Year Nine

Business Studies

In this edition of our newsletter, we will be delving deeper into the four key decisions that students have been learning about in marketing: Product, Pricing, Distribution, and Promotion. These decisions are essential in creating a successful marketing strategy and ultimately driving sales and profitability for a business.

Product: The first decision that marketers must consider is the product itself. This includes everything from the design and features of a product to its branding and packaging. Students have learned about the importance of understanding their target market's needs and preferences in order to develop a product that meets those needs and stands out from competitors.

Pricing: The next decision that students have studied is pricing. Setting the right price for a product is crucial in attracting customers and generating revenue. Students have learned about different pricing strategies, such as cost-based pricing, competition-based pricing, and value-based pricing, and how to determine the optimal price point for their product.

Distribution: Once a product is developed and priced, the next step is getting it into the hands of customers. Distribution decisions involve determining the most efficient and effective way to deliver a product to the target market. Students have explored different distribution channels, such as direct sales, retailers, wholesalers, and online marketplaces, and how to select the right distribution strategy for their product.

Promotion: Finally, students have learned about promotion decisions, which involve communicating the value of a product to customers and persuading them to make a purchase. This includes advertising, sales promotions, public relations, and personal selling. Students have studied how to create an integrated marketing communications plan that effectively reaches the target market and drives sales.

Overall, mastering these four key decisions in marketing is essential for success in the competitive business world. By understanding the product, pricing, distribution, and promotion decisions, students will be well-equipped to develop and implement effective marketing strategies that drive business growth and profitability.

We hope you find this information helpful in understanding the key decisions in marketing. That’s a wrap for end of 2024. Have a merry Festive Season & a joyful safe New Year 2025!

Maths

The term has flown by so quickly, and it’s hard to believe we’re now in the final weeks of the year. As we wrap up, we’re proud to reflect on the hard work and progress our students have made across various areas of mathematics.

The Year 9 Aces have been tackling a real-world challenge that integrates their mathematical knowledge: understanding the costs of living independently. In this project, students identify essential expenses and make sound financial decisions while working within a limited budget. They explore discounts, promotions, and other cost-saving strategies to develop a reflective budget. Each student will present an analytical account of their decisions, highlighting the practical application of maths in daily life.

The rest of the Year 9 cohort has been exploring congruency and its applications in various industries. By studying congruent shapes and triangles, they’ve gained insights into the structural strength of rigid shapes. For example, they’ve learned how congruent triangles are fundamental to constructing roof trusses and bridges. The students can now use congruence rules to prove whether two triangles are congruent and will soon transition to studying similar triangles.

This has been a productive and enjoyable year for all our maths students. Many are beginning to recognise the significance of mathematics in their future careers, which has become a powerful motivator in their learning journey.

As we approach the holiday season, the maths department would like to thank you for your support and wish everyone a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.

Warm regards,

The Maths Department

English

As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our incredible Year 9 English students on a wonderful year of growth, creativity, and achievement. It has been a pleasure to watch them develop their skills, challenge themselves, and share their unique perspectives through their writing and discussions.

This term, we wrapped up the year with an exploration of Slam Poetry—a powerful and dynamic form of expression that blends performance and poetry to voice deeply emotional and important views on issues close to the heart. Students have explored how this medium can be a tool for real-life advocacy, using their voices to express frustrations, passions, and calls for change. Many connected this learning to their final Humanities unit on Civil Rights, creating pieces that highlighted the ongoing fight for equality and justice, showing their ability to think critically and empathetically about the world around them.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the creativity they brought to this final project. Slam Poetry challenged them to be vulnerable, courageous, and authentic—qualities that will undoubtedly serve them well in the years to come.

As we prepare to farewell our Year 9 students, we wish them all the best for their transition to a new school in 2025 and beyond. We look forward to hearing about all the successes they achieve in their future endeavours and are confident they will make a meaningful impact wherever their paths lead.

To our families, thank you for your unwavering support throughout the year. Your encouragement has been integral to the students’ growth and achievements.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful holiday season filled with rest and celebration.

Warm regards,

The Year 9 English Team

Year 9 Drama: Exploring Shakespeare Through Performance

This term, our Year 9 Drama students have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of William Shakespeare. Through watching and exploring scenes from some of his most beloved plays, the students have gained a deeper appreciation for the timeless stories and characters crafted by the Bard.

The class began by immersing themselves in Shakespeare’s world, delving into the rich language, historical context, and dramatic techniques that make his plays so enduring. They then turned their focus to iconic scenes from classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

By watching recorded performances of these scenes, students were able to see how actors interpret Shakespeare’s words for modern audiences. They analyzed the actors’ use of voice, movement, and emotion, discussing how these elements brought the text to life. Inspired by this, the students experimented with recreating these scenes in class, exploring character motivations and staging their own interpretations.

This unit has not only enhanced their understanding of Shakespeare’s plays but has also encouraged creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Well done to all Year 9 Drama students for their enthusiasm and insight throughout this term!

Food Technology

As we wrap up an exciting semester in our Year Nine Food Technology class, we are thrilled to share the culinary journey our students embarked on in the past few weeks. From designing unique assessment dishes to exploring international cuisines, our young chefs have had their hands full with creativity and deliciousness.

Starting off with their design process assessment, each student responded to a design brief, creating dishes that balanced nutrition, flavour, and presentation. This project allowed them to demonstrate their ability to create dishes that balanced nutrition, flavour and presentation. The results were impressive, with a diverse array of dishes that highlighted their culinary skills, creativity and showcased the different cuisines of the world.

Building on their assessment experience, students then dived into Greek cuisine by preparing a traditional souvlaki. This dish, known for its flavourful marinated meat skewers, allowed students to explore the rich culinary heritage of Greece. They learned about the importance of spices, marinades, and grilling techniques, creating a mouthwatering souvlaki that transported us straight to the Mediterranean.

Next, our kitchen was infused with the vibrant flavours of Mexico as students prepared chipotle meatball bowls. This dish combined the smokiness of chipotle peppers with the heartiness of homemade meatballs, served over a bed of rice with fresh toppings. The students enjoyed experimenting with spices and ingredients unique to Mexican cuisine, gaining a deeper appreciation for its bold and dynamic flavours.

Throughout the semester, our Year 9 students have shown tremendous growth in their culinary abilities. They have learned to plan, prepare, and present a variety of dishes, each with its own unique set of challenges and

rewards.

 Their journey through different cuisines has broadened their understanding of global flavours and cooking techniques, enriching their overall food technology experience.

As we conclude this semester, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students.

The semester has been filled with learning, creativity, and a deepened appreciation for healthy eating and global cuisines, setting a strong foundation for future culinary adventures.

Spanish: A Fond Farewell

As we near the end of the school year, I feel incredibly honoured to reflect on my journey with the Year 9 cohort at Saltwater. Having taught these students since they first stepped into secondary school, and being their Homeroom teacher for two years, I have learned so much—about them, about myself, and about the unique magic of teaching.

This group holds a special place in my heart, as they are the first cohort I have had the privilege of teaching consecutively across multiple years. I hope I have imparted more than just Spanish vocabulary and grammar; I hope I’ve taught them to feel confident, respected, and cared for. Above all, I hope I’ve helped them experience the joy of learning and success in their own unique ways.

To the students and their families: thank you for the warmth and kindness you’ve shown me, and for welcoming me so wholeheartedly into the Saltwater community. Although most of the Year 9 students won’t be continuing Spanish next year, I hope this isn’t the end of their language-learning journey. Remember, it’s never too late to start something new—or to pick up where you left off!

I wish every one of these students the very best in their future endeavours. I hope to see you around—please don’t hesitate to say hola if we cross paths in the community! And if you’d like to keep in touch, my email remains the same. I’d love to hear about your adventures and successes in the years to come.

¡Buena suerte y hasta luego!

Señorita Hewat

Visual Art

I would like to acknowledge the ongoing creativity of the Year 9 students throughout this semester.  I have enjoyed the critical and creative thinking that has unfolded in the sessions and wish all the students the very best as the year wraps up.  I look forward to hearing from our students as they enter senior secondary school, and eventually move onto their chosen future careers.  It has been an absolute pleasure seeing the collaboration and friendships develop within our sessions and will miss our weekly lessons.  All the very best for a wonderful break and good luck for 2025 and beyond!