Year 9 News

Welcome to the 2025 learning year. 

The year 9 team would like to welcome all members of the Kurnai Learning Community and extend a warm welcome the all-new families to Kurnai College. My name is Ross Johnson and my role for 2025 is Year 9 Team Leader. I am excited to work with your child and your family throughout 2025. 

Year 9 Team 

Ross Johnson : Year 9 Team Leader

Alanah Andrews: Learning Specialist & English Teacher

Nia Whitney: Science Teacher

Sam Connell:  English and Media Studies Teacher

Sophie Taylor: Health and Physical Education Teacher

Khatt Sims: Music Teacher

Tyron Forscutt: Maths and Physical Education Teacher 

House Championships

In 2025 the Year 9’s will see the introduction of the inaugural House Championships. This year we are focusing on tracking data in house colours (rather than form groups). Each fortnight students can earn/lose points based on the 4 pillars (Work Ethic, Excellence, Relationships and Engagement). Students can also participate in extracurricular activities and the “House Games” which will allow them to earn points for their team.

Students can earn points based on the following:

KPA’s +1 

Postcards +10

Attendance Average

LBU Average x 10

Attendance at Easy Learning Club +3

Attendance at Interschool Sports +3

Alternatively, students can see points taken away based on the following:

Late to class – 1

Amber behaviour entry -1

Red behaviour entry -3

Suspension -10

House Championship Leaderboard Term 1 Weeks 1-3

Freeman – 559 points

Siddle – 498 points

Forsyth – 396 points

Thorpe – 378 points

Attendance

This year our aim is to improve student attendance rates to an above 95% average. If you student is absent please contact Kurnai’s absence hotline on 5165 0600, option 1 or contact Ross Johnson directly via Compass. 

Year 9 Camp 

The 2024 Year 9 Camp planning is underway, and expression of interest forms are currently on Compass. This camp will be a 4-night stay in Melbourne where students will have the opportunity to experience a range of cultural, educational and leisure activities in the Melbourne CBD. This camp will be capped at 60 students due to accommodation and activity factors. If more than 60 students return expressions of interest, attendance data, LBU data and behavioral data will be used to select places. The Melbourne Discovery Camp will be via DOXA Youth Foundation and will cost $150 per student (subject to change).

Expression of Interest forms will be available on Compass in the coming days. Expression of Interest will close on the 4th April 2025. 

Around the Classrooms

In Relationships & Resilience Year 9 students have been exploring the topic of resilience. One activity to test their resilience involved working groups to build towers made of paper cups. Unknown to the students, their teacher would deliberately bump the table or turn the fans on to make the challenge harder.

Some students were able to bounce back quickly from the setbacks, while others became angry quickly or gave up on the challenge. We compared this to real life experiences where things don't always go as planned and we need to have strategies to stay calm and keep going even when things are tough. Students will continue to explore resilience through mindfulness, empathy and gratitude in their R&R classes.

In Human Powered Vechiles (HPV) this Term we have learnt about OHS and tool safety within the HPV workshop. We have then applied that knowledge to sanding the fairings in preparation for fibreglassing and a fresh coat of paint.

In Year 9 Music Band in a Box, students are learning about the safety aspects of musical equipment when setting it up, moving it, using it and storing it. Students have engaged in OHS practices before using the equipment, to ensure everyone’s safety is a priority. They have been learning about setting up the PA system for rehearsals and performances and how to connect each of the speakers, foldbacks and microphones. They have begun working on learning to play a couple of songs, as well as explore different styles and elements of music, to enhance their own performance.

In year 9/10 Outdoor Education students are currently learning about environmental impacts. This involves the students engaging with content around the 7 ‘Leave no trace’ rules, how to identify the impact they have on the future of the land and how we can prevent these negative changes. This information is then exhibited through a PowerPoint presentation. Alongside this, students have been preparing for Surf Camp by participating in survival swimming sessions at the Gippsland Aquatic centre and researching the importance of water safety. Throughout this process students have been reflecting on their progress and working on their character strengths to enable them to further their understanding of character building. 

NAPLAN

In 2025 Year 9 students  undertake NAPLAN testing in Week 7 & 8  (12th-24th March). This can be a stressful time for some students so please reach out if your student may need some extra support.Our message to each individual child is DO YOUR BEST ON THE NAPLAN TEST. Over the coming weeks students will learn a range of strategies so they can be fully prepared for each test. 

Contact Details 

If you have any concerns regarding Year 9 students, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (03) 5165 0600 or Ross.Johnson@kurnaicollege.vic.edu.au 

Ross Johnson

Year 9 Team Leader