In human society and its environment (HSIE), the subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10, where students study specific historical and geographical concepts and skills.
In HSIE, students explore varied subjects in human society and its environment to learn about history, geography, people, societies and culture.
Students also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects.
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.
In HSIE, Stage 3 students are learning about Australia's First People and specifically about local aboriginal ways of life within the Tweed Valley. Students are quite mesmerized with stories of gigantic spirit ancestors and their adventures, as they traversed the land, forming it as they went. They are fascinated to hear about important aboriginal sites that are so close to Chillingham Public School, such as increase sites, initiation sites for clever men (wollumbin/Mt warning) and bora rings, as well as trails that must have passed fairly close by to the school, leading tribes within the Bundjalung Nation, to the Bunya Nut Feast corroboree site, somewhere within the Bunya Bunya Mountains. Creating works of art based on their growing understanding about Australia's First People, gives them an opportunity to add depth and richness to their understanding.
One aspect of HSIE is the study of local Indigenous history and culture. Aunty Delta led our students through the history of the Arakwal People. It was a rich learning experience as students learnt about the stories of the local flora, fauna and landmarks.
