Year 9 Curriculum Structure

Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College offers a diverse and dynamic range of opportunities for students in Year 9. Students are encouraged to analyse and engage with the world around them, to create knowledge and acquire skills for lifelong learning. In the middle years students are educated in a supportive learning environment where they are encouraged to take risks, enjoy challenges and become responsible independent learners.

Year 9 students are in the final year of their middle schooling and on the threshold of their senior years at school. In Years 9 and 10, students are offered a range of opportunities and are expected to take more responsibility for their learning. More responsibility means that students will make considered choices about what they will study. These choices will be made after talking to your teachers and parents, people who have the experience to know you as a learner. This is also an important time to start thinking about the most appropriate pathway through the senior school years and beyond. 

It is important to think about what you like doing, what you are good at and find interesting. Do not make subject choices based on what your friends are doing: you might find yourself in a subject you do not enjoy. You are encouraged to take some risks and try new subjects; this is where the elective choices come in. You cannot change your electives during the semester; our whole school timetable is created on the basis of the choices made by students and it is very difficult to make changes after this. All possible efforts will be made to ensure that you get to do the subjects you select, but sometimes it is just not possible given the selections made. We will talk with you if this is the case.

As well as electives, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Year 9 Program. 

This Handbook is just the starting point. You are welcome to speak with your teachers and Year Level Coordinator. Be informed and make sure you are well prepared for Year 9.

YEAR 9 COURSE STRUCTURE

To ensure students receive a broad general education, the students in Year 9 undertake studies encapsulated within the Victorian Curriculum. Within these learning areas a variety of units are provided and choices increase as the students move through the College.

ELECTIVE OPTIONS

• Students are able to choose four elective options, completing two in each semester.
• Language subjects run for the entire year and count as two electives.

YEAR 9 PROGRAM

The Year 9 Program runs for a full day every second Friday.  The program is developed based on the following six pillars:

• Initiative
• Independence
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Self-awareness
• Social awareness.  

Developing these skills are essential in life and in the workforce. 

Term 1 - The program focuses on Building Foundations - This is the time where students will have the opportunity to build positive relationships amongst peers, their learning mentors and their team leaders.  Teamwork and leadership skills are the main focus of this term.  Some of the activities to develop these skills include the Altona Amazing Race, Year 9 House Olympics and Camp.

Term 2 - The program a community-based focus.  The aim of this term is to develop your child’s initiative, leadership and social awareness skills with the community. 

Term 3 - Students will be guided in creating a pathway plan.  They will develop skills in resume and cover letter writing, interview tips, subject selection for Year 10 and work experience planning.  Self-awareness and independence are the focus of this term.

Term 4 - Students will have the opportunity to work in small groups in an area of particular interest through our Masterclasses.  They will learn new skills and solve problems.  Some of our Masterclasses are run in house at the college and others are off site.