At Blackwood High, we follow the Australian Curriculum across all learning areas. From Year 7 through to SACE completion, we help students build a program that fits their strengths, interests, and future goals.
The Learning Areas
We organise our curriculum around eight key learning areas:
- English
- Mathematics
- Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
- Languages (German and Japanese from Year 7)
- Design and Technology
- Health and Physical Education
- The Arts
Every subject sits within one of these areas. As students move through the school, they start with a broad foundation and gradually specialise in areas that matter to them.
All Year 7s study English, HASS, a Language (German or Japanese), Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Design and Technology, and The Arts. This foundation year helps students experience different subjects before they start making choices.
Students also pick one semester option: Active Lifestyles with an HPE focus or Active Lifestyles with an Arts focus. Some Year 7s join our specialist sport programs instead of standard HPE.
The compulsory subjects continue: English, HASS, Languages, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Design and Technology, and The Arts. Within The Arts, students choose between Dance, Music, or Drama to go with their Visual Arts study.
Year 8s also choose from electives including Digital Technologies, Food and Textiles, Specialist Performing Arts, Sport Science, or Visual Arts. This is where students start to see what really interests them.
Students continue with English, HASS, Mathematics, Science, and Health and Physical Education as their core program. The difference in Year 9 is the expansion of choice.
Students must pick one Design and Technology subject and one Arts subject. They also choose three free-choice subjects overall (or two if they're in specialist sport). The elective options span everything from Game Design to Dance, from Food Technology to Drama, from Material Construction to Music.
By the end of Year 9, students have a much clearer sense of where their strengths lie and what pathways they want to explore.
Year 10 marks the beginning of SACE preparation. All students complete Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF), a compulsory SACE subject that helps them think about their post-school options.
Compulsory subjects
- English (two semesters)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (two semesters)
- Mathematics (General Pathways OR Methods Pathways, two semesters)
- Science (two semesters)
- Health and Physical Education (two semesters) OR specialist sport
Required choices
Students must choose at least one subject from either Design and Technology or The Arts. This ensures they maintain breadth across their learning.
Free choice subjects
Year 10s can also select from subjects like Big History, Elevate Mathematics Extension, Money Matters, Scientific Solutions, Sport Science, Sport and Recreation, The World Outdoors, Child Studies, Digital Technologies, Fashion Design, Food Technology, Game Design, Industry Immersion, Material Construction, Photography, Dance, Design and Marketing, Drama, Media Arts, Music, or Visual Arts.
The choices students make in Year 10 start to shape their SACE pathway.
Once students reach Year 11, they're working directly towards their South Australian Certificate of Education. They need to earn 200 credits total across Stage 1 and Stage 2, with at least 90 credits from Stage 2.
In Year 11, students typically complete Activating Identities and Futures (AIF), which is a Stage 2 subject worth 10 credits. They also choose subjects across the learning areas that align with their post-school pathway.
English and Literacy
English, English Literary Studies (requires A or B grade prerequisite), Essential English (by invitation), or English as an Additional Language.
Mathematics and Numeracy
Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics (must be taken alongside Methods), General Mathematics, Mathematical Pathways, or Data Analytics.
Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Nutrition, Physics, or Psychology. Most science subjects are offered as semester-length options (indicated by numbers 1 and 2 or letters A and B).
Humanities and Social Sciences
Ancient Studies, Geography, Legal Studies, Modern History, or Philosophy.
Languages
Japanese continues from earlier years.
Design and Technology
Business Innovation, Child Studies, Digital Technologies, Food and Hospitality, Metalwork, Photography, or Woodwork.
Health and Physical Education
Health and Wellbeing, Outdoor Education, Physical Education, or Sports Studies.
The Arts
Dance, Design, Drama, Media Arts (Creative Arts), Music, or Visual Arts.
Other SACE Options
Workplace Practices and Peer Support Leader provide different ways to earn SACE credits.
Year 12 is when students complete the bulk of their Stage 2 subjects. They need to pass:
- A literacy subject (usually English, English Literary Studies, Essential English, or EAL)
- A numeracy subject (any mathematics subject)
- The Research Project (a major independent investigation worth 10 credits)
- Other Stage 2 subjects to reach the required 90 Stage 2 credits
English
English, English Literary Studies, Essential English, or English as an Additional Language.
Mathematics
Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics (alongside Methods), General Mathematics, or Essential Mathematics.
Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Geography, Legal Studies, or Modern History.
Languages
Japanese.
Design and Technology
Business Innovation, Child Studies, Digital Technologies, Food and Hospitality, Material Solutions, or Photography.
Health and Physical Education
Health and Wellbeing, Outdoor Education, or Physical Education.
The Arts
Dance, Drama, Media Arts (Creative Arts), Music, Visual Arts (Art Focus), or Visual Arts (Design Focus).
Other Options
Integrated Learning and Workplace Practices offer alternative pathways to complete SACE requirements.
VET and Flexible Learning
We haven't listed our VET (Vocational Education and Training) subjects here, as they're detailed in the Curriculum Prospectus. Last year we had the second-highest VET enrolment in South Australia. These courses give students nationally recognised qualifications while they complete their SACE.
Some students also access school-based apprenticeships, starting their trade training while still at school.
How We Help Your Young Person Choose
Subject selection can feel overwhelming. Our Care Group teachers work with Year Level Leaders and specialist staff (SACE Leader, Student Wellbeing Leaders, Personalised Learning Leader, and VET/Pathways Leader) to guide students through the process.
We run a Subject Selection Day each year in Term 3, where families can meet with subject specialists and ask questions. We expect parents and caregivers to be active partners in this process, helping your young person think through their choices carefully. The Blackwood High School careers website at blackwoodhighcareers.com provides additional resources to support these conversations.
Different Pathways for Different Students
Not every student follows the same path through SACE. Some take Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths because they're heading for engineering. Others choose Essential Mathematics because they need the numeracy credit and their strengths lie elsewhere.
Both are valid pathways.
Some students complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education alongside their SACE and walk straight into employment. Others combine VET courses with university prerequisites, keeping multiple options open. That flexibility is deliberate.
We create different pathways for different students within one connected community. The subjects listed here are the building blocks students use to design their own journey through secondary school.
