Year 9 News
Our Year 9's have had a busy term 2, with lots of different activities happening and lots of positive achievements.
Our term started with the introduction of our Posi Slip Shop. Responding to student feedback, Mrs Johnston and Ms Westphalen have opened the shop to acknowledge the efforts of our Year 9 students and the posi slips they have earned. Students are able to come in at recess on Tuesday and Friday and earn rewards for the number of posi slips they have received. Our prizes are based on student feedback and include chocolates, hot chocolates, opportunities to stay in at lunch to watch a film and canteen vouchers. We are so proud of our Year 9 students and their growth in their behaviour and learning this year and have loved the opportunity to have more positive interactions with them all!
We have also had a number of different activities for our Year 9 students, all based around our term focus of Careers. These activities include the TAFE Trade Taster Day, the Beacon Polish Program and our upcoming Bright Futures Program.
On our TAFE Trade Taster Day, 50 Year 9 students attended TAFE Gippsland in Sale. They attended information sessions on courses such as Health Services, Hair and Beauty, Automotive and Building and Construction. In the sessions, students were given an overview of the TAFE course and careers pathways available, alongside a practical, hands -on activity, such as metalwork or woodwork. Students were excellent representatives of the school and did an excellent job in showing our school values and trying their best.
Last week, Beacon Polish ran 2 incursions, focused on building job interview skills and helping students to market themselves to future employers. The day began with an introduction activity, getting to know the facilitator, Matt. They then started to analyse their own skill set and put together a short ‘elevator pitch’ for themselves. In the afternoon, we were lucky to have local business owners come in to school for a networking lunch and a mock interview session. Students were able to practise their interview skills in the mock interviews and receive feedback from these ‘employers’. They will further have opportunities to practise interview skills in the Bright Futures Program, running in the last week of school. In the program, students will participate in mock interviews and listen to presentations from local community members about their jobs and pathways.
We are very thankful to the Maffra community for their support in developing our careers-based skills for our students and we our proud of our Year 9 students for taking up the opportunities to be exposed to new career options!
Elise Westphalen
Year 9 Leader
