Year Nine

English

Welcome back to school for 2024! It's been an incredible start to the term here at the newly established Coaching Parade Campus, with students seamlessly settling into their new environment. 

In our English - Language and Literature classes, students wasted no time in establishing norms and delving into the essential agreement for English studies, while also familiarising themselves with the command terms unique to our curriculum.

Emphasising the importance of personalised learning, students are now setting their own reading and writing goals for the term, with a keen focus on engaging in reading conferences to enhance their skills. Excitement buzzes as we embark on our first novel study, centred around Angie Thomas' powerful work, 'The Hate U Give', which sets the stage for our inaugural Humanities unit of Term One. 

We eagerly anticipate sharing updates on our students' progress as they dive deeper into their literary and academic journeys.

Visual Art 

As we dive into the first unit of study for 2024, students are immersing themselves in an exploration of identity that transcends both their English and Humanities classes. With a focus on understanding the intricacies of their cultural backgrounds and the formation of their individual identities within the school and social spheres, students are embarking on a profound journey of self-discovery. At the heart of this exploration lies the creation of their own avatar, a symbolic representation of their unique identity. What's particularly exciting this term is the agency students have been given in shaping their final project; whether it's through textiles, painting, digital art, or sculpture, students have the freedom to express themselves in a format that resonates most deeply with them. As we navigate this unit, we're thrilled to integrate more digital work into our curriculum, paving the way for innovative and dynamic expression in both Visual Art and beyond.

Science

Welcome to a New Year, a New Campus, and a wealth of New Learning opportunities! As we embark on this academic journey in our new laboratory facilities, students have commenced by reinforcing essential safety skills imperative for their work in the lab.

Moving forward, our focus is on cultivating and honing their prowess in chemistry. Year nine students are actively engaging with captivating topics such as Acids and Bases, delving into the intricacies of pH (power of hydrogen). Simultaneously, others are immersing themselves in the fascinating realms of ions and valencies, essential for the precise nomenclature of compounds. Our ultimate goal is to empower students to adeptly balance equations, employing the straightforward technique of swapping and dropping valencies.

In the upcoming weeks, the students will delve into a spectrum of experiments, applying and testing the theoretical foundations they've acquired. This dynamic and hands-on approach not only solidifies their understanding but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Here's to a fulfilling and successful academic year filled with exploration. 

Food Technology

Welcome back to another exciting year of Food Technology. In Year Nine, our young chefs have wasted no time diving into the kitchen, creating delectable dishes that not only tantalise the taste buds but also promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

In the first weeks of the term, our aspiring chefs have been hard at work crafting two delightful recipes: Damper and Oriental Chicken Kebabs. These culinary adventures have not only ignited a passion for cooking but also emphasised the importance of eating well and feeling well.

The journey began with the Australian classic, Damper. Students rolled up their sleeves and embraced the art of bread-making. Damper, a traditional bush bread, provided a hands-on experience for our young chefs to understand the basics of baking. 

Transitioning from the Australian bush to the vibrant flavours of the Orient, our students took on the challenge of crafting Oriental Chicken Kebabs. This recipe not only introduced them to the art of marinating but also highlighted the importance of incorporating lean proteins and a variety of vegetables into their diets. The colourful skewers served as a visual feast, showcasing the beauty of a balanced meal.

In the heart of our Year 9 Food Technology curriculum lies a crucial lesson – the connection between eating well and feeling well. We believe that by instilling healthy eating habits from a young age, we can empower our students to make informed choices that contribute to their overall well-being.

Through hands-on experiences  students are not only honing their culinary skills but also gaining a deeper understanding of the nutritional value of the food they consume.

As we progress through the term, we look forward to exploring more exciting recipes and culinary adventures with our Year 9 chefs. Together, we aim to cultivate a love for cooking, a passion for nutritious meals, and a commitment to eating well and feeling well.

Robotics and Coding

A brand new Year Nine Robotics and Coding course offers many opportunities for students to explore digital technologies. In our first weeks, students have been using the Anvil platform to create their own websites. They are mastering basic components such as images, buttons and text boxes, and are adjusting layouts and properties as they design functional user interfaces. Students are creating websites that reflect their interests and have real world applications.

In coming weeks, students will apply their knowledge of Python to make their websites dynamic and interactive. This means that they will learn to write code that captures and responds to user input, create websites that connect to databases, and integrate a range of tools including Google maps.