Year 8 Course Handbook by Corpus Christi College

INTRODUCTION

THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CORPUS JOURNEY

In Year 8, you get to take increased ownership over your learning by choosing some of the subjects you study. While you will still study your core subjects of Religious Education, Maths, Digital Technologies, English, Science, Humanities, a Language, Physical Education and Health, you will also have the opportunity to select 4 specialist subjects to study across the year (2 each semester). These specialist subjects only run for one semester, so you will be able to increase your expertise in a wide range of unique specialist areas.

When choosing your specialist subjects, think about what you enjoy and what you might want to explore. This is your chance to try something new, even if you have never done it before.

You will not miss out in the future if you do not pick a subject now. For example, you can still study Outdoor Education in Year 9, even if you do not choose it in Year 8. Your Year 8 choices are about exploring your interests, not limiting your future.

Make sure to talk with your family, teachers, and caregivers as you make your choices. But remember, this is your learning journey, and we encourage you to take the lead as you take your next steps.

YEAR 7

In their first year of high school, Year 7 students are introduced to the wide variety of learning opportunities available at Corpus Christi College. They complete a term-long rotation through eight specialist subjects across the Design and Technology and Arts disciplines. This provides a strong foundation and sparks interest across a diverse range of creative and practical areas.

YEAR 8

In Year 8, students begin to refine their interests by selecting from a range of semester-long electives in the Design and Technology and Arts disciplines. This choice empowers students to begin tailoring their learning journey in line with their passions and developing expertise in areas of interest.

YEAR 9

By Year 9, students are encouraged to deepen their focus and extend their skills through a wide variety of specialised elective courses. With over 35 programs on offer, students can explore electives across all learning areas, including options that connect with Science, Humanities, and the Performing Arts.

At this stage, students can also apply to participate in year-long specialist extension programs through the Spark Path, designed for those seeking greater challenge and enrichment in their learning.

YEAR 10

Year 10 is a time for confident decision-making, as students begin to shape the final two years of their schooling. They are encouraged to select from a diverse range of specialised courses aligned with their senior pathway goals. Students may choose to deepen their learning in a particular discipline or explore new areas through certificate courses, university-endorsed micro-credentials, and workplace learning opportunities.

YEAR 11 & 12

In their final years, students craft a personalised study program, selecting from a broad array of pathways that support their post-school ambitions. This may include ATAR courses, General subjects, industry-focused work placements, or a combination of options. Students can also complete university enabling programs that offer direct entry into tertiary education. At every stage, Corpus Christi College supports students to grow in confidence, capability and independence, empowering them to forge a future that reflects their unique strengths and aspirations.

RATIONALE

Students should use specialist subjects to continue to explore their interests and passions.

Students should involve their families and stakeholders in the decision process but take overall responsibility for their final selections.

Students must choose a maximum of 4 elective subjects in total for the year. Two for Design & Technology and two for The Arts.

COURSES OFFERED

2027 SUBJECT SELECTIONS

LEARNING AREA

Design and Technology

STEM

Music

Performing Arts

Visual Art

Creative Digital Arts

COURSES OFFERED IN YEAR 8 IN 2026

SUBJECT

Food Technology

Metalwork

Woodwork

Fashion & Textiles

Design (CADCAM)

Brick by Brick: The Lego Engineering Challenge

Engineering

Music in Motion: Performing and Producing

Music: Heart It, Feel It, Play It!

Dance: Find Your Groove

Drama: Step into the Spotlight

Drawing and Media Exploration

Painting Fundamentals

Sculpture and Ceramics

Media Arts

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Food Technology celebrates fresh flavours and smart food choices in the kitchen. Students will explore the benefits of eating seasonal Australian produce, learning how fresh, locally available ingredients contribute to good nutrition while also being quick, simple and enjoyable to prepare. Through practical cooking experiences, students will discover how seasonal foods can be transformed into delicious, wholesome meals for everyday life.

METALWORK

Metalwork is an engaging Year 8 elective within the Design and Technologies learning area that introduces students to the fundamentals of working with metal through a practical, hands on approach. With a focus on the manual manipulation of steel, this introductory course is designed to build foundational skills, confidence and an understanding of basic metalworking processes.

Students will complete a series of structured projects that emphasise shaping and forming steel, developing techniques that support both broad educational outcomes and early industry awareness. Throughout the course, students learn to safely and effectively use a range of traditional hand tools for cutting, bending, hammering and filing, alongside selected portable power tools and workshop machinery for preparation and refinement. This course provides a strong foundation for further studies in materials, manufacturing and metal technologies.

WOODWORK

Woodwork is a foundational Year 8 elective that introduces students to the fundamentals of woodworking and the safe use of hand tools. Students explore the manual manipulation of timber, developing basic skills through techniques such as whittling and shaping.

These skills are applied in the design and creation of a final project, which students plan, design and produce using the design process. This hands on course supports the development of practical skills, creativity and confidence, while providing a strong introduction to working with timber

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

FASHION & TEXTILES

Fashion and Textiles is a course that introduces students to the world of textiles and fashion design. Students will develop practical skills and knowledge related to the creation of fabric based products. Using the design process, students will be tasked with designing and producing a product that serves a specific purpose, building confidence in planning, creativity and hands on construction skills.

DESIGN (CADCAM)

Design (CADCAM) is an introductory course that introduces students to the fundamentals of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and digital manufacturing. Using software such as Tinkercad, students learn how to create accurate digital designs and apply the design process to develop purposeful products.

Throughout the course, students will work through stages of investigating, designing, producing and evaluating as they create a custom logo and apply it to a designed product. Students then bring their designs to life using computer aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies such as 3D printing or laser cutting. This practical course builds foundational skills in digital design, creativity and problem solving, while introducing students to modern manufacturing technologies used across design, engineering and industry.

STEM

BRICK BY BRICK: THE LEGO ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

Dive into the world of creativity, engineering, and teamwork. This course, inspired by the exhilarating First LEGO League (FLL), is designed for students eager to explore the exciting realms of robotics and technology. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on learning through building and programming LEGO robots to complete various missions, fostering a deep understanding of engineering and coding principles.

Tackle real-world problems through participating in themed challenges that mirror real-world issues, encouraging innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Collaborate and compete by working in teams to strategise design, and execute solutions, honing their collaboration and communication abilities. Present innovative ideas through developing and presenting projects that address current global challenges, enhancing research and presentation skills. Join us in this dynamic course where creativity meets technology, and teamwork drives innovation. Unleash your potential as you embark on a journey to become a true LEGO Mastermind!

ENGINEERING

Engineering is an introductory course where students will learn the fundamentals of motion and forces and how these concepts are applied in product design. Through practical, hands on activities, students will investigate how forces act on objects and how motion can be controlled and directed in engineered systems.

Students will apply this understanding by working through the engineering design process to design, prototype and evaluate a product constructed from timber materials. As a major project, students will design and build a functional catapult, using their developing knowledge of motion and forces to inform design decisions. This course builds foundational engineering skills, encourages problem solving and creativity, and provides an engaging introduction to engineering thinking and design.

MUSIC

MUSIC IN MOTION: PERFORMING & PRODUCING

This dynamic course invites students to explore both the performance and production sides of music. Whether building on an instrument they already play or trying something new, students will gain hands-on experience in music-making. Alongside live performance, they will learn the fundamentals of digital music production, using software to compose, record, and edit their own music.

Designed to foster creativity and technical skill, this course helps students grow in confidence as performers while developing an understanding of the tools and techniques used in contemporary music creation. Music in Motion is ideal for students who enjoy performing, experimenting with sound, and bringing their musical ideas to life.

MUSIC: HEAR IT, FEEL IT, PLAY IT!

Get ready to tune in and turn up your musical skills! You’ll discover how to truly hear music, not just play it. Inspired by the creative genius Zoltán Kodály, a legendary Hungarian composer who believed that everyone can be musical, you’ll learn to train your ears and voice using Sol-fa (think: do, re, mi!). Through fun games, singing activities, rhythm challenges, and hands-on practice, you’ll develop powerful musicianship skills that will help you play, perform, and understand music like a pro. It’s all about listening, connecting, and making music that feels right.

PERFORMING ARTS

In Year 8 Dance, you’ll build on your skills and creativity while exploring fun and energetic styles like hip hop & contemporary dance. You’ll learn to perform with control, focus, and confidence, and work in groups to choreograph a routine based on the theme of Contrasting Colours.

You’ll continue developing your technique and use the elements of dance to communicate meaning through movement. You’ll also reflect on how different styles express ideas in different ways.

This course is perfect for anyone who wants to be creative, expressive, and active, whether you’ve danced before or are brand new to dance.

DANCE: FIND YOUR GROOVE DRAMA - STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

You’ll step beyond the classroom and onto the stage, learning how to create powerful performances and memorable characters. Across the semester, you’ll plan, rehearse, and perform scenes using professional drama techniques that build confidence and creativity.

You’ll explore representational theatre with scenes inspired by real events like the Colditz Castle escapes. You’ll learn Stanislavski’s acting methods, stage blocking, costume design, and how different stage types and positions enhance storytelling. You’ll get creative with allegorical characters that represent big ideas like Freedom or Fear. Using symbolic props, movement techniques from LeCoq, and original monologues, you’ll bring these characters to life and work in teams to devise scenes about real issues faced by young people. This high-energy, hands-on course is 80% practical and perfect for creative thinkers who love working in groups and expressing ideas through performance.

VISUAL ART

DRAWING AND MEDIA EXPLORATION

This course offers students a deeper exploration of drawing as a foundation for visual arts. Using a range of traditional and modern materials, students will develop their technical skills and learn how to express ideas visually. Through creative experimentation and mixed-media approaches, students will produce a series of artworks, including a major piece selected for exhibition.

PAINTING FUNDAMENTALS

This course offers students a deeper exploration of painting as a foundation for visual arts. Using a range of traditional and modern materials, students will develop their technical skills and learn how to express ideas visually. Through guided painting workshops, students will produce a series of artworks, including a major piece selected for exhibition.

SCULPTURE AND CERAMICS

In this hands-on course, students will explore the world of three-dimensional art through sculpture and ceramics. They will learn how to shape and build with clay and other materials, while discovering different techniques such as hand-building, carving, and modelling. Students will study how artists use form and texture to express ideas and will create a range of artworks, including a final piece to be displayed.

CREATIVE DIGITAL ARTS

MEDIA ARTS

This introductory course gives students a hands-on experience in the exciting world of media. Students will explore how images, sound, and text work together to tell stories, share ideas, and influence audiences. They will learn the basics of animation, photography and print media while working individually and in groups to create short media projects. This course builds creative and technical skills and encourages students to think critically about the media they see every day.

DECISION TIME

HOW DO I SELECT MY SUBJECTS?

Read Year 8 Handbook and discuss subject options with my parents.

Contact my teachers if I have any questions about subjects or selections (see contact list on the following page).

Make a final decision on which 4 subjects I would like to study. Select two reserve subjects also.

Complete subject selection using the login and code sent via email.

*PLEASE NOTE: all electives are subject to availability and enrolment numbers. Every effort will be made to ensure students receive their exact choices, however, this may not be possible in all cases.