YEAR 9 NEWS
Year 9 has had a busy and exciting time, filled with diverse learning experiences happening both in the classroom and beyond. From engaging lessons to educational excursions and an inspirational Reflection Day, students have had many enriching experiences.
Below are reports from students about some of these events.
YEAR 9 AGRICULTURE
In Agriculture this week we have been putting cement into footings to stop the goat platforms (which we built) from blowing over. Before we put the cement in the holes we cleaned them out and put some water in them, then we put a bag in with water. We mixed the cement until it was mixed perfectly. We added more cement and water as we needed it. When the cement dried we drilled bolts into the concert and used L brackets to fix the platform to the ground. Luke Fernie, Ronan Davies, Liam Crumpton, Brodie Gibson, Jackson Caruana, Riley Gough, and Noah Radocaj-Sophios helped out Mrs Hall doing this in Ag. This project that the year 9 Ag class have been working on for a term now should be complete by the middle of next term and ready for the goats play on.
Jackson Caruana and Noah Radocaj-Sophios
YEAR 9 BUSHCRAFT
This week bushcraft students participated in their first year 9 overnight hike. Over the past few weeks the students have been developing their crafty skills in learning to make themselves a tent to withstand the bush conditions. Other skills they have been working on include lighting a safe fire and cooking a planned meal on a trangia. Activities such as learning how to navigate a compass and finding the bearing suited to where we need to go have been practised. The Bushie students arrived at school on Tuesday, then packed our bags and caught the bus to Jerrawangla to spend the night with their classmates to put our newly acquired skills into practice.
Jake Swan and Lochlan Hazelwood
YEAR 9 INDONESIAN - INDO SPORTS
This term Year 9 Indonesian students were learning about aspects of Indonesian life and their interesting sports. As part of that topic they created their own sport that connected to Indonesian culture. Some took parts of already existing sports and added a twist to them. The winning games were Bulukakikis, a game that mixed futsal with badminton and Indoball that mixed netball and Volleyball. On the 4th of September the class went out to play their newly created sports. We first played Bulukakikis which was quite an interesting concept playing futsal with badminton rackets. It was a bit difficult to understand the rules at first but once we got the hang of it it was pretty fun. The second game we played was Indoball, Indoball was an interesting game that combined Netball rules and Volleyball passing to create a great game of organised chaos. At the end Mr Bellwood awarded the best sportsman with the AUS Toyota Olympic Jersey to Elliot Camilleri
Xavier Brooks and Elliot Camilleri
YEAR 9 REFLECTION DAY
On the Year 9 Reflection Day which took place on Thursday 22nd August. Year 9 had the pleasure of being entertained by Chris, a charitable and kind man who travels around Australia supporting and entertaining schools and the young adults which are our future. On the day Chris had Year 9 students come up to sing and dance to “Be themselves” and “Not change for anyone” Chris was an excellent host and entertained the members of the Year 9 community, staff included, to have a great time.
Some of the messages given to us on the day by Chris include, “Happiness is a choice”, and to “look forwards not backwards” Chris also liked to mention his fridge which had a deep and valuable story behind it. Chris’s care and appreciation of a good fridge came from his father who used to work for rich men by working in massive freezers and fridges. Chris’ Dad worked long hours in a man's fridge to make way for his kids and family and he did so whilst maintaining his figure as a great father, man and husband.
Chris finished off the day by giving insight and allowing Year 9 to experience a variety of different sensations, be it embarrassment or even just a good laugh. Overall it was a great experience which held emotional value for all members of the Year 9 community and the Year 9 reflection day will be held in high regard.
Hunter Seibher
YEAR 9 HISTORY EXCURSION - WAR MEMORIAL HYDE PARK, SYDNEY
On the 2nd of September, Year 9’s History students embarked on an excursion to the World War 1 ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney. During this excursion, we were able to broaden our knowledge on the soldiers who fought for Australia in World War 1. This excursion gave us the opportunity to participate in the 11:00 am remembrance ceremony. During the exhibition the tour guides walked everyone through the war exhibition where unique rememberance pieces are placed from those who went to war. It included nurses, army soldiers, navy soldiers and the air force. We were able to learn about how the memorial was built, and the different ways it allows people to connect to those that they once loved, even if they did not have direct access to the person’s actual gravesite. At the beginning of our excursion we got the chance to witness a dramatisation of a story from WW1. The memorial included samples of dirt from many different locations that soldiers from New South Wales were from, as well as samples of dirt from all the locations where battles have been fought. One room in the War Memorial is named the 'Hall of Silence', which is all about remembrance and connections to each person who had enlisted. This room featured over 120 000 stars, each one for a different person who had represented Australia in the war.
Overall, the day had a lot of different events to offer, providing different ways for people to mourn, remember and respect those who went to war before us.
Codi Weber and Naomi Angelkovski
YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY EXCURSION - MINNAMURRA RAINFOREST
On Monday 2 September Year 9 Geography students explored Minnamurra Rainforest. They had a fantastic day studying rainforest biomes, and despite a bit of wind, the weather was lovely. They undertook a range of activities including turbidity and humidity testing, walking in the rainforest and were engaged in a presentation by the ranger.
Mrs Chelsea Swan
On behalf of Year 9, I would like to thank all the teachers who have created these amazing learning experiences for the students.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Year 9 students for their active and positive engagement in these experiences, maximising their learning opportunities and fully embracing all that St John's has to offer.
'Strong minds & gracious hearts.’
Mrs Wendy Isemonger
Year 9 Coordinator