As Term 2 draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect on the progress students have made in their learning. Pastoral Care lessons have focused on students planning for their futures, exploring career and education pathways. This has enabled students to make informed decisions about which elective subjects they selected for Semester 2.

Students from Year 9 recently have had the opportunity to participate in a “Speed Careering” session, facilitated by the Beacon Foundation with 6 local employers speaking to small groups of students in a speed dating format. I was really pleased with how students engaged with employers and participated in the experience. Thanks to Cindy Wescombe for liaising with Beacon to make the even happen.

In Mathematics students have spent the term with a focus on non-linear graphs. This is a unit of work new to Year 9 students where we introduced students to quadratic relationships and the graphs they form.  

In English the focus has shifted from persuasion to dystopian fictional texts. Students have taken examples of dystopian conventions from the likes of George Orwell’s 1984, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale, and Disney’s Walle to create their own dystopian fiction text.

In Science this Term, the focus has been the Physical Sciences unit. The unit of work required students to learn about heat and light energy transfer, electromagnetic spectrum and how these are applicable in everyday life. Additionally, students learned about the two types of circuits – series and parallel. They practised how to draw the two types of circuits using circuit diagrams.

In History students have explored the profound impact of human movement, focusing on key events and their consequences. Starting with the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, students examined how these periods catalysed significant migrations and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  Students delved into the harsh conditions and treatment of slaves, leading to discussions on the abolition of slavery and the role of European explorers. Students studied the arrival of the First Fleet, and the lasting impact of colonisation that First Nations peoples experience. Currently, students are exploring Australia's identity shaped by convict settlements, culminating as a final oral presentation assignment.

Due to student numbers and staffing challenges, Year 9 will be moving to three core classes from four as of the start of Term 3. With the small size of 9A the decision has been made to distribute this group of students between the other three classes. With the high levels of collaboration between our teachers in this space, teaching and learning programs should continue with minimal interruption.

I will be on leave for Term 3, Mrs Kate (Huddlestone) Burling will be stepping into the role of Year 9 Coordinator.

Leigh Crawford
Year 9 Coordinator