History

History is not just the story of dates, people and civilisations of the past, rather it is an active argument with the past. An historian is not a narrator, rather, he or she is a detective. History at Year 7 equips students with the basic skills that allows this interrogation of the past. They begin to acquire the critical skills of an historian, including an ability to interpret evidence, identifying and utilising a range of sources, evaluating those sources, understanding reasons for change and continuity and developing research questions. 

The course begins with students learning about the historical significance of the Ancient past and the histories of Ancient First Nations Peoples of Australia. They sequence and identify the significant periods, events and societies.  

This is followed by an investigation of the key beliefs, values, places and practices of Ancient Rome, with a particular emphasis on their significance to the development of at least one of the following areas: everyday life, warfare, or death and funerary customs. The unit concludes with a focus on the role and achievements of Julius Caesar.