Year Nine

Humanities

In Humanities classes, the Year Nine students are enjoying working on Unit of Inquiry Two with the statement, 'The interdependence of individuals and societies in an interconnected world shapes our perspectives and drives social, economic, and cultural changes.'

To trigger their interest, our students delved with excitement into the Provocation Day and produced Canva posters on a personal item, thinking of the product journey. This employed critical thinking and resulted in students generating questions on what their interest in the new unit will be.

As a next step, they explored the history of globalism, understanding the importance of time, place, and space. Students then studied the purpose and importance of globalism and trade, advantages, and disadvantages involved.

Throughout the last few weeks, students engaged in thought-provoking discussions and activities centred around Globalisation and the Geography of Interconnections. Students critically examined the positive and negative impacts of globalisation in the past, our world today, and in the future. By starting to study case studies and real-life examples, students are developing a deeper understanding of the power of global trade and global economies, understanding the impact on undeveloped countries and our planet's environment. 

Maths

Term Two has had a busy first few weeks. Early in the second week students worked on their term reflection PowerPoints and presented these at the 3-way Conferences held in Week Three. Thank you to all the parents who booked in a conference time and afforded their children an opportunity to present their reflections. I am sure that students who did not attend the conferences would be happy to present these reflections at home.

In Term Two, we have continued our focus on measurement. Students have been working on manipulating a compass to draw circles and developing an understanding of why pi is equal to 3.14. With this understanding, students used the formula to calculate area. This allowed students to proceed to calculating the area and perimeter of sectors of circles. Students used this knowledge to solve real life challenges. To strengthen their knowledge, we proceeded to conversion between area units of measurement and volume units of measurement.

The next focus of attention was to calculate the area of polygons and composite shapes eg rectangles, parallelograms, kites, rhombus and trapezium.  We initially studied area of combinations of different polygons, this then led us to explore calculation of area of other composite shapes which included polygons, and circles and semi-circles.

Students then explored calculations of total surface area of prisms, pyramids, cylinders and half cylinders.

In Week Four, we aim to complete our measurement unit by studying volume and then evaluating our understanding by completing a post test.

As we progress through the year, students are understanding that the pace and volume of work is increasing, and completing some tasks at home is becoming more important in gaining a better understanding and grasp of work covered in class. 

Rugby Army

It was with great pleasure this week, that we unveiled The Rugby Army; a rugby program tailored for our middle years program. The program not only caters for the community on a cultural level, but builds on vital life skills such as, teamwork, discipline, competition and resilience. 

We have seen an overwhelming number of applications after our first engaging session with the rugby trained Isabelle Dyson. 

Isabelle runs a professional and highly organised session ensuring each student gains the maximum of their potential. This is an incredible opportunity for students to develop in all facets of life.

Music:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are thrilled to share with you the exciting news and developments happening in our music program this term! It has been a time of incredible growth, learning, and musical exploration for our students, and we couldn't be more proud of their achievements.

In the music classroom, our students have been making great use of the classroom instruments, immersing themselves in the world of music and honing their skills. From mastering the basics of rhythm and melody to delving into more complex musical arrangements, our students have shown remarkable dedication and enthusiasm for learning how to play their instruments.

One of the highlights of this term has been the introduction of song charts, which have provided our students with valuable opportunities to work collaboratively and creatively as they navigate through different musical compositions. From deciphering chord progressions to interpreting musical notation, our students have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and determination, demonstrating impressive progress and growth along the way.

In addition to our classroom activities, our instrumental program has also gotten off to a fantastic start this term! With the arrival of our new instrumental teacher, Mr. Smith, our students have been buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Under Mr. Smith’s guidance and expertise, our instrumental program is flourising, and our students have begun to make tremendous strides in their musical journey.

The energy and enthusiasm surrounding the instrumental program are palpable, with students eagerly embracing the opportunity to learn and develop their musical talents. From mastering new techniques on the drums and guitar to exploring the intricacies of piano and voice, our students have shown incredible dedication and enthusiasm for their chosen instruments.

As we reflect on the achievements and progress of our students this term, we are filled with pride and excitement for the future of our music program. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of our parents and guardians, whose support has played a crucial role in the success of our students.

We look forward to continuing our musical journey together, exploring new horizons, and creating beautiful music along the way. Thank you for your continued support, and here's to many more musical adventures in the days ahead!

Warm regards,

Rex Sutton.

Visual Art

This fortnight, students have been busy finalising their first project for the Semester focusing on identity. Their final artefacts, borne from a deep introspection into the self and the nurturing embrace of community, serve as poignant reflections of their individual journeys. 

Students have now started to embark on a captivating exploration of the ever-evolving interplay between aesthetics and cultural interpretation. They are focusing on the statement of inquiry 'Change in aesthetics can impact the interpretation of beauty shared by people of a particular era and or culture'.  This Term, students will be utilising their ICT prowess, as they immerse themselves a deep-dive into the Elements and Principles of art.  This foundational understanding will serve as their compass as they navigate the shifts in aesthetics that shape our perception of beauty across temporal and cultural landscapes.