Year 9 Academy Program - commencing 2026

pending VRQA approval

Understanding the Year 9 Learner

Students in Year 9, typically aged 14 to 15, undergo profound cognitive, emotional, and social changes. During this phase of adolescence, the brain experiences significant development, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. Simultaneously, young people increasingly seek autonomy, rely on peer validation, and explore their emerging identities.

These transformations can lead to challenges such as disengagement, stress, and risk-taking behaviour. In response, Corner Inlet College’s Year 9 program is structured to provide relevance, challenge, and agency, thereby supporting students in navigating this formative period. The curriculum combines rigorous academic learning with meaningful real-world experiences and personal development opportunities.

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Academic Achievement: Relevance, Depth, and Application

Academic learning remains a central focus, with the curriculum aligned to the Victorian Curriculum across core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. The program extends beyond traditional instruction, emphasising critical thinking, real-world application, and student choice.

Key components include PBL:

• Project-Based Learning (PBL): Interdisciplinary projects encourage students to explore complex “Big Questions” such as climate change or social justice. These projects foster collaboration, problem-solving, and public presentation skills.

• Literacy and Numeracy Intervention: Targeted support is provided through flexible grouping and data-informed teaching to ensure all students make measurable growth in these essential areas.

• Electives Program: Students choose from a wide range of electives including legal studies, business, food studies, and creative arts. This allows them to pursue interests and build intrinsic motivation.

• Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking: Integrated across subjects, students learn how to navigate digital environments responsibly, evaluate sources, and develop their own informed perspectives.

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Wellbeing: A Foundation for Learning

Student wellbeing is foundational. At Corner Inlet College, social and emotional learning is embedded within everyday practice, creating a safe and supportive environment conducive to learning.

The wellbeing program features:

• Advisory Groups: Each student joins a small advisory group led by a dedicated teacher. These groups meet regularly to foster relationships, monitor wellbeing, and address topics such as mental health and online safety.

• Respectful Relationships Education: Delivered as an explicit curriculum, this initiative nurtures empathy, resilience, and constructive interpersonal skills.

• Mindfulness and Self-Regulation: Weekly sessions provide practical strategies to help students manage stress, improve focus, and regulate emotions—critical competencies for academic success and personal wellbeing.

Outdoor Education Academy: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Leveraging the natural assets of the surrounding region, the Outdoor Education Academy offers students rich, experiential learning that complements academic study and promotes personal development.

Key elements include:

• Integrated Outdoor Curriculum: Activities such as multi-day hikes, canoeing, rock climbing, and environmental projects are embedded in the curriculum and linked to learning areas like Science and Geography.

• Leadership and Teamwork: Outdoor experiences are designed to cultivate leadership, collaboration, and resilience through real-life challenges.

• Environmental Stewardship: Students participate in local sustainability initiatives, fostering a deeper connection to and responsibility for the environment.

• Rite of Passage Expedition: In Term 4, students undertake a culminating outdoor journey to reflect on their growth and articulate goals for the future.

Personal Self-Worth and Identity Development

Adolescents flourish when they feel seen, supported, and capable. The Year 9 program includes a range of initiatives that affirm students’ identities, nurture self-esteem, and develop a sense of purpose.

These include:

• Passion Projects: Students explore a self-chosen area of interest, culminating in a public showcase. This process fosters autonomy, creativity, and pride in their work.

• Service Learning: Community-based projects instil empathy, social awareness, and civic responsibility.

• Student Voice and Agency: Year 9 students actively shape their learning environment through participation in leadership roles.

• Reflective Portfolios: Through ongoing documentation of academic and personal progress, students develop metacognitive skills and set meaningful goals.

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The Year 9 program at Corner Inlet College is a deliberate and forward-thinking response to the complex needs of adolescents. By integrating academic rigour, outdoor learning, wellbeing, and personal development, the program supports students in becoming resilient, self-aware, and engaged learners. Above all, it ensures that every student is known, valued, and empowered to become their best self—both within the school community and beyond.