For more detailed information click here to access the Year 9 Information Booklet
English
The English curriculum is built around the 3 interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Together, the 3 strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. Learning in English is recursive and cumulative, building on concepts, skills and processes developed in earlier years. Students interact with others for a variety of purposes. Students engage with a variety of texts for enjoyment. They listen to, read, view, analyse, interpret, create and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts. Texts may include various types of media, online and digital texts, novels, non-fiction, film, poetry and dramatic performances. The features of these texts may be used by students as models for creating their own work.
Mathematics
Mathematics and numeracy skills are critical to the learning and overall education of all students. Studying mathematics allows students to be able to think critically, problem solve using logic, think outside the box to develop multiple solutions, manage their time effectively and make connections creatively. Students will learn to use arithmetic, algebraic, spatial awareness and logical skills to solve contextual and abstract problems using a range of strategies.
Students are encouraged to participate in the free maths tutorials our teachers organise both after school, Tuesday 3:10pm to 4:30pm, and during school, Tuesday second break and Thursday second break.
Students participate in a numeracy groups program that allows students to develop their basic numeracy skills in a small group setting using highly engaging activities and resources.
Students are encouraged to complete one hour of study at home every week in order to consolidate their learning in class.
Science
Science students participate in hands on experiments and activities under teacher supervision to provide opportunities for them to develop an understanding of important concepts and processes. There are strict laboratory rules to ensure safety with chemicals and equipment.
Science provides an empirical way of answering interesting and important questions about the biological, physical and technological world. The curriculum supports students to develop the scientific knowledge, understandings and skills to make informed decisions about local, national and global issues.
History and Extra Junior Program
History and Extra Junior Program students will study and develop important literacy skills to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of grammar, punctuation, spelling an paragraph writing. They will also develop their understanding of societies, events, movements and developments that have shaped humanity from earliest times. It helps students appreciate how the world and its people have changed, as well as the significant continuities that exist to the present day.
History is based on evidence derived from remains of the past. It is interpretative by nature, promotes debate and encourages thinking about human values, including present and future challenges. The process of historical inquiry develops transferable skills, such as the ability to ask relevant questions; critically analyse and interpret sources; consider context; respect and explain different perspectives; develop and substantiate interpretations, and communicate effectively.
Health and Physical Education
Health and Physical Education aims to involve students in regular physical activity each week, as well as regular classroom lessons on key topics. Physical activity is essential for all students. Regular active and purposeful participation in physical activity promotes health and wellbeing and supports the achievement of academic goals.
There are 2 main strands included in the subject - Personal, Social and Community Health and Movement and Physical Activity. Health and Physical Education is compulsory for Year 9.
ELECTIVES
Art
Art is the study of visual communication and visual expression. Students design and produce their own expressive artworks in a variety of media and art processes. Through this they develop skills in visualising and planning work in both two and three dimensional forms.
The course is designed to be a practical subject with corresponding theoretical components.
Students build on their knowledge gained in Years 7 and 8. They also discuss, analyse and write about artworks as they look at different styles and cultural backgrounds. Students will make artworks that reflect themselves and the world they live in.
Agriculture
Students use agricultural practice to design, plan, implement and evaluate agricultural enterprises, activities and equipment. Courses of study in Agricultural Education include learning activities related to enterprises such as grain, beef and dairy production, as well as sheep, meat, mohair, poultry and horticultural production.
In Junior Secondary, Agriculture will take the form of a course designed to awaken and develop students’ interests and skills in the study of both crop plants and farm animals. The emphasis is on involvement, with theory sessions supporting the practical components. It is envisaged that students will also develop a broad appreciation of the primary producer’s role in society. Students will be involved in animal husbandry practices on sheep, goats and cattle.
Civics and Citizenship
Civics and Citizenship students are provided opportunities to investigate political and legal systems, and explore the nature of citizenship, diversity and identity in contemporary society. Students explore a wide range of topics and concepts including how citizens choose their governments; how the system safeguards democracy; how laws and the legal system protect people’s rights; and how individuals and groups can influence civic life. While this subject focuses on the Australian context, students also reflect on Australia’s position and international obligations, and the role of citizens today, both within Australia and in an interconnected world.
Civics and Citizenship allows students to develop a wide range of analytical, evaluative and communication skills in relation to Australia's political and legal systems. These skills will enable them to be active and informed citizens who question, understand and contribute to the world they live in.
Drama
Drama students will explore, depict and celebrate human experience by imagining and representing other people through live enactment. Drama is a collaborative art, combining physical, verbal and visual dimensions. Students will experience theatre and develop an understanding of the performer/audience relationship. They will combine the elements of drama to make, present and respond to representations of human situations, characters, behaviour and relationships. Students will make drama through dramatic play, role-play and improvisation, structuring the elements into play-building, directing and scriptwriting. In presenting drama, they will learn, as actors, to use body and gesture, voice and language, in responding, students will learn about how drama contributes to personal, social and cultural identity.
Economics and Business
Through the study of Economics and Business, students are empowered to shape their social and economic futures and to contribute to the development of prosperous, sustainable and equitable Australian and global economies. This subject develops the knowledge, understanding and skills that will equip students to secure their financial futures and to participate in and contribute to the wellbeing and sustainability of the economy, the environment and society. This enables students to appreciate the interdependence of decisions made within economic systems, including the effects of these decisions on consumers, businesses, governments and other economies, and on environmental and social systems.
Economics and Business provides students with fascinating and challenging units that enable them to make informed decisions; effectively embrace change; seek innovation; work with others; show initiative, flexibility and leadership; use new technologies; plan, organise and manage risk; and use resources efficiently.
Engineering Principles and Systems
Engineering Principles and Systems is studied for three lessons per week over a semester. This subject is well suited to the enquiring mind, with a strong focus on working out ‘how things work’. Students will explore engineering principles relevant to the challenges they are given. For example, the CO2 Dragster unit requires students to investigate the principles of mass, friction and drag and how they affect the performance of a CO2 Dragster. Students will work independently and collaboratively to apply design processes. They will investigate relevant knowledge, generate and refine ideas, plan and produce design solutions, and evaluate solutions and processes.
Our workshops involve machinery and processes considered to be of HIGH and EXTREME risk. Students are also required to wear an apron, hairnet and impervious upper shoes for every workshop lesson.
Food Specialisations
Food Specialisations is studied for three lessons per week over a semester. The course is designed to be a practical subject which has a strong focus on learning through doing. Students will focus on the creation of designed solutions, investigating, planning and producing food items using a range of tools and technologies. They will be working independently and collaboratively throughout the semester. Students will investigate and make judgments on how the principles of food safety, preparation, nutrition, presentation and sensory perceptions influence the creation of food solutions for healthy eating.
Students will be expected to bring ingredients from home most weeks. Providing ingredients from home is essential for learning and succeeding in this subject. Some of the ingredients required during this subject will be supplied by the school, but the majority must come from home. Recipes can be adjusted to suit family budgets and dietary requirements.
Food and Fibre
Food and Fibre is studied for three lessons per week over a semester. This practical subject has a strong focus on learning through doing. Students will be exploring textile materials and production processes required to create textile items. Students will investigate, plan and produce textile items using a range of tools and technologies. They will be working independently and collaboratively throughout the semester. Students have the opportunity to be creative while working with textile materials and technologies. Some of the lessons will be dedicated to project work in which the student can learn time management skills and work at his or her own pace.
Students will be asked to bring budget friendly fabric and thread to make their own shorts.
Geography
Geography students are empowered to shape change for a socially just and sustainable future. Geography inspires curiosity and wonder about the diversity of the world’s places, peoples, cultures and environments. Through a structured way of exploring, analysing and understanding the characteristics of the places that make up our world, this course enables students to question why the world is the way it is, and to reflect on their relationships with, and responsibilities for that world.
Geography provides students with fascinating and challenging units that enable them to respond to questions in a geographically distinctive way; plan inquiries; collect, evaluate, analyse and interpret information; suggest responses to what they have learnt; make informed decisions; and become responsible and active global citizens.
Japanese
Through the study of Japanese, students will produce formulaic Japanese language and short phrases. They will develop proficiency in reading and writing the hiragana alphabet. Students will engage in processes such as analysing, comparing and reflecting on aspects of Japanese language and cultural and their own. Japanese is offered as an elective in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Materials and Technology
Materials and Technology is studied for three lessons per week over a semester. This subject is closely related to the traditional Manual Arts courses offered in the past, with a strong focus on the materials and production processes required to design and manufacture everyday products. Students will work independently and collaboratively to apply design processes. They will investigate relevant knowledge, generate and refine ideas, plan and produce design solutions, and evaluate solutions and processes.
Our workshops involve machinery and processes considered to be of HIGH and EXTREME risk. Students are also required to wear an apron, hairnet and impervious upper shoes for every workshop lesson.
Music
Music is widely recognised as a powerful educative tool that contributes to the development of an individual. Studies in Music offer a unique form of self-expression and communication.
The music course is developmental in nature. Students will acquire and develop musical skills, and then be able to apply these in a wide range of contexts. Three focus areas are: Performing, Composing and Responding.
This course assists students to enjoy, appreciate and make music. It does this by developing an awareness of sound as well as developing skills in practical music production and composition.
Students do not need to own a musical instrument, nor do they need to be able to play one as the development of correct musical notation is part of the theory of this course. Students must have good listening skills and a commitment to involvement in practical music making situations.