Year 9

Term One

Term One has been a very busy term as students settled into the rigour required for Year 9 courses. Many students have taken up the challenge to engage in the many activities on offer in the College. These range from the Arts, Sport, Debating, Leadership training, assisting at Open Day or the Mary Ward social and of course their courses of study. It has been pleasing to see students developing their skills, challenging themselves by doing something new or embracing the things they enjoy. These opportunities help students to broaden their outlook and abilities.

 

During the holidays Year 9s are challenged to reflect on their courses, review how they went and set themselves some clear goals for Term Two. Students have been challenged to organise their study programs so they can hone the skills they need to develop, revise areas of work that they haven’t mastered yet or want to improve on.

Debating

This week we had two Year 9 teams who participated in their first ever debating competition. With the help of Anna Dolin (Class of 2013) and Tom Paparo (Year 12) and myself we ventured to Christchurch Grammar School to compete in the Junior Division. Our topic was No Body No Parole:

That we should introduce no body, no parole legislation

 

John XXIII Team Two had the affirmative argument and did a wonderful performance against MLC. Unfortunately, we were narrowly beaten but the experience was a fantastic learning curve and has made us more determine for the next debate. John XXIII Team Three held the negative argument against Scotch College again we were narrowly beaten but learnt a lot about debating especially the rebuttal aspect.

 

Thank you to the Parents who joined us and supported our teams in this wonderful experience. No doubt you were very proud of the teams.

 

Our next debate is on Tuesday 9 May and our topic is Civil Disobedience:

That we should support civil disobedience used to protect the environment (e.g. People chaining themselves to machinery used in land clearing, sea shepherd, Greenpeace etc.,).

Team Two will have the negative argument for this debate and Team Three will have the Affirmative argument. We wish the teams all the best in their preparation and performance.

 

I was also very proud of the Year 10 team who also had the same topic as us. Having the opportunity to witness how much the boys have grown in confidence and in skills over the past year was a moment to feel proud of what we achieved from the experience in Year 9.

Knitting  Club

A new opportunity will be offered in Term Two by Year 9 St Louis. They have been learning to knit during Homeroom time so that they can set up a club next term and assist any able knitters to help them to make items for Charities. Please see the message below as we are calling for assistance from anyone who has spare wool or needles that they would like to donate.

 

“We are starting a year 9 group knitting club where we hope to be able to teach the students the wonderful and meditative skill of knitting, ultimately with the aim of knitting baby hats and blankets that can be donated to worthy causes. We are looking for any donations of knitting needles (straight, circular of double pointed needles) or yarn that you may not have a need for. Any donations to the knitting club will be highly appreciated and can be given to Ms Wooltorton or Ms Casadio or dropped off at Student Reception”.