Overview

The Year 9 Program, 'Imagine', gives students the opportunity to become enthusiastic learners who are engaged and connected to their own learning during traditionally difficult years. Through our academically challenging and wide ranging curriculum we offer students an exciting learning opportunity. We aim to create independent learners who are secure in the knowledge they will be well prepared for the rigours of VCE and beyond.

Imagine

The Imagine Program is designed to extend students' learning through experiences such as the One Year Extended Project, Presentation of Learning (three student presentations 15, 30 and 45 minutes in length) and Learning Expeditions (experiential learning through practical experience). These experiences work in conjunction with subjects such as Mathematics and English to increase learning outcomes for all students.

At the same time we also focus on students gaining greater understanding and responsibility for their personal learning skills through developing and practising the Intellectual Character Dispositions of being:

Curious (encouraging students to wonder about how and why things work)

Open minded (leaving their minds open to different possibilities)

Sceptical (encouraging students to question and practise scientific / academic scepticism)

Metacognitive (encouraging to think about their thinking and learn how to change it)

Strategic (students learn to plan, organise, think and apply strategies to help learning)

Truth seeking (seek the answers that are correct; given correct data, theories or philosophy)

Research done at Harvard University tells us that these 6 characteristics are seen in successful people and can be taught and developed in all of us.

The Year 9 Program is staffed by a team of eight experienced middle year teachers who take students for the majority of subjects. The program is also challenging for staff who realise that learning must not only be enjoyable and relevant, it must also be academically rigorous.

Why – has Westbourne developed a special program for Year 9 students?

Year 9 is widely acknowledged as a difficult period where students can become disengaged and may lack motivation towards their learning. Research indicates that traditional models of learning and teaching are not successfully engaging the majority of Year 9 students and meeting their learning needs.

The Imagine program embodies current educational research that embraces contemporary teaching and learning practices. The curriculum provides educational experiences that are likely to be remembered and influence the students learning journey into VCE and well after they have left school.

How – are the Year 9 students assessed?

Assessment is crucial for constructive learning. Students undertake traditional forms of 'assessment of learning' such as tests and exams. In addition students use 'assessment for learning' in the form of the One Year Extended Project which is designed so students can practice their learning skills in a practical manner. Finally we use 'assessment as learning' which is woven through areas such as the Presentation of Learning and Learning Expeditions.

What – do the Year 9 students study?

The Imagine Program focuses on providing an academically challenging curriculum in the best learning environment possible.

We focus on three learning contexts:

• Understanding the Past
• Taking Action Now
• Considering the Future

The Curriculum is made up of 9 key learning areas:

1. English – Literacy, specifically taught in English, is central to our program and is taught and applied in all our subjects.
2. Mathematics – Numeracy is important for so many learning activities and gives us skills for data analysis and analytical thinking.
3. LOTE – Japanese or German are compulsory for students until the end of Year 9.
4. Learning Expeditions – Students study a single theme over a 6 week period taking the role of a Scientist, Historian and Geographer where necessary during the expedition. The 5 themes studied during the year are (Patterns, Energy, Water, Community, Truth and Beauty). In addition to allocated classes during the week, one day a week is normally spent on Learning Expeditions outside the school grounds. During this time students undertake field work and practical experiences.
5. Personal Choice: students are encouraged to choose subjects of interest from the following list. Courses vary in length running for either a Semester or a Term: Garden to Plate, May the Force be With You, CSI Westbourne, Love and Death, Think Globally Act Locally, Multimedia, Santa's Little Helpers, Money Matters, Bush Rangers and Outlaws and Managing Impact.
6. Personal Growth: includes two subjects Skills and Knowledge and Extension which are designed to increase knowledge of learning and encourage academic extension in Literacy and Numeracy on an individualised basis.
7. Presentation of Learning – Students undertake 3 presentations over the course of the year. The first is 15 minutes the second 30 minutes and the final 45 minutes. The last two presentations are more an interaction between the student, staff, parents and peers, where the student is encouraged to describe and justify their personal learning progress, with a real emphasis on the application of Intellectual Character dispositions.
8. Extended Project – is a personal creative project that is undertaken over one year and focuses on the application of Intellectual Character dispositions.
9. Sport and Co-curricula – Students undertake compulsory winter and summer sport. Year 9 also participate in an Outdoor Education program which works closely into the Skills and Knowledge course.

Where – are the Year 9 situated and how will they be cared for?

Westbourne prides itself on pastoral care. In addition to the vertical House system, Year 9 students are placed in Mentor Groups of approximately 18 students. These Mentor Groups form the core of the academic and pastoral management system within the Imagine Program. Students are encouraged to interact closely with their mentor to enhance the learning process and encourage positive role modelling.

In 2010 students will undertake their classes in a new environmentally sustainable building, especially designed and built to house the Imagine Year 9 Program.

What – happens to the interschool sports program, school uniform and co curricula activities?

Interschool sport continues and is encouraged during the Imagine program. All staff in the program are involved in coaching Year 9 students in either a summer or winter sport. Again this adds to our pastoral understanding of our students.

Students wear normal school uniform on 4 of the 5 school days. During Learning Expedition day students are expected to wear the LEX Uniform: blue Yakka pants, school sports shirt, Imagine Program Polar Fleece and appropriate footwear. The uniform has been designed to cope to cope with dirt and to respond to the climatic needs of the students on expedition.

Year 9 is the culminating year of the Westbourne Outdoor Education program that began in Junior School. Students participate in a 3 day hike centred around Anglesea aimed at increasing communication and outdoor skills through initiative based activities.