Science
The Faculty is responsible for Science, Agriculture and Marine Studies. Science is compulsory in NSW for all students in Years 7 to 10.
Marine Studies is offered as an elective course to Years 9 and 10.
In Years 11 and 12 the School offers courses in Biology, Chemistry, Investigating Science and Physics as well as offering the 1 Unit Science Extension course in Year 12 for those students demonstrating the aptitude and ability to undertake independent research.
The Science facilities consist of six large purpose built laboratories. The Faculty has a highly experienced and committed team of eleven teachers and two laboratory assistants. Many staff members have post graduate qualifications and most have HSC marking experience.
The Head Teacher, Mrs Kathy Barbeler, is very active in the wider science education community. She has extensive links within the tertiary sector and currently acts as Co-Chair for the RACI royal Australian Chemical Group.
The Biology team includes Jenni Ferguson, Sophie Hoft , Byrne LaGinestra and Pauline Moloney.
The Chemistry team includes Kathy Barbeler, Michelle Challinor, Mark Clouston , Angela Foy and Byrne Laginestra
The Physics team includes John Abra, Mark Clouston, Brian Jackson, Pauline Moloney and Benjamin Snowdon
The faculty has fostered many mentoring opportunities for our Stage 6 students electing to study the Science Extension course. The teachers actively seek professional learning in their areas of specialty and resources are reviewed and updated regularly.
The Faculty strives to make science exciting, relevant, challenging and rewarding for students by including as much practical work as possible, using technology to enhance teaching and learning, treating the syllabus as ‘the floor rather than the ceiling' and by involving students in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
The provision of challenging extension material in class and the opportunity to pursue advanced scientific interests beyond the classroom ensures our gifted and talented students have every opportunity to excel in science.
Science is very popular at Gosford High School and the school often has four classes of Biology, four classes of Chemistry, two classes of Investigating Science, four classes of Physics. Students tend to continue their study of these subjects into their HSC year and we have one class for the Extension Science course.
We also offer Biology and Investigating Science as accelerated courses for year 10 students to begin their studies one year early.
Many students from Gosford High School pursue Science and Science related careers and the Faculty often calls on past students who are now professional scientists, engineers and doctors to address current students.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
In addition to science courses the Faculty offers a range of other activities including:
- Talks by visiting scientists and engineers
- The Big Science Competition Yrs 7-10
- The Science and Engineering Challenge Yr 10
- Science Olympiad Exams Yr 11
- Field Trips Yr 11 Biology
- Human Disease Excursion Yr 12 Biology
- National Science Youth Forum Yr 11
- Senior depth studies are student focussed and flexible so they can pursue their own interests.
