Year 9 onwards they may choose to study it as one of their elective subjects. In Year 12 we offer all three HSC courses – Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension.

At Willoughby Girls High School, our nine extra-curricular ensembles represent over 150 students, creating great music throughout the year, both in the school and in the community, and lasting friendships for years to come.  For more information about our Music ensembles and opportunities please click here.

Drama

Drama electives are offered in Years 9 to 12. Excursions to live productions and opportunities to participate in drama camps and theatre sports competitions are made available. Interested Years 7 and 8 students, who are willing to devote time and energy to rehearsal, will be eligible for membership of the junior drama ensemble, formed in Term 1 each year. It is envisaged the ensemble will compete in Eisteddfod’s and perform in dance and drama nights. In the process of devising and rehearsing pieces for performance, students will be developing their performance skills. This will benefit those keen to study drama in later years and/or audition for the school’s major performing arts production, which is held every two years. Notifications of auditions will be in daily message sheet and newsletters.

Photographic and digital media

The visual arts faculty offers students the opportunity to study photographic and digital media in Years 9 and 10.

In photographic and digital media, students focus on traditional photographic techniques during Year 9 and then develop art making practices using digital components in Year 10. Students attend excursions to different exhibitions each year that relate to photographic and digital media to help them develop their photographic and digital practice.

Visual arts

Students can study visual arts from Years 7 to 12 at Willoughby Girls High School. All students in Years 7 and 8 must study visual arts as part of the curriculum and from Years 9 to 12 they may choose the course as one of their electives. The visual arts faculty provide students with many opportunities to extend their art experiences through activities such as; the Festival of Creative Art exhibition, entering student competitions and exhibitions, attending excursions to art galleries and exhibitions space, participating in art workshops and making art during lunch breaks.

Students studying the Visual Arts courses attend excursions to; the Arts Gallery of NSW to view the Archibald, Wynn and Sulman Prizes and the permanent collection, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sculpture by the Sea and the National Trust’s S H Irving Gallery.

English

English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.

In English, students learn about the study and use of the English language in its various textual forms. These encompass spoken, written and visual texts through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected. Complexity increases as students progress through their schooling.

Developing proficiency in English enables students to take their place as confident communicators; critical and imaginative thinkers; lifelong learners; and informed, active participants in Australian society. Their understanding of English through knowledge and skills acquisition is essential to their intellectual, social and emotional development.

The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.

In Year 11 and 12, the study of English is mandatory. Courses offered include:

• English Advanced
• English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
• English Extension 1
• English Extension 2
• English Standard

English Extra-curricular Activities

English is the only compulsory subject in Years 7 to 12. In addition to the core curriculum, the English faculty offers many extracurricular activities. These include:

• The National English Competition,
• A theatre excursion program,
• Short film festival,
• Debating and public speaking,
• Entry into local and state young writers’ awards (such as the Sydney Morning Herald Young Writers’ Award, the Stanton and Mosman Young Writers’ Awards) and National Literacy Awards.

More information about these opportunities can be found in the daily messages, newsletters and through English classes.

English Enrichment Classes

English language enrichment classes are available, outside of the normal timetable, for any students requiring additional assistance

English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)

EALD composite classes operate within the English department and are taught by English teachers supported by specialist EALD teachers.

Specialist EALD teachers work with teachers and students in their regular classes to ensure EALD students’ language skills are developed. The EALD teachers are available to provide advice to parents/carers regarding language and cultural matters.

English language enrichment classes are available, outside of the normal timetable, for any students requiring additional assistance.

Human society and its environment

In human society and its environment (HSIE), both subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

Students learn specific historical and geographical concepts and skills in history and geography. They also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects in Years 7 to 10 (Stages 4 to 5).

A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:

• research, gather and analyse information
• question and make judgements
• write for a variety of purposes.

Configure Accordion Component

In Year 11 and 12, students can choose from a range of HSIE courses. These include:

• Aboriginal Studies
• Ancient History
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Geography
• History Extension
• Legal Studies
• Modern History
• Society and Culture

History

At Willoughby Girls High School, the history program for junior history involves a variety of enjoyable activities and learning experiences.

In Year 7, students study the ancient and medieval worlds, building literacy and source work skills in their history portfolio and developing their research abilities. These students also enjoy a rollick through medieval times on Medieval Day when, apart from other activities, they dress up in middle ages garb and enjoy a feast reminiscent of the times.

In  Year 9,  students study the movement of peoples including slaves and convicts, as well as the examination of the World Wars.

In  Year 10,  students explore rights and freedoms to First Nation Peoples in Australia as well the Cold War and Vietnam War event.

In the senior years, students have the opportunity to further their studies in history through undertaking Modern, Ancient or Extension History. Students can also select to study a sociological and cultural studies course called Society and Culture. The history faculty offers the potential for senior history students to participate in a Historical Studies excursion to Europe, specifically Pompeii and the battlefields of World War I.

Geography

At Willoughby Girls High School the Social Science faculty provides the mandatory geography course to students in Years 8, 9 and 10.  Students will take regular field trips in geography to enrich their experience of learning. Excursions will include the local sites of Hawkesbury River and the Chatswood CBD as well as the Palm Beach area.

Commerce

Students can choose to study commerce as an elective in Years 9 and 10.  Commerce increases financial literacy and challenges students with real world problems from the economic, commercial, legal and political domains.

Social Science options for  the Senior Years

In Years 11 and 12, the Social Science faculty offers a diversity of subjects including Geography, Business Studies, Economics and Legal Studies.

In Social Science, students will develop key skills in questioning, researching, analysing and making judgements based on evidence. Students will also learn to write for a variety of purposes.

Languages

In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.

Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.

The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.

In Years 11 and 12, NSW schools offer a wide variety of languages, catering for beginning students to background speakers.

At Willoughby Girls High School all students are offered various languages to study in the following years;

• Year 8 study a language other than English, chosen from French or Japanese.
• Years 9 to 12 students may elect to study French and/or Japanese.
• Students in Years 8 and 10 Japanese will take part in a video conferencing program with high schools from Suginami and Nagoya, Japan.

French and Japanese are offered to students in senior years and can be studied at various levels, each of which has entry requirements. Extension courses are also available in Year 12.

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.

The syllabus consists of the following strands:

• number and algebra
• measurement and geometry
• statistics and probability.

In Year 11 and 12, the study of mathematics is optional. Courses offered include:

• Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Standard 2
• Mathematics Standard 1 (Optional HSC examination)
• Mathematics Life Skills.

Mathematics in secondary school consists of 3 stages.

Stage 4:  Years 7 and 8

Stage 5:  Year 9 and 10

• 5.1 Standard level – the fundamental skills
• 5.2 Intermediate level involving core skills
• 5.3 Advanced level involving high level skills

Stage 6:  Years 11 and 12

• Mathematics Standard Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Extension 1 (by invitation only)
• Mathematics Extension 2 (commencing Term 4 of Year 11, by invitation only)

Organisation of Mathematics Classes

At Willoughby Girls High School, mathematics classes are organised in the following structure:

• Year 7 classes are parallel.
• Year 8 classes are graded according to Year 7 overall assessment results, however all students study the same content.
• Year 9 students are allocated into the pathways according to their Year 8 overall assessment results.
• Year 10 remain in their Year 9 classes, unless circumstances indicate a need to change.
• Year 11 and 12 (Stage 6)-  Mathematics in Year 11 is highly advantageous to those who wish to undertake certain tertiary studies. Students desiring to study Mathematics in Stage 6 must have completed at least Stage 5.2 Mathematics. Stage 5.3 is the prerequisite to Mathematics Advanced and Mathematics Extension 1.

Personal development, health and physical education

Personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), students are expected to participate in PDHPE for 300 hours per year in Years 7 to 10.

PDHPE provides students with opportunities to explore issues that are likely to impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others – now and in the future. Students also participate in challenging and enjoyable physical activity, improving their capacity to move with skill and confidence.

In Year 11 and 12, courses available include:

• Community and Family Studies
• Exploring Early Childhood
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
• Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.

Sports

Sport is an essential part of Willoughby Girls High School’s holistic curriculum. It provides opportunities for physical and social development, while also encouraging sportspersonship and healthy attitudes to leisure pursuits and recreation. Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity during childhood and adolescence improves students’ learning, builds their understanding of teamwork and improves their general fitness and skill levels.

Sports - Years 7 and 8

In Years 7 and 8 students experience an integrated sports program conducted by specialist Physical Education teachers during PDHPE (personal development, health and physical education) classes in the mainstream timetable. This program focuses largely on skill development and team skills through team sports. There is some exposure to individual sports.

Gala days are organised for Year 7, under the auspices of the North Shore sports zone, to provide further skill development and team experience in a competitive format against schools which belong to the zone.

Sports - Years 9, 10 and 11

The School follows a traditional sport program for students in Years 9, 10 and 11 where students participate in a range of recreational and team sports on Wednesday afternoon, supervised by school teaching staff. Often, instructors are available to take many of the recreation sports.

During winter, students may join school grade teams, which compete against five other public high schools in the North Shore zone.

Recreational sports can include

• ten pin bowling,
• fitness first,
• Zumba,
• badminton,
• yoga,
• personal training,
• cheerleading,
• bushwalking,
• Taekwondo,
• hip hop dance and
• lawn bowls.

Grade sports include

• open basketball,
• open volleyball,
• open touch football,
• Senior and Junior soccer and
• Senior and Junior netball.

Opportunities to participate in state wide CHS knockout competitions are also available to students.

Sports Carnivals and Interschool competitions

The school also provides opportunities for all students to participate in traditional sporting carnivals at a school level. These include swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals. Further representative opportunities at zone, regional and combined high schools (CHS) levels are available for students who excel in these areas.

Club Sports

We are proud to offer the largest range of external sporting clubs of any North Shore High School.  Girls can play Netball, Touch Football, Basketball or Hockey outside school hours. All these clubs are run by volunteers through our P&C.  Please click on this  link  to find out more.

Stage 6 Elective - Health and Movement Science

In 2024, Senior PDHPE is changing to Health and Movement Science with similar content areas that more clearly align to tertiary education.

The aim of Health and Movement Science is to develop in each student a capacity to think about and act critically in regard to key issues related to health and movement.

This enables them to make informed decisions that contribute to healthy and active lifestyles for individuals and communities, and support wellbeing.

Health and Movement Science

Stage 5 PASS:

At Willoughby Girls, the Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) elective course in years 9 and 10 offers a comprehensive exploration of physical activity and its diverse contexts.

Our curriculum encompasses a wide array of lifelong pursuits, ranging from recreational and leisure activities to adventure sports, competitive games, and fitness regimes.

We also emphasise the therapeutic and remedial aspects of physical activity. Central to our approach is the concept of learning through movement. We believe that students can deepen their understanding of various course concepts by actively participating in selected movement activities.

Through engagement in these activities, students not only experience physical activity firsthand but also analyse and apply new knowledge gained.

Furthermore, we encourage students to delve into specialszed study areas, allowing them to pursue specific performance goals, attain formal qualifications, or investigate issues relevant to physical, emotional, social, cultural, or scientific dimensions of physical activity and sport.

In essence, our PASS program at Willoughby Girls is designed to foster a holistic appreciation of physical activity while providing opportunities for personal growth and exploration within the realm of sports and movement.

Units studied may include:-

• Lifestyle and recreation
• Physical activity
• Gymnastics
• Tennis
• Badminton
• Technology in sport
• Nutrition
• Lawn Bowls
• Coaching
• Body Systems

Stage 5 Dance

Year 9 and 10 students will be offered the opportunity to take Dance as an elective subject.  The content is a fantastic and exciting blend of dance performance, composition and appreciation.

Dancers will be exploring the evolution of dance and learning about how different cultures celebrate different styles of movement.  Students will be able to express themselves by using the elements of dance to create their own composition pieces.

Furthermore, the syllabus allows for students to develop safe practice in dance which is an excellent tool to have when looking for future opportunities to progress in the dance world.

As part of the course, students will be encouraged to gain performance experience through shows and whole school performances as well as the opportunity to go watch professional companies on excursions.

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.

In the senior years, students have the opportunity to further their studies in science through undertaking Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Senior Science. In addition to the core curriculum, students participate in several extracurricular activities that may include the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) science competition, Australian chemistry quiz 11 to 12 and the olympiads in physics, chemistry and biology.

A ‘hands on’ reptiles experience allows Year 7 students to appreciate the delicate balance in natural communities. Excursions are held in each year, for example the Year 10 ‘physics is fun’ Luna Park excursion, the Year 12 Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) physics excursion and the Year 11 biology field trip.

The Sustainability Garden Project was introduced in 2014, allowing the students to perform various investigations and grow their produce based on the results obtained from their individual research projects. The purpose of this project is to promote greater awareness of sustainability, increase understanding of our environment, and enhance studies in biology across all year groups. The Blue Print Science Club engages the girls in discussions of genetics issues to pursue their science interest.

Technology and applies studies

Technological and applied studies (TAS) is mandatory for all students in Year 7 and 8. Students can also select from a range of elective TAS subjects.

In TAS, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a design and production process using a range of tools, materials and techniques in theory and practical lessons.

The continuum of technology learning is:

• mandated from Kindergarten to Year 8 through Science and Technology K-6 and Technology Mandatory Years 7-8 syllabuses
• based on students becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to apply knowledge, skills and understanding to design and produce solutions
• optional for student specialisation in high school through a range of syllabuses addressing particular technologies and aspects of design.

Available courses include:

• Technology Mandatory Years 7-8
• Agricultural Technology Years 7-10
• Design and Technology Years 7-10
• Food Technology Years 7-10
• Graphics Technology Years 7-10
• Industrial Technology Years 7-10
• Information and Software Technology Years 7-10
• Textiles Technology Years 7-10
• Agriculture Stage 6
• Design and Technology Stage 6
• Engineering Studies Stage 6
• Food Technology Stage 6
• Industrial Technology Stage 6
• Information Processes and Technology Stage 6
• Software Design and Development Stage 6
• Textiles and Design Stage 6.

Courses for each year group

The Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) department offers students at Willoughby Girls High School the following courses:

• Years 7 & 8 - students study Technology (mandatory).  In Year 7, students study a Food and Agriculture unit where they grow herbs and design a burger using the herb, and a Digital Technologies unit in which they learn how to code and complete challenges, design and produce a game.  In Year 8, students study a Material Technologies unit where students design and produce a bag that conceals a USB, and an Engineering unit in which they design and produce a pin ball machine.
• Years 9 and 10 - students may elect to study Design and Technology, Food Technology and Textiles Technology.
• In the senior school (Years 11 and 12), students may elect to study Design and Technology, Food Technology, Textiles and Design, Hospitality-Kitchen operations vocational education and training (VET) and/or Community and Family Studies (CAFS).

Computing courses

IST (Information and Software Technology) is offered as a course in Years 9 and 10, and is one of the most popular electives. In IST students learn skills which will be beneficial to their work across all of their subjects. Whilst developing these skills students will produce music clips, graphics, websites, databases and videos. They learn about computer networks, artificial intelligence, robotics and how to code using a number of programming languages.

The school also offers students in Years 11 and 12 the opportunity to study the following computing courses:

• Software Design and Development (development of programs and games, apps, emerging technologies) and
• Information Processes and Technology (project management, multimedia, databases and information systems)

Students are invited to sit for the Digital Technologies competition (Years 7 to 10) and apply for the National Computer Science School (Years 10  to 11) to further their programming skills with students from across the nation, both of which are held annually.

Exhibits of work

Any exemplary projects developed by students in this area are displayed on open night. The TAS faculty also holds a fashion parade in Term 3, which is an exciting event in which all students of TAS are invited to participate.

Students are often invited to enter their work in district and state school competitions, such as the Minister’s Young Designer Award for Year 7 and 8 students, the Australian Wool Fashion Awards and the Design Tech Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum.

HSC (Higher School Certificate) Design and Technology and Textiles and Design students are often invited to display their major design projects each year in a state wide exhibition of exemplar productions.

Religion and ethics

At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.

When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.

You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).

[There are no special religious education and special education in ethics approved providers available at this school.]

For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.