Learning
- Lake Illawarra High School has a long tradition of achieving excellence in the Creative and Performing Arts.
- The Arts are an essential and vibrant part of our school, offering experiences within and beyond the classroom. In each of the mandatory and elective subjects offered, we aim to position the students as creative artists who are equipped with the skills, techniques, and experiences necessary to enable personalised expression in their chosen form.
- Engagement in the Creative and Performing Arts benefits students academically, personally, and creatively. Research identifies that students who are actively involved in the creative arts have higher school motivation, engagement in class, and academic aspirations. In post-school careers, creativity is known to drive innovation and economic success.
- Studying the creative arts, students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts, as well as the capacity to inspire and enrich lives.
- As part of their academic program, students in Years 7 and 8 study 100 hours of Music and Visual Arts. Elective courses in Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Visual Design, Photographic and Digital Media, and Photography are offered to students studying for their ROSA (Years 9 and 10) and Higher School Certificate (Years 11 and 12).
- We also offer a CAPA Club which is an opportunity for students to become involved in our Creative and Performing Arts Committee. CAPA Club members are leaders in the arts, curating exhibitions, running competitions, and setting up performances.
Visual Arts
- Visual Arts provides students with the opportunity to engage with various artistic practices, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking design, and digital media.
- Students’ creativity is nurtured as they explore different techniques and materials, while also developing their individual artistic voice.
- Fostering an appreciation of the visual arts, the curriculum encourages critical thinking, creative problem solving, and analysis of both historical and contemporary artworks.
- A study of Aboriginal Arts and imagery features in each year of study.
Photography
- In Photography, we provide a space for students to express their creativity through capturing images. Our students learn the fundamentals of cameras, photographic techniques, composition, and image editing.
- This subject covers both traditional, darkroom film photography, digital photography, and the creation of film, animation and video works. This also includes using a green screen photographic studio and the digital manipulation of imagery.
- Students also explore the work of famous photographers, the role of photography in society, and its impact on communication and culture.
Visual Design
- Visual Design focuses on the principles of Design and Visual Communication. Students engage in projects that involve graphic design, illustration, ceramics, fabric decoration and digital media, learning to create effective visual solutions for various, functional purposes.
- The course encourages creative problem-solving and the application of design principles to real-world scenarios. Course content may be driven by student interest and the demands of the many available competitions.
Drama
- Our Drama program offers a dynamic and engaging curriculum across Stages 4, 5, and 6, designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and confidence in our students.
- In Stage 4, students explore the fundamentals of performance, character development, and dramatic forms through practical workshops and creative projects that encourage self-expression and teamwork.
- Stage 5 Drama builds on these skills with a deeper focus on storytelling, script analysis, and applying dramatic techniques, allowing students to experiment with various styles and genres, while developing critical thinking and presentation skills.
- In Stage 6 Drama, students undertake advanced performance and production work, refining their craft through individual and group projects that prepare them for further study or participation in creative industries. The curriculum emphasises practical experience in acting, directing, devising, and technical theatre.
- A state-of-the-art theatre space, equipped with modern technology and facilities, provides an excellent venue for school performances and enhances learning.
Music
- Music at Lake Illawarra High School offers students the opportunity to explore, create, and perform across a wide range of musical styles and contexts. Our dedicated and passionate Music staff are committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that inspire creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
- Students engage in the key learning areas of performance, composition, aural skills, and musicology, developing their understanding of how music functions as a means of personal and cultural expression.
- The Music Faculty embraces the use of digital technologies, ensuring learning experiences reflect current industry practices in performance, composition, and production.
- Across Years 7–10, students participate in both classroom and practical activities designed to build musical skills and confidence. Access to specialised studio spaces allows students to extend their learning through additional practice and creative exploration.
- Students are encouraged to perform at a variety of school events, including SHOWCASE, Year Assemblies, NAIDOC Week celebrations, graduation ceremonies, and our Presentation Evening.
- In senior years, students receive individualised mentoring as they design and realise their HSC Music programs, supported by additional studio access and expert guidance. This tailored approach helps students refine their performance and compositional skills, preparing them for future pathways in creative industries or further study in music.
- The English Faculty at Lake Illawarra High School is dedicated to developing confident, thoughtful, and articulate communicators. Our programs are designed to foster a love of literature, strengthen essential literacy skills, and empower students to engage critically with the world around them.
- Across Years 7–10, students study a broad range of texts; novels, film, drama, poetry, picture books, and multimodal texts, selected to build deep conceptual understanding as well as enjoyment. Each year level follows a carefully sequenced program that supports growth in reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, while encouraging creativity and personal expression.
- Our curriculum is grounded in explicit teaching. Students learn how language works, how texts are constructed, and how ideas, values, and perspectives shape meaning. With an emphasis on purpose and audience, we guide students to compose their own imaginative, persuasive, discursive, and analytical texts with clarity and sophistication.
- A rich variety of units introduce students to key literary concepts such as genre, theme, perspective, film techniques, intertextuality, and narrative structure. Students explore diverse voices and cultural contexts, including First Nations literature, Australian identity, myths and legends, protest poetry, Shakespearean drama, bildungsroman narratives, and speculative fiction. Opportunities for drama and performance allow students to build confidence, collaboration, and fluency in spoken communication.
- Above all, we strive to make English engaging, inclusive, and empowering. Our teachers are committed to supporting every learner, nurturing curiosity, building resilience, and equipping students with the literacy skills they need for senior studies and life beyond school.
- The HSIE faculty offers a diverse range of junior and senior elective courses that cater to students’ interests, including Commerce, Investigating the Past (DIG), Legal Studies, Business Studies, Ancient History, and Modern History. These electives provide engaging pathways for students to extend their learning and explore future study and career options.
- We provide authentic, hands-on learning through Geography fieldwork and History site studies, allowing students to investigate real-world environments and historical contexts beyond the classroom. These experiences build strong inquiry skills and deepen students’ understanding of local and global places.
- Students participate in a range of engaging excursions across History and Geography, designed to bring syllabus content to life through museums, cultural sites, environmental investigations, and interactive learning experiences. These excursions enrich classroom learning and strengthen students’ connections to the world around them.
- The HSIE faculty encourages academic excellence by offering students opportunities to participate in state and national History and Geography competitions. These competitions allow students to challenge themselves, showcase their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.
- The Inclusive Education Centre is a dedicated comprehensive support unit within the mainstream setting at Lake Illawarra High School, designed to meet the unique needs of our diverse student population.
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Our unit encompasses nine specialised classes tailored for various learning requirements, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically and socially.
For more detailed information on what our Inclusive Education Centre offers, please visit our dedicated page:
- Our Mathematics faculty is committed to nurturing confident, capable, and curious learners. We believe that every student can succeed in Mathematics when supported by high-quality teaching, inclusive practices, and a curriculum that is both rigorous and responsive to individual needs.
- Our curriculum is designed to build deep understanding, fluency, and critical thinking. Through explicit instruction, collaborative tasks, and real-world applications, students develop the ability to reason logically, solve problems creatively, and communicate their thinking clearly. Lessons are structured to support conceptual development while fostering resilience and a growth mindset.
- We offer courses that cater to a wide range of abilities, interests, and future aspirations. From foundational numeracy programs to advanced extension courses, students are guided to select pathways that align with their goals, whether they are preparing for further study, vocational training, or active participation in the community.
- We differentiate instruction to ensure all students, regardless of background, learning style, or ability, can access and engage with mathematical concepts. Our teachers use a variety of strategies, including visual supports, scaffolded tasks, and targeted interventions, to meet learners where they are and help them grow.
- We aim to instil a positive attitude toward Mathematics in every student, as well as the confidence to apply their skills beyond the classroom. By learning to think mathematically, students gain tools that empower them in everyday life and open doors to a wide range of future opportunities.
- The PDHPE curriculum delivers engaging, relevant, and impactful content that supports students’ health, wellbeing, and lifelong physical activity.
- PDHPE also offers engaging electives for learning through practical experiences and regular excursions.
- A comprehensive selection of sports is offered, thoughtfully designed to engage all students and accommodate diverse interests and skill levels during school sport.
- Lake Illawarra High School fosters inclusive participation by providing opportunities for all students to compete in school teams and representative sports, promoting leadership, resilience, and school pride.
- Our Sports Committee Program builds leadership by empowering students to organise sporting activities and represent the school by supporting events at local primary schools, thereby developing valuable organisational and leadership skills.
- The revitalised LIHS Sport Houses foster team spirit and engagement by enabling students to participate in house-based carnivals and sporting events, while providing leadership opportunities for Sports House captains to champion physical activity and promote a culture of health and wellbeing across the school.
- Our Science Department offers an engaging curriculum designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deep understanding of the natural world, from Year 7 through to Year 12.
- In Stage 5, students have the opportunity to choose from a range of electives, including Agriculture, Psychology, and Aquatic Technology, allowing them to explore diverse scientific fields and pursue their interests.
- Our facilities are modern and well-equipped, featuring specialist equipment and advanced technology to support hands-on learning and experimentation. Students benefit from our unique Agriculture plot, which includes student-tended garden beds, poultry, and livestock, providing practical experience and a direct connection to environmental and biological sciences.
- We are committed to creating a dynamic learning environment where students can develop critical thinking skills, embrace innovation, and prepare for future scientific challenges and opportunities.
- Students study Technology Mandatory and STEM in Stage 4.
- Students can elect to study Food Technology, Industrial Technology Timber, Industrial Technology Metals or iSTEM in stage 5
- Students can elect to study Industrial Technology Timber, VET Construction, VET Hospitality or VET Manufacturing & Engineering in stage 6
What students learn
Students learn a wide range of subjects in the NSW curriculum. They build skills, think creatively and prepare for life beyond school.
Religion and ethics
At our school, students can take part in special religious education (SRE) or special education in ethics (SEE) classes, depending on what’s available. These classes are delivered by approved providers.
When enrolling your child, you’ll be able to choose an option from the approved providers offered at our school. Students not attending SRE or SEE are given supervised alternative meaningful activities.
You’re welcome to change your choice at any time. Just let us know in writing or use the online form (if available at our school).
For more information, visit the department’s website or contact us.
High potential and gifted education
At our school, we give the right support to help gifted learners to grow and do their best.
We notice these students early. They may learn quickly or show strong skills in creativity, leadership, problem solving or sport. We help them stay challenged with lessons and activities that match their strengths.
To learn more about how we support high potential and gifted learners at Lake Illawarra High School.
Our learning approach
Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.
Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.
Our learning approach includes:
- real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
- technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
- flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
- community connections: through excursions and local programs.
Helping students progress
We support every student’s academic progress by:
- checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
- setting learning goals with each student
- giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
- reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing
- providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
- making wellbeing part of everyday learning
- working with families to support learning at home and school
- helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
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Student opportunities and activities
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Our principal and staff
Get to know our principal and staff, who work together to create a positive school culture.