Year 9 News

Welcome Back 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Kurnai Learning Community back to Term 3. This term Anthony Di Fabrizio will be on long service leave, and I (Ross Johnson) will take over as acting Team Leader. 

Year9/10 Summit Camp

Last week of term 2 was an  amazing experience for everyone involved.  Congratulations to everyone who attended for a transformative experience that will help us to confront our limitations and exceed expectations in the future.

We were expertly guided by our coaches Ella, Cam, Logan, Centauri, Adam and work experience student Josh. They proved to be positive, supportive, motivating and invested in the success of each and every student. 

Over our time at The Summit, students were encouraged to unleash  their greatness and followed our Five Keys: 

1. Have Fun

2. Play All In 

3. Make Lots of Mistakes 

4. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 

5. Don’t go Home Wondering What-If 

At the end of Day one the teams had begun to form and students chose the following names for their teams: 

1. A-Team, 2. MVP, 3. Kobe Bryant, 4. Shezzas, &

5. AB 

First rotations were the Leap of Faith, Inflatable City, Flying Fox, Rockwall and the Snowy River Challenge. Everybody started stepping out of their comfort zones by hitting their targets, stretches and super stretches! 

Each morning started with reading out some positive feedback from students, teachers and coaches. It was wonderful to hear about the amazing challenges each of you took on an exceeded.

The coaches lead students to set a daily intention, choosing to either making a mental note, telling a friend or writing it down. This was done to support ourselves to make the most of camp and model how to make the most of our lives by actively deciding who we want to be and what we want to do. The final link was to add in a touch of gratitude reflecting on everything we have to be grateful for. 

So many games were played throughout the week, most notably Gumboot Bowling where only a few could win against Coach Ella). Kade starred in Tug of War almost taking the camp king, Coach Cam down. 

Activities continued with High wire, Trust Games, Abseil, Tash’s Ladder and the Scavenger Hunt. 

And finally, everyone was ready for the Monster Course. As student began in their teams, the mud definitely began to fly! The teams not only completed the lap once but twice! This challenge pushed everyone outside of their comfort zones, in all different ways. The most incredible thing happened, everyone contributed to this activity to their greatest capacity. Students began helping each other within their teams and then, to students in other teams. The group transformed on the Monster course from a competition between teams to a whole camp effort. Students acted as one an lived up to the values we strive for in WE’RE Kurnai. 

Throughout the camp, sleep deprived teachers ran some pretty epic night activities, from movie nights, hot chocolates, night walks, line dancing and even a party (well almost – everyone was too tired on the last night)! 

Camp ended with the last set of rotations, the Summit Window, Snake and Nails, Sky Bridge, Orienteering and the Cave. Student’s comfort zones had grown so much that these activities seemed not quite as scary and Riley even claimed to have lost his fear of heights.. 

A huge special mention to our values winners. These people were voted for living and breathing by our 5 keys and pushing beyond their comfort zones, from teams: 

1. A Team – Kayla 

2. MVP – Sarah 

3. Kobe Bryant – Riley

4. Shezzas – Nick 

5. AB – Declan and Jasmine

Many thanks to all of the coaches Ella, Cam, Logan, Centauri and Adam.  Thanks also go to the caring Kurnai Team Kelsey, Sheryl, Alan, Shawn, Anthony, Colleen, Janelle and Sarah 

Melbourne Discovery Camp 

Week 3 will see 40 students attend Melbourne Discovery Camp from Monday through to Wednesday. Students will be visiting a range of places such as:

• Obrien’s Ice House
• Artvo
• Melbourne Zoo
• Melbourne Aquarium
• Eureka Skydeck
• Shrine of Remembrance 
• Scienceworks

Covid protocols whilst on camp

Please note, we recommend all students take a rapid antigen test (these will be sent home on Monday 18/7/22) before leaving for camp. Whilst on camp, if students are showing any symptoms of illness, we will have extra rapid antigen tests at camp and will facilitate any students who would like to self-test. If a student is unwell, or tests positive to Covid 19 we will contact the family and ask they come and be picked up from camp.

Students will be required to be at Morwell training station at 6.50am on Monday 25th August. 

Packing lists and itineraries will be provided to students in the coming days. 

PBS

Kurnai Positive Acknowledgement data from Term 2

9A- 292

9B- 230

9C-206

9D- 329

Total = 1057

This is a fantastic effort and students should be proud of their achievements.

Expectations

Students were reminded during their year level assembly of day-to-day expectations such as:

• Being on time to class
• Actively engaging with all learning tasks and set work 
• Bring required equipment to class: pens, books, worksheets, device with a charger.
• Correct uniform

Upcoming Excursions

Monday 25th July – Wednesday 27th July – Melbourne Discovery Camp 

Friday 5th August – HPV Casey 

Tuesday 16th August – Tech school for Electronics elective class.

Friday 26th August – HPV Casey

Thursday 17th November – Monday 21st November – HPV Maryborough

Contact Details

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Year 9 students, please don’t hesitate to email me or phone me on 5165 0600 

Ross.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au