Specialist Maritime Studies

Introduction

Students seeking entry to this Specialist Academic Program must be prepared to attend an interview. Candidates with sound levels of academic achievement in past school reports and demonstrated evidence of involvement in extracurricular activities (or membership in community groups such as cadets) would be well placed to gain acceptance.

Students are contracted to set academic and behavioural standards that clarify the conditions for maintaining a competitive standing in the Program. The progress of individual students is subject to regular review by the Program Manager in consultation with staff. Further senior school Courses of Study such as Marine and Maritime Studies are available to students that lead them to further studies and direct entry into industry.

Rationale

Specialist Maritime Studies aims to provide suitably interested and capable students with a springboard to explore aspects of the marine environment which link into an understanding of maritime related vocations. Students will complete a sound comprehensive secondary education whilst simultaneously gaining national and internationally recognised certification in a variety of maritime pursuits. Details of the compulsory Maritime Training Modules are listed below:

Year 7 Maritime Training Modules

These introductory training modules are aimed at providing students with their first taste of working competently in teams in semi-hazardous environments whilst also instilling the virtues of self-reliance and discipline. Students will encounter the marine environment from an ‘in-below-above’ perspective and commence their skill pathways in aquatics, boating, sub aquatics and first aid.

Year 8 Maritime Training Modules

These courses provide further opportunities for students to develop skills to enhance their understanding of, and interaction with, the marine environment. Skin diving, sailing and aquatics modules enable students an immediate means of encountering the marine world with safety and confidence.

Year 9 Maritime Training Modules

These courses are designed to build upon students’ understanding and experiences from Years 7 and 8 and ready them for further training opportunities in Year 10.

Year 10 Maritime Training Modules

These modules represent the culmination of all lower school Maritime Training courses and provide an array of opportunities for certification as well as enhance employment prospects, self-discipline and preparedness for many senior school educational options. Students can demonstrate their capacity to be fully independent in the ‘outdoors’ and in situations requiring an adult level of maturity and cooperation. Some of the modules they complete, include PADI Open Water Diver, DoT Recreational Skipper’s Certificate and RLSSWA Provide First Aid.

Pathway to Year 11 and 12: Marine and Maritime Studies – General

The Marine and Maritime Studies General course provides opportunities for student to apply theoretical knowledge through practical activities with a focus on active learning experiences both within and outside of the classroom.

Students are given the opportunity to develop responsible and competent boat-handing and navigation skills, and in doing so demonstrate an understanding of nautical concepts. They develop knowledge of the properties inherent in seaworthy craft, and the basics of good boat design, construction and maintenance.

Students will also be provided with the opportunity to develop personal water-based skills (swimming/snorkeling) to allow them to engage directly with the marine environment.

Students investigate oceanography concepts to develop a strong understanding of the interdependence between elements of the marine environment; conduct research into the safe and sustainable management of the oceans’ resources for conservation and commercialism; and promoted with opportunities to undertake camps and expeditions.

ROCKINGHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Rockingham Senior High School is a very innnovative, co-educational and international public school located 47km from Perth CBD and close to the beautiful local coastline. The unique location has provided strong community partnerships that focus on school, tertiary and industry link programs that provide relevant and clear pathways for all students.