Year Nine
Business Studies
In the following weeks of 2024 Term 3, we are happy to inform you that Business Studies have covered some important topics in Business Management. We have introduced students to some key management principles, discussed the history of management, and explored the various aspects of organizational environments and cultures. We have also delved into the importance of planning and goal setting in business.
Understanding management principles is crucial for effective leadership and decision-making in any organization. By learning about the history of management, we gain insights into how different management practices have evolved over time. Exploring organizational environments and cultures helps us understand how these factors shape the behaviour and dynamics within an organization. Planning and goal setting are essential skills for successful business operations, as they help us align our actions with the overall objectives of the organization.
As we continue our journey through this course, we will be diving deeper into these topics and exploring other important aspects of Business Management. Stay tuned for more exciting and informative discussions in the upcoming weeks.
English
Over the past fortnight, our Year 9 English students have been deeply immersed in the creative process, drawing inspiration from the novel The Underdog as their mentor text. Through careful planning, drafting, and editing, they have honed their creative writing skills, crafting their own unique stories that reflect the themes and styles of the original work.
In particular, our 9A class took advantage of Book Week to finalize their versions of a text innovation based on The Underdog. This activity allowed students to creatively reimagine the story, putting their own spin on the narrative while staying true to the core elements of the mentor text. The results have been nothing short of impressive! These stories will soon be published online, providing students with a commemorative item that marks their final year with us.
As we move forward, students are now turning their attention to the critical analysis of voice, tone, and structure between texts. This next step is crucial as they prepare for their senior years of secondary education, where these analytical skills will become increasingly important. By comparing different texts, students will develop a deeper understanding of how these elements work together to convey meaning, setting them up for success in their future studies.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work and creativity our students have demonstrated, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth as they transition into the next phase of their English studies.
Visual Art Exploration: Identity Through Abstract Self-Portraits
In our Visual Art classes, students have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the complex layers that make up their identities. The process began with a creative exercise known as a "tanglegram," where students mapped out the various elements that define them as individuals. This visual tool helped them to see the intricate connections between different aspects of their lives and how these contribute to their unique sense of self.
Building on this foundation, students then created symbols that encapsulates several facets of their identity. These symbols serve as a personal emblem, representing the diverse influences that shape who they are. These symbols have become the focal point of their final term project: abstract self-portraits.
To deepen their understanding, students conducted individual research, delving into their cultural backgrounds through online exploration and interviews with family members. This research provided valuable insights into how art, self, and connections to land, people, and culture are interwoven. By reflecting on their own cultural heritage, students have been encouraged to incorporate these elements into their artwork, creating a meaningful connection between their personal identity and their cultural roots.
As they work on their abstract self-portraits, students are not just creating art; they are expressing their identity in a way that resonates with their understanding of themselves and their place in the world. These artworks are a testament to their growth as artists and individuals, and we look forward to seeing how they express their unique stories through their creative endeavours.
Melbourne Holocaust Museum excursion
This is a gentle reminder that the closing date for approval and payment of the excursion to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum for our Year 9 students is fast approaching. Can we please ask families to check XUNO and finalise payments and approvals as soon as possible so we can confirm buses and attendance with the museum. The closing date for approval and payment is Wednesday 18th September. If you do not have access to XUNO, please ask you child to request a paper form from the office. We thank you for your support.
Year 9 Drama Students Sharpen Their Stagecraft
This term, our Year 9 Drama students have been diving deep into the world of stagecraft, honing their skills in blocking scenes and developing dynamic characters. Through a series of engaging lessons, students have focused on creating powerful stage pictures and bringing their characters to life with greater authenticity and depth.
A key component of these lessons has been script analysis, where students work on identifying character objectives and exploring physicality and vocal choices. This process has allowed them to deepen their understanding of character development and scene blocking, essential skills for any aspiring actor.
Collaboration has been at the heart of these activities, as students have worked together to experiment with various blocking variations, refining their movements and character choices. These exercises have not only enhanced the dramatic impact of their scenes but also fostered a strong sense of teamwork and creativity.
By the end of the term, students have shown remarkable progress in their stage presence and blocking techniques. Their growing understanding of character development has empowered them to create compelling performances that truly captivate their class audience.
Mathematics
The Year Nine students have had a very engaging seven weeks of this term. Midway through the term the students embarked on the study of linear equations. They reinforced their understanding of expressions, factorising, expanding and simplifying linear expressions. This knowledge led them to study linear equations, which required them to solve for a variable. The next goal in this study was to solve for a variable on either side of the equation. As an extension, some students extended their knowledge of solving simultaneous equations by substitution.
The next learning intention was for the Year Nine students to gain a solid foundation of linear graphs. We looked at utilising our understanding of linear equations to generate linear graphs. Students generated co-ordinates of the x and y axis by substituting in a linear equation. From these co-ordinates students were able to identify the x and y intercepts. We practiced plotting these co-ordinates on a cartesian plane to derive a linear graph. Once students were able to identify the intercepts, they went on to use these intercept points to sketch linear graphs.
As we progress through this topic, students will explore gradients and deriving graphs by using a point and the gradient. They will also investigate deriving an equation from a graph. This term has been a challenging term for our Mathematics students as they were introduced to many new concepts and terminologies, especially in Trigonometry that they covered earlier in the term. However, the students rose to the challenge and gained a solid understanding of these new concepts and terminology. This will equip them well in managing the content further next year.
Food Technology
In Food Technology, in recent weeks, Year Nine students have been busy learning and enjoying the diverse flavours that the world of food has to offer.
In our quest for a balanced diet, we turned our attention to lean red meat with a classic “Shepherd's Pie”. Using lean mince meat, we explored the nutritional benefits of incorporating red meat in moderation. This hearty dish not only satisfied our taste buds but also provided essential nutrients, demonstrating that a well-balanced diet can include lean protein sources for overall health.
Venturing into the Grains unit, our class took on the challenge of making “Gnocchi” from scratch. This hands-on experience allowed us to appreciate the importance of grains in our diets and provided insights into the diverse world of pasta varieties. From kneading the dough to shaping the gnocchi, each step was a
lesson in the artistry and science behind creating these delectable, pillowy bites..
Additionally, as part of our grains unit, students had the opportunity to explore the art of making sushi rolls. Making sushi involved multiple steps, including cooking rice, seasoning it with rice vinegar, and rolling it with nori (seaweed). Students developed essential skills in measuring, cooking, and assembling, which are crucial in both everyday cooking and professional food technology.
Our culinary adventures have not only expanded our palates but have also deepened our understanding of the nutritional value and diversity of foods.
Understanding the importance of balance in our culinary choices, we embraced the joy of indulgence with homemade “Chocolate Muffins”. While we often focus on the nutritional aspects of food, it's equally important to treat ourselves occasionally. These decadent muffins served as a reminder that enjoying a sweet treat in moderation can
be a delightful part of a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle.
Our Year 9 Food Technology program is designed to combine creativity with learning, helping students build essential cooking skills while understanding the importance of nutrition. We look forward to more exciting culinary projects and delicious outcomes in the coming weeks!
Science
The Year 9 students have been delving deeper into the world of genetics, exploring the concepts of dominant and recessive genes and how these genes are passed down from one generation to the next.
Recently, the students have been investigating the question, "How does the environment affect phenotype?" To explore this, they set up an experiment with marigold seeds, planting half in tubs placed in the dark and the other half in the light. Over the next few weeks, they will monitor their plants' growth to see how different environments influence development.
As we approach the end of the term, the students will be studying pedigree charts, so be prepared for questions about where certain traits, such as eye colour or hair colour, might have come from in their families.