Year 9 Core Subjects
All students study these subjects
ENGLISH
Sessions per week – 4
At Year 9 the English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Together the strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating.
Students analyse the ways that text structures can be manipulated for effect, and explain how images, vocabulary choices and language features distinguish the work of individual authors. They evaluate and integrate ideas and information from texts to form their own interpretations. In creating texts students demonstrate how manipulating language features and images can create innovative texts. Students also listen for ways texts position an audience. They understand how to use a variety of language features to create different levels of meaning.
Topics covered:
Analytical Text Study
Comparative Study
Creative Interpretation of Text
Analysis and presentation of issues and ideas
Humanities
Sessions per week - 4
The key concepts in the core disciplines of Geography and Economics are the main focus of Humanities in Year 9. These are taught in two separate semesters and are merged from one to the next with sustainable farming and business practises bridging the subjects mid-year. Students are able to study and learn Geography and Economics from a local and personal perspective, branching out into a global perspective. Students will also prepare for their work experience in year 10 by exploring key concepts of work and by completing the OHS certificates for the Department of Education and Training as general modules and by the specific industry as selected by the student.
Topics covered:
- Biomes and Food Security
- Geographies of Interconnectedness and Globalisation
- Consumer and Financial Literacy
- The Business Environment
- Work and Work Futures
Maths
Sessions per week - 4
The course is based on an approved text that includes routine skills exercises
supplemented by practical activities, group work, outdoor activities, videos, problem solving tasks and project work. Students are expected to keep a workbook showing that work has been completed, and is well organised and correctly set out. Regular homework will be set. Students will be grouped for mathematics in year nine according to prior academic performance and attitude. Students in the higher maths groups will be encouraged to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition and other maths challenges set by the college.
Topics Covered:
- Number: Use of scientific calculators, directed numbers, surds.
- Measurement: Right-angled triangles, Pythagoras’ theorem, basic trigonometry.
- Space: Geometric constructions, 3-D objects.
- Algebra: Algebraic manipulation, solving linear equations, linear graphs.
- Chance & Data: Variables, representative values, measures of spread.
- Probability: experimental and theoretical probability, probability formula, odds.
Physical Education and Health
Sessions per week - 5
The Year 9 Health and Physical Education course consists of 3 periods of practical classes (physical education and sport) and 2 periods of health per week. In the practical components of the subject, learning experiences are targeted to build on existing ball-handling skills developed in Years 7 and 8. Students are also introduced to korfball, European handball, touch rugby, soft lacrosse and fitness training methods. Fitness activities remain an on-going part of all sessions.
Health Topics Covered:
- First aid
- Fitness training methods and body systems
- Sexuality
- Drug Education
- Sports Specific Nutrition
Science
Sessions per week - 4
The Year 9 Science course is based around a text which includes experiments, activities,
exercises and challenges. It gives students the opportunities to practise critical and creative thinking and problem solving. Learning activities throughout the course focus on the application and use of science; the nature and history of science, current research in science and the impact of science on the environment.
Topics covered:
- Electrical circuits
- Everyday reactions
- Body in balance
- Microbes
- Dynamic earth
- Everyday substances