Year 9 Alternative Program
For four periods out of six one day each week, students work with our experienced and passionate staff in our Year 9 Program. Different aspects of the year 9 curriculum are covered, but not usually in a traditional classroom setting. Students look forward each week to the program and engage in the variety of activities curated for each group at different times of the year. Parents and carers see the benefits of the program on their children as it helps them develop confidence and a sense of identity in what can be a difficult time.
A Space to T
hrive
Being their best self, challenging themselves
Year 9 is a time when students start thinking about who they are and what they want to do in their life. The Year 9 Program helps students become aware of the many and varied future careers that are open to them. They reflect on their own strengths and we invite them to consider who they are and who they want to be.
The program challenges them to be resilient in different settings and activities. Students engage in sporting activities, kitchen challenges and with art. The students create a mural that reflects their identity or a theme they resonate with. They are put outside of their comfort zone to stretch them as a group and an individual.
Contributing to Community
Serving the local community
Helping students see that their community can be a source of fulfilment and purpose is also an aim of our Year 9 Program.
Students contribute to the community by planting trees in collaboration with the Alpine Shire, they care for the local cemetery by maintaining the gardens.
Social justice and fundraising is also an important focus as students visit a local sunflower farm and sell stems to raise money for charities. Students are inspired by hearing what others have done for their community in history projects.
Making Connections
Building a connected cohort
Adolescence can be a challenging period of time for young people.
Marian’s Year 9 Program aims to build connections between the year 9 peer group. It is in and through these positive relationships that school can provide a safe place for young people to exist in. Activities where incidental conversations and interactions take place are a strong part of our year 9 program.
These activities include creating and sharing a meal within a group, team building activities and initiative games. When students are engaging in activities such as these, they see how they can help others and how they can connect to the group.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
Learning about their own physical and mental health
Physical and mental health are a strong focus of the Year 9 Program. We make the most of our beautiful surroundings by taking students on bike rides on local trails. Students learn about current health issues facing young people and strategies used to reduce risk and lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
The connections that the young people build with their teachers means that they can ask questions in a less formal setting.
Community guests also speak to the students about sexual health, mental health, online gambling and online safety.