Year 9 Program
Year 9 is probably the most challenging of all years; it is traditionally the year that all our current educational research tells us is the most difficult time for students to maintain motivation and a connection with schooling. Our Year 9 Program aims to provide a framework that celebrates difference and embraces individuality and creativity, while maintaining the focus on academic growth. The students will experience a real connection with their school, local and global communities.
Over the last few years at Foster Secondary College we have continually reviewed the way we organise Year 9 studies to tailor to the needs of each cohort of students. After careful consideration we firmly believe that students need, not only choice, but also time to explore subjects that move them beyond the classroom and into learning through experience. We have placed a real focus on student engagement in the design and structure of our Year 9 program, and encourage students to participate in extra-curricular opportunities available.
We believe that the inclusion of the Community program, which gives all students a chance to develop skills in leadership, initiative and problem solving will provide Year 9 students with new opportunities in their education.
Year 9 Hand Book
Community Program Learning Focus
Personal Learning encompasses the skills that have been identified by teachers, students and parents as those necessary to become independent, responsible and confident members of the school, local and global communities. These skills assist students to cope with the challenges that the future brings. The skills students will practice and develop are Leadership, Teamwork, Organisation, Managing Relationships, Goal Setting, Communication, Self-motivation etc. During this time, motivational speakers, guests, health programs and excursions to community events will be presented to the students.
Term 1:
Fitness: Walking & Running
Hiking: Equipment preparation, Meal planning, Group meetings and packing skills, Environmental impact assessment, Team building.
- Camp: Three day hike (Cost Approximately $50)
Term 2:
- Level 2 First Aid- Theory and Practical
- ‘Taste Of’ Semester 2 Elective Subjects
Term 3 & 4:
Students choose one of the following to pursue as a Community Program. All the programs include a camp or activities at the end of the year. Payment plans can be arranged by contacting the office staff.
SURF LIFE SAVING- Surfing, Surf Lifesaving (WARATAH SLSC -Expectation that students will then volunteer at Waratah SLSC). A 5 day camp is included.
Sustainability: Kitchen Garden development and management, cooking, and an environmental project are undertaken.
Outdoor Environment: Students work on a particular environmental project as decided by the students. They also participate in adventure activities including mountain biking, kayaking, indoor rock climbing and surfing. Three day excursions are organised at the end of the year.
English focuses on developing student awareness of essay structure, with an emphasis on persuasive essay writing and creative writing. Students examine tone and language that is used to influence a reader. Students examine literary techniques to enrich their writing. Students engage in regular Writing Journal sessions, exploring form, purpose, audience and text type. Students continue to develop their basic skills in punctuation and grammar as well as developing an understanding of simile, metaphor and other language techniques
Semester 1
Topics covered in semester one: Pythagoras and Trigonometry, Number and Algebra skills and Linear Equations. Problem solving and calculator skills have been developed within these topics.
Semester 2
Topics covered in semester two: Measurement, Data and Statistics and Probability. Problem solving and calculator skills have been developed within these topics.
Note that not all achievement standards may be covered in one semester.
Semester 1
Students are introduced to Heat and the concepts of conduction, convection and radiation. The immune system is investigated, looking at the lines of defence which the body employs to combat different pathogens. The structure of atoms is investigated. Students completed practical investigations, scientific reports, projects and tests.
Semester 2
Students study atoms as a system of protons, electrons and neutrons. Chemical reactions is investigated including acids and bases, and combustion reactions. Energy transmission and the electromagnetic spectrum are covered. Students complete practical investigations, scientific reports and tests.
Semester 1
Year 9 Humanities covers areas of Modern History from the time of the Industrial Revolution (1750 CE) to the settlement of Australia . Students develop skills in using sources to discuss perspective and bias to complete an oral presentation on a significant discovery or invention of the Industrial Revolution. They also examine the social, economic and environmental impacts of industrialisation in a Geography unit. The rule of law and the courts system is covered in Civics and Citizenship.
Semester 2
The focus for students in Semester Two in Humanities is a Civics unit on the Australian legal system, the Stolen Generation and a History unit on World War 1. Students develop their skills relating to analysing sources, both primary and secondary, and develop skills in researching and examining the perspectives of people from that time period.
Year 9 Health and fitness has a strong focus on building individual fitness through achieving specific training goals. Students will trial a variety of training methods to develop a regime tailored to themselves. Students also spend time learning about healthy and nutritious eating habits.
You be the Coach students focus on skill acquisition, coaching styles and peer teaching. Students have the opportunity to go to the local primary schools to implement and facilitate skill learning and game play.
In this Unit students learn about the role art plays in today’s popular culture. Students use a ‘Studio Process’ to plan, research and develop their individual ideas in a Visual Diary. Students develop skills in selecting and manipulating materials and techniques before expressing their individual ideas in final artworks. Students practise visual analysis skills by analysing a range of different artworks.
This unit of work takes students to all parts of the world. They investigate different cuisines and learn about the lifestyles and the foods that are eaten in a wide range of countries. Students develop a greater cultural awareness of other countries and inhabitants and taste a range of new and exciting foods.
In this unit, students evaluate how media conventions and technical and symbolic codes are manipulated to make representations and meaning. Students research, develop and refine media production skills through the use of Adobe Photoshop. They collaboratively apply design, production and distribution processes. Through these processes, students use an analysis framework to understand their use of codes, conventions and principles.
Students delve more deeply into the Design Process, as it is used across the Technology Learning area. They use a range of drawing techniques to visualise and plan their design ideas. Students learn how to work safely with a range of tools and equipment in the use of timber and other materials. They evaluate their projects and reflect on the production process as well as their individual progress and success.
Semester 1
The Year 9 Community Program aims to develop academic achievers and positive contributors to our community in a learning environment that encourages students to become independent, self-motivated learners and communicators. Students focus this semester on personal development involving camp/ hike preparation, and undertake an intensive Resilience, Right and Respectful Relationship sessions.
Semester 2
During Semester two students get to choose a part of the community to volunteer their time. Students choose to help at the local primary school in the classroom, Childcare centre, Mana gum community house, Community Op shop, Community garden or the local Surf lifesaving club.