Year 9 News

What a term we have had in Year 9! We’ve seen growth in so many student’s lives in many different facets – academically, socially, emotionally and we’re definitely starting to see some of those growth spurts too!

It hasn’t just been packed full of growth either. It’s also been packed full of activities and extracurriculars that we want to draw particular attention to. Our Year 9 Outdoor Ed program continues to bring new experiences for the students. This term the students headed out to Toolangi and the Cathedral Ranges for orienteering and hiking which was epic. This program tests and builds resilience for sure! Next term the students get to look forward to their Wilson’s Prom trip. Surely they won’t get as good weather as they did in Term 1? Time will tell!

We also saw many achievements in our sporting and athletics programs! We had Year 9’s representing Melba with pride at table tennis and basketball, as well as Melba taking out some incredible individual awards in the athletics sphere. The boys table tennis team came 2nd overall to Ringwood, and Peter N didn’t lose a game all day. Despite being the smallest school in our competition, we also took the most teams to the basketball round robin showing the ability and passion for basketball from our students.

In the individual space, Elise H has had quite the term, competing in State Cross Country at Yarra Valley Racecourse in Week 1, and finishing first in the 3000m and 1500m at the recent division athletics. She also finished 2nd in the 800m, which I assume is because she was giving everyone else a shot! We also had some incredible results from the following students – Drew L, finishing 3rd in discus, Gemma D 3rd in triple jump, Jessie B 3rd in triple, long & high Jump as well as the 400m, Claudia R 2nd in the 400m and 3rd in long and high jump and 200m. Charlye D finished 2nd in the discus and 3rd in shot put and Oscar R rounds us out with a 3rd in the 200m. Well done to all who competed and we wish those competing at Regionals in Term 4 all the best!

The Year 9 girls have also had some awesome opportunities to get active and familiarise themselves with the gym in our ongoing partnership with Fernwood Fitness which is bearing much fruit. The girls are gaining confidence in a supportive & fun environment.

Looking all the way back to the early weeks – we had our Courage to Care incursion where No Bull, Melba’s Wellbeing Team and other providers came out and gave us some awesome demonstrations as to what it looks like to be an upstanding citizen who calls out the good in others. The outflow of this has been felt at the student and staff level in Term 3.

And how could we not mention production!! It was awesome to see our community come together and support, as well as our Year 9’s stepping out of their comfort zones as cast members – Gemma D, Elise H and Sienna M all had roles and did an amazing job by all reports. And we also want to specifically acknowledge Mackenzie S who put in a lot of work helping Ms. Mulholland painting sets after hours and working backstage!

Looking ahead to Term 4 we have the incredible opportunity to do City Experience! We are so excited to see what this wonderful city has to offer in 2026. Grateful to be living in the one of the best and most liveable cities in the world. If you haven’t already, make sure you are consenting and paying for your child to attend!