Year 9 News

Term 2 has begun strongly with a plethora of learning opportunities for our Year 9’s.

A focus of our CONNECT program is to build the skills our students need to fully engage with our City Experience program in Term 3. As a result, we are focusing on building strong routines and processes, reinforcing high expectations for uniform and attendance, and supporting students to engage confidently in their learning.

At the end of last term, our students embarked on a community-based Scavenger Hunt throughout our local area, focusing on developing their skills in time management, map reading, communication, collaboration and road safety. This event saw our students working in teams to complete a series of 5 tasks as quickly as possible. Our winning team (from 9A) worked effectively and efficiently to complete tasks that required their maths, observational, and resilience skills.

Feedback is an important part of the learning process. Regularly, students are asked to share their feedback with the Year Level and CONNECT teams to strengthen outcomes and engagement.

What our students are saying:

‘I liked that we got to leave school and do fun activities with friends.’

‘It was fun, and I liked going to other places.’

‘I wished that it went for longer.’

‘One thing I would like for the next excursion is to work with my friends from other classes.’

‘I liked that we got to run around and problem solve with my friends.’

‘I didn’t like that we had to go back if you didn’t go the right way.’

Upon our return to school, students have begun their work in their Immersive electives. These electives run throughout terms 2 and 4 and aim to engage our students in developing their skills in working with and for our community. This year, we have continued to strengthen this program. Our electives, which run all day on a Wednesday, include Primary Connections, Community Garden, Wall Wizards, Acai and Food Truck, Make the world a better place, Phoenix Cups, Dark Histories, and Community Music. Over the coming weeks, our classes will develop their skills in making, creating, and building relationships within our community. Our CONNECT program is a dynamic learning space for our students to work and learn.

Cranbourne Botanic Gardens excursion

Wednesday, the 29th of April, saw our first-year level excursion in CONNECT with our visit to the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.

Cranbourne Botanic Gardens excursion - Chakri S 9E

We visited the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens with friends, and it was a wonderful to explore the native garden. Together we explored the different types of gardens and saw the wide variety of native Australian plants on display. The highlight of the day was the beauty of the colours and shapes in the garden. Finally, we finished off the day with making a presentation on the bingo sheet and all the native plants we saw. Overall, it was a great experience with friends, and I would love to do this again.

What’s Coming Up

As part of our Year 9 program, students will continue to complete the Morrisby Profiling process. Morrisby supports our students by focusing on their skills, knowledge and attitudes regarding future careers and pathway opportunities. Our Pathways Team is leading the implementation and supporting our students throughout this process. All students will participate in a one-on-one interview later in the term, during which their individual results will be discussed. The findings from their Morrisby report will be used to support students in selecting their subjects in Years 10–12. 

Our Wellbeing Team continue to support our Year 9s by organising guest speakers and organisations to inform and educate. This term, Year 9s will hear from and engage with Pat Cronin – One Punch, Smashed presentation and Mashed Bully presentation.

Our role as the Year 9 Leadership Team is to guide and support both students and staff throughout the year. While your child’s CONNECT Teacher will remain their first point of contact for day-to-day matters, we are here to assist with any serious or major concerns that may arise.

We thank you for your continued support and involvement and look forward to learning with and from your child in year 9.