Activity: The Final Quarter – Reviewing The Film – Years 9 & 10

Quick summary: Retired AFL star Adam Goodes is known to many for his resilient journey in the face of detrimental treatment by AFL spectators and the media beginning in 2013.

In this lesson, students will share their knowledge of who Adam Goodes is and explore his character and identity by watching the trailer of The Final Quarter. Students will then read a film review of the documentary and discuss key themes and messages of the film before watching it in full. After students have viewed the film, they will be given an opportunity to reflect on what they think and feel about the film and the impact that it had on them. They will then plan their own review of the film that explains how they feel about the film, the impact that the film had on them and how it may impact others.

Using only archival footage aired at the time, The Final Quarter holds a mirror to Australia and is an opportunity to reconsider what happened on and off the football field. Learn more about the film here.

We highly recommend that you use this lesson to guide your students through the process of viewing the film in its entirety. Our Watching the Film lessons are designed to support you in facilitating this process, from introducing the film through to a full post-viewing debrief. Given the content, it is also important for teachers to communicate with parents and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students before playing the film and/or engaging with the teaching and learning resources.

Note: This film may not be suitable for viewing by all young people. Teachers are advised to use their discretion when deciding whether to show this film. If teaching in a context with a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, it is imperative that guidance is sought from the Principal and Aboriginal Education Officer (or equivalent) prior to screening the film.

Learning Intentions:

• Students are familiar with the context and continued significance of The Final Quarter film as well as with the context of race relations and reconciliation in Australia
• Students understand the key themes and purpose of the film
• Students are aware of other people’s reactions to the film
• Students know how to respond constructively to the themes in the film and be sensitive towards the emotional responses of themselves and others
• Students understand that they may have strong reactions to the film and know where to go to find support

21st century skills: 

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 9 English

• Explore and reflect on personal understanding of the world and significant human experience gained from interpreting various representations of life matters in texts (ACELT1635)
• Interpret, analyse and evaluate how different perspectives of issue, event, situation, individuals or groups are constructed to serve specific purposes in texts (ACELY1742)

Year 10 English

• Evaluate the impact on audiences of different choices in the representation of still and moving images (ACELA1572)
• Evaluate the social, moral and ethical positions represented in texts (ACELT1812)

Year 9 & 10 HPE

• Plan, rehearse and evaluate options (including CPR and first aid) for managing situations where their own or others’ health, safety and wellbeing may be at short or long term risk (ACPPS091)
• Evaluate situations and propose appropriate emotional responses and then reflect on possible outcomes of different responses (ACPPS094)
• Critique behaviours and contextual factors that influence health and wellbeing of diverse communities (ACPPS098)

Year 9 Civics & Citizenship

• The influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identities and attitudes to diversity (ACHCK080)
• Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS084)
• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues (ACHCS086)
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS089)

Year 10 Civics & Citizenship

• The challenges to and ways of sustaining a resilient democracy and cohesive society (ACHCK094)
• Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS097)
• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues (ACHCS099)

Syllabus outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-2A, EN5-7D, PDHPE5.2, PDHPE5.3, PDHPE5.6, PDHPE5.7, PDHPE5.8, PDHPE5.11, PDHPE5.12, PDHPE5.13, PDHPE5.15, PDHPE5.16

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding  

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.5, OI.6, OI.9)

Relevant parts of Year 9 English achievement standards:
They evaluate and integrate ideas and information from texts to form their own interpretations.

Relevant parts of Year 10 English achievement standards:
They develop and justify their own interpretations of texts. They evaluate other interpretations, analysing the evidence used to support them.

Relevant parts of Year 9 & 10 HPE achievement standards:
By the end of Year 10, students critically analyse contextual factors that influence identities, relationships, decisions and behaviours. They analyse the impact attitudes and beliefs about diversity have on community connection and wellbeing. They evaluate the outcomes of emotional responses to different situations.

Relevant parts of Year 9 Civics & Citizenship achievement standards:
They analyse a range of factors that influence identities and attitudes to diversity. They reflect on how groups participate and contribute to civic life.They analyse ways they can be active and informed citizens in different contexts.

Relevant parts of Year 10 Civics & Citizenship achievement standards:
Students evaluate a range of factors that sustain democratic societies.They account for and evaluate different interpretations and points of view on civics and citizenship issues.They evaluate ways they can be active and informed citizens in different contexts.

Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues, Indigenous Education

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work The Final Quarter – Watching The Film.

Time required: 150 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and support student understanding of key concepts and themes.

Resources required:

• Adam Goodes Profile (optional)
• Alternative Introduction Activity (optional)
• Device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues (optional)
• Film Review – one copy per student
• Film Review Template (optional)
• Film Timings and Questions (optional)
• Social Themes In The Final Quarter (optional)
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, reconciliation, racism, identity, belonging, standing up, speaking up, respect, equality, Indigenous, race relations, emotions, AFL, Adam Goodes, documentary, The Final Quarter.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.