Year 8 English and Maths

Consolidate your stage 4 knowledge and start learning ahead. Zenith Education courses are designed for students to succeed in the HSC.

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The Zenith Approach to Success

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At Zenith Education, we focus on the things that matter to provide real value to your child’s education.

Classes average 4 students to ensure that each student receives personalised attention throughout each lesson.
Lessons are designed to engage students and ensure they enjoy coming back every week.
We follow a rigorous hiring process to ensure our teachers are not only experts in their subjects but also the best teachers.
All our teachers have a strong care factor for their student’s engagement and progress.
Our programs are developed by industry professionals to ensure students have questions to suit their ability and encourage them through the appropriate levels of progression. No sudden changes of difficulty!
We keep a close eye on your students progress to ensure they are heading towards their academic goals.
This is achieved through regular discussions with teachers and ongoing work review.

Course Outline

At Zenith Education, we provide specialised tutoring to help Year 7 and 8 students build strong academic foundations in preparation for high school success. These early years are crucial for developing the skills and knowledge required to be placed into the appropriate school streams in Years 9 and 10. With schools now streaming students from Year 9 into subject-based classes, it’s essential for students to be well-prepared to access the pathways that will set them up for Years 11 and 12, and ultimately the HSC.

Our tutoring programs are delivered in collaboration with Feng Hua Chinese School across all of its campuses, providing students with structured, high-quality academic support within their existing learning environment.

Do not not delay in getting the fundamentals right if you want to give your child the opportunity to study any advanced subjects for the HSC.

English - we emphasise developing reading comprehension, language skills, essay and creative writing, and critical analysis. These are skills that are required throughout all levels and years of high school english.

Mathematics - we focus on strengthening key concepts such as algebra, geometry, fractions, and problem-solving techniques, ensuring students are well-prepared for the challenges of advanced and extension mathematics in later years.

With our experienced tutors, customised lesson plans, and supportive learning environment, we provide a comprehensive approach to high school. Classes are taught in stages and individual student progress is closely monitored to identify student strengths and areas of improvement, allowing the most suitable level of content to be provided for maximum engagement and progress.

Detailed Topic Outline

English

Week 1 – Embarking on the Hero’s Journey
Focus: Introduce the hero’s journey via adjective warm‑ups and archetype brainstorming.
Outcome: Students grasp narrative structure and hero qualities to spark storytelling.
Week 2 – Exploring the Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Focus: Examine key stages using videos, texts, and modal verb practice.
Outcome: Students map narrative progression onto the hero’s journey framework.
Week 3 – Cultural Heroes and Mythical Narratives
Focus: Analyze cultural myths and apply the journey through group activities and a review of concrete versus abstract nouns.
Outcome: Students connect cultural hero representations with narrative analysis.
Week 4 – Applying the Hero’s Journey in Narrative Writing
Focus: Use creative writing and conditional clause practice to explore ordinary versus special worlds.
Outcome: Students apply hero journey elements in their own narratives.
Week 5 – Discovering Australian Poetry and the Landscape
Focus: Read and annotate Dorothea Mackellar’s poem while reviewing formal academic language.
Outcome: Students develop poetic analysis skills and explore vivid Australian landscapes.
Week 6 – Urban Narratives in Australian Poetry
Focus: Compare urban imagery in poems like “Late Ferry” and “City Suburban Lines” using effective quoting.
Outcome: Students contrast urban and natural landscapes with strong textual evidence.
Week 7 – Nature and Identity in Australian Poetry
Focus: Examine nature in Judith Wright’s and Anne M. Carson’s poems with personal reflection.
Outcome: Students link nature with identity through imagery analysis.
Week 8 – Bush Ballads and Colonial Australian Identity
Focus: Study colonial narratives in bush ballads such as “Waltzing Matilda” by exploring context and structure.
Outcome: Students critique how historical context shapes Australian identity.
Week 9 – Protest and Reconciliation in Indigenous Poetry
Focus: Examine Indigenous protest poetry like Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s “We Are Going” and Archie Roach’s songs.
Outcome: Students understand Indigenous perspectives and the power of poetic protest.
Week 1 – Persuasive Foundations
Focus: Introduce persuasive texts via speech analysis and sentence structure review.
Outcome: Students identify persuasive techniques and build a strong foundation.
Week 2 – Objectivity in News
Focus: Compare news and opinion pieces to spot objectivity versus subjectivity and craft headlines.
Outcome: Students learn to detect slants and write effective pieces.
Week 3 – Visual Persuasion in Ads
Focus: Examine print ads and videos using visual techniques and metaphors.
Outcome: Students grasp how visuals influence audience perception.
Week 4 – Persuasive Modes Synthesis
Focus: Review and apply ethos, pathos, and logos in campaign texts.
Outcome: Students produce multi‑medium texts with clear persuasive points.
Week 5 – Intro to Shakespeare
Focus: Introduce Much Ado About Nothing and decode Shakespearean language.
Outcome: Students gain confidence in reading Shakespeare and see its modern relevance.
Week 6 – Stagecraft
Focus: Analyse stage directions to explore performance elements.
Outcome: Students understand how theatrical techniques enhance comprehension.
Week 7 – Advanced Scene Analysis
Focus: Tackle complex scenes with dramatic irony, soliloquies, and nuanced dialogue.
Outcome: Students deepen their analysis of character and language.
Week 8 – Poetic Language
Focus: Explore Shakespeare’s use of metaphors, similes, and hyperbole.
Outcome: Students appreciate his poetic techniques and wordplay.
Week 9 – Final Shakespeare & Persuasive Assessment
Focus: Contrast relationships in the play and complete a persuasive essay on Shakespeare’s modern relevance.
Outcome: Students synthesise character analysis with persuasive writing.
Week 1 – Cinematic Foundations
Focus: Introduce film analysis, covering shot types and framing.
Outcome: Students learn basic film techniques and visual storytelling.
Week 2 – Editing Methodologies
Focus: Explore editing (cuts, transitions) and review possessive grammar.
Outcome: Students expand their film structure knowledge and analytical vocabulary.
Week 3 – Comparative Scene Analysis
Focus: Compare scenes to study editing, angles, and pacing.
Outcome: Students enhance narrative analysis skills.
Week 4 – Formal Analytical Dissection
Focus: Build academic writing via film narrative analysis (using Up).
Outcome: Students produce clear, evidence-based analysis.
Week 5 – Mystery Genre Conventions
Focus: Introduce mystery basics and plot structure.
Outcome: Students grasp genre elements and brainstorm story ideas.
Week 6 – Narrative Structure and Pacing
Focus: Analyze mystery structure and pacing.
Outcome: Students plan and refine their narratives.
Week 7 – Technical Characterisation
Focus: Enhance characterisation and avoid clichés.
Outcome: Students develop distinctive character profiles.
Week 8 – Hybrid Genre Synthesis
Focus: Reflect on work and explore hybrid mystery genres.
Outcome: Students evaluate their work and create a hybrid plot summary.
Week 9 – Advanced Mood and Figurative Analysis
Focus: Revise writing using figurative language, mood, and structure.
Outcome: Students enhance their stories with advanced techniques.
Week 1 – Exploring Identity through Poetry
Focus: Introduce the concept of difference through poetry and discussion.
Outcome: Students analyse poetic techniques and reflect on diverse perspectives.
Week 2 – Analysing Visual Texts
Focus: Examine how images and film represent themes like conflict and equality.
Outcome: Students build visual literacy and write structured responses.
Week 3 – Creating Distinctive Characters
Focus: Explore character voice and contrast in creative writing.
Outcome: Students craft narratives from varied perspectives.
Week 4 – Writing about Difference
Focus: Synthesise ideas from multiple texts in a formal written response.
Outcome: Students compose analytical writing on identity and diversity.
Week 5 – Introduction to Drama and Monologues
Focus: Learn drama elements and begin writing original monologues.
Outcome: Students plan and structure dramatic texts.
Week 6 – Voice and Performance Skills
Focus: Develop vocal expression, rhythm, and pacing for stage.
Outcome: Students use speech techniques to convey character.
Week 7 – Movement and Physical Storytelling
Focus: Use gesture, posture, and space to express meaning.
Outcome: Students rehearse with an emphasis on physical performance.
Week 8 – Comedy and Audience Engagement
Focus: Understand timing, tone, and interaction in dramatic performance.
Outcome: Students deliver monologues and experiment with comedic techniques.
Week 9 – Drama as a Tool for Truth-Telling
Focus: Study a modern Australian play exploring cultural and historical themes.
Outcome: Students analyse how drama communicates powerful social messages.

Maths

Week 1 – Working with Integers and Whole Numbers
Focus: Explore positive and negative integers and apply order of operations.
Outcome: Students develop fluency with integer arithmetic and evaluate numerical expressions confidently.
Week 2 – Fractions and Decimals
Focus: Build skills in simplifying, comparing, and operating with fractions and decimals.
Outcome: Students perform all four operations accurately with fractions and decimals, including mixed numbers.
Week 3 – Introduction to Algebra
Focus: Understand pronumerals, substitution, and collecting like terms.
Outcome: Students apply basic algebraic reasoning and simplify expressions using substitution and addition.
Week 4 – Expanding and Binomial Products
Focus: Use the distributive law to expand and simplify algebraic expressions.
Outcome: Students confidently expand expressions and multiply binomials.
Week 5 – Solving One- and Two-Step Equations
Focus: Learn to isolate the unknown and solve linear equations.
Outcome: Students apply inverse operations to solve a range of linear equations.
Week 6 – Complex Equations and Cross-Multiplication
Focus: Solve equations involving fractions, multiple terms, and quadratics.
Outcome: Students extend equation-solving techniques and apply cross-multiplication with accuracy.
Week 7 – Algebra in Problem Solving
Focus: Translate real-world word problems into equations using a single variable.
Outcome: Students apply algebra to solve age, number, and relational problems.
Week 8 – Solving Ratio Problems with Algebra
Focus: Use ratios to solve problems involving parts and whole relationships.
Outcome: Students simplify, form, and solve algebraic ratio problems.
Weeks 9 – Exam and Review
Focus: Apply concepts from the term in a formal assessment.
Outcome: Students consolidate understanding and demonstrate mastery of Term 1 topics under exam conditions.
Week 1 – Geometry and Parallel Lines
Focus: Apply angle rules with parallel lines and use reasoning to prove lines are parallel.
Outcome: Students identify angle relationships and solve geometric problems using algebra and pronumerals.
Week 2 – Ratios and Rates
Focus: Understand and simplify ratios, calculate unit rates, and solve real-world problems.
Outcome: Students confidently apply ratios and rates to everyday contexts and multi-step problems.
Week 3 – Applying Ratio Concepts
Focus: Use ratios in contexts such as sharing, scaling, and speed-distance-time relationships.
Outcome: Students solve word problems involving rates, proportions, and conversions with reasoning.
Week 4 – Introduction to Pythagoras’ Theorem
Focus: Use the Pythagorean formula to find side lengths in right-angled triangles.
Outcome: Students accurately apply the theorem and justify answers with diagrams and working.
Week 5 – Pythagoras in Surds and Geometry
Focus: Extend applications to surd form and explore the converse of the theorem.
Outcome: Students solve advanced problems and determine whether triangles are right-angled.
Week 6 – Problem Solving with Pythagoras
Focus: Apply Pythagoras’ Theorem to composite shapes and practical contexts.
Outcome: Students use geometric reasoning and visualisation to solve multi-step spatial problems.
Week 7 – Speed, Distance and Time
Focus: Explore the relationship between speed, distance, and time through calculations and scenarios.
Outcome: Students apply formulas and unit conversions to solve real-life motion problems.
Week 8 – Instantaneous vs Average Speed
Focus: Compare different speeds across time and use problem-solving strategies with variable motion.
Outcome: Students deepen understanding of speed types and improve multi-part calculation fluency.
Weeks 9 – Exam and Review
Focus: Consolidate knowledge through assessment and revision of key concepts.
Outcome: Students demonstrate mastery across geometry, ratio, Pythagoras, and problem-solving under exam conditions.
Week 1 – Equation Solving
Focus: Solve one‐ and two‐step equations, including variables on both sides.
Outcome: Students isolate variables and check solutions.
Week 2 – Algebra
Focus: Substitute values and combine like terms in expressions.
Outcome: Students simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.
Week 3 – Algebra
Focus: Learn index notation and operations with powers.
Outcome: Students apply index rules to manipulate expressions.
Week 4 – Number Patterns & the Number Plane
Focus: Review the number line and introduce plotting in the coordinate plane.
Outcome: Students graph points and interpret ordered pairs.
Week 5 – Number Patterns & the Number Plane
Focus: Identify number patterns and derive nth term formulas.
Outcome: Students represent sequences and graph linear relations.
Week 6 – Geometry
Focus: Explore angle relationships in triangles and quadrilaterals.
Outcome: Students solve for unknown angles using geometric reasoning.
Week 7 – Arithmetic
Focus: Perform arithmetic in non‐decimal bases, including conversions.
Outcome: Students work confidently with alternative base systems.
Week 8 – Term 3 Revision
Focus: Review key concepts from algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.
Outcome: Students consolidate learning for assessments.
Week 9 – Assessment Practice
Focus: Work through past exam questions and revision exercises.
Outcome: Students build confidence and readiness for upcoming assessments.
Week 1 – Areas & Volumes
Focus: Compute areas of shapes and volumes of solids with proper unit conversions.
Outcome: Students accurately apply formulas to find area, volume, and capacity.
Week 2 – Rates & Ratios
Focus: Understand constant rates and unit conversions in everyday contexts.
Outcome: Students simplify rates and solve basic speed and cost problems.
Week 3 – Rates & Ratios
Focus: Explore ratios, fractions, and proportions in various scenarios.
Outcome: Students reduce ratios to simplest form and solve related problems.
Week 4 – Sets and Venn Diagrams
Focus: Introduce set notation, well-defined sets, and cardinality.
Outcome: Students list set members and compute the size of finite sets.
Week 5 – Sets and Venn Diagrams
Focus: Perform operations on sets (union, intersection, complement) using Venn diagrams.
Outcome: Students analyse and solve problems with set relationships.
Week 6 – Transformations and Symmetry
Focus: Execute translations, rotations, and reflections of plane figures.
Outcome: Students determine images under basic transformations.
Week 7 – Transformations and Symmetry
Focus: Combine transformations and explore symmetry properties, including axes and rotation.
Outcome: Students work with composite moves and identify symmetry orders.
Week 8 – Problem Solving
Focus: Apply multi-step strategies (diagramming, listing, working backwards) to solve problems.
Outcome: Students enhance critical thinking and efficiently solve complex problems.
Week 9 – Assessment Practice
Focus: Work through past exam questions and revision exercises.
Outcome: Students build confidence and readiness for upcoming assessments.

Your Teachers

Our passionate and caring teachers are here to connect with your child to make learning fun again. Whether your child is looking to build the right foundations or learning ahead, we will find the right pace and progression.