James Ruse Agricultural High School

Gesta Non Verba

Telephone02 9871-7126

Emailjamesruse-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Overview of Academic Curriculum

OVERVIEW OF ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Years 7-8 (Stage 4)

All subjects are mandatory.  

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Agriculture
  • Integrated Sport
  • Mandatory Technology
  • Music
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
  • Visual Arts

Year 7

  • History
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (CRIT)

Year 8 

  • Geography
  • Japanese or Latin
  • Drama
  • Philosophy
  • STEM

Years 9-10 (Stage 5)

The following subjects are mandatory: 

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Mandatory Geography
  • Mandatory History
  • Agriculture
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
  • Sport
  • Careers (Year 10)

Students also choose additional subject electives to fulfil 200 hours of study over the 2 years.

100 hour subjects offered*:

  • Commerce (Year 9/10)
  • Elective History (Year 9/10)
  • International Studies (Year 10)
  • Japanese (Year 9)
  • Music (Year 9)
  • Outdoor Education (Year 9)
  • Physical Activity and Sports Studies (Year 9)
  • Philosophy (Year 9/10)
  • Psychology (Year 9/10)
  • Visual Design (Year 9/10)

200 hour subjects offered*:

  • Design & Technology (DT)
  • Drama
  • Latin
  • Photography & Digital Media
  • Visual Arts

Accelerated HSC subjects

  • Agriculture (starts in Year 10)
  • Japanese Continuers (starts in Year 10)
  • Music 2 (starts in Year 10)
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) (starts in Year 10)
  • Software Design and Development (SDD) (starts in Year 9)

Years 11-12 (Stage 6)

The following subject is mandatory: 

  • Advanced English

Electives offered*: 

  • English Extension 1
  • English Extension 2 (Year 12)
  • Advanced Mathematics
  • Mathematics Extension 1
  • Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12)
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Science Extension (Year 12)
  • Ancient History
  • Modern History
  • Extension History (Year 12)
  • Economics
  • Legal Studies
  • Latin Continuers
  • Latin Extension (Year 12)
  • Drama
  • Music 2 (Year 11 & 12)
  • Music Extension (Year 12)
  • Visual Arts

Accelerated HSC Subjects

  • Agriculture
  • Japanese Continuers
  • Music 2
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

Participation in Wednesday Sport

  • Year 11 - compulsory
  • Year 12 - optional

Accelerated Subjects

Undertaken during Years 9-10*

  • Software Design and Development (SDD)

Undertaken during Years 10-11*

  • Agriculture
  • Japanese Continuers
  • Music 2
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)

*Various factors bear upon what subjects can be offered in any given year: student demand, coordination of timetabling, staff availability, etc.