Junior Secondary 

What's happening in Year 9

It feels that we move from one exciting period to another in Year 9! Presently, one of our major threads relates to the build up towards Special Week which commences next Monday 28 August. 

Term 3 Special Week in Year 9 is entitled, 'Industry Week' as through our Open Village program we focus on ‘the making of our modern world’ with a specific emphasis on the period incorporating the Industrial Revolution. We have investigated some of the many factors that have shaped the world in which we live today including the advancement of technology, industry, transportation and the unfolding nature of philosophy and economics.

The learning experience is materialised in the conception of our very own workplace, which will take shape during Industry Week. Starting next Monday our whole Year 9 timetable collapses and each Year 9 learner will assume a role in our own workplace. In preparation our learners have looked at their own circumstances of life, work and future as they have been guided through processes of writing their own resumes. 

We have advertised jobs for our workplace and everyone has needed to apply with a written cover letter and their resume. Group and individual interviews have been held to provide an immersive experience in which students get a sense for what it may be like when they begin to apply for their own casual or part-time jobs in the near future. 

Our workplace will have many departments that will create products for sale and handle the marketing and administration similar to that of a real world small business. Some learners will take on managerial responsibilities, and some will fill apprentice positions, as the whole cohort continues to develop their individual capabilities of communication, negotiating and relating to one another. 

We are very excited to see what they achieve and create together, and warmly invite everyone in the MECS community to see the products of their labour, skill and collaboration at our Market Night on Thursday August 31 from 6:00pm.

Adding to their research, communication, listening and presentation skills, our English team are currently facilitating the learning of persuasive language techniques and oral skills via the medium of debating. With learners assigned to topical cultural issues, it will be very interesting to watch how each team work together and interact with their opposing side through this immersive learning opportunity.

Amongst everything else in the life of our Year 9 learners, they are also getting ready for their first experience of Secondary School Examinations. In the final week of term each learner will complete a Science, Math and English exam. The exams, as well as the preparation and post-exam reflection time, are designed to support learners in how they best individually prepare themselves for examination style assessments - which many will be required to do as part of their VCE.

It was encouraging that more than 30 of our learners voluntarily attended a lunchtime seminar aimed at guiding them in their preparation for being ‘Exam Ready’ and many more have proactively sought out copies of the preparation resources. 

Tim Eddy

Year 9 Coordinator & Secondary Teacher