Our Centre of Excellence for HELM inspires students to become confident communicators, creative thinkers and informed global citizens. Bringing together the richness of the Humanities, the power of English and Literature, and the innovation of creative media communication, HELM offers a dynamic, future-focused learning experience for Year 7 to 9 students.
English: Language, Literature & Literacy and Creative Media Communication
HELM embeds the three strands of the English curriculum Language, Literature and Literacy into every learning experience. Students develop advanced skills in:
- Reading, viewing and interpreting sophisticated texts.
- Speaking, writing and creating for diverse audiences.
- Analysing how language, visual and audio features convey meaning.
- Engaging critically with literature from First Nations authors, Australian writers, and global voices.
Students experience a wide range of texts: novels, dramatic performances, digital media, poetry, multimodal texts, documentaries, film and online content. Themes explore human experience, cultural significance, global dilemmas and ethical questions. Students learn to craft complex, purposeful texts—from narratives and persuasive pieces to literary essays, reviews, performances and digital creations. Students deepen their learning through enrichment projects such as:
- Digital storytelling and showcasing short stories
- Creating and publishing HELM Magazine
- Debating & public speaking
- Creative writing workshops
- Literary competitions (Dorothea Mackellar, Write4Fun)
- Write a Book in a Day for the Kids’ Cancer Project
- Theatre immersion with Shake & Stir and Shock Therapy Productions
Humanities: Understanding Our World
Through the study of Humanities, students explore the big ideas, movements and changes that have shaped societies across time.
In History, they study Ancient Australia through to the Middle Ages, the conquest of the Americas, the colonisation of Australia and the impacts of World War I. In Geography, students study land, water and global connections to understand how people and environments interact. Students also learn about civic participation and active citizenship, Australia’s federal system of government, how laws are interpreted through the court system, and how democratic values support a just and fair society.
Learning extends beyond the textbook — with creative, hands-on inquiry tasks such as museum exhibits, historical journals, documentary timelines and mock trials that help students engage as active thinkers, storytellers and investigators of the world around them.
Achievements
- Write a Book in a Day Best Illustrated Book Qld/NT Middle School
- Write a Book in a Day raised over $12000 for the Kids with Cancer Project