Year 9

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: English/EAL Leader

Content
In Year 9 English, you will discover how to be curious about ideas, empathetic towards others, resourceful when solving problems, and reflective about your learning. You’ll learn how to understand and communicate with people from all walks of life—skills that help you work with others, see things from new perspectives, and use language confidently in real-world situations.

Assessment
Assessment for learning is continuous and allows students to analyse, interpret, evaluate, discuss, create and perform a wide range of spoken, written and multimodal texts for a range of audiences. Assessment in English is based upon the achievement standards of the Australian Curriculum.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Not Applicable.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Stationery Requirements: Exercise book A4 8mm 96 page.

Length: Semester/Full Year

Contact Person: English/EAL Leader

Content
In Year 9 Intensive Literacy, you will learn to use words confidently, become empathetic by understanding others, and be curious about language. You’ll reflect on your own thinking and become resourceful in expressing ideas, skills useful for everyday conversations, problem-solving, and sharing your thoughts clearly.

Assessment
Assessment for learning is continuous and allows students to listen to, read, view, interpret and create texts for different purposes.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Students are recommended for this class by their English/EAL teacher.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Stationery Requirements: Exercise book A4 8mm 96 page.

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Health and Physical Education Leader

Content
Year 9 HPE presents opportunities for your growth in a range of physical and mental health challenges as you navigate your teenage years. The aim is to equip you with practical skills and strategies to build relationships, improve your personal abilities and confidence.

Assessment
Assessment tasks include both practical and theoretical components. Students demonstrate their achievement through tasks such as investigations, reflections, presentations, creative writing, and performances, assessed against the Year 9 and 10 Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Underdale PE Uniform. There is an expectation that students will participate in all practical lessons. If students cannot participate, this should be supported with a note from a parent or guardian.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Health and Physical Education Leader

Content
This course offers you an opportunity to try a range of sports and activities that you may want to play into your adult life. We are keen to see you step out of your comfort zone, showing resilience and resourcefulness in creating, exploring and playing sports and recreational games that are new for you.

Assessment
Practical assessment focuses on a variety of sports and recreational activities guided by student choice. Achievement is demonstrated through participation, effort and engagement.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Underdale PE or Football uniform. There is an expectation that students will participate in all practical lessons. If students cannot participate, this should be supported with a note from a parent or guardian.

Curriculum Charges: There will be some additional costs involved with excursions, specialist instructors, bus hire etc. which will be collected when required.

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Health and Physical Education Leader

Content
The Tennis Academy is a specialist subject designed to integrate elite tennis training with students’ academic timetable. You will participate in a structured program that could include on-court skill development, match play, video analysis, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition education, and performance goal setting.

Assessment
You are required to complete a range of practical and theory tasks to develop Personal, Social and Community Health demonstrating knowledge and understanding. The practical component assessment focuses on understanding movement in tennis and learning through movement. Achievement may be demonstrated through: investigations, tests, posters, reflections, presentations, creative writing, reports, reviews and practical performance.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Underdale PE Uniform. Prior tennis experience is desired, but not necessary.

Curriculum Charges: $900

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Football Academy Leader

Content
Your Year 9 Football experience focuses on Game Training as you develop tactical understanding to support your technical ability. Strength and conditioning also becomes more important as your body grows and adapts to increased intensity on the pitch.
This includes fortnightly sessions with our Spanish partners Valencia CF.
Off the pitch, you'll improve your understanding of alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, mental health, relationships and sexuality, physical activity benefits, and sports safety and injury prevention.

Assessment
You will complete practical and theoretical tasks through Football to demonstrate progress towards the Year 9 and 10 Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards. Assessment may include investigations, tests, reflections, presentations, creative tasks, and practical performance.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Participants must have successfully completed the Year 8 Football course. New students must apply and attend a selection trial. Year 9 students will be placed into an ‘advanced’ or ‘development’ squad at the coaches’ discretion. All students must wear the school Football uniform, purchased directly via pegasports.com.au

Curriculum Charges: $300 plus an additional cost for regional camp in Semester 2.

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Humanities and Social Sciences Leader

Content
In Year 9 HASS, you will learn how to see the world through other people's eyes, building empathy as you understand different viewpoints and experiences. You will develop curiosity by asking questions, exploring challenges facing our planet, and searching for solutions. You will learn how to be responsible by considering the impact of your choices on other people, the environment, and society as a whole. HASS helps strengthen your critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills, all of which will support you to take part confidently in real-life situations and become a thoughtful, active member of your community.

Assessment
Assessment for learning is continuous. Assessment of learning allows students to demonstrate their ability and skills against the curriculum requirements.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Not Applicable.

Curriculum Charges: Not Applicable.

Stationery Requirements:

• Exercise book A4 8mm 96 page.

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Mathematics Leader

Content
The course covers the Australian Curriculum strands of Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. The course aims at developing the student’s technology skills, including the use of scientific calculators and a range of interactives accessed on student laptops to consolidate mathematical concepts and provide students with opportunities to work on real life applications.

Assessment
Students will be assessed using tests and folio tasks (individual and collaborative) with and without the use of technology. Students need to complete set work on a regular and consistent basis to successfully complete all aspects of the course.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Not applicable.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Stationery Requirements:

• Scientific Calculator
• Grid book A4 96 page 5mm
• A4 Display folder with 20 refillable pockets

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Languages Leader

Content
In Year 9 Modern Greek, you will learn how language brings people and cultures together. By exploring real-life topics, you’ll become more community-minded, reflective, and empathetic, discovering how to communicate and appreciate different viewpoints. These skills will help you build friendships, understand cultural traditions, and connect with diverse communities both in Australia and around the world..

Possible themes or topics include:
Geography & History, Literature, Music & Arts, Festivals and Holidays, Important dates, Famous People, My School, Family and Friends , Health and the Body, Clothing & Shopping, My House, Greek Cuisine, Hobbies and Leisure Time, Time, Seasons and Weather, My Neighbourhood, Christmas and New Year Celebrations.

Assessment
Year 9 Modern Greek will be assessed according to Australian Curriculum Criteria, based on a range of listening, speaking and reading tasks.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: For students who have studied Modern Greek in Year 8.

Curriculum Charges: There may be additional costs for excursions and other relevant cultural experiences when required.

Stationery Requirements: Exercise book A4 8mm 96 page.

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Languages Leader

Content
In Year 9 Japanese, you will learn how language brings people and cultures together. By becoming community-minded, reflective, and empathetic, you’ll build skills to communicate with others, understand different perspectives, and use Japanese to connect in real-life situations, both locally and globally.

Possible themes or topics include Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, School Life, Family Descriptions, Health, Weather, Home Life, Town Navigation, Travel, and Customs.
Students learn language and culture through a various resources and a wide variety of student-based learning activities including e-learning sites

Assessment
Year 9 Japanese will be assessed according to Australian Curriculum Criteria, based on a range of listening, speaking and reading tasks.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: For students who have studied Japanese in Year 8.

Curriculum Charges: There may be additional costs for excursions and other relevant cultural experiences when required.

Stationery Requirements:

• Exercise book A4 8mm 96 page.

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Science Leader

Learning This year, you will supercharge your curiosity by learning to look at global trends, tech breakthroughs, and natural mysteries to ask the kind of deep questions that spark real discovery. You will develop an open-minded approach by learning how to critique scientific
models, value different cultural perspectives, and see how big ideas evolve when diverse teams work together. As part of your studies, you will have the chance to put science in the real world by applying the scientific method to a big question of your design.

Assessment
Forms of assessment include Tests, Practicals, Assignments, Projects, SHE (Science as a Human Endeavour) tasks and Story writing.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Not applicable.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Stationery Requirements:

• A4 Display folder with 20 refillable pockets.
• Graph pad A4 50 leaf grid and punched
• Work pad A4 50 leaf ruled and punched.

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Arts Leader

Content
In Year 9 Dance, you'll use dance to communicate ideas, perspectives, and meaning while developing your own style as a performer and choreographer. As you refine your work through feedback and reflection, you'll make purposeful creative choices, build confidence in your artistic voice, develop empathy by exploring different cultures and identities, and strengthen your self-awareness as you grow as a dancer. You'll learn how creativity, collaboration, and communication can help you connect with others.

Assessment
Assessment for learning is ongoing and allows students to create, perform, analyse, evaluate, and respond to dance in a range of styles and contexts. Assessment is based on the achievement standards of the South Australian Curriculum.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements: Appropriate clothing will be required. Black leggings/shorts and a t-shirt are recommended.

Curriculum Charges: Not applicable.

Stationery Requirements:
A4 Writing Book

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Arts Leader

Content
In Year 9 Drama, you'll create and refine performances by combining acting, stagecraft, and the elements of drama to communicate ideas, perspectives, and meaning. You'll have the opportunity to explore offstage roles, including lighting, sound, and design, and discover how these elements work alongside performance to shape atmosphere and engage audiences. As you rehearse, perform, and reflect, you'll think creatively, build confidence in your artistic
choices, develop empathy by exploring different characters and perspectives, and strengthen your self-awareness by refining your work. The skills you develop will help you communicate with impact, solve problems creatively, and bring ideas to life through collaboration.

Assessment
Assessment for learning is ongoing and allows students to create, perform, analyse, interpret, evaluate, and respond to drama for a range of audiences and purposes. Students demonstrate their learning through practical performances, creative development, and written reflections.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements:

Curriculum Charges: Not Applicable

Stationery Requirements:
A4 Writing Book

Length: Full Year

Contact Person: Arts Leader

Content
In Year 9 Music, you'll grow as a musician through weekly lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and live performances. As you perform with other musicians, you'll build confidence, creativity, teamwork, and self-awareness while deepening your understanding of how music is created, performed, and has evolved over time. These skills will help you communicate, solve problems, and collaborate in school, work, and everyday life.

Free weekly lessons are available through the Instrumental Music Service (IMS) for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, voice, and percussion. Students already learning through IMS or a private teacher can continue their lessons.

Assessment

• Instrument investigation
• Solo/Ensemble performances
• Theory
• Film music and OSTs
• Orchestral Instruments

Prerequisite / Special Requirements:
Students should be able to play an instrument. Students must have studied Year 8 music and passed with a C or higher.

Curriculum Charges:
Not applicable

Stationery Requirements:
A4 Display folder with 20 refillable pockets.

Length: Semester

Contact Person: Arts Leader

Content
In Year 9 Visual Arts, you'll develop your own artistic style as you explore your imagination, investigate environmental themes, and respond to artists from different times and movements. You'll strengthen your skills through drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics while building confidence, creativity, empathy, and self-awareness. The skills you develop will help you communicate ideas, solve problems, and think creatively.

Assessment
Assessment allows students to demonstrate their learning through practical and written tasks. This may include artworks, folio development, artist analysis, and practitioner's statements. Assessment is based on the achievement standards of the South Australian Curriculum.

Prerequisite / Special Requirements:
Not Applicable

Curriculum Charges:
Not Applicable

Stationery Requirements:

• A4 Display folder with 20 refillable pockets.
• Pencil 2B economy.

Length: Semester - Elective

Content
In Year 9 Design Technology, you’ll discover how creative ideas become real by working with wood and metal. You’ll get hands-on with tools and learn to solve problems, use your imagination, and work safely. You’ll build persistence and patience, especially when things don’t go right the first time. Planning and attention to detail will help your projects succeed. Sharing ideas and working with others will make you a better communicator and team player. These skills—being creative, solving problems, and working safely—will help you at home, in future jobs, and anytime you need to build or fix something.

Assessment
In Year 9 Woodwork, your assessment will focus on how you:

• Investigate and Design: Research, explore ideas, and produce clear project plans.
• Plan and Create: Organise your work and safely use tools to build your project with care and accuracy.
• Evaluate: Reflect on your finished project, thinking about what went well and what you could do better next time.
• Attitude: Show independence, persistence, and good teamwork skills in the workshop.

Curriculum Charges
$30

Stationery Requirements: HB pencil and Eraser

Length: Semester - Elective

Contact Person: Technologies Leader

Content
In this course, you’ll get hands-on as you design, build, and code robotic prototypes using motors, gears, sensors, and user-friendly programming. You’ll tackle fun challenges—like building a Hexapod or a Drag Racer—and connect your learning to maths, science, and new tech like CAD and 3D printing. You’ll experiment, think creatively, and work with others to solve real problems, building curiosity and resilience along the way.

Assessment
You’ll be assessed on how you:

• Investigate problems using science and maths,
• Design and plan creative solutions (including drawings and coding),
• Build and test your robotic projects,
• Reflect on your results and how you solved challenges, and
• Show teamwork, responsibility, and a positive learning attitude.

Stationery Requirements:

• Nil

Length: Semester - Elective

Contact Person: Technologies Leader

Content
In this course, you’ll get creative and curious as you design and build your own apps. You’ll tackle real problems, use the design cycle to plan and improve your projects, and learn coding with Python. Along the way, you’ll develop innovative solutions, collaborate with others, and dive deep into cyber safety and how AI is changing the world. Assessment will include developing your practical skills, completing a written folio, working on hands-on projects, and finishing programming checkpoints. You’ll use the design cycle to create apps for real purposes. Throughout, you’ll practise self-regulated learning (SRL) by setting goals, reflecting on your progress, and adjusting your approach to continually improve.

Assessment
You’ll be assessed on how you:

• Investigate and Design: Explore real problems, use the design cycle, and create thoughtful plans for your apps.
• Create and Program: Build digital solutions using Python, complete programming checkpoints, and develop your practical coding skills.
• Evaluate: Reflect on your progress, review your projects in your folio, and show how you improved your solutions.

Stationery Requirements:

• Headphones

Length: Semester - Elective

Contact Person: Technologies Leader

Content
In Year 9, you’ll expand your skills in Food Technology by mastering food safety and hygiene, exploring the role of nutrients in a healthy diet, and taking on creative cooking challenges like the “Invention Test” and celebration foods. Textile Technology will give you the chance to safely operate sewing machines, investigate different fabric types and how to care for them, and design and construct your own sustainable cushion—with a strong focus on pattern making.

Assessment
Assessment will focus on what you know and understand, the skills and methods you use to create your projects, and how well you can reflect on and improve your work. This course encourages you to think independently, work innovatively, and act responsibly throughout your learning.

Curriculum Charges:
$50 for materials and ingredients required for this
course.

Stationery Requirements:

• A4 Display folder with 20 refillable pockets.