Middle School Australian Curriculum Parent Information

2023 has seen Ambrose Treacy College staff familiarising themselves with the revised version 9 Australian Curriculum changes. The Australian Curriculum is designed to develop successful learners who are confident, creative and informed individuals, ready to take their place in society. It sets clear goals for what all students should learn as they progress through schooling – wherever they live in Australia and whatever school they attend.

The revised Australian Curriculum reflects the latest research, pedagogical approaches and global trends in education, and through our implementation we are ensuring that our students receive the best possible learning experiences and growth. At ATC we are fostering critical and creative thinking, diverse perspectives and digital literacies to ensure our students are equipped with essential life skills for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Using the revised curriculum, teachers at Ambrose Treacy College, utilise each component of the Australian Curriculum and have began planning engaging and meaningful opportunities and programs ready for implementation in 2024. Staff have used 2023 to reflect on current practices and units of work, understand the changes and the implications of curriculum elements that have been included or moved within year levels. Teacher collaboration across year levels has been key to developing rigorous, relevant and future focused teaching and learning. Beginning with the two core subjects of English and Mathematics next year, all curriculum areas will be revised to align to version 9. We are excited to share our commitment to working towards the implementation of version 9 of the Australian Curriculum—fostering critical thinking, creativity and essential life skills—for the benefit of our students and their educational journey.

An overview of the revised English and Mathematics is below. More information can be found via the ACARA website.

Year 7 and 8

English

Students read and interpret a wide variety of literature. They create texts to influence their audience.

Students learn to:

read and interpret a range of texts
compare, analyse and question ideas and information in texts
select evidence that shows how authors represent their viewpoints in texts
explore ideas and points of view in literary texts by First Nations Australian, wide-ranging Australian and world authors
create written and multimodal texts to express ideas with supporting details and evidence
write well-organised paragraphs to present an argument or convey information
read digital texts and use a range of digital tools to create texts
recognise and use a wide range of language features
use a wide range of technical and literary vocabulary
create spoken and multimodal texts to express and elaborate on ideas.



Mathematics Students extend their knowledge of number systems to include irrational numbers. They use proportional thinking and algebra to model practical situations and solve problems. They develop skills in geometric reasoning and consider statistical sampling when conducting statistical investigations. Students learn to estimate and calculate accurately with positive and negative numbers extend known properties of arithmetic to the study of algebra develop simple logical geometric arguments compare prices of products packaged in different quantities represent simple algebraic relationships by graphs model and solve real-world problems involving financial context calculate areas of shapes, including circles and volumes of objects apply rates and ratios to practical situation interpret statistical graphs use Pythagoras’ theorem to solve measurement problems use digital tools to conduct repeated chance experiments and simulations conduct statistical investigations involving measurement data using digital tools. conduct statistical investigations and repeated chance experiments, using digital tools.
Year 9 English Students analyse and evaluate a range of texts such as poetry and novels. They create texts to communicate complex ideas by experimenting with language features, text structures and images. Students learn to: engage with a range of texts that explore challenging themes and issues analyse the ways in which ideas are represented in texts analyse representation of people and places in literary texts by First Nations Australian, wide-ranging Australian and world authors discuss the ways authors select language features and vocabulary to create an effect substantiate ideas and opinions plan and create written and multimodal texts and presentations edit and refine their own work provide constructive feedback to peers. Mathematics Students extend their knowledge of algebra, graphing and geometry. They begin trigonometry of right-angled triangles. They work with probability and statistics. They are introduced to networks, error and logarithmic scales. Students learn to: model and solve practical problems involving financial, spatial and proportional contexts solve problems involving right-angle trigonometry recognise linear and non-linear relationships and solve equations calculate areas and volumes of composite shapes and objects apply ratio and scale factors to similar figures create algorithms to investigate geometric theorems and formulate geometric proofs interpret and compare data sets in statistics when they plan, conduct and review statistical investigations explain the use of relative frequencies to estimate probabilities when conducting probability experiments and simulations. If you would like more information regarding this blog, please email the writer, Meg Ellis, Assistant Dean of Learning, Middle School.