Year Nine
Humanities - Exploring History at the Shrine of Remembrance
As we start our journey through Term Three, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we are creating a nurturing environment for our students to learn and grow.
To start the term, our Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend an excursion to the Shrine of Remembrance as a kick-off for our new Humanities unit focused on History. Our students are currently exploring the Statement of Inquiry: "Global conflicts and their resolution of power struggles can impact current and future civilisations, emphasising the role of individual and collective actions in shaping history."
During this excursion, students engaged with primary resources that vividly brought to life the experiences of the Great War (WWI) and the events of WWII. This visit was not only educational but also deeply moving, helping our students to understand the human aspects of history.
Student comments on the excursion:
After visiting the Shrine of Remembrance, I was awestruck by its majestic ancient structures, which made me feel like I'd stepped into a time machine. They vividly captured the history of the war and honoured the Australian soldiers of WWI. The tour guides were like history wizards, enchanting us with fascinating insights about the artifacts. I'd return to the Shrine of Remembrance in a heartbeat!
- Ashleigh Nzenza - 9D
The excursion to the Shrine of Remembrance was a tremendous success! We are incredibly proud of our students for their respectful and inquisitive participation during this impactful experience. We were particularly impressed by how 'open-minded' and 'principled' our students were while exploring the site and listening to the stories of the service people discussed. Their willingness to engage with the material reflects their growth and maturity.
We are grateful for your continued partnership and support in fostering an environment where our students can thrive academically and personally. We are excited about the opportunities for collaboration between our school and families as we continue to unpack this unit of History.
Financial Literacy
Back by popular demand, Financial Literacy is back for our Year Nine students as part of our enhanced elective program for Semester Two. As part of the elective, students will continue to build on their knowledge from Year Seven and Eight and delve deeper into the fundamental concepts of Financial Literacy, hopefully enabling them to make better financial decisions in the future.
Throughout the 20-week course, we will delve into the idea of money and its three functions in society. We'll tackle the concept of inflation and its positives and negatives while also comparing fiat currencies and their implications when they were removed from the gold standard. Students will also inquire about employment and its link to salaries and wages, which support or hinder household financial decisions in the future. We will explore the differences between renting and owning property and simple budgeting and saving strategies and techniques. To finish off the course, we'll investigate the work of Robert Kiyosaki and highlight the differences between accumulating assets and reducing liabilities.
The students really enjoyed the 'real life' applications of Financial Literacy over the past few years, and this elective will hopefully continue to help them thrive in an ever-changing world!
MUSIC:
Unleashing Creativity with Soundtrap: Students Compose Original Music
In today's digital age, the intersection of technology and creativity is providing exciting new opportunities for our students. This semester, our high school music department has been harnessing the power of Soundtrap, an innovative digital audio workstation, to enable students to create their own original pieces of music.
Soundtrap is an online, collaborative music and podcast recording studio that offers students a wealth of tools to record, edit, and produce their own tracks. Its user-friendly interface and wide range of virtual instruments, loops, and effects have made it a perfect fit for both beginners and more experienced musicians in our school.
Exploring and Creating Complex Works
Since integrating Soundtrap into our curriculum, students have been exploring the platform's extensive features to create some truly complex and amazing works. From layering sounds and experimenting with various genres to fine-tuning rhythms and melodies, the creativity and dedication displayed by our students have been remarkable.
Showcasing Student Talent
We are thrilled to share some of these original compositions with you. The works produced on Soundtrap reflect not only the students' technical skills but also their imaginative and artistic growth. Here are a few highlights:
- Hanz Zimmer Fusion - Combining traditional classical elements with modern electronic sounds, this piece showcases intricate rhythms and a seamless blend of genres.
- Ambient Soundscape - A soothing composition that uses layered loops and ambient effects to create a tranquil and immersive auditory experience.
- Rock Anthem - Featuring powerful guitar riffs and dynamic drum patterns, this track captures the energy and spirit of classic rock music.
- Electronic Dance Track - An upbeat, high-energy piece that incorporates pulsating beats and catchy melodies, perfect for the dance floor.
Please follow this link to hear the Rock Anthem composed by one of our talented Female year 9 students. https://youtu.be/y4uAZE5EMFM
Collaborative Learning
One of the most exciting aspects of using Soundtrap is its collaborative capabilities. Students have been able to work together on projects, even from different locations, sharing ideas and building on each other’s strengths. This has fostered a sense of teamwork and community within our music program, as well as provided valuable lessons in communication and cooperation.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to explore the possibilities of digital music production, we look forward to seeing even more innovative and inspiring works from our students. The integration of Soundtrap has opened new doors for creative expression and technical skill development, and we are excited to support our students in their musical journeys.
We invite you to listen to the amazing compositions our students have created and celebrate their hard work and creativity. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming performances and showcases where these original pieces will be featured.
Thank you for your continued support of our music program!
Visual Communication
Our students are delving into the dynamic world of content creation through video and mobile devices, building on methods previously taught in the Visual Communications program. This exciting project focuses on mastering camera movements and visual aesthetics, empowering students to enhance their content creation skills for online platforms. By applying their knowledge of visual storytelling, composition, and design principles, they are creating engaging and visually appealing videos. This hands-on experience not only solidifies their technical expertise but also prepares them to excel in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
The following videos are by
Allan Lu
Jazzariah Williams & Versace Rhodas