Year 9
In Year 9 students have many opportunities to practise Mercy values whilst exploring and developing an understanding of voluntary work in their school and the wider community. Throughout Year 9 students learn about creating balance in their school and home life.
Subjects
At Monte, students are encouraged to be active learners and to critically assess the world around them. The dynamic and experienced English teachers at Monte strive to develop a love of literature in their students. They assist students to make links between ideas, knowledge and the world around them and encourage a holistic engagement with the intellectual, spiritual and personal.
The Year 7 to 10 programs incorporate the NESA Outcomes and the framework of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. The programs are based around the Areas of Interaction and Guiding Questions, so students approach the texts by grappling with questions such as:
- how do experiences lead to growth and change?
- can Shakespeare’s comedies do more than make us laugh?
- how do we understand our relationship with ourselves, our community, and the environment through the study of narrative and mythology?
Extension opportunities
Gifted English students are invited to join Extension classes in Years 7 to 10. In these classes, students develop their critical literacy and written expression and are exposed to more sophisticated texts to develop their knowledge and understanding. Students in these classes are encouraged to enter writing competitions and have the opportunity to undertake special writing projects and workshops with writers.
Support for students with special needs
In Years 9 and 10, an elective English Tutorial class provides ongoing assistance for students who are developing the skills required for Senior Study.
In Year 9, Science students build on the information and skills learnt in the previous years to work with modern technologies including Geiger counters, radio transmitters, data loggers and even lasers to further learn about the world around them. The learning experiences gathered through many different class activities promote the relevance of the topic matter to everyday situations.
In Mathematics from Years 7 - 10, we focus on the following strands: Number, Measurement, Data, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry and Working Mathematically. The implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7 and 8 has focused Mathematics teaching on Communication, Investigating Patterns and Reflection and Evaluation, along with the more traditional focus on Knowledge and Skills.
Students participate in the Mathematics Challenge, the Enrichment Mathematics series and the Westpac Mathematics Competition, all organised by the Australian Mathematics Trust. Talented senior students undertake the Mathsearch competition organised by the Mathematics Association of NSW.
Technology and computers continue to be incorporated into the teaching of Mathematics from Years 7 – 12. Geometers’ Sketchpad, Excel spreadsheets, Texas graphics calculators and various other software packages are utilised to make Mathematics relevant to students. The use of interactive Smartboards has also enhanced the delivery of the curriculum.
Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) involves learning about the contemporary, historical and future of our global world and its people and reflects the essence of this comment.
The HSIE Department is distinctive at Monte as a wide range of subjects and courses are managed in ONE faculty. This allows for a coordinated approach that enables these subjects to be offered to students and taught in a co-operative and collaborative manner using shared ideas, strategies and opportunities in teaching and learning.
Civics and Citizenship
There is a strong focus in the HSIE Department to develop values and attitudes to promote the concepts of civics and citizenship, and for students to become active national and global citizens. As well as numerous classroom-learning experiences the students in Year 9 spent three days in Canberra.
Stage 4 NSW BOS/ Years 1 - 3 IB MYP
Geography: - Students study Global Geography exploring the diversity that exists in global communities, environments and issues (including ecological sustainability), as well as effects of global inequality.
History: - Students study World History investigating Archaeology and Ancient & Medieval Societies. They are involved in virtual site studies and research into different cultures and societies and the legacies they have left for the modern world.
Opportunities in HSIE
The HSIE Department offers many opportunities for student to become active and engaged in their learning, both inside and outside the classroom.
Many excursion and incursion activities are presented for students in Years 7 - 10. These range from whole day events to overnight camps
Students are also actively encouraged to widened their educational experiences by undertaking Tutorial lessons outside the College timetable; entering and participating in Historical, Commercial and Geographic Competitions which may be local, domestic or global in nature.
Languages have always been highly valued at Monte, not only by the College but by students and parents. In accordance with the National Statement for Languages Education in Australian Schools, Monte is committed to the provision of quality languages education for all students, in the context of education in a global community. The contribution of Languages to wider-contextual learning, such as internationalism and intercultural competence, underpins the integral role of language skills and cultural sensitivity in the International Baccalaureate. The importance of language learning as a tool for developing cultural awareness and tolerance in the quest for peace cannot be underestimated in our global world today.
In Year 7, students must choose one of the following languages: French, German, or Italian. They continue their study of the chosen language for four years. Currently, in Years 8, 9 and 10, they continue their study of either French, German, Italian or Indonesian (Years 9 and 10 only).
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) provides students with the opportunity to explore issues that impact on the health and wellbeing of themselves and others. These issues may include physical activity, mental health, drug use, sexual health, nutrition, supportive relationships, personal safety, gender roles and discrimination.
The elective courses in Years 9 and 10 aim to provide academic, practical, vocational, recreational and community service opportunities to its participants. Some of the activities lead to the students attaining nationally accredited qualifications such as the Royal Lifesaving Society's Bronze Star and Medallion and the National Coaching Council's Level 1 Coaching Accreditatio
Students in Years 9 and 10 can choose to participate in the Physical Activity and Sports Studies electives course. The course caters for students who have shown aptitude and interest in the subject area and the school sporting program. The aims of the course are to provide students with:
- experiences in many lifetime recreational activities extensions of the Years 7-10 course
- preparation for the 2 unit PDHPE course
- healthy lifestyle practices in the terms of activity, diet and use of leisure time increased knowledge about lifestyle issues and world health problems.
Design and Technology is a mandatory 100 or an elective 200-hour course that develops a student's ability for innovative and creative thought. They gain a range of skills in a variety of materials/ medium including plastics, wood, graphics, food, multi media and textiles.
Students are given a design challenge and must apply an appropriate material/medium and technical skills using new and emerging technologies to generate quality solutions. Through the development of their design projects and the analysis of the design work of others, students reflect on the impact of their and other’s designs on society and the environment.
The Religious Education Curriculum has a twofold focus. primarily, Religion in a Catholic College is a lived experience from the Faith seeking understanding of the classroom to the Liturgy, Prayer, Reflection Days and Retreat.
The Religious Education curriculum also strives for academic excellence, student learning and the acquistion of knowledge.
Catherine McAuley said, ‘We should be as the compass that goes round its circle without stirring from its centre – our centre is God...’.
God is Mercy. Because of God’s Mercy the word was spoken and creation began.
In the mystery of faith we have the Grace of who we are as Monte, why we are Monte, what we stand for as Monte and the living growth of becoming.
The first word written on the Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College motto is ‘Religio’ “re” means “again and again” or “all ways”, ‘ligio’ means “bind to” or “hold together” so in a sense religion is describing our continual closeness to God, our centre.
The Reiligious Education Curriculum has a twofold focus. Primarily, Religion in a Catholic College is a lived experience from the Faith seeking understanding of the classroom to the Liturgy, Prayer, Reflection Days and Retreat.
The Religious Education Curriculum also strives for academic excellence, student learning and the acquisition of knowledge.
In Visual Arts at Monte, we value student-centred learning where individuals are encouraged to develop their ideas, creativity and talents, whilst taking responsible risks, in a well resourced, engaging, supportive and caring environment.
Our programs are designed to respond to the changing developmental needs and interests of students from Years 7 to 12, within the framework of the NESA Syllabus and the International Baccalaureate, Middle Years and Diploma Visual Arts Programme. All Visual Arts courses are based on the three practices in the contemporary world of art and design:
- Making Artworks – reflecting the practice of the visual artist and designer
- Critical Study - reflecting the practice of the art critic
- Historical Study - reflecting the practice of the art historian
Through these courses, Visual Arts students are empowered to become self-motivated, resourceful, reflective learners who are adaptable, critical and creative thinkers.
Drama
Year 9 Drama begins with the students being introduced to improvisational skills, rapidly developing through to playbuilding and then to creating a short performance. As their experience with different techniques develops, they begin to utilise various forms and styles including Commedia, Greek Chorus, and Cabaret. They experiment with film-making and learn how to make a short film. They create an original plot, film and edit it, before playing their finished products in class. Finally, the students develop sufficient skills to interpret a given script that they perform at the end of the year, demonstrating their ability to create character, devise a set and use props to engage and educate the audience in relation to an important social issue inherent in Australian culture
Short Cuts Film Festival
Films are created in Year 9 and 10 Drama classes, and these are then short-listed for our annual Shortcuts Film Festival. Students showcase their skills at being adept and original in their screenplay and demonstrate their agility in filmic and editing techniques.
Music
Year 9 students develop their individual performance and composition skills. During Year 9 the students study African, South American, Baroque, Classical and Film Music, and finish the year with a performance evening, celebrating their considerable collective and individual development.