Year 9 Report

Head of Year                 

Mrs Jennii Johnson        

Assistant Head of Year  

Mr Adrian Moore

NAPLAN Testing

Written by Grace Cosgriff-Camm and Samantha McLeod

On the 10th, 11th, and 12th of May all Year 9 students had NAPLAN testing. We were bussed of to a church hall in Mt Martha. On the first day we had the Language Conventions and Writing Tests. We were surprised to find that the writing test was creative and not persuasive like previous years.

In between the two tests we had a break and the canteen was open for to buy food if we wanted to. The chips were delicious! On the second day we did the reading test. After the test we had a small break (the canteen was open much to our delight) and then a guest speaker, Mike Rolls came and talked to us about his journey. It was a real inspiration to hear that even though he had been through some really terrible things he had worked through them and was able to move past the bad moments. Question time brought up some very interesting questions, like; “What did they do with your legs?”, “Do you have phantom pain?” and “Does your mum steal your legs?” After that we had another break for lunch which the canteen was open for. Then we had some team building activities. We brainstormed some ideas that Mike brought up in his speech, built the highest tower we could out of straws and blue tac and then tried to get out entire class through a hula hoop as quickly as we could. Our class had a distinct disadvantage as we had 23 people. On the last day we did the two math’s tests, the calculator and the non-calculator tests. We had the calculator test first and then a break, the canteen was open. Then we did the non-calculator test. After that we finally got back on the busses and went back to school. Our last NAPLAN test was over.  

Term 3

Term 3 begins with Urban Camp, Monday 11th July – Wednesday 13th July. Students not attend camp are to attend school as usual. An alternative timetable will be put in place for the three days and students will be completing a GAT as part of the Pastoral / Health curriculum. Students attending camp will also be completing a GAT for their Pastoral / Health curriculum.

Course Counseling   

The first 5 weeks of term we will be working with the year 9 students to help them understand the different pathways through senior school. How to negotiate their way around the VTAC Course Selection Website, the differences between VCE and VCAL and what subjects are offered in the senior school, which will culminate in students drafting up a three year subject selection plan.  Students will be encouraged to have at least 3 alternative pathways to ensure that all options are kept open.

This section of the pastoral course leads up to the Dromana College Careers Expo and Year 10 Information Evening which is held on Tuesday 2nd August, Course Counseling interviews will be held during the following week. Students and parents with any questions are encouraged to contact Derry Caulfield the VET and Careers Coordinator at the college.