Semester 2 presents the opportunity for a “new” start for Year 9 students. It’s wonderful to see how the introduction of new electives can invigorate the school environment and offer students the chance to dive into new subject material while building new relationships with their peers. Whilst we are now halfway through this term, the energy and excitement has remained in the Kildare Centre

Emily Gamble’s contribution through her writing about the electives provides valuable insight into the students’ experiences and the vibrant atmosphere in the Kildare Centre. Her perspective helps highlight how these new subjects are engaging students and keeping the energy levels high. I thank Emily for her contribution.

Electives for this semester.

This semester Year Nines have had the opportunity to choose from so many different electives which will help us choose our subjects for the years ahead. A few of these electives include Young People and the Law, Managing my Money, Drama, Dance, Food Tech, Fit For Life, Duke of Ed and many more. Each of these electives provide us with a chance to learn new things and develop new skills. Managing my Money is a subject about learning how to budget, understand interest rates, job opportunities and overall how to responsibly manage our money. Young People and the Law focuses on the rules and regulations around the Australian Government and what we can do to make an impact. Drama and Dance focus on the development of our own dances and pieces, and build our confidence to perform on stage with a live audience. These subjects rely on students communicating with one another and incorporating different ideas into something created together. Duke of Ed is a program that has become a subject this past year. There are three aspects to this award; volunteering, learning a new skill and gaining hours in physical rec, after which you will complete a hike which tests you physically. The Duke of Ed program is an amazing opportunity to encourage students to build resourceful, important and relevant life skills outside the classroom. All the electives this year that we have been given to choose from provides us with an opportunity for students to find what they are passionate about and guide you in the direction you need to succeed in the next important years of your life. 

By Emily Gamble Year 9

I had the opportunity to join K2 on the first of their Bridges to City Days. It was wonderful to witness the growth in confidence on the first day of being in the city and navigating their way around as we gathered at different stages throughout the day. For me the highlight was the presentation in the Old Melbourne Gaol, at the former Magistrates Court. The students were educated about the court, learning about the difference between a judge and a magistrate among other facts as well as sitting in a court room that had been used as recently as 1994, a long time ago in their lives, but so not so long ago in mine. Experiencing the courtroom setting, learning about the roles of judges and magistrates, and participating in a re-enactment of a court case provided the students with a unique and immersive educational experience.

To see Magistrate Lucia Dennis at work, ably assisted by her clerk, Layla Beitmanas, was impressive. The way she managed her courtroom, keeping control of the hecklers in the public gallery and running the proceedings as expected in the Magistrates Court was a long way from the rooms of the Kildare Centre. Our cheeky offender, Hope Heuvel, judging by the photo, suddenly realised the outcome of this decision was out of her hands and prayed her lawyer, ably played by Maisie O’Toole, would be her saviour and ensure the best outcome for her. Maisie faced some fierce opposition from the police prosecutor, Annie Bajram. The case the students re-enacted was a real case and at the end of the “play” the students were led through a series of options from which the magistrate could make a final decision based on the information presented in court. This provided an interesting discussion about what was seen as appropriate for the crime. It was impressive how the students were able to grasp the seriousness of the courtroom proceedings and engage in meaningful discussions about legal outcomes. On behalf of K2, I thank Mrs Melanie Marsh for providing this opportunity for our students.

In the words of the defense solicitor on the day:

Last Bridges to City Day, my class spent an hour at the Old Melbourne Gaol Court room. We learnt a lot on the process of trials and what goes on within a court room. We acted out a scene where a handful of students could act out a different person in court. The accused, the defense solicitor, the judge, known as a magistrate in the Magistrates Court, the judges associate (clerk), prosecutor, witnesses and in his case, the public. I played the role of defense solicitor and had a lot of fun with my peers to act out these roles while following a script. I learnt a lot about how the judge makes his decisions and what consequences to follow through with. It was really interesting and got me interested in the process of court. It was a really fun experience and I learnt so much.

By Maisie O’Toole Year 9

Jane Cowan

Year 9 Level Leader