Students read and/or view a range of texts, including novels, plays and films, write for a range of audiences and purposes, contribute to class discussions and prepare more structured oral and multimedia presentations. Assessment is based on a range of tasks set by the teacher throughout the year, including essay text responses, creative writing, persuasive writing and prepared speeches. Students are expected to do at least 2 hours per week of home study. This will include the completion of tasks begun in class, working on extended tasks and reading.
MATHEMATICS
Students study topics including Pythagoras’ Theorem, Trigonometry, Algebraic Techniques, Linear Relations, Indices, Surds, Measurement, Geometry, Probability and Statistics. In Year 9 students are offered a differentiated curriculum and students chose either the Standard or Advanced course. Initial concepts are introduced and students gain practice with standard skill questions as well as problem solving exercises and project work. Students have the opportunity to take part in a range of enrichment activities such as Australian Mathematics Competition and the Maths Games Days.
HUMANITIES
In Year 9 students learn to refer to significant events, the actions of individuals and groups, and beliefs and values to identify and evaluate the patterns of change and continuity over time. They analyse the causes and effects of events and developments and explain their significance. They explain the context for people’s actions in the past. Students evaluate the significance of events and analyse the developments from a range of perspectives. They evaluate the different interpretations of the past and recognise the evidence used to support these interpretations. Key topics studied are the Industrial Revolution, Slavery and Australian History including early contact between settlers & indigenous people, the Gold Rush, Federation and World War 1. As part of work on consumption, students evaluate the challenges in feeding the current and projected populations of Australia and the world, and responses to these challenges, as well as the effects of the production and consumption of goods on places and environments throughout the world.
SCIENCE
Students build on skills developed in Year 8. They investigate further the structure of atoms. Acids and bases are then introduced followed by their reactions. Infectious diseases and other sources of infection and environmental diseases are researched and presented. Coordinated Body Systems, including the brain and nervous system are studied. An Extended Experimental Investigation is undertaken on Psychology. Electricity is investigated including simple and practical circuits and then on to electromagnets, motors and generators. This unit incorporates the second independent Extended Experimental Investigation based on wind power using the STELR program. The electromagnetic spectrum is introduced to students as they learn about waves and radiation. Photosynthesis and ecosystems are studied with a particular focus on the ecology of the regions explored during the Year 9 Wilderness Week program.
At PHSC we acknowledge that our school stands on Wurundjeri Country. Wurun meaning Manna Gum and djeri the grubs that live on and around the tree. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and particularly aim to support emerging leaders. We acknowledge that the land beneath our concrete building was never ceded and we commit to principled and purposeful action towards Makarrata in our teaching and learning. At Mirimbah we acknowledge the Taungurung people as the Traditional Owners of this land which was never ceded. As we explore the rivers and mountains we understand that this has always been a significant place for food and traditional ceremony for the Taungurung people. While we create our own memories and traditions we will pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.