YEAR 9 SUBJECTS @ PRESTON CAMPUS

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* NB. All offerings in Technology are subject to the availability of specialist teaching staff.  There will be limited numbers of classes with preference given to those who submit their forms earliest.

THE ARTS (VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS)

 Units in the Performing Arts are assessed using a range of methods including the following:

• Solo Performance
• Demonstration of Skills
• Ensemble Performance
• Research Projects & Assignments
• Theory Tests
• Topic Assignments
• Semester Examinations
• Film presentations
• Computer aided design
• Oral communication
• Analysis Tasks

Music

Intermediate Music Performance – Code: 9aMP

This performance-based subject offers students the opportunity to develop their solo and ensemble performance skills on a chosen instrument. In small and large groups and as a soloist, students will rehearse, perform, analyse and discuss a range of performance styles. Students are required to be a part of the college instrumental and ensemble programs. In this unit students cover the basic skills required for music literacy, including scale construction, triads, intervals and basic harmony. Students submit a research paper covering the background of a famous musician on their instrument and assess a professional music performance.

Essential Learning Standards level 6 - The Arts

• Creating/making
• Exploring/Responding

Visual Arts

Art, Architecture & Visual Communication – Code: 9aAV

In Year 9 Art, students explore the theme of fantasy in art. Fantasy is an expression of a person's deep thoughts and feelings, often in a strange and unusual or fantastic manner, sometimes revealing dreams or the unconscious. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity and imagination through Surrealist art and Futuristic art. Images are created and inspired from a range of topics which could include dreams and childhood memories. Students are given the opportunity to experience and familiarise themselves with a variety of drawing and painting media such as pastel, acrylic and mixed media. The use of digital photography and digital manipulation are also employed as media for expression. Sculpture is another art form for the student to explore. Through working with a variety of sculptural media students will be introduced to both relief and free-standing forms. Students will also acquire the various ceramic hand building methods and learn to use a variety of tools. This enables them to develop an appreciation of the art of sculpture.

This unit also provides students with an understanding of the design and drawing systems used in architecture to create a product on paper that is consistent with the standards in these fields. Example of such work might include floor plans and elevations drawn by an architect to be used by a builder to construct a house. By experiencing this process students develop skills in communicating graphically in an industrial situation. They experience a variety of systems, techniques and devices that enable them to understand design principles, standards and conventions, detail and working drawings, pictorial drawing and rendering techniques. Students will investigate the designers and illustrators in an effort to design visual communication products such as events or products advertising posters, magazine covers or packaging. Students will acquire the use of design elements and principles

Essential Learning Standards level 6 - The Arts

• Creating and Making
• Exploring and Responding 

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ENGLISH

Assessment

• Writing Folio
• Text Responses
• Oral Response
• Literacy Skills
• Semester Examination

Click here for the English Pathways Diagram

Year 9 English (Semester 1) - Code: 9eEN1 & (Semester 2) - Code: 9eEN2

Pre-requisite - Students are expected to have completed 9eEN1 before undertaking 9eEN2

The Year 9 English course focuses on developing and extending students’ reading, writing and oral language skills. The courses are text based and students will study a variety of text types including novels, films, poetry, short stories and media texts. Students also experiment with a variety of writing genres appropriate for different audiences and purposes with a strong focus on creative and persuasive writing. The Zines unit allows students to explore their own interests in writing and take responsibility for their own learning process in a student directed learning task.

Essential Learning Standards 6

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking & Listening

English offered by Educational Support at Year 9

Educational Support Codes: 9eES1 & 9eES2

This course is designed to explicitly develop students’ language and learning skills using the same text books and novels being taught in Year 9 English. In this subject, students are in smaller class groups which allows for extensive individual attention. Students are expected to develop note-taking skills and skills in different styles of writing. Students have increased opportunities to enhance oral language skills. Explicit teaching of grammar is tailored to the needs of each individual.

NB: These Units are available by invitation only.

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HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Assessment

• Fitness Testing
• Skill Acquisition
• Topic Tests
• Assignment Work
• Semester Examination

Sport Science – Code: 9pSS

This elective mainly focuses on Sports Science and would suit the student who is very keen to understand the body and its relationship with physical activity. Topics covered in this elective include exercise physiology, which covers the body systems of cardio-vascular, muscular and skeletal. Nutritional topics are covered and include diet evaluations, sports supplements, and diet and performance. Students will engage in a variety of physical activities that will include: Oztag, Gaelic Football, Minor Games and Circuit Training.

Essential Learning Standards

• Movement and physical activity
• Health knowledge and promotion

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HUMANITIES

Assessment

Units in the Humanities are assessed using a range of methods including the following:

• Reports
• Oral Presentations
• Exercises
• Tests
• Research Assignments
• Semester Examination

Click here for the Humanities Pathways Diagram

History

In this unit of history students will look at the lives of the early Australians both Aboriginal and European. Topics covered include: the way Aborigines lived in Australia before the arrival of European settlers, the reasons for settlement by Europeans, the results of contacts for the Aboriginal population, the early settlements and growth of Sydney and Melbourne, the spread of bushrangers, the effects of the Gold Rushes and the sporting pursuits of the early Australians.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Historical knowledge and understanding
• Historical reasoning and interpretation

Commerce

Financial Management and Law – Code: 9hCO

This unit of study provides students with an insight into the role, importance and operation of personal and business financial management. It also looks at our Legal Justice System. Topics will be selected from: the role and function of money; sources of income; setting financial goals; finances, documents and managing money; plastic money; savings and investment; different types of investment, including property and shares; borrowing; budgeting and debt management; personal and business record keeping; police powers; role of law in sport and our Court system.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Economics knowledge and understanding
• Economics reasoning and interpretation

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LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH - LOTE

 
Units in LOTE are assessed using the following methods:.

Assessment 

Units in LOTE are assessed using the following methods:

• Grammar and Vocabulary
• Writing Tasks
• Oral Tasks
• Comprehension Tasks
• Cultural Task
• Semester Examination

Italian  

Italian Year 9 (Semester 1 & 2) – Codes: 9LIT1 and 9LIT2

Pre-requisite - Students are expected to have completed 9LIT1 before undertaking 9LIT2.

These units are designed to extend students' knowledge and skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, through the study of regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, perfect tense, agreements, articulated prepositions, object pronouns and different ways of greeting, introducing, describing, requesting, questioning and expressing opinions, using formal and informal language.

Essential Learning Standards - LOTE Pathway 2

• Communicating in a Language Other Than English
• Intercultural knowledge and language awareness

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MATHEMATICS

Assessment

Units in Mathematics are assessed from a range of the following methods:

• Topic Tests
• Application Tasks
• Modelling Problems
• Research assignments
• Technology related Tasks
• Semester Examinations

Year 9 Mathematics (Semester 1 & 2) – Codes: 9mMA1 & 9mMA2
Pre-requisite - Students are expected to have completed 9mMA1 before undertaking 9mMA2.

In Mathematics, students undertake outcome tests in various topics as well as an end of Semester Examination. Throughout the semester students are expected to complete an application task and several analysis tasks. The application task involves applying skills learnt in a practical situation. Analysis tasks entail finding solutions to non-routine problems. Activities using CAS (Computer Algebra Systems) technology are an integral pert of the course.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Number
• Space
• Measurement, Chance and Data
• Structure
• Working mathematically

Alternative Mathematics Year 9 (Semester 1 & 2) – Codes: 9mMS1 & 9mMS2
Pre-requisite - Students are expected to have completed 9mMS1 before undertaking 9mMS2.

Alternative Mathematics is a modified course which aims to cater for students who experience difficulties with their numeracy skills. Students undertake outcome tests in the topics listed below as well as an end of semester examination. Homework is set on a regular basis. Throughout the semester, students are expected to complete application tasks and several analysis tasks.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Number
• Space
• Measurement, Chance and Data
• Structure
• Working mathematically

Accelerated Mathematics Year 9 (Semester 2 only) – Code: 9mAM2
To be accepted into this subject students need to meet the criteria as determined by the Mathematics Learning Area Leader.

This Unit is designed for students who are interested in enhancing their ability in Mathematics .The aim of this Unit is to prepare students for VCE Mathematical Methods and General Mathematics (Advanced). Students will be introduced to recognition and sketching of functions, sketching and solving trigonometric functions, sketching and solving algebraically exponential and logarithmic functions and more advanced familiarisation of the CAS graphics calculator.

NB: This course is different from the Year 9 Mathematics Advanced Placement

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Number
• Space
• Measurement, Chance and Data
• Structure
• Working mathematically

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Assessment
Units in Religious Education are assessed throughout each unit of work using a range of methods including:

• Goal setting
• Work Sheets
• Presentations
• Journal writing
• Summarising activities
• Visual presentations: Posters, Power Points, Storyboards
• Case studies
• Projects
• Internet exploration and summary
• Class and group discussion
• Group activity
• Self-assessment
• Peer-assessment

The above ranges of assessment are completed as class work and homework activities and are preparation for the end of unit assessment task. At the end of each semester there is also a formal exam assessing the student’s knowledge and progression over the course of study.

Religion Year 9 – Codes: 9RE1 and 9RE2

Each year, students examine topics within 5 Strands. The Units build on each other in a sequenced approach. These five Content strands provide the organisational framework within which the school based religious education curriculum is developed.

The Units within the Content Strands for Year 9 are as follows:

STRAND 1 - SCRIPTURE
The Bible: A Book or a Library
How to read the Bible
Old Testament: Selected texts

STRAND 2 - CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
What do catholic believe?
The Catholic Church in Australia: Education and politics
The Catholic Church in Australia: Looking to the future

STRAND 3 - GOD, RELIGION AND LIFE
Images of Good and Evil;

STRAND 4 - PRAYER LITURGIES AND SACRAMENTS
Healing and Hope: The sacrament of penance and Reconciliation
Healing and Hope: Anointing of the Sick
Mary the First Disciple

STRAND 5 - MORALITY AND JUSTICE
The Ten Commandments and Beatitudes

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SCIENCE

• Topic Tests
• Investigations
• Practical Exercises
• Semester Examination

Year 9 Science – Codes: 9sSC1 & 9sSC2

In Year 9 Science students are provided with the opportunity to study Biological, Chemical and Physical Science. The Chemical Science course deals with the structure of atoms, chemical symbols and formulae, reactions and the properties of various compounds.

The Physical Science course covers the properties of light, in particular reflection and refraction. Colour is also investigated. Students are required to complete an investigation of an Optical Aid and to explain its operation in relation to the properties of light.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Science Knowledge and Understanding
• Science at work
  
  

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TECHNOLOGY*

• Assessment
  

  Units in Materials & Systems Technology are assessed using a range of methods including the following:	Units in Information Technology are assessed using a range of methods including the following:
  Investigation Design Production Semester Examination	Folio Problem Solving Impact Project Research Task Semester Examination

  Click here for the Technology Pathways Diagram

  Click here for the Information Technology Pathways Diagram

  * NB. All offerings in Technology are subject to the availability of specialist teaching staff. There will be limited numbers of classes with preference given to those who submit their forms earliest.

  
  

Intermediate CAD & Production– Code: 9tCP

This unit develops students' skills in using ProDesktop, a computer-aided design (CAD) program. Areas of study include ProDesktop techniques, CAD designs and manual drafting. Drawing skills are integrated with CAD skills. Students produce drawings that assist them to learn essential standards and conventions. Students are challenged to become more skilled in their ability to use computers to design through a series of CAD projects.

Students follow the Technology Process to investigate, design, produce and evaluate solutions to design problems. They develop their understanding of design and understand the purpose of design briefs. They study materials used in the manufacture of their products and apply this knowledge to their work. Students are introduced to a variety of basic hand tools and equipment. They develop their production skills while observing safety rules. Computer Aided Design is used to develop solutions to design problems presented in design briefs.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• Investigating and designing
• Producing
• Analysing and evaluating
  

The Internet and Web Sites - Code: 9iWS

Students will examine the Internet to discover services other than the Web. They will learn Web research skills including how to set advanced search strategies and how to judge the value of a Web site. They will look at matters raised by the Web such as copyright issues and the easy availability of inappropriate and illegal materials. Students will look at the way the Web is used for criminal activities and the means of protecting themselves.

Students will also learn to design, build and evaluate web sites. They will work both individually and in teams to build sites for particular purposes using some topics set by the teacher and some set by themselves.

Essential Learning Standards level 6

• ICT for creating
• ICT for communication
• Reasoning, processing and inquiry

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