Year 9

Overview
Sometimes Year 9 is said to be the ‘year in the wilderness’. Let’s face it, high school is no longer new, they know the routines, friendship groups are established, yet Year 12 and graduation seem a long way off.
In Year 9 we offer an exciting co-curricular program which includes:
· Ski Camp
· Social Justice Program 
· City Experience

Ski Camp
The annual Year 9 Ski Camp to Mount Hotham is an activity that students as well as staff look forward to each year. In 2008 the Ski Camp proved to be both memorable and successful. On a personal scale, students could develop self-esteem and confidence by taking the opportunity to challenge themselves in an unfamiliar environment. It was wonderful to see all students ‘having a go’ and developing skills and expertise on the slopes particularly if they’d never skied before. Students found that they could achieve something never thought possible, giving them a sense of achievement and success. On the camp the Year 9’s bonded with each other and developed long meaningful friendships with staff and other students in the Homeroom and the Year Level; friendships that are sure to continue well beyond Year 9. Many a laugh was shared through stories of how people “stacked on the slopes,” including the teachers! These stories are sure to be passed onto new Thomas Carr College students.

We counted our blessings for the glorious snow conditions on Hotham for the entire week! Camp 1 students and staff experienced the magical sight of snow falling on the mountain whilst they traversed the slopes and Camp 2 saw golden picturesque sunrises over the mountain and celebrated blue cloudless skies for the entire two days! The accommodation was excellent and we were made to ‘feel at home’ by the friendly and welcoming staff at Valley Homestead in Ovens. Students had fun participating in numerous activities such as the ‘Trivia Challenge’ and the much anticipated disco which was themed ‘I can’t believe you’re wearing that!’. This gave Year 9’s and some teachers the opportunity to celebrate their alter egos! In summing up an excellent time was had by all!
What some of our students had to say:
Matthew Watson:
It was heaps Good!!!! This was the first time that I’ve been to the snow. Snowboarding was fantastic and some of the professional boarders asked how many years I’d been doing it … the truth was, not even two days.
Louisa Cini:
First time I’d ever skied and I felt so fantastic that only after a few lessons I could actually ski. It was hard at first but I was really proud of myself. The cabin was super fun – the best camp ever.
Jonathan Mashalidas:
This was the first time I’ve ever been to snow and learning to ski was a huge accomplishment. The teachers were really nice and seeing Mr Morse and Ms C dressed so badly (bad taste night) was hilarious.
Emily Farrugia
If I had to say how great ski camp was, I couldn’t reach my arms wide enough to show you. I’ve skied before but my friends were hilarious! The whole thing was exciting and a real buzz. I must say it was hard to get up at 5am but the views on the mountain were just amazing, picture perfect in fact. If I had to do it all again I would say, of course!!!!

Social Justice Program
Being a Year 9 student is an exciting time. Not only do students have to balance the demands of school and home but further opportunities and independence are a part of growing up. Friends, part-time employment, sporting and social groups, ‘MSN’,’ I-pods’, ‘Playsation’ and ‘Youtube’ are all things many Year 9’s fit into a day. But do they take the chance to reflect on just how fortunate they are? Do they consider that some of these things that seem to consume our time are luxuries most of the world will never know? Do they take for granted food, housing, education and family? Do they take the time to think about those less fortunate than themselves.
In Year 9 at Thomas Carr College we have a vibrant Social Justice Program. We believe we are mandated to care for the oppressed, the poor, the sick and the needy. We also believe that it is vital for our students to develop a sense of empathy – to put ourselves ‘into someone else’s shoes’.

Each of the eight homerooms has been assigned an area of injustice that exists in the world. These areas are:
1. Global human rights
2. Global animal rights
3. Australian mental health
4. Australian and international environment
5. Global children's rights
6. Australian Aboriginal rights
7. Global health
8. Global development/eradication of poverty
From this area, students, with assistance from their homeroom and RE teacher, focus on a particular charity or organisation that they feel addresses this area of injustice.

Whilst are very important part, this program is simply more than raising money for charity. They gain experience in writing a proposal that outlines what they intend to do to highlight awareness and to provoke others into thinking and reflecting on what can and needs to be done. Students have the opportunity to present to their peers the injustices that exist and what they as a class intend to do. They publicise the aims of their chosen organisation.
Our students never fail to impress us with their originality and entrepreneurialism when it comes to raising money. Carwashes, raffles, BBQ’s, competitions, lunches are just a few examples of how they have been able to support their chosen organisation. Of course the value of their monetary support is obvious, but these activities certainly build a sense of community in Year 9. We celebrate what it means to attend a Catholic School. We don’t simply pay platitudes to gospel values – we embrace them. 
 Year Nine is a demanding and challenging year for students.  At this point in their education they are struggling to come to terms with the demands of both school and the teenage years. It is our aim at Thomas Carr College to assist them to grow not just educationally but to also be familiar with the city they live in and the environment surrounding that city.

City Experience
The City Experience Program is aimed at exposing students to the many and varied aspects of the city in which they live. It is hoped that by visiting the city as groups they can experience a range of social activities as well as a number of ‘formal processes’ which we as citizens have a responsibility to undergo from time to time. By participating in such activities we hope to develop the resilience of our young people and give them the opportunity to connect with the wider community.
Students should be able to:

• Develop independence and an awareness within the city limits
• Be aware of safety issues in the city and on public transport
• Gain an insight into the variety of cultures exhibited in our city and their influence on our community
• Obtain knowledge and appreciation on historical sites and places of worship
• Understand where laws are made and how they are enforced
• Gain an insight into the growth of inner city Melbourne along the Yarra

It can be said that students may experience some of the activities listed below with other friends or family but that rarely takes place in an educational context and one where they are required to describe, list, explain and interpret what they have experienced. We believe that the time spent out of the formal school setting and in the community will be enlightening and challenging as well as providing students the skills that will enable them to enjoy the city environment in a safe, enjoyable and productive atmosphere.

Students will be participating in the following activities within their homeroom groups;

• Visiting the MCG Gallery of Sport and examining the significance of some of our sporting elite both past and present
• Walking and mapping some of our historical buildings along Collins St.
• Visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral
• Visiting and being involved in programs at Federation Square.
• Visiting the Queen Victoria Market
• Walking along St Kilda Rd and Swanston St viewing the statues of Melbourne and identifying their historical and cultural importance
• Visiting the Shrine of Remembrance and studying its significance as a place of worship.
• Understanding the development of Melbourne along Southbank
• Visiting the Old Melbourne Gaol
• Examining the culture, food and customs of some of our ethnic societies as portrayed in Lygon, Little Bourke and Lonsdale Streets.
• Visiting the Chinese Museum
• Participating in a Church Service with fellow students to give thanks to the manner and opportunities given to us.