Year 9 2015 Information Evening Overview WELCOME Head of Senior School/Deputy Headmaster – Nick Evans LEARNING, MEMORY, CHALLENGE Director of Research and Learning – Andrew Baylis YEAR 9 & 10 CURRICULUM Director of Senior School Curriculum – Ben Hanisch Director of eLearning – Sam Denniston FRIENDS OF GRAMMAR Rachel Gourlay & Su-Lin Loh Learning The adolescent brain is in a huge state of flux  Memory development  Decision making  Knowing how to learn  Fluid Intelligence    Fluid intelligence is the ability to reason quickly and to think abstractly Activities that utilize fluid intelligence include learning, problem solving and pattern recognition Researchers now think that Fluid Intelligence can be increased Challenge The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark Michelangelo Senior School “I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. Knowledge is not the same as morality, but we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do... Ultimately, we must synthesize our understandings for ourselves” Howard Gardner Year 9 & 10 Curriculum Year 9 and 10 Curriculum 2015 Reviews and changes to consider: The ‘what’ AusVels Australian Curriculum 21st Century Skills MGS Priorities MGS Culture Year 9 and 10 Curriculum 2015 Reviews and changes to consider: The ‘how’ • Pedagogy • Faculty • Internal PD/Cultures of Thinking • External PD • Technology Year 9 and 10 Curriculum 2015 Reviews and changes to consider: The ‘where’ & ‘how well’ • Testing (Internal & External) • Formative Assessment • Summative Assessment (Reports) 1. The ‘what’ - Year 9 & 10 Curriculum 16 Units In Year 9 8 in Semester 1 8 in Semester 2 16 Units In Year 10 Most Units have 6 periods a cycle Some have 3 periods a cycle 8 in Semester 1 8 in Semester 2 32 units to be taken over 4 Semesters of Years 9 and 10 Year 9 and 10 Curriculum 2015 Four semesters over Years 9 and 10 • Unitised – Units of one semester (like VCE) • Vertical (some units for both Year 9 and 10) • Regular contact (6 periods per 7 day cycle: 5 x 45 minute periods & 1 x 80 minute period per cycle) • Students take 32 Units made up of the following requirements: Students take: • at least 3 Units of English (6 periods per cycle) • at least 3 Units of Science and Technology (6 periods per cycle) • at least 3 Units of Mathematics (6 periods per cycle) • at least 3 Units of the same Language (6 periods per cycle) • at least 3 Units of History (6 periods per cycle) • at least 2 Units of Geography (6 periods per cycle) • at least 4 Units of Creative & Performing Arts (3 periods per cycle) • at least 4 Units of Health & Physical Education (3 periods per cycle) • • at least 1 Unit of Design Technology (6 periods per cycle) at least 1 Unit of Philosophy & Religious Studies (3 periods per cycle in Year 9 & 3 periods per cycle in Year 10) at least 1 Unit of Personal Development/Leadership (3 periods per cycle in Year 9 & 3 periods per cycle in Year 10) • • another 4 Units of FREE CHOICE (6 periods per cycle) Creative Arts Year 9 and 10 Curriculum 2015 Languages (3 Units of the same language) - Chinese (9 - 12) French (9 - 12) Japanese(9 - 12) - Latin - Beginner Japanese (9-12) (9-12) VC Preparation Students continuing with language study into VCE will select the ‘for VCE’ elective that runs in Semester 2 Year 10 This selection will take place in Term 4 2015 Global Perspective How to choose • Read subject summary descriptions – more detailed descriptions are on the CD • As you complete the green Course Selection form consult the Curriculum Chart • Compulsory units are allocated automatically (No need to write these down) How to choose • Follow the instructions in italics on green Course Selection form eg Choose 0 or 1 Units from the History Elective list • Write choices in the appropriate spaces • You must end up with 5 units written down (including a foreign language) • Tip: Consider selecting a History or an English elective to help complete the course requirements in these subjects How to choose • Choose 3 extra units in Part C in case units chosen cannot be allocated to you (due to timetable constraints or already fully subscribed by Year 10s). You are then allotted compulsory units eg: Core 2 Science or DT • In Year 10, more free choice is offered and priority given for popular elective units Return form by WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER to the WADHURST OFFICE Booklists • Students will receive notice as to the Units they will study in Year 9 2015 before the end of this year • Timetable is generated over the summer holiday period 2. The ‘how’: e-Learning Program • Years 7 - 8 iPads • Years 9 -12 BYOD • By Senior School students are able to bring in the device/s that they deem most appropriate for their learning • Office 365 / Self Service connection to internet services • ICT is integrated throughout - compulsory and elective Units • Mail-out to new parents in late November re: choices for school notebook program device, username and password • If students purchase through the School notebook program they are provided with software • Portal: LMS for student and parent access • Computer Centre – IT Service Desk 3. The ‘where’ & ‘how well’: Online Assessment and Reporting Service to Parents Interim Report End Term 1 End Term 3 Learning Behaviours • • Demonstrates an organised approach to learning Semester Report (Pdf format for archiving/ printing) Term 2 Term 4 Contributes constructively in class • Uses class time productively • Responds thoughtfully to feedback Academic Grades (entered as tasks are completed) Parent Teacher Student Interviews (Online Bookings) Unit Descriptor Outcomes S or N Assessment Tasks A+ - E Learning Behaviours Comment House Report Formative and Summative Assessment Curriculum Support • Curriculum Office • Director of Learning and Research: Andrew Baylis • Director of Senior School Curriculum: Ben Hanisch • Heads of House/Tutors • Learning Strategies: Jane Gleeson, Sonia Wilson, Caroline Rose, Kirsten Walker • English as an Additional Language: Stephen Dessants, Will Stanley • School Psychologists: Dr Barbara Jones, Dr Justin McNamara • Career Development: Kirsten Larn, Alison Wray Outdoor Education is part of the Core Curriculum YEAR 10 YEAR 9 End of Term 1 End of Term 3 Term 4 Beyond the Gates Director of Outdoor Education Simon Finnigan Co-Curricular Activities DRAMA: Quad Play (Open to Years 10 – 12) August Production (Open to all year levels) Spring Production (Years 9 & 10) MUSIC: School Choir, Chapel Choir, String Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra SPORT: Compulsory programme OTHER: Debating, Chess, SLIC, SARC, CHASE, LGR, Miscellany, VIA, Tutoring, Fraser-Deakin Politics, Science & Technology, The Arts, House Activities “An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do...” Year 9 2015 Information Evening