Home Economics provides students with the essential life skills and knowledge for independent living. It encompasses food and nutrition, family relationships, child development, and clothing and textiles. Our main objective is to empower students to make informed decisions and effectively navigate life beyond the classroom.
By blending theoretical study with practical application, Home Economics provides students with a diverse range of real-world skills such as cooking, budgeting, time management, teamwork and problem-solving, which are applicable in their daily routines and diverse settings.
All Year 7 and 8 students at Armadale Senior High School will be enrolled in compulsory Home Economics classes which provide a comprehensive study of food and textiles, in line with the Australian Curriculum. These hands-on courses incorporate carefully designed projects and step-by-step processes aimed at enhancing students’ production skills.
For students who have a particular interest in Home Economics, we offer more advanced studies in Years 9 and 10 through our Food Science Technology, Materials and Design, Caring for Children and Beauty programs. These courses introduce topics such as societal values, economics, environmental and social sustainability in cooking, fashion, and beauty. Caring for Children encompasses health and nutrition, parenting skills, and child development.
Armadale Senior High School provides a range of pathways for Upper School students who wish to further expand their knowledge in this field. These pathways include General courses of study in Food Science and Technology, Children Family and the Community, Hospitality and Community Services.
Food Science and Technology
The Food Science and Technology General course provides opportunities for students to explore and develop food-related interests and skills. Food impacts on every aspect of daily life and is essential for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Students organise, implement and manage production processes in a range of food environments and understand systems that regulate food availability, safety and quality. Knowledge of the sensory, physical, chemical, and functional properties of food is applied in practical situations. Students investigate the food supply chain and value-adding techniques applied to food to meet consumer and producer requirements. Principles of dietary planning, adapting recipes, and processing techniques, are considered for specific nutritional needs of demographic groups. Occupational safety and health requirements, safe food handling practices, and a variety of processing techniques, are implemented to produce safe, quality food products. This course may enhance employability and career opportunities in areas that include nutrition, health, food and beverage manufacturing, food processing, community services, hospitality, and retail.
Children, Family and the Community
The Children, Family and the Community General course focuses on factors that influence human development and the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. Students explore the health of individuals and communities and the protective and preventative strategies that impact on growth and development. They engage in shared research, examine goal setting, self-management, decision making, communication and cooperation skills when creating products, services or systems that will assist individuals, families and communities to achieve their needs and wants. Contemporary Australian issues or trends relating to families and communities at the state and national level are examined in practical ways.
Hospitality
Hospitality provides entry level skills and knowledge to work in the hospitality industry. These studies are delivered over two years and reflect the role of individuals who have a defined range of hospitality operational skills and basic industry knowledge. They are involved in mainly routine and repetitive tasks and work under direct supervision. The experience gained provides a pathway to work in various hospitality settings, such as restaurants, hotels, motels, catering operations, clubs, pubs, cafes, and coffee shops. Students will learn a broad range of skills to help decide which area of hospitality they wish to follow; for example, prepare and serve non-alcoholic beverages, use hospitality skills effectively, prepare and serve espresso coffee, work effectively with others and interact with customers. Students are provided with the opportunity to perform to industry standards across a range of activities in both the classroom and a workplace setting.
Community Services
Community Services provides real-life exposure to the diversity of community care and support services in your local community – youth, aged, disability, health and social services. It’s the entry point in learning how the community service and care sectors operate and how to support clients with a diverse range of needs. Community Services opens a world of possibilities for students who can apply for further training pathways of their interest, including youth work, education support, early childhood education and care, disability care, aged care, health services and nursing.
Please contact our Directions team for more information about the courses and qualifications we offer.