Amplify

Year 9s Embark on a New Learning Journey with Amplify

The start of the academic year has brought an exciting change for our Year 9 students with the launch of Amplify – a program designed to empower students by giving them opportunities to co-design their learning and apply their skills to solving real-world issues.

Through Amplify, students will explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gaining a deeper understanding of our global responsibilities. More importantly, the program aims to develop informed citizens who can make meaningful contributions - whether on a large scale or through everyday actions.

While both staff and students began the program with a few nerves, these quickly faded as connections were made and the learning journey began. Due to the size of our cohort, half of the Year 9 students participate in Amplify on Mondays, while the other half take part on Wednesdays. Each Amplify day begins with the whole group coming together to Acknowledge Country, pray, and engage in an activation activity. These activities are designed to provoke curiosity, challenge existing perspectives and encourage students to consider new possibilities. 

Students will develop their critical and creative thinking skills, personal and social capabilities and the ability to apply an ethical lens to their ideas and problem-solving. The program focuses on identifying a need within the community – whether local, national, or global – and working towards innovative solutions that create positive change.

Throughout the Amplify journey, students will follow a structured process that includes five key stages:

• Discovery – understanding a chosen sustainability goal, exploring diverse perspectives and identifying key insights.
• Research – gathering information from primary and secondary sources, consulting with experts and learning effective research skills.
• Resourcefulness – identifying the materials, tools and support needed to bring ideas to life.
• Problem-Solving – evaluating challenges and opportunities, defining success and refining solutions.
• Action & Reflection – implementing solutions, reflecting on progress and presenting their journey through a folio.

Each week, the program focuses on a new aspect of learning. In Week 1, students got to know each other and were introduced to the program. Week 2 will focus on exploring their learner identity, helping them understand how to create the best learning environment for themselves. In Week 3, students will take part in Provocation Day, an off-site experience designed around topics and themes they have expressed interest in exploring further.

Amplify is an exciting opportunity for our Year 9 students to take ownership of their learning, develop essential future-focused skills and create real impact within their communities. We look forward to seeing the incredible ideas and initiatives they bring to life throughout the year.