Year 9

Faith in Action 

Article by Ryan Noye, Deputy Head of Year 9

A deeply rewarding Focus Week experience, Faith in Action focuses on the complexities of homelessness. Students begin the week learning about the misconceptions surrounding homeless, including the ‘type of people’  and the common reasons that find themselves living on the streets. As well as the immense challenges associated with getting out of the poverty cycle once embedded.  

Students then get involved, volunteering at Homeless Support St Mark’s Community Centre and Lazarus Centre engage with The Big Issue, where they and participate in a City Search hallenge designed to foster empathy and awareness. At the end of the week, they present their findings and propose solutions to address homelessness, gaining a deeper understanding of the issue and its real-world implications. 

Stay tuned for more photos from future Focus Weeks. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do! 

Semester 1: Mind Matters

Article by Ryan Noye, Deputy Head of Year 9

This term, our Year 9 Semester 1 Mind Matters students are wrapping up their Mindful Mastery unit, a rich and reflective journey they’ve been on since the beginning of the this semester. Throughout the semester, students have explored the transformative practice of mindfulness and how it can be applied in everyday life. 

The unit has encouraged students to think deeply about their thought patterns, manage difficult emotions, and build the kind of emotional resilience that supports wellbeing during life’s inevitable ups and downs. 

As captured in the photos included, students have participated in a variety of hands-on mindfulness activities designed to heighten sensory awareness, foster presence, and reduce automatic or reactive behaviour. From guided meditation and breath work to activities that connect body and mind, students have begun to understand the powerful relationship between our physical, emotional, and psychological states. 

Research shows that through consistent practice, even as little as five minutes a day, mindfulness can significantly enhance one’s ability to cope with academic demands, strengthen relationships, and navigate personal challenges. It’s heartening to see our students embracing these tools, not only with reflection and maturity, but with plenty of enthusiasm and enjoyment too. 

We hope you enjoy this visual snapshot of their journey. 

For the rest of Term 2, students will dive into the fascinating world of brain science. They’ll explore the main components of the brain, develop an understanding of sleep and memory, and examine how sleep deprivation, exercise, and nutrition can influence brain function and mental performance.

Each fortnight, the College Careers Team publishes a newsletter providing students and parents with the most up-to-date career information, events and opportunities.  

Please access via the following link.