Year 9 News – 8 February 2024

As Year Level Learning Leaders – Year 9, Mr Jack Timmins and Ms Jan Lake welcome all Year 9 families to Catherine McAuley College Bendigo for 2024.

We are extremely pleased with the feedback we have received around Year 9 student participation in our whole College activities (Opening Mass and assemblies) and classes to date.

We have also witnessed Year 9 students displaying good leadership qualities and compassion by assisting new Year 9s, currently numbering ten with some more pending, and the Year 7 students to CMCB. Small acts such as assisting others to find the correct room, helping with locks, offering to work with others in class and a friendly hello go a long way to help new students feel welcome and comfortable.

The beginning of the year often brings challenges with new class combinations and new subjects. We look forward to seeing our cohort grow in accountability and ownership of their learning as the year progresses and to have them continue to be positive role models.

Of concern, however, is the number of Year 9 students who have not yet placed a lock on their locker and/or are not wearing hats. For security and privacy reasons, locks are compulsory. Students are also advised to only store their own items in their allocated locker. Please discuss with your child if they have and are using a lock.  Hats are part of our uniform expectations for Terms 1 & 4. New locks ($16.50) and hats (17.50) are available from the General Office.

Year 9 Subject News

Maths: Year 9 students have started the term looking at concepts from the Number Sub-Strand Index Notation & Scientific Notation. This will be followed with an introduction to Pythagoras’ Theorem. Textbooks are provided in class as shared resources. Individual tools for learning students should bring to each class include, calculator, charged computer, stationery items (pens, pencils and ruler) and workbooks. Set homework will be a regular part of the subject, with information and due dates available on SIMON.

Health and Physical Education (HPE): Students begin Term 1 with a 4-week Swimming Unit in their PE practical classes. Please ensure you have given permission on PAM and students come with a towel, bathers, hat and drink bottle on their PE days. The weather is looking fantastic and in Year 9 the focus is on fun and participation during their sessions.

In Health, students are investigating Community and Mental Health, exploring ways to improve our overall health and wellbeing, as well as how we can support our friends when they need it. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year in HPE for our Year 9s.

STEAM: It’s Week 1 and already the STEAM classes are in full swing at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo. In our Year 9 Science class we explored static electricity, explaining lightning and giving ourselves enough charge to make our hair stand on end! Every class should have its own van der Graaf Generator, we think. (Gus Brook, Zoe Stone & Naite Paul)