Year 9 News

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays but more importantly, it is great to see all students settling back into the classroom ready for another exciting Term. 

As the colder whether hits sickness comes more prevalent within our school community, if your child is absent due to sickness (or any other reason) please contact Kurnai’s absence hotline on 5132 3711 or contact Ross Johnson directly via Compass.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)

As in previous years we will be continuing the use of Kurnai Positive Acknowledgements (KPA’s), it has been fantastic to see students settling back into the Kurnai Learning Community and being acknowledged for their efforts within the classroom. 

KPA Data Term 3 Week 1-2 

9A-  134

9B- 123

9C- 84

9D- 89

Top Ten KPA Receivers Term 3 Weeks 1 & 2

Attendance

This year our aim is to improve student attendance rates to an above 95% average. If you student is absent please contact Kurnai’s absence hotline on 5132 3711 or contact Ross Johnson directly via Compass. 

Learning Behaviour Updates

Learning Behaviour Updates were released recently and it fantastic to see the growth of many students. As a parent/carer LBU’s can provide an opportunity for you to set goals with your child to support and further their education. 

Year 9 Melbourne Discovery Camp

Students received their packing list, itinerary and notification of watching an MA rated film in last weeks assembly. Students will set off from Morwell train station on Monday 5th August exploring Melbourne’s CBD for 5 days. If you have any questions or concerns regarding camp please contact Ross Johnson directly. 

Morrisby Interviews 

In week 5, Year 9 students get the incredible opportunity to complete a Morrisby pro ling session. My Career Insights (Morrisby) is a program for all Year 9 students in government secondary schools. This program will help your Year 9 child to:

 • Learn about what skills and abilities they could bring to a job.

 • Find out about what jobs match their abilities, interests and personality, and the subjects they need for those jobs. As part of the program, your child will:

 • Complete a series of online questions and quizzes (on the Morrisby Pro le website) at school. 

• Receive a Morrisby Pro le Report showing the results from the questions and quizzes, and possible jobs that match their abilities, interests, and personality. 

• Have a 30-minute meeting with a Morrisby-trained Career Practitioner, who will explain the report to your child. Here’s a link to video https://youtu.be/8kZp4w69S2w

Year 9 Focus

At the beginning of every fortnight, the Year 9 Team implements foci for all year 7 students. This fortnight, we have started with the foci of bringing your device to class.

Project Time Evening

Recently students from the Year 9 Project Classes (HPV, Game Maker, Create & Art) had the opportunity to showcase their Semester 1 projects. It was fantastic to see so many community members come and see all the hard work that the students have put in. 

Around the Classroom

HPV

Last Friday, Morwell Campus's Year 9 Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) racing team took another trip down to the Casey Fields Criterium Track. 

They spent the day testing the recent modifications that they have made to the vehicle in preparation for the 24hr Maryborough Energy Breakthrough race that will occur in mid-November.

Students have spent several weeks adding extra ventilation, trimming & gluing a new nose cone as well as making modifications to the drive train.

Working in 4 teams the students completed a combined total of over 600km on the 1600m track (a new training record). The riders also had to face tough weather conditions such as strong winds which helped improve rider skills.

Aboriginal Studies

In 9/10 Aboriginal Studies students have been studying Human Rights and learning about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The class has also been participating in NAIDOC week activities in class and celebrating Aboriginal culture. The students went on an excursion to the University campus for the College’s NAIDOC celebration day where they participated in a Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony and got to listen to guest speakers. The students really enjoyed being able to be part of the day.

Science

In Year 9 Science the students have studying Biology this term and have been focusing on the brain and the nervous system. The students have constructed paper hat models of the brain as well as made models of neurons out of pipe cleaners. They were also able to watch a demonstration of a brain dissection. The students have been enjoying all of the practical experiences in Science this term.

Contact Details 

If you have any concerns regarding Year 9 students, please don’t hesitate to email me of phone me on 5165 0600 or Ross.Johnson@kurnaicollege.vic.edu.au 

Ross Johnson

Year 9 Team Leader