Year 9

Agriculture – Full Year Course

Course Description
Students will have both theory and practical lessons developing knowledge and skills associated with several agriculture enterprises offered at Urrbrae. Students will participate in the Active Learning Program where they will run an experimental investigation. Additionally, students investigate the importance of Wetlands to agriculture enterprises. Throughout the year each class will have responsibility for managing calves and the Game bird enterprises for a term. Students follow the Urrbrae Middle School Agriculture Curriculum Guide.

Content

• Calves/Cows Create Careers
• Bees
• Aquaculture
• Paddock to Plate
• ALP/ Experimental Investigation/Food-Fibre
• Plant Science and Production/Vines
• Ducks/Game Birds
• Introduction to Equine

Assessment Components

• Practical/Reports and skills
• Theory/Application Tasks/Class work
• Tests

Additional Information
Students are involved in specialised Practical Rotations. Fieldtrips and excursions in a variety of areas are conducted.

English – Full Year Course

Assumed Knowledge
Classes are mixed ability.

Course Description
The curriculum is built around the Australian Curriculum strands of Language, Literature and Literacy, to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. Teachers revisit and strengthen concepts, skills and processes developed in earlier years as needed. Students interpret, create, evaluate, discuss and perform a wide range of texts, including texts designed to inform and persuade.

Content

• Study of print, visual and multimodal texts
• Text production
• Language study

Assessment Components
Eight to ten summative assessment tasks over the year:

• Responding to texts (written or oral)
• Creating texts (written or oral)
• Written tasks performed under timed conditions
• Tests

Additional Information
Students attend one or more performances. Students complete ACER PAT-Reading assessments to inform teaching and learning.

Mathematics – Full Year Course

Assumed Knowledge
There are three levels of Mathematics classes. A small Foundation Mathematics class provides extra support for students with particular numeracy needs. All remaining students are offered either Standard or Advanced Mathematics based on achievement in Year 8. Students are able to move between classes based on teacher recommendations only. Advanced Mathematics in Year 9 is only available to those students who are in the Advanced class in Semester 2 of Year 8.
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Course Description
The proficiency strands understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning are an integral part of mathematics content across the three content strands. The proficiencies reinforce the significance of working mathematically within the content and describe how the content is explored or developed. Teachers use a variety of assessment approaches to accurately reflect student understanding.
An expectation of mathematical proficiency has been embedded into curriculum content across all strands to ensure that students develop mastery in mathematics through the development and application of increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding and fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. The concepts, skills, procedures and processes essential to the learning of mathematics are organised under the three interrelated strands, in a sequence of development that increases in depth and breadth across the years of schooling.
The three content strands also specify content aimed at progressively developing students’ knowledge and use of mathematical, statistical and computational thinking through the processes of mathematical modelling, computational thinking, statistical investigation, probability experiments and simulations. When students are actively engaged in learning experiences involving the mathematical processes, they draw upon and further develop their mathematical understanding, fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills in an integrated way.
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Content

• Number and Algebra
• Space and Measurement
• Statistics and Probability

Assessment Components

• Tests
• Investigations
• Group Work
• Projects
• Observations
• Online Tasks

Additional Information
Calculators and appropriate IT will be used throughout the year. Mathematical competitions run throughout the year extend students’ knowledge and understanding.

Science – Full Year Course

Course Description
Year 9 Science is designed to continue the progress made in year 8, continuing the integrated study of the branches of science.  Experimentation continues to be an important aspect of the course with increasing levels of independence being demonstrated by students as the year progresses.

Content

• Atoms
• Plate Tectonics
• Light, Sound and EMR
• Coordination, Control and Disease
• Living Together
• Types of Reactions
• Electrical Energy

Assessment Components

• Major Assignments
• Quizzes
• Practical Reports
• Oral Presentations
• End of Topic Tests

Humanities – Full Year Course

Course Description
This course provides students with an overview of a variety of areas including History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship. This course has a modern world emphasis, focusing on the turn of the 20th century to the modern day.  Students develop an understanding of Australia’s position in the global world.

Content

• The Industrial Revolution
• Forming a Nation
• World War I and the ANZAC Spirit
• Biomes and Food Security
• Geographies of Interconnections
• Government, Democracy and Law

Assessment Components

• Tests
• Source Analysis
• Research Tasks
• Oral Presentations
• Essays

Visual Art – Semester Course

Course Description
This course offers students opportunities to develop their skills and applications in Art and Design, covering painting, drawing, printmaking, and clay work. Students will expand on previous skills and explore new art practices.

Content

• Drawing Methods and Media
• Ceramics
• Painting
• Digital Art / Design
• Printmaking
• 3D Art Forms

Assessment Components

• 40% Practical
• 40% Folio
• 20% Visual Study

Design – Semester Course

Course Description
This course aims to develop and extend the students’ experience and skills in creating and relating to works of design and culture. Students are introduced to the three areas of Design – Visual Communication Design, Environmental Design (Architecture) and Product Design. Students are introduced to Adobe Illustrator and develop digital skills. No prior knowledge is assumed. Students develop an understanding of the design process whilst creating original works of design.

Content

• What is Design?
• 2D & 3D Drawing Skills
• Visual Communication Design
• Architecture
• Packaging

Assessment Components

• 40% Practical
• 40% Folio
• 20% Visual Theory

Drama/ film / media – Semester Course

Course Description
This course provides an exploration of the various technical and artistic elements involved in theatre and film production. Students will gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge in stage management, prop creation, costume and wardrobe management, makeup application, film making, acting techniques, editing and camera operation.

Content

• Video Production
• Performance
• Media Analysis
• Historical and Cultural Aspects in Media / Theatre

Assessment Components

• Short Film (planned, scripted, and edited by students)
• Animation Tasks
• Performance
• Film study Responses

Music A – Semester Course

Assumed Knowledge/Prerequisites
Students will have completed Year 8 Music or had one year’s experience of instrumental lessons and be able to demonstrate capability in the performance aspects and written components of the subject.

Course Description
Students further develop knowledge of music theory and aural concepts, and build on their skills in solo and ensemble performance. They have more choice in repertoire and begin to work more independently. Students begin to write longer compositions and explore and analyse a wider ranger range of music.
​
Content

• Ensemble and Solo Performance
• Theory
• Composition
• Analysis

Assessment Components

• Solo Performance
• Ensemble Performance
• Theory and Aural Tests
• Composition / Arranging
• Performance Reflection

Additional Information
All students must attend a weekly instrumental or vocal lesson either through DfE or a private teacher.

Music B – Semester Course

Assumed Knowledge/Prerequisites
Students will have completed Year 8 Music or had one year’s experience of instrumental lessons and be able to demonstrate capability in the performance aspects and written components of the subject.

Course Description
Students continue the development of solo and ensemble performance skills, building on the those developed in Year 8 and Year 9 Music. Composition and music recording and editing techniques are explored in more detail through longer projects.

Content

• Ensemble and Solo Performance
• Sound Recording
• Composition
• Analysis

Assessment Components

• Solo Performance
• Ensemble Performance
• Podcast Research Task
• Music Foley Assessment

Additional Information
All students must attend a weekly instrumental or vocal lesson either through DfE or a private teacher.

Agricultural Technology – Semester Course

​Course Description
This subject is a junction of Agriculture, and Technology used to look at and develop engineering solutions. It is both academic and practical. Students work both independently and in teams to examine issues and design solutions to a range of problems in an agricultural context.
Students will explore current issues in agriculture and how STEM thinking is assisting to solve them. Students will also apply their STEM thinking to a current issue we have on the school farm and endeavour to find and possibly produce a technological solution.
Students will gain experience in 3D printing, Electronics, Programming and Tello Drones, and apply these skills to build and automate a robotic limb using Arduino programming and build an automated hydroponic garden.

Content

• What is STEM and building STEM skills.
• What is Artificial intelligence and how is it used in Agriculture.
• Electronic control systems and Arduinos.
• Advanced manufacturing (CAD and 3D printing)
• Students attend a Field Trip to see examples of agricultural technology in practice and will investigate a recent innovation and present their findings to the class.
• Micro Drones

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.
• There will be a mix of research and presentations, quizzes, and practical tasks.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) – Semester Course

Course Description
This is an introductory course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Siemans NX software. Students learn to design engineering products using 3D solid modelling to appropriate standards, develop an understanding of orthogonal and isometric drawing representation, presentation of ‘working’ drawings, reverse engineering techniques and product design.

Content

• Modelling Skills
• Watch Tutorial
• Model Assembly – toy car
• Reverse Engineering – glue stick
• Design Interpretation – bike lift
• Product Design – prototype using 3-D printer

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Digital Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students will develop programming skills initially through GameMaker to create classic arcade style computer games.  We will then use the Arduinos to learn control technology, combining programming and electronics to create various sensors and applied Agricultural automation applications.
Students will also explore a contemporary issue and/or ethics of Information Technology to examine topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybercrime Quantum Computing or Big Data.
​
Content

• GameMaker
• Arduino
• Agritech control Technologies
• Prototyping – electronics and 3D printing

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Electronics – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students learn and practice basic electronic principles through circuit design, analysis and construction. Students learn to solve practical problems and work safely in the workshop with machines and equipment. It involves a major unit of electronic project construction and problem solving requiring soldering and circuit skills.

Content

• Electrical Theory
• Electrical Safety
• Soldering, Assembly, Component Identification
• Bread Board Modelling
• Circuit Wizard Software
• Project Design and Assembly

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Metal Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students design and make products, solve practical problems and learn to work safely in the workshop with machines. The course involves a number of formative pieces of work to learn welding and machining skills including the use of Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to program and control a CNC lathe and CNC plasma cutter.
 
Content

• Metal Lathe
• Gas Welding
• General Workshop Machines
• Hand and Power Tools
• CNC Plasm Cutter & CNC Lathe

Assessment
Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Wood Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students design and make products, solve practical problems, and learn to work safely in the workshop with portable and fixed machines. It involves using timber, utilising both traditional construction methods and modern CAD/CAM computer programming and machine control.

Content

• Joint Skills
• Project Designing
• General workshop safety and machine use
• CAD/CAM – Laser etching & 3D Printing
• Laminating/Design
• Framing Skills

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Food & Nutrition – Semester Course

Course Description
Students will develop skills in preparing healthy food in safe and hygienic ways. They will investigate eating guidelines and use these to plan healthy meals. Students will investigate sustainable food choices and eco-friendly packaging.  They will explore the impact of dietary excesses (Fat, Salt and Sugar) and deficiencies (Fibre)They will make and create healthier recipes to reduce fat, sugar  and increase fibre.

Content

• Hygiene and Preparing Food Safely
• Australian Dietary Guidelines
• Australian Guide to Healthy eating
• Healthy Food Choices
• Food Packaging
• Recipe Makeovers
• Foods from Different Cultures

Assessment Components

• Investigations
• Group Work
• Practical Performance Checklists
• Evaluations

Health & Physical Education- Semester Course

Course Description
The core focus throughout this semester is the development of aerobic fitness. A range of fitness testing is undertaken at the beginning and conclusion of the semester. Various circuit-training programmes are undertaken in one term and high activity team sports using the ‘Sport Education’ methodology are undertaken in the other. An extensive theory assignment needs to be completed. A Health unit of study with a sex education focus is also delivered within the semester.

Content

• Being Healthy, Safe and Active
• Relationships and Sexuality
• Communicating and Interacting for Health and Wellbeing
• Contributing to Healthy and Active Communities
• Moving our Body
• Understanding Movement
• Learning Through Movement

Assessment Components

• Students are assessed on performance in theory and practical formats. Performance checklists covering two strands: Movement and Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Community Health.

Additional Information
Students are expected to be changed into the Physical Education uniform and are expected to participate fully. Modifications to our program will be made for individuals with long-term medical problems.

Physical Education – Semester Course

Course Description
The core focus throughout this semester is developing greater skill and strategic development in a range of games. The theory component involves students undertaking an investigation into various body systems.

Content

• Being Healthy, Safe and Active
• Communicating and Interacting for Health and Wellbeing
• Contributing to Healthy and Active Communities
• Moving our Body
• Understanding Movement
• Learning Through Movement

Assessment Components

• Students are assessed on performance in theory and practical formats. Performance checklists covering two strands:  Movement and Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Community Health.

Additional Information
Students are expected to be changed into the Physical Education uniform and are expected to participate fully. Modifications to our program will be made for individuals with long-term medical problems.

Art – Semester Course

Course Description
Students build on and further develop artistic skills. A variety of traditional art media and contemporary electronic media are used. Students are required to research, develop ideas, respond to art works and problem  solve, to achieve effective results and develop understanding. Students explore art styles and how they are influenced by the context in which they are made.

Content

• Drawing Methods and Media
• Ceramics
• Painting
• Digital Art
• Printmaking
• Sculpture

Assessment Components

• 80% Practical
• 20% Theory

Design – Semester Course

Course Description
This course aims to develop and extend the students’ experience and skills in creating and relating to works of design and culture. Students are introduced to the three areas of Design – Visual Communication Design, Environmental Design (Architecture) and Product Design. Students are introduced to Adobe Illustrator and develop digital skills. No prior knowledge is assumed. Students develop an understanding of the design process whilst creating original works of design.

Content

• What is Design?
• 2D & 3D Drawing Skills
• Visual Communication Design – Design a Sports Logo
• Architecture – Design Your Dream Bedroom
• Packaging – Lolly Packaging Design

Assessment Components

• 80% Practical
• 20% Theory

Drama – Semester Course

Course Description
Students develop performance skills within the context of melodrama. Off-stage roles including sound, lighting and multimedia are also studied. They will also have an opportunity to see a professional, live theatre performance.

Content

• Minor Group Performances based on Melodramas
• Theatre Roles (e.g. director, designer, actor)
• Group Devised or other  Performances

Assessment Components

• 2 Group productions on and/or off-stage
• Review of live performance
• Review of 2 Group Productions
• Research /Design Tasks
• Report of involvement in a Group Production

Additional Information
Students may attend a performance.

Media – Semester Course

Course Description
During this course, film analysis, film making, animation (hand drawn or using 3-D models), combining live action with green screening, and film poster design are some of the topics covered. Students explore how to create a story in film, and develop skills in digital editing and working in a group. All media produced may be shown to a school audience. Students present responses that show an understanding of media terminology. Digital editing knowledge is not assumed.

Content

• Video Production
• Personal Project
• Media Analysis
• Historical and Cultural Aspects in Media

Assessment Components

• Short Film (Planned, scripted and edited by students)
• Animation Task
• Individual Design Task
• Film Study Responses

Music A – Semester Course

Assumed Knowledge
Students will have completed Year 8 Music or had one year’s experience of instrumental lessons and be able to demonstrate capability in the performance aspects and written components of the subject.

Course Description
Students further develop solo and ensemble performance skills, building on those developed in Year 8 and going into all aspects of music in more depth. They have more choice in repertoire and begin a study of the art of improvisation, whilst developing song writing and composition skills through study of pop/rock music and jazz/orchestral.
​
Content

• Class Ensemble
• Solo Practice
• Theory
• Composition
• Research Topic

Assessment Components

• Solo Performance
• Ensemble Performance
• Theory Tests and Aural Tests
• Composition / Arranging
• Solo Performance Reflection
• Research

Additional Information
All students must attend a weekly instrumental or vocal lesson either through DfE or a private teacher and. need to be involved in one of the extra-curricular lunchtime ensembles.

Music B – Semester Course

Assumed Knowledge
Students will have completed Year 8 Music or had one year’s experience of instrumental lessons and be able to demonstrate capability in the performance aspects and written components of the subject.

Course Description
Students further develop solo and ensemble performance skills, building on those developed in Year 8 and going into all aspects of music in more depth. They have more choice in repertoire and begin a study of the art of improvisation, whilst developing song writing and composition skills through study of pop/rock music and jazz/orchestral.

Content

• Class Ensemble
• Solo Practice
• Theory
• Composition
• Research Topic

Assessment Components

• Solo Performance
• Ensemble Performance
• Theory Tests and Aural Tests
• Composition/Arranging
• Solo Performance Reflection
• Research

Additional Information
All students must attend a weekly instrumental or vocal lesson either through DfE or a private teacher and. need to be involved in one of the extra-curricular lunchtime ensembles.

 

Agricultural Technology – Semester Course

​Course Description
This subject is a junction of Agriculture, and Technology used to look at and develop engineering solutions. It is both academic and practical. Students work both independently and in teams to examine issues and design solutions to a range of problems in an agricultural context.
Students will explore current issues in agriculture and how STEM thinking is assisting to solve them. Students will also apply their STEM thinking to a current issue we have on the school farm and endeavour to find and possibly produce a technological solution.
Students will gain experience in 3D printing, Electronics, Programming and Tello Drones, and apply these skills to build and automate a robotic limb using Arduino programming and build an automated hydroponic garden.

Content

• What is STEM and building STEM skills.
• What is Artificial intelligence and how is it used in Agriculture.
• Electronic control systems and Arduinos.
• Advanced manufacturing (CAD and 3D printing)
• Students attend a Field Trip to see examples of agricultural technology in practice and will investigate a recent innovation and present their findings to the class.
• Micro Drones

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.
• There will be a mix of research and presentations, quizzes, and practical tasks.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) – Semester Course

Course Description
This is an introductory course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Siemans NX software. Students learn to design engineering products using 3D solid modelling to appropriate standards, develop an understanding of orthogonal and isometric drawing representation, presentation of ‘working’ drawings, reverse engineering techniques and product design.

Content

• Modelling Skills
• Watch Tutorial
• Model Assembly – toy car
• Reverse Engineering – glue stick
• Design Interpretation – bike lift
• Product Design – prototype using 3-D printer

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Digital Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students will develop programming skills initially through GameMaker to create classic arcade style computer games.  We will then use the Arduinos to learn control technology, combining programming and electronics to create various sensors and applied Agricultural automation applications.
Students will also explore a contemporary issue and/or ethics of Information Technology to examine topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybercrime Quantum Computing or Big Data.
​
Content

• GameMaker
• Arduino
• Agritech control Technologies
• Prototyping – electronics and 3D printing

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Electronics – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students learn and practice basic electronic principles through circuit design, analysis and construction. Students learn to solve practical problems and work safely in the workshop with machines and equipment. It involves a major unit of electronic project construction and problem solving requiring soldering and circuit skills.

Content

• Electrical Theory
• Electrical Safety
• Soldering, Assembly, Component Identification
• Bread Board Modelling
• Circuit Wizard Software
• Project Design and Assembly

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Metal Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students design and make products, solve practical problems and learn to work safely in the workshop with machines. The course involves a number of formative pieces of work to learn welding and machining skills including the use of Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to program and control a CNC lathe and CNC plasma cutter.
 
Content

• Metal Lathe
• Gas Welding
• General Workshop Machines
• Hand and Power Tools
• CNC Plasm Cutter & CNC Lathe

Assessment
Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Wood Technology – Semester Course

Course Description
In this course students design and make products, solve practical problems, and learn to work safely in the workshop with portable and fixed machines. It involves using timber, utilising both traditional construction methods and modern CAD/CAM computer programming and machine control.

Content

• Joint Skills
• Project Designing
• General workshop safety and machine use
• CAD/CAM – Laser etching & 3D Printing
• Laminating/Design
• Framing Skills

Assessment

• Tasks will be weighted and judged by the Australian Curriculum achievement standards.

Food & Nutrition – Semester Course

Course Description
Students will develop skills in preparing healthy food in safe and hygienic ways. They will investigate eating guidelines and use these to plan healthy meals. Students will investigate sustainable food choices and eco-friendly packaging.  They will explore the impact of dietary excesses (Fat, Salt and Sugar) and deficiencies (Fibre)They will make and create healthier recipes to reduce fat, sugar  and increase fibre.

Content

• Hygiene and Preparing Food Safely
• Australian Dietary Guidelines
• Australian Guide to Healthy eating
• Healthy Food Choices
• Food Packaging
• Recipe Makeovers
• Foods from Different Cultures

Assessment Components

• Investigations
• Group Work
• Practical Performance Checklists
• Evaluations

Health & Physical Education – Semester Course

Course Description
The core focus throughout this semester is the development of aerobic fitness. A range of fitness testing is undertaken at the beginning and conclusion of the semester. Various circuit-training programmes are undertaken in one term and high activity team sports using the ‘Sport Education’ methodology are undertaken in the other. An extensive theory assignment needs to be completed. A Health unit of study with a sex education focus is also delivered within the semester.

Content

• Being Healthy, Safe and Active
• Relationships and Sexuality
• Communicating and Interacting for Health and Wellbeing
• Contributing to Healthy and Active Communities
• Moving our Body
• Understanding Movement
• Learning Through Movement

Assessment Components

• Students are assessed on performance in theory and practical formats. Performance checklists covering two strands: Movement and Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Community Health.

Additional Information
Students are expected to be changed into the Physical Education uniform and are expected to participate fully. Modifications to our program will be made for individuals with long-term medical problems.

Physical Education – Semester Course

Course Description
The core focus throughout this semester is developing greater skill and strategic development in a range of games. The theory component involves students undertaking an investigation into various body systems.

Content

• Being Healthy, Safe and Active
• Communicating and Interacting for Health and Wellbeing
• Contributing to Healthy and Active Communities
• Moving our Body
• Understanding Movement
• Learning Through Movement

Assessment Components

• Students are assessed on performance in theory and practical formats. Performance checklists covering two strands:  Movement and Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Community Health.

Additional Information
Students are expected to be changed into the Physical Education uniform and are expected to participate fully. Modifications to our program will be made for individuals with long-term medical problems.