9/10A

Term 3 has stood out as a term of consolidation, heightened focus, prosocial engagement, consistent learning and fun for Secondary 9/10A. This term is hallmarked by the introduction of our new topic “Conquering Harsh Environments” wherein students have had the opportunity to learn about the world's many deserts as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit them. As a part of this unit 9/10A has made thermometers, planted succulents and created dioramas of hot and cold deserts.

The introduction of “Money” as a maths unit has also included the “Earn and Learn” program, where students learn financial literacy in their own classroom economy. 9/10A have experienced, and managed first hand their own income, bills, bank accounts, bonuses and fines. The program has garnered the interest, and a sense of investment for the students of 9/10A and plays a prominent role in goal setting and incentive within the classroom.

While literacy and numeracy always bring out the earnest, and diligently hardworking side of the 9/10A cohort, electives, Fit For Life, and STEAM serve to draw out an even more creative and confident look for the students. Our long list of co-curriculars have afforded the class to take learning in the directions that align with their passions, whether it be physical pursuits in interschool sport, P.E, boxing or outdoor ed; artistic pursuits in art, design technology, and construction; or honing new and wonderful skills in subjects like food tech, programming and music, 9/10A has shown their passion, willingness to try new things as well as enthusiasm for pursuing their strengths in these subjects.

Term 3, in the opinion of the 9/10A staff, has by far been our best and most successful yet. We cannot wait to see how the year concludes for this spectacular group.

9/10B

This term, Secondary 9/10B had so much fun learning about deserts and the amazing plants and animals that live there! Our students were fascinated discovering the special adaptations that help living things survive in hot, dry places. We got to touch real succulents, examine pictures of desert creatures, and discuss how everything in nature has its own clever survival strategies.

The best part of this term was watching everyone work together as a wonderful team!

We completed lots of group projects where students supported each other researching desert animals, planted our own succulent garden and built incredible desert dioramas. We even made thermometers to understand how they work! Our special dress-up days were huge hits - everyone came in cozy pyjamas for our pyjama day and dressed as their favorite book characters for Book Week. It's been fantastic watching our students support one another, share ideas and celebrate each other's achievements.

They've grown a lot in their teamwork skills and truly understand that working together makes everything more enjoyable and successful!

9/10 C

Secondary 9/10C have been exploring our new semester Discovery and Literacy topic -Deserts: Survival in Harsh Environments. We have investigated the differences between Hot Deserts and Polar Deserts, where in the world they are and the types of plants and animals that live in each of these.

We explored how plants and animals have adapted to these environments over millions of years, adopting fascinating traits to survive and thrive, including those of the cacti, animals who camouflage and those who burrow.

As a class we have successfully worked in teams to create thermometers, desert dioramas and planted our own succulent plants.

Tying in our own Social Competencies sessions, we have developed skills in what makes a good team - discussing what quality communication looks and sounds like, effective problem solving skills, and how to support our team mates. This is a critical life skill and am currently putting those skills to use with making a creative stop-motion project using clay characters.

In Mathematics, we have expanded our understanding of money through the Earn and Learn program, by looking at income, expenses, needs vs wants, bonuses and fines. We are looking forward to spending our earnings at the 9/10 Market in week 9.

We are also diving into statistics and probability, learning how to collect data, create tables, and design picture graphs. Students are learning that probability is the chance of something happening, and are using terms such as impossible, unlikely, even chance, likely, and certain to describe different events.

9/10D

Our new unit “Conquering Harsh Environments” gave all students in Secondary 9/10 the chance to explore the world’s deserts and discover the incredible ways plants and animals adapt to survive. In 9/10 D we particularly enjoyed working in groups to build a 3D desert diorama. This week we got messy making our own desert animals out of salt dough.

In Mathematics, we kicked off the “Money” unit with the Earn and Learn program. This classroom economy allowed students to earn wages, manage bank accounts, pay bills, and even receive fines—bringing financial literacy to life in a fun and practical way.

Other term highlights include dressing up for Pyjama Day and Book Week. Across electives, Fit for Life, and STEAM, students have pursued passions from sport and outdoor education to art, food tech, and music.

It has truly been a successful term, and we can’t wait to see what Term 4 brings!

9/10E

Term 3 has been a quick one! Secondary 9/10E have had great fun exploring our new semester Discovery and Literacy topic - Deserts: Survival in Harsh Environments. We have investigated the differences between hot and cold deserts, where in the world they are and the types of plants and animals that live in each.

We all found the adaptations plants and animals adopt to survive fascinating, including those of the cacti, animals who camouflage and those who burrow.

As a class we have successfully worked in teams to create thermometers, desert dioramas and planted our own succulent plants. A special shout out to Jareth for helping lead the class and modelling how to replant plants effectively!

Together we have delved into what makes a good team - discussing what quality communication looks and sounds like, effective problem solving skills, and how to support our team mates.

In Mathematics, we have expanded our understanding of money through Earn and Learn - income, expenses, needs vs wants, bonuses and fines. We are looking forward to spending our earnings at the 9/10 Market in week 9.

During Book Week students worked together using a series of verbal and pictorial prompts to create a class story, “The Invasion of the Cursed Root Vegetable”.

9/10F

This term has seen Secondary 9/10F expanding their understanding about desert environments. They have been discovering new desert vocabulary, weather conditions and various plants and animals with their numerous adaptations.

The Earn and Learn program for Mathematics has helped boost money skills for the whole class. The class has really enjoyed receiving income and paying expenses each day whilst trying to avoid getting fined!

Fit For Life continues to be a class highlight. The discovery unit experiences for our class have been very engaging. These included planting succulents, creating diorama’s and making and testing a thermometer. Recently 910F loved creating desert animals out of clay we made in class.

The class is excited to be preparing for our Market Day activity involving learning dances, listening to music and selling tickets, drinks and food.

9/10G

A Great Start to Term 3

This Term, we have launched an exciting new Discovery Literacy Unit all about hot and cold deserts. Students have identified deserts around the world, explored the extreme temperatures they experience, and discovered the amazing adaptations that help desert plants, such as cacti, survive in these harsh environments.

Working in teams, students created impressive dioramas of hot and cold deserts, carefully including key features. We are now learning about desert animals and their fascinating adaptations, including nocturnal behaviour, burrowing, and camouflage.

In Mathematics, students have been using Excel to record income, expenses, fines, and bonuses as part of our ‘Earn and Learn’ program. Everyone is looking forward to Market Day in Week 9, when students will have the opportunity to spend the money they have earned throughout Term 3!

We are also diving into statistics and probability, learning how to collect data, create tables, and design picture graphs. Students are learning that probability is the chance of something happening, and are using terms such as impossible, unlikely, even chance, likely, and certain to describe different events.

It has been a busy and exciting start to the term, and we look forward to even more learning and fun as the weeks continue!

9/10H

Secondary 9/10H have had a fantastic term exploring money and harsh desert environments.

Through our Earn and Learn program—a highlight of the 9/10 curriculum—students earned money for attending school, paid bills, faced the temptation of shopping at the classroom store, and even experienced fines for poor choices! Along the way, they developed valuable financial skills such as budgeting, saving, counting change, and understanding different types of bank accounts. We are now excitedly preparing for our 9/10 Market, where students will be able to spend their hard-earned money.

In Literacy, we have focused on harsh desert environments, learning about their climates, plants, and animals. Students planted succulents, built desert dioramas, and even created their own thermometers. This work connected to our Social Comp program, which this semester has centred on teamwork and positive mindsets. Together, we created a class positive affirmations board, which we use each day to practise positivity and develop a strong growth mindset.

We also had lots of fun joining in with school events such as Pyjama Day, where everyone loved spending the day cosy in their PJs, and Book Day, which was filled with amazing costumes.

ALLIED HEALTH

Secondary 9/10

Issue 3 · 17 Sep 2025

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