Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample)
Use this form to outline your school’s plan for teaching and assessing this Authority-registered subject. Please
complete this study plan on the computer. Do not worry if a table breaks over to a new page. Study plans are
available from the QCAA website www.qcaa.qld.edu.au.
Please note: Insert the school details in section 1, the study plan in section 2 and student profile in section 3.
Section 1: School statement
School:
A Queensland school
School code:
123
Subject area syllabus:
Aquatic Practices
Subject code:
6401
School contact:
A teacher
Phone:
7654 0123
This is:
a new study plan
a resubmission of a nonapproved study plan
an amendment to an approved study plan
Application for approval
I, the principal/school moderator of a Queensland School affirm the school has the resources to implement this
program of study. This school agrees to apply the principles of assessment as outlined in the subject area
syllabus, and to follow the procedures and conditions set by the QCAA for approval of the study plan and
certification of student achievement. The timetabled school time devoted to the study and assessment of this
subject is a minimum of 55 hours per semester (220 hours).
Check to indicate your agreement.
Principal / school moderator name: A principal
Date: 2/09/2014
Section 2: Course and assessment overview
Aquatic Practices is a four-semester course of study. Semesters 1 and 2 of the course are designed to allow
students to begin their engagement with the course content, i.e. the knowledge, understandings and skills of the
subject. Course content, learning experiences and assessment increase in complexity across the four semesters
as students develop greater independence as learners. Semesters 3 and 4 consolidate their learning.
The study area core underpins this SAS and is described through concepts and ideas and associated knowledge,
understanding and skills. The electives provide contexts through which students build on underpinning core
concepts and ideas.
Refer to the Study plan requirements. This is available at www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/30487-sp.html.
Fill in the columns as per the following:

units of work — unit title and outline of concepts and ideas

approximate time (Section 3.2 of the syllabus)

course organisation

assessment description — identify the technique and describe the conditions of assessment, e.g. access to
resources, supervised/unsupervised (Section 4.4 of the syllabus).
14879

Indicate the integration of core and electives (Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the syllabus)
Oceanography, waterways and life — processes
which shape aquatic environments, marine life,
estuaries, freshwater creek study and organism
classification
1
F
2
Examination: 60 minutes,
supervised
 Short response: 50–150 words
per item
F
SM1
SM4
Investigation: Water quality of a
local waterway
 Written: 500–800 words
29
SM
2–4
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
E
1.1
2.2
2.3
Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample)
Dimensions
Knowing &
understanding
Analysing &
applying
Planning &
evaluating
C
3.1
3.2
3.3
Assessment
technique, description,
conditions, length/time
Project: Boating field trip
 Written component 1:
400 words
 Performance component
 Written component 2:
400 words
E
1.2
30
Formative or Summative
R
2.1
2.2
Assessment no.
C
1.1
1.2
1.3
Cultural
Commercial
Safety and
management
practices
E
1.1
R
1.1
1.2
SM
1–4
2
Snorkelling — safety and equipment maintenance,
influence of weather and tides, identification of
organisms, habitats and ecosystems, scientific
principles of buoyancy and flotation
Recreational
55
Environmental
1
Boating — working safely on the water, weather and
tides, equipment maintenance and operation,
navigation skills, introduction to boat design and
propulsion systems
Approximate time (hours)
Semester
Unit title and outline of concepts and ideas
(minimum 4 units, maximum 8 units)
Core/elective topic
3
R
1.1
2.2
4
F
Project: Snorkelling
 Performance component
 Written component:
400–700 words
F
Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page 2 of 4
Surfing, tourism and employment — safety and
equipment maintenance, career opportunities, threats
to the aquatic environment, protecting the aquatic
environment, famous shipwrecks
29
SM
1–4
E
1.1
3.1
3.2
R
1.1
1.2
C
1.1
1.2
Power boating — licencing requirements, tides,
navigation, power boat design and propulsion systems
26
27
SM2
SM4
E
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
SM
1–4
E
1.1
SM
1–4
E
3.2
4
Food from the sea — conservation and use of
aquatic resources as food sources, career
opportunities in fishing and seafood preparation, safe
seafood preparation and handling techniques
28
5
Project: Surfing
 Performance component
 Written component:
500–900 words
S
2.1
3
Aquariums and aquaculture — establishing an
aquatic ecosystem, career and business
opportunities, importance of water quality and nutrition
Cu
1.1
1.2
1.3
C
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
R
1.1
2.1
2.2
6
C
1.3
7
3.1
3.2
3.3
C
1.2
Cu
1.1
1.2
1.3
8
Investigation: Water quality of a
local waterway
 Written report: 600–1000 words
Examination:
90 minutes, supervised
 Short response: 50–250 words
per item
Investigation: From ocean to
plate
 Written: 600–1000 words
S
S
S
For a composite arrangement
This syllabus enables teachers to develop a course that caters for combined Year 11 and Year 12 classes. The syllabus can support teaching and learning for composite classes by
enabling teachers to:

structure learning experiences and assessment to allow students to access the key concepts and ideas suited to their needs in each year level

provide opportunities for multilevel group work, peer teaching and independent work.
The following may prove helpful in designing a course of study for a composite class:

the course of study could be written in a Year A/Year B format, if the school intends to teach the same topics to both cohorts

topics that will allow Year 11 students ease of entry into the course should be scheduled in the beginning of the year

learning experiences and assessment need to cater for both year levels throughout the course. Even though tasks may be similar for both year levels, Year 12 tasks are more complex
or are extended tasks.
Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample)
Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page 3 of 4
2
Examination
F
Oceanography,
waterways and life
3
Investigation
F
Snorkelling
4
Project
F
Surfing, tourism and
employment
5
Project
S
Aquariums and
aquaculture
6
Investigation
S
Power boating
7
Examination
S
Food from the sea
8
Investigation
S
Planning &
evaluating
F
Analysing &
applying
Project
Unit
Knowing &
understanding
1
Semester
Assessment instrument
Formative or
Summative
Assessment no.
Section 3: Student profile
Boating
1
Interim standards
Reporting
2
Interim standards
Reporting
3
Interim standards
Reporting
4
Exit standards
Exit Level of Achievement
Aquatic Practices 2014
Study plan for an Authority-registered subject area syllabus (sample)
Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
October 2014
Page 4 of 4