Year 9 Subjects

Learning Auslan introduces students to the rich language, culture and history of the Australian Deaf community, while encouraging them to explore a unique visual-spatial language and develop an appreciation of communication, identity and inclusion. As a visual-spatial language with its own grammar and vocabulary, Auslan uses handshapes, movement and non-manual features including facial expressions, eye gaze and body language to convey meaning. Through learning Auslan, students develop communication skills, creativity, intercultural understanding and meaningful connections with others.

By studying Auslan, students will:

• Learn to communicate effectively using Auslan, the language of the Australian Deaf community.

• Develop confidence in using visual-spatial communication through signing, viewing and interacting.

• Explore the language, culture, history and identity of the Australian Deaf community.

• Develop intercultural understanding by recognising and respecting diverse ways of communicating.

• Build communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills that can be applied in a range of real-world contexts.

Topics

• Introduction to Auslan – Fingerspelling, greetings, introductions and everyday conversations.

• Deaf Culture and Community – Deaf history, identity, etiquette, technology, accessibility and inclusion.

• Everyday Communication – Family, school, hobbies, food, directions, emotions and storytelling.

• Visual Language Features – Handshapes, movement, non-manual features (facial expressions, eye gaze and body language), depicting signs, classifiers and role shift.

Key Features

• 50% Communicating – Signing, viewing, interacting and creating meaning in Auslan.

• 50% Understanding – Auslan language structures, Deaf culture, identity and intercultural understanding.

Assessment

• Practical signed conversations and presentations.

• Receptive viewing and comprehension tasks.

• Written and reflective responses.

• Examination (language knowledge, receptive skills and cultural understanding).

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful in Auslan may progress towards careers including, but not limited to:

• Auslan Interpreter

• Teacher of Auslan

• Teacher of Deaf and hard of hearing students

• Speech Pathologist

• Audiologist

• Disability Support

• Health and Allied Health

• Nursing

• Social Work

• Community Services

• Government and Public Services

• Emergency Services

• Tourism

Learning Auslan also develops highly transferable skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, empathy and intercultural understanding that are valued across a wide range of professions.

Learning Japanese opens doors to the linguistic and cultural richness of Japan, encouraging students to reflect on their own place in a diverse world. Whatever the language, communication involves not just conveying meaning, but imagination, creativity, and understanding of ourselves and others.

The three interrelated aims of Languages develop knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure students:

• Develop linguistic competence

• Understand language and culture, and their relationship, and thereby develop an intercultural capability in communication

• Understand themselves as communicators

Topics

• Japan's Past — Feudal Japan, Japanese warriors

• Modern Japanese Life — Sports, Hobbies, daily routines and School Life 

• Food and Festivals 

Key Features

• 50% Communicating

• 50% Understanding

Assessment

• Written task 

• Exam 

Possible Career Paths Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Translation, Interpreting, International Business, Foreign Affairs, Gaming & Animation, Tourism and Teaching. 

Economics and Business aims to ensure students develop knowledge and understanding of the nature and operation of the work and business environments.  Students will develop understanding of the concepts of resource allocation and economic decision-making, the business environment, entrepreneurship, work and work futures, and consumer and financial literacy.

Students will develop a sense of what it is to participate in the economy, contribute to work and business environments, and make informed decisions.  They will develop skills to engage in inquiries, including questioning and researching, interpreting, and analysing, decision-making & communicating. These skills will develop capabilities to engage in everyday life, including critical and creative thinking, ethical understanding, and personal & social competence.

Topics

• • Economic and Business Systems

  • Creative entrepreneurial thinking and problem solving

  • Work and work futures

  • Consumer and financial literacy

Key Features

• • 50% Economic and Business Knowledge and Understanding

  • 50% Economic and Business Skills

Assessment

• • Oral presentation

  • Analytical Report

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Management, Tourism, Education and International Business.

Civics and Citizenship aims to ensure students develop a lifelong sense of belonging and engagement with civic life as active and informed citizens, in the context of Australia as a secular democratic nation with a dynamic, culturally diverse, multi-faith society that has a Christian heritage, and distinct First Nations Australian histories, cultures and knowledge. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the values, principles, institutions, and practices of Australia’s system of democratic government and law, and the role of the citizen in Australian government and society. They will also garner an understanding of the concepts of active citizenship, democracy, global citizenship, legal systems, and identity and diversity skills. These skills will include questioning and research; analysis, evaluation and interpretation; civic participation and decision-making; communicating the capabilities and dispositions to participate responsibly in the civic life of their nation at a local, regional and global level.

Topics

• • Australian Government & Democracy

  • Laws and Citizens

Key Features

• • 50% Civics & Citizenship Knowledge & Understanding

  • 50% Civics & Citizenship Skills

Assessment

• • Investigative Report

  • Short Response Exam

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Politics, Law and Law enforcement & Business Management

Dance aims to develop students’ body awareness and technical and expressive skills. These skills will be used to communicate through intelligent, confident, and creative movement. Studying Dance develops students’ communication, choreographic and performance skills. Dance focuses on the aesthetic, artistic and cultural understanding of dance in both traditional and contemporary contexts. As choreographers, performers and audiences students will learn respect for, and knowledge of, the diverse purposes, traditions, histories and cultures of dance.

Topics

• Dance through the ages (1920s-2020s)

• Musical Theatre 

Key Features

• 50% Presenting and Performing

• 25% Creating and Making

• 25% Exploring and Responding

Assessment

• 2 x Performance routines

• Choreography performance

• Written short response analytical exam

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Creative Industries, Education, Business, International Business and Entertainment. 

Drama aims to develop students’ confidence and self-esteem to explore, depict and celebrate human experience, take risks and challenge their own creativity. Studying Drama develops students’ knowledge and understanding in controlling, applying and analysing the elements, processes, forms, styles and techniques of drama. Skills gained will be used to engage and create meaning for audiences. Drama fosters a sense of curiosity, aesthetic knowledge, enjoyment, and achievement through exploring, playing roles and imagining situations. Drama students will gain knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary drama by being both active participants and critical audiences.  

Topics 

• Australian Gothic Theatre

• College Drama

Key Features 

• 50% Presenting and Performing 

• 25% Creating and Making 

• 25% Exploring and Responding  

Assessment 

• 2 x Group Performances 

• Directors Portfolio 

• Written short response analytical exam 

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Creative Industries, Education, Business, International Business and Entertainment. 

Media Arts aims to develop students’ enjoyment and confidence to participate in, experiment with and interpret the media-rich culture and communications practices that surround them. It fosters creative and critical thinking skills through engagement as producers and consumers of media. Studying Media Arts develops students’ aesthetic knowledge and a sense of curiosity and discovery as they explore images, text and sound to express ideas, concepts and stories for different audiences, including knowledge and understanding of their active participation in existing and evolving local and global media cultures. 

Topics 

• Movie Trailers 

Key Features 

• • 10% Presenting and Performing 

  • 55% Creating and Making 

  • 35% Exploring and Responding  

Assessment 

• • Design and Production (Storyboard and Film) 

  • Written Short Response Analytical Exam 

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Creative Industries, Education, Business, International Business, Marketing and Entertainment. 

Music aims to develop students’ confidence to be creative, innovative, thoughtful, skilful and informed musicians. It develops knowledge and skills for listening with intent and purpose, composing and performing. Studying Music builds students’ aesthetic knowledge and respect for music and music practices across global communities, cultures and musical traditions, including understanding of music as an aural art form as they acquire skills to become independent music learners.  

Topics 

• • World Music

  • Film Music

Key Features 

• • 25% Presenting and Performing 

  • 35% Exploring and Responding  

  • 40% Creating and Making 

Assessment 

• • Performance and Performance Statement 

  • Critical Analysis  

  • Composition 

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Creative Industries, Education, Business, International Business and Entertainment.  

STEM Technologies aims to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure that students use design processes, production skills and design thinking to produce solutions for identified needs and or opportunities. Students work both independently and collaboratively on problem-solving activities while acknowledging the complexities of contemporary life and make connections to related specialised occupations.

Topics 

• Design Thinking

• Graphical Representation Techniques

• Mechanical Engineering

• Civil Engineering

Key Features 

• 30% Knowledge and Understanding

• 70% Process and Production Skills

Assessment 

• Investigation

• Project 

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Graphic Designer, Architect, Draftsman, Engineering and Industrial Designer 

Digital Technologies aims to develop the knowledge understanding and skills to ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students use design thinking to meet and define current and future needs and use computational thinking to create digital solutions.  Studying Digital Technologies allows students to apply protocols and legal practices that support the ethical collection and generation of data through automated and non-automated process while participating in safe and respectful communications and collaborations with audiences. Digital Technologies also builds students capacity to apply systems thinking to monitor, analyse, predict and shape interactions within and between information systems and the impact of these systems on individuals, societies, economies and environments.

Topics

• Artificial Intelligence

• Graphical Game Designs

Key Features

• 20% Knowledge and Understanding

• 80% Process and Production Skills

Assessment

• Investigation

• Project

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to, Aviation and Aerospace, Biofutures, Health, Construction, Banking and Finance, Tourism, Information Technology, Automotive, Mining and Engineering, Agriculture and Aquaculture. 

Food Technologies aims to develop knowledge and understanding, process and production skills within a food-based context. Students explain how people consider factors that impact on decisions and the technologies used to design and produce products, services and environments for sustainable living.  They independently and collaboratively develop and apply production and project management plans, adjusting processes when necessary. They select and use technologies skilfully and safely to produce designed solutions.

Topics

• Beyond the Table – Food Nutrition

• Food Trends – Traditional vs Contemporary

Key Features

• 40% Knowledge and understanding

• 60% Processes and production skills

Assessment

• 2 x Projects

• Investigation

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Hospitality, Culinary Chef, Food Scientist, Food Technologist, Food and Nutrition and Dietitian.

Materials & Construction aims to develop the technologies knowledge and understanding, while emphasising the focus on processes and production skills.  Students explain the features of tools and technologies and their appropriateness for purpose. Students will create solutions based on an analysis of needs or opportunities using these tools and technologies.

Topics

• Industrial Graphics

• Wood Work 

• Metal Work  

Key Features

• 25% Knowledge and Understanding

• 75% Process and Production Skills

Assessment

• 2x Projects

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Carpentry, Engineering, Fitting and Turning, Light and Heavy Sheet Metal Fabrication, Project Management, Draftsman & Surveying. 

Visual Arts aims to develop students’ conceptual and perceptual ideas and representations through design and inquiry processes, as well as their knowledge and skills in using visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials. It focuses on critical and creative thinking skills through engagement with and development of visual arts practice. Studying Visual Arts embeds students’ respect for and acknowledgement of the diverse roles, innovations, traditions, histories and cultures of artists, craftspeople and designers; visual arts as social and cultural practices; and industry as artists and audiences. It builds confidence, curiosity, imagination and enjoyment and personal expression through engagement with visual arts practice and ways of representing and communicating.  

Topics 

• Beautiful Beasts 

• Mapping Memories 

Key Features 

• 50% Creating and Making 

• 25% Exploring and Responding 

• 25% Presenting and Performing 

Assessment 

• 2 x Portfolios of work 

• Written short response exam  

Possible Career Paths

Students who enjoy and are successful at this subject, may progress towards careers in, but not limited to, Creative Industries, Education, Business, International Business and Entertainment.