Toorak College Choices 2013
    Year 9 Learning Programs

All students study

  • English (Students explore language through literature and film texts, and then focus on language in the media. The capacity to analyse, synthesise, construct and persuade are developed through skill acquisition in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will refine their skills in using a range of text types.)
     
  • Mathematics (Students will practise and extend mathematical techniques through standard applications, exercises, and analysis and application tasks. CAS (Computer Algebra Systems) calculators are used to develop new concepts and to provide a link between graphical and algebraic approaches to solving problems. One class of students will undertake a rigorous accelerated program, incorporating the Years 9 and 10 Mathematics curriculum into one year. Entry to this class is based on a range of criteria.)
     
  • Science (Students gain knowledge of scientific disciplines, how they learn, how to question and explore many scientific concepts. This course focuses on student choice in addition to the development of the individual learner, developing science content and skills through student interest. Students will design and carry out scientific investigations through scientific method and have the opportunity to participate in the CSIRO’s CREST award.)
     
  • Personal Development & Physical Education (Students will examine personal values in relation to health related behaviour, and become involved in community action. The individual and team skills developed in previous years are further enhanced, with greater emphasis on specialised technique and game strategies.)
     
  • History - one semester (The Year 9 History course focuses on the history of Australia. Students will learn about the controversy over who discovered Australia and what life was like in Australia when it was a colony of Britain. Students will investigate how Australia’s population grew and how the white settlers spread through the land changing the lives of the original inhabitants. The course will then conclude with a study of Australia’s role in the First World War.)
     
  • Geography - one semester (This course will investigate the operation of the world’s weather system and students will learn how our weather is determined and how human activities have increased the green house effect resulting in global warming. The skills of research, map interpretation and construction, data and graph analysis and comprehension of written and visual media will be developed.)
     
  • Global Citizen - This subject will provide essential learning for students to be active, informed citizens in their democracy and an increasingly interconnected world. This study will be underpinned by values, attitudes and dispositions to participate in civic life which aim to promote an understanding and empathy of the wider community and beyond. Assessment will be a combination of class, school and community activities and linked to the key elements of the Year 9 program.
     

  • LOTE

    German  - GER09

    This course is aimed at students who wish to maintain the option of studying German in the senior years of secondary schooling. The course will offer an intensive program that will build on their vocabulary, oral communication skills, writing and grammar. Topics include their home, travelling, shopping clothes and food, nature, environment and dreams. Students cannot progress into Year 10 German unless they have completed Semesters 1 and 2 of Year 9 German.                               

    Japanese - JAP09

    This course is aimed at students who wish to maintain the option of studying Japanese in the senior years of secondary schooling. The course will offer an intensive program with the introduction of a new alphabet, Katakana. Through the study of new characters students will widen their vocabulary and broaden their cultural understanding. Students cannot progress into Year 10 Japanese unless they have completed Semesters 1 and 2 of Year 9 Japanese.

    Language of our Time - LOT09

    What does it mean to communicate? Why is it so important that we connect through spoken, visual and written text? This new and exciting subject will expose students to the evolution of language, with a focus on the methods we use to communicate in today’s world. The act of communicating has moved from a rich oral tradition, to one heavily steeped in written text, and is now evolving to a combination of written, visual and oral. (e.g. Blogs, Tumblr, YouTube and Virtual Worlds). In this subject, students will be using the tools of today to create the texts of tomorrow. They will explore what makes a Young Adult novel hit the bestseller lists, what is needed to be a successful author today, and how to create interesting texts that can be accessed in public spaces with a real audience.

PERFORMING ARTS

Drama - DRA09

Students will be submerged into the world of Shakespearean writing and examine through performance the famous scenes from Shakespeare's works including character studies of Romeo, Juliet, Iago, Othello, Desdemona, Anthony, Cleopatra, Hamlet, Ophelia as well as the Dark Lady of the Sonnets. Study the great master and get yourself prepared for Shakespeare studies in Senior English classes.

Theatre - THE09

Who are the characters in musical theatre? What are the origins in Australia?  This subject examines the great writers of the Musical genre, and you will be able to complete a character study and performance of a scene/song from a musical.

Song Writing & Production - SON09

Song Writing and Production is a project-based unit. Students listen to and perform songs in a range of musical styles. Taking ideas from well-known song writing teams and using programs including Garageband and Mixcraft, they will develop original lyrics and record your vocals with drums, guitar and keyboard backings. In collaboration with media students, each group will create an image for their song and finally produce a music video. At the end of this unit, students will produce a DVD music video and upload their work to a wider audience. Assessment will be based on collaboration and teamwork, maintaining a process journal and producing the final music video DVD.

Dance  - DCE09

What does Dance say about a community at a particular point in time? What influences a new Dance style? Enjoy exploring new ways of moving as you learn a range of Dances from traditional/cultural through to Swing, Disco, Jazz, Hip-Hop and many more. Guest dance teachers will visit the class and if you are an expert in a style you too could teach the class! You will also get the chance to create your own Dance piece in your favourite dance style.

VISUAL ARTS

      Media Studies - MED09

Students will explore a range of new technologies and industry standard software including: Final Cut Express and Adobe Photoshop to manipulate, present and share ideas across a range of themes and concepts. Students will learn the processes and conventions relating to various media forms including Social Media, editing and visual communication. Students will have an opportunity to create multiple projects including: a movie poster, music video and an animation.

      Photography - PHO09

Students learn how to use pinhole cameras, analogue SLR cameras and experiment with contact printing. Students develop film and print in the darkroom, learning and refining their photographic processes and techniques. Students implement and learn about composition and design, through developing their own imagery and visual language of art making. Students investigate varied genres, styles, artists and the history of photography. Students learn how to use digital imaging through photomedia and illustration. Students are encouraged to use computers as a creative tool with the aim of using digital media to experiment and seek innovative solutions. Students are introduced to traditional and innovative contemporary photographic techniques and programs. Students implement and learn about composition and design, ensuring they understand the visual language of art making. Students investigate aesthetic and visual works of digital art, enabling them to expand and develop their own visual solutions. 

     Contemporary Art - ART09

In this unit the students will explore new ideas in Art from contemporary artists who utilise a variety of traditional and non-traditional mediums. The students are encouraged to undertake a discovery of materials and concepts that foster an inquiry from individual experiences with the aim of communicating their ideas and observations in a visual form. Each student will explore a sense of self-expression that is based on personal interests while building on skills that have been developed in previous years. Possible mediums and forms to be explored include: painting, drawing, sculpture, multi-media, ceramics and printmaking.

Visual Communication and Design - VCD09

Students learn how to use text and images, in either two or three-dimensional form, to communicate ideas, information, and messages to audiences in imaginative and original ways. Students work towards completing a folio of works and visual diary of investigative processes.

      Fabrics, fashion and design - FAB09

Students learn how to make their own clothes and create their own fabric. Students explore new and challenging topics to enhance skills in both design and production. A continuation of this course is offered to students in Semester 2. Students continue their development and understanding of making clothing that allows the exploration the various qualities and properties of fabric.

Additional Learning Units

Food Technology - FTC09

In this unit students have the opportunity to experience all parts of the menu, focusing on food presentation and creative preparation. Learn simple skills that produce impressive results, food that looks good enough to eat! The basics of food photography will also be explored enabling students to create a folio of their results. 

Financial Literacy - FIN09

This course focuses on managing personal finances and consumer decision making. Students will learn to make informed decisions about mobile phones and credit cards. They will develop knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities, as well as personal record keeping and budgeting.