Year 7 - 9 Community

Year 9

Interview with Catherine Hyde

How have the year 9 students settled in so far this year?

The year 9 students have settled in pretty well. Some students were nervous, but as time went on they started to settle in and get into the daily routine. Although we’ve only been here for 3 weeks, people have made a lot of new friends and acquaintances as well as remembering their schedule. 

What has been something that you're really enjoying about being in high school?

Something I've really enjoyed about being in high school is seeing all my friends from the other campuses and seeing them everyday instead of once a week. Switching from one class to another for different classes is fun but also having a different teacher for different subjects is helpful because instead of having one teacher for every class, you have a certain teacher. They can help you so much better because they are focused on that specific subject.

What has the highlight been so far?

The highlight for me personally, was the Big Sister experience. It was an amazing workshop that brought me and my friends closer together. That day I found out things I didn’t know about them and it made me see them on a deeper level. The Big Sister experience was a great activity and a lot of fun.

Update from The Year 9 Learning Community Leader - Mr Ben Cooper

Year 9s Off to a Great Start!

The Year 9 cohort has had a fantastic start to the term, settling in with enthusiasm and engagement across all areas of high school life. Students spent the first week  working through the Starting Right program, which has equipped them with essential skills in the Google Suite apps—setting them up for success in their studies.

In the classroom, students have been diving into a range of engaging subjects. In English, they are reading The Simple Gift, a novel exploring themes of belonging and resilience. In Mathematics, they are strengthening their understanding of number skills, building a solid foundation for future topics. Humanities classes have been exploring the Industrial Revolution, examining its impact on society and technological advancements. Meanwhile, in Science, students are investigating electricity, learning about circuits and how energy is transferred. It’s been a busy and exciting start to the year, and we look forward to seeing all that the Year 9s will achieve in the coming weeks!

A year 9 Art of Food class at Goldsworthy took on the challenge of re-inventing the classic meat and 3 veg'! Given the freedom to choose their own ingredients & plating styles, they created some truly impressive dishes. Check out their creativity and skills.

In Physical Education, classes have been making the most of the great weather by heading out to play pickleball, a fast-growing sport that’s been a hit with everyone. Students have also completed their preferences for Trade Tasters at The Gordon, an exciting opportunity in Term 2 where they will explore hands-on skills in various trades.

A key highlight this term has been the Year 9 wellbeing programs, with the boys taking part in The Man Cave and the girls engaging in The Big Sister Experience. These sessions provided valuable opportunities for self-reflection, connection, and personal growth. 

To round off an exciting start to the term, we are also thrilled to announce our Year 9 student leaders, who will play a key role in representing and supporting their peers throughout the year. Congratulations to our new leaders:

• Abigail John
• Annabelle Griffiths-Napier
• Izac Williamson
• Catherine Hyde
• Cam Stonehouse
• Ywa Eh So Galaxy
• Gloria Kaboyi
• Cheshta Patel

We look forward to seeing your impact on the school community! 

Looking ahead, a reminder that NAPLAN will take place in mid-March, giving students a chance to demonstrate their skills in literacy and numeracy. More details will be shared with families closer to the date.

Ben Cooper

Year 9 Learning Community Leader

Year 7 - 8

The students have started their Humanities unit on ‘What does justice and law look like in Australia?’. So far, the students have investigated the concept of justice. 

Thanks to Abbas, Ehky, Abdul Abdullah, Savannah, Hadi, Ahmad, Ali, Lucero and Carine for their work samples.

The students have completed a safety unit in Science, learning how to use lab equipment safely. Students have also been awarded their Bunsen burner licences. 

Thanks to Lucero, Blake and Hadi for their work samples. 

INCURSIONS & INCURSIONS

Jana McElhinney

Year 7-8 Community Leader

Mathew Potter

Assistant Principal - Hendy Campus

Year 7-9 SoL Leader