Secondary Curriculum
Year 9 Common Tests
In week six of this term, Year 9 students will participate in the Year 9 Common Test Program.
During this week Year 9 students will complete three tests: History, Theology and Spirituality and Mathematics, across three days. The tests are scheduled at the following times:
- Monday, August 23, Period 1: Theology and Spirituality
- Tuesday, August 24, Period 1: History
- Wednesday, August 25, Period 2 : Maths
Apart from these times, Year 9 students will have their regular timetable for the rest of the week.
The main purpose of Common Tests is to provide students with practice completing a concentrated period of tests, in order to develop strategies and confidence for future exam or assessment experiences. Feedback from previous Year 9 students, who have gone on to do exams in Years 11 and 12, tells us that this experience and the Year 10 Exams are helpful preparation.
Compulsory subjects only are included in the Common Test program to avoid disruption to Electives where the variety of subjects and combined Year 9/10 classes would make scheduling written tests for only Year 9 difficult. Each compulsory subject is included in alternate years (the 2022 tests will include English, Health & Phys Ed and Science).
These tests do provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and the test results contribute to overall grades. However, they are only one assessment among many completed throughout the year and don’t carry additional weight in determining overall achievement in any subject.
In the lead up to Common Test Week, teachers in History, Maths and T & S will provide students with a summary of what they need to revise and guide students through preparation which will include taking care of your own wellbeing, revising for tests and managing the test on the day.
There will be minimal other homework during Common Tests and no other assessment tasks due for Year 9s during Common Test Week.
Please avoid scheduling appointments that take Year 9 students out of school on these days, if possible.
Julia O'Rourke
Co-Director of Teaching and Learning
Year 9 English Bell Shakespeare Performance
During the second last week of Term Two, Year 9 students had the pleasure of watching a performance by Bell Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare is a production company which aims to promote interest and enthusiasm towards Shakespeare’s productions. We were entertained by a 90 minute summary of Macbeth that allowed us to comprehend the traditional Elizabethan script into today’s modern perspective. The performance was structured as a contemporary dress rehearsal of the play. This unusual and creative take allowed us to learn much about both Macbeth and the timelessness of Shakespeare's works. Macbeth was the first time a character was depicted as both good and evil as although he was the good willed lead he had the motive to kill the king which is something that would not have been allowed to be written about in previous eras. We learnt about the art Shakespeare created himself and how simple theatrical changes allow different interpretations of the script.
The performance was both enjoyable and inclusive featuring great audience interaction and involvement. Overall it was an entertaining and highly valuable performance that is sure to assist in further learning in our following years.
Aimee Stacey - Year 9