Faculty of
Society and the Environment

Front Row: Mrs Therese Kotzas, Mr Trevor Tindall, Mr David Houston, Mr Rod Patch (Head of Faculty), Miss Annie Connolly, Mrs Mara Gill, Mr Conor Finn Back Row: Mr Michael MacDermott, Mr Richard Hart, Mr Tim Harrington, Mr Rob Wrathall, Mr Adrian Pauley, Mr Anthony Hayward, Miss Kathleen Salmon, Miss Amanda Donohue Absent: Mrs Clare Carter

Faculty Of Society and the Environment
Legal Studies | Geography | Economics | Modern History

This year, the Faculty of Society and the Environment has enjoyed an active year of scholastic achievement and success. The students results reflect a committed an industrious group of young men who have taken up the challenge to seize the opportunities the school offers specifically in the academic area. The faculty theme, set up some eight years ago of “Life Long Learning” continues to play a solid foundation at Terrace. Staff, have spent much time this year in program rewrites with new syllabus in Modern History, Legal Studies and Geography.

The importance of Humanities subjects is recognised in an area requiring important decision making, communication and visioning in major companies. The importance of professional development of the staff has been a high priority within the Faculty.

The importance of networking with Universities, Companies and Government Departments has assisted in providing a broader education for students. With the departure of Mr Robert Wrathall to Bond University, we welcomed Mr Brad Carter. With the opening of Waterford Place, the pace came thick and fast, and teaching staff rose to the challenge.

Mr Rod Patch Head of Faculty - Faculty of Socienty and the Environment

Legal Studies

In Legal Studies this year, Year 11 Students visited the District and Supreme Court and were addressed by Terrace Old Boy and Judges Associate Nick Hanley, who advised students of his day to day work load compared with student life. The students during the year covered Criminal and Civil Law as well as the Law of Contract using many practiced applications.

Year 12 Students finalised their course with units in Family and Technology Law as well as a major independent study in a chosen field. This year of study assists the students in preparation for many tertiary courses and future study

My thanks go to Miss Annie Connolly and Ms. Vanessa Mobbs for their efforts and assistance throughout 2007.

Mr Rod Patch
Head of Faculty and Subject Co-ordinator of Legal Studies

Economics

Economics is a challenging and interesting subject for all students.Every boy at Terrace will have to make decisions on a wide variety of economic problems of personal, local, state, national and international significance. The extensive media coverage of economic issues, especially in this an election year, highlights the need for increased awareness of the economic environment in which we live and the economic forces that act upon our lives. This increased media focus has fostered a growing public perception of the relevance of economics and the impact of economic decision making. Economics is essentially a study of how to use scarce resources in the best way possible.

The course that is studied at Terrace stresses the importance of having students understand the significance of economic events as well as the implications of individual, business, and government economic decision making. The areas studied across years 11 and 12 develop the application of economic skills and concepts to the problems and issues facing Australian society. This course of study helps students gain key employment skills and competencies for future fields.

Throughout 2007 economic students at Terrace have studied topics such as: The general nature of economics and the economic problem of what, how and for whom to produce, The Australian labour market with regards to deregulation and the social and economic effects of labour policies, How government implement economic policies and objectives through contemporary economic management, International national economics such as trade relations and the balance of payments, and the Stock Market.

The economics students across both years 11 and 12 are to be congratulated on the way they enthusiastically approached the assessment tasks and their lively discussion of current events and important economic issues. The high standard achieved in economics is of course a credit to the students, but just as importantly it reflects the high calibre of the teaching by experienced and enthusiastic staff members. I would like to thank Mrs Kotzas, Mr Carter, and Mr Mobbs for their continuing support and professional approach to the subject.

Mr Michael MacDermottl
Subject Co-Ordinator of Economics

Geography

It has been another exciting and adventurous year in the Geography Department. Students went to new heights in their investigation of the Gold Coast with their almost supersonic ride to the top of the Q1 building. The sand mining operations at Stradbroke Island were a stimulating day for our Year 12 students; and Year 11 ventured into Natural Arch to see the glowworms as part of their catchment studies. Year 10 enjoyed the experience of the eco-resort at Noosa North Shore as part of their tourism unit. These excursions form an invaluable part of the curriculum and allow students to apply much of the theory they have learnt to a real world environment.

The National Geographic Geography Competition again provided a wonderful opportunity for students to show their Geographic expertise. Congratulations to the thirteen students who gained a High Distinction in Years 9 and 10. Over 25% of all students in Years 9 and 10 who participated in the competition gained a Credit or better.

Senior Geography takes a new turn next year with the implementation of the new QSA Syllabus. While new units will be implemented, the major change is that there is more flexibility allowing for new and exciting case studies to be examined as interesting issues arise. The units ‘Living with climate change’ and ‘Geography of disease’ will provide opportunity for very real-world issues to be explored.

Thanks to the staff and students for a wonderful year of Geography.

Ms Amanda Donohue
Subject Co-Ordinator of Geography

Modern History

It was pleasing this year to see student numbers consolidate and our young men embark on a progressive mixture of text and on line history units.

The calibre of student interest shown has proved that History plays an important role in the education of young students. Active participation of students, whether it be a visit to lectures at Griffith University, attending a medieval display and feast or a material arts display, creates a “hands on” experience for all students.

Excellent results have again been achieved in the Senior classes setting a solid foundation for our departing Seniors.

Thanks go to all teaching staff for their untiring efforts throughout the year.

Mr Richard Hart
Subject Co-ordinator of Modern History