• Explore novels, films and complex texts for themes, structure and technique
• Develop creative writing in response to mentor texts and thematic prompts
• Analyse persuasive texts and construct arguments on contemporary issues
• Build analytical and essay writing skills for formal written responses
• Develop oral communication: presenting a point of view on a current issue

Year 9 English is critical for developing the sophisticated literacy skills required for VCE — students begin forming informed perspectives and communicating them with clarity and authority.

Analytical essays, creative writing, persuasive speeches, media analysis responses and reading reflections.

Year 9 → Year 10 English (compulsory) → VCE English (required for VCE completion).

• Extend algebra including quadratic expressions, equations and introduction to functions
• Apply Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometric ratios to real-world problems
• Explore statistics through data investigation and probabilistic reasoning
• Develop geometric reasoning including similarity, congruence and coordinate geometry
• Build mathematical fluency and connections across all strands

Year 9 Mathematics is the critical launch pad for VCE Mathematics — students who build strong understanding here have access to all VCE Mathematics pathways.

Topic tests, problem-solving investigations, mathematical modelling tasks and classwork participation.

Year 9 → Year 10 Mathematics (compulsory) → VCE General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics.

• Investigate electricity, circuits and the laws of energy conservation
• Explore atomic structure, the Periodic Table and acid-base chemistry
• Study structure and function of body systems and their response to disease
• Investigate infectious and non-infectious diseases and the immune response
• Design and conduct independent investigations, analyse data and communicate findings

Year 9 Science develops the conceptual depth and inquiry skills that are the direct foundation for VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.

Laboratory reports, scientific investigations, topic tests and inquiry projects.

Year 9 Science → VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology (direct foundations for each).

• Study Australia's involvement in WWI and WWII, including the ANZAC experience
• Examine warfare, human rights and the Holocaust — including Melbourne Holocaust Museum excursion
• Investigate biomes, food security and how environmental change affects communities
• Explore environmental change and management in Australia and internationally
• Develop source analysis, historical empathy and geographic inquiry skills

Understanding war, genocide and environmental crisis is an ethical responsibility — Year 9 Humanities develops depth of thinking and human empathy that equips students for thoughtful citizenship.

Analytical essays, source analysis, research projects, reflective responses and structured inquiry reports including a Holocaust Museum reflection.

Year 9 → Year 10 Humanities electives → VCE Modern History, History: Revolutions, Geography, Legal Studies, Business Management.

• Explore the effects of alcohol and other drugs on health and decision making
• Develop skills for recognising risk, resisting pressure and making positive choices
• Build understanding of respectful relationships, boundaries and positive consent
• Participate in recreational, competitive and outdoor activities
• Understand benefits of physical activity for mental health and long-term wellbeing

The health decisions students make in their teenage years shape their adult lives — Year 9 HPE gives students the knowledge and skills to make informed choices and build healthy relationships.

Reflective written tasks, discussion contributions, health research reports and practical participation evaluations.

Year 9 → Year 10 HPE electives → VCE Health and Human Development or Physical Education.

• Develop performance confidence through drama games and expressive activities
• Explore theatre styles and how they create different effects for audiences
• Create and perform short plays for a variety of audience contexts
• Study script adaptation to screen and explore film metalanguage
• Analyse theatrical and cinematic works critically and creatively

Drama, Theatre and Film develops confidence, empathy and communication skills valued in every career — the ability to take on different perspectives and engage audiences transfers to leadership, law, business and the arts.

Performance tasks, written responses to theatrical/cinematic works, devising projects and film analysis.

Connects to VET Creative Industries, performing arts, film production, teaching and creative industry careers.

• Explore a range of instruments and styles through hands-on small group workshops
• Investigate the elements of music through practical play and theory
• Develop ensemble skills through band rehearsal and collaborative music-making
• Learn to read and interpret basic musical notation
• Perform for audiences in rehearsal and informal concert contexts

Learning music develops mathematical thinking, self-discipline and creative expression — skills that provide lifelong enjoyment and wellbeing benefits.

Instrumental performance, practical skills demonstrations, music theory tasks and ensemble participation.

Connects to performing arts, entertainment and education industries; VET Creative Industries.

• Explore designers — including Indigenous designers — across product, communication and environmental fields
• Use manual and digital design tools to develop and refine concepts
• Respond to open-ended briefs by generating, experimenting and refining original ideas
• Create finished designs across a range of media and output formats
• Develop observational drawing as a foundation for design thinking

Design is one of the fastest-growing fields in the modern economy — Outside the Box builds design thinking, visual communication and creative problem-solving for graphic, industrial, game and advertising careers.

Design folios, prototype development, brief responses and reflective documentation of the design process.

Connects to Year 10 Creative Visual Design, Photography and VCE Visual Communication Design.

• Research artists and art traditions from diverse cultures around the world
• Draw on global artistic perspectives to inspire original new artworks
• Experiment with a wide range of media and materials — traditional and experimental
• Apply the VTS process to analyse and discuss diverse artworks
• Develop observational drawing and creative risk-taking through experimental practice

Art is a universal language that connects cultures and builds empathy — this subject develops creative courage, cultural curiosity and technical skills for design, education and the creative industries.

Folio of artworks, artistic statements, research tasks and process documentation.

Connects to VCE Visual Communication Design and creative industry pathways.

• Investigate sculpture across historical and contemporary contexts
• Work with clay, wire, Modroc and other materials to create three-dimensional forms
• Apply principles of balance, proportion, form and space in sculptural making
• Develop the studio process from concept to finished sculptural work
• Apply observational drawing skills in response to sculptural forms

Three-dimensional making develops spatial thinking, fine motor skills and the ability to realise ideas in physical form — relevant to ceramics, architecture, industrial and product design.

Sculptural artworks, process documentation, artist research and reflective statements.

Connects to VCE Visual Communication Design, ceramics, sculpture and product design.

• Develop compositional skills — rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, depth of field and light
• Use digital cameras and editing tools to develop and refine images
• Explore photography history and art through research and analysis
• Create image series united by a concept, theme or visual narrative
• Apply observational drawing skills alongside photographic practice

Photography is everywhere — in advertising, journalism, documentary, art and social media. Lens on the World develops visual literacy, technical skills and creative thinking for media, communications and design careers.

Photography folio, process documentation, artist research and visual analysis tasks.

Connects to Year 10 Photography Creative Practice and VCE Visual Communication Design.

• Master fundamental baking techniques: creaming, whisking, folding and pastry lamination
• Create cakes, pies, pastries and desserts from international culinary traditions
• Investigate the science of baking — the role of leavening, fats and sugars
• Practice food safety, hygiene and professional kitchen management
• Explore and adapt recipes from diverse culinary traditions

Baking is both a creative art and a practical life skill — Bakehouse Foods builds kitchen confidence, creativity in recipe development and deep understanding of how ingredients work together.

Practical baking sessions, recipe analysis tasks, food safety knowledge checks and a reflective baking journal.

Connects to VET Hospitality and careers in hospitality, patisserie and food service.

• Investigate the causes, processes and social impacts of the Industrial Revolution
• Explore population movements and settlement patterns driven by industrialisation
• Examine the diverse experiences of groups during European settlement of Australia
• Identify significant events that shaped Australia and the world from 1750–2000
• Apply historical inquiry: source analysis, evidence evaluation and argument construction

Understanding how the modern world was shaped by industrialisation and migration gives students historical perspective to make sense of the present — these skills are directly relevant to VCE History.

Historical essays, source analysis tasks, research reports and structured inquiry projects.

Connects to Year 10 History and VCE Modern History and History: Revolutions.

• Explore how businesses identify opportunities and develop products in competitive markets
• Understand the relationship between producers, consumers and how markets work
• Develop a complete business plan including financial projections and market analysis
• Design a product or service and create a marketing strategy to promote it
• Present ideas persuasively to a simulated business audience

Entrepreneurial thinking is a highly valued skill in the modern economy — Young Entrepreneurs develops creativity, commercial awareness and the confidence to back ideas.

Business plan, product design brief, marketing campaign and an oral pitch presentation.

Connects to Year 10 Economics and Business and VCE Business Management.

• Understand training principles: specificity, overload, progression and recovery
• Design and implement a personalised weight training program for strength, endurance and power
• Participate in aerobic training: interval training, circuit training and kettlebell work
• Monitor and evaluate personal fitness goals and adjust programs accordingly
• Develop safe gym practices, correct technique and injury prevention strategies

Understanding how to design a training program gives students the tools to manage their own physical wellbeing independently — a lifelong skill regardless of career choice.

Personal training program design and implementation, participation records, skills demonstrations and a reflective fitness journal.

Connects to Year 10 HPE electives and VCE Physical Education.

• Participate in a range of outdoor pursuits including hiking, orienteering and team activities
• Develop navigation, planning and risk management skills for outdoor environments
• Build skills of interdependence, cooperation and leadership in group settings
• Develop environmental awareness and sustainable participation practices
• Reflect on personal growth and skill development through outdoor experiences

Active Outdoors builds resilience, problem-solving, environmental connection and the capacity to work well in teams — skills that connect students to their natural environment.

Practical participation, skills demonstrations, reflective journals, planning tasks and expedition participation.

Connects to outdoor recreation industry, environmental science, adventure tourism and VCE Physical Education.

• Apply science inquiry skills to identify and investigate agricultural problems
• Explore the role of biology, chemistry and ecology in sustainable farming
• Research current and emerging agricultural technologies including precision agriculture
• Investigate how landowners and industry can improve environmental outcomes
• Design experiments and analyse data in agricultural science contexts

Agriculture is the backbone of regional Victoria and a global priority as the world faces food security challenges — this subject applies science to real-world contexts relevant to our community.

Scientific investigations, research reports, hypothesis-based inquiry tasks and reflective responses.

Connects to careers in agriculture, environmental management, land care, veterinary science and agricultural technology.

• Apply the engineering design process: define, investigate, design, build, test and evaluate
• Explore forces, levers, hydraulics, kinematics and energy transfer
• Work in teams to design and test solutions to real engineering challenges
• Conduct project-based investigations in bridge building, hydraulics and kinematics
• Communicate design decisions, results and evaluations clearly

Engineering is one of the fastest growing global fields — this subject develops the problem-solving mindset, collaborative skills and science application abilities essential for engineering, architecture and technology careers.

Design projects, experimental reports, engineering portfolios and team-based evaluations.

Connects to VCE Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; VET Engineering pathways.

• Write and interpret professional design briefs for construction projects
• Gain knowledge of timber types, properties, grading and sustainable sourcing
• Develop joinery skills — traditional and modern joining techniques
• Design and construct a model that is functional and aesthetically considered
• Evaluate completed projects against design criteria and reflect on improvements

The construction and timber industries are cornerstones of the Australian economy — skills in joinery and construction open direct pathways to carpentry and building apprenticeships.

Completed construction project, design brief, material knowledge tasks and project evaluation.

Connects to VET Construction and trade apprenticeships in carpentry and joinery.

• Safely set up and operate the metal lathe, metal mill, Arc and MIG welding machines
• Develop a design brief to guide construction of a metal project
• Create projects including BBQ plates, tools and engineering components
• Develop knowledge of metal types, properties and appropriate material selection
• Apply safe work practices throughout all welding and machining activities

Welding and machining are among the most in-demand trade skills in Australia — opening doors to manufacturing, construction, engineering, mining and the resources sector.

Completed metal project, design brief, safe work demonstration and skills evaluation.

Connects to trade apprenticeships in boilermaking, fitting and turning, engineering fabrication; VET Engineering.

• Understand the theory of combustion engine operation — 2 and 4 stroke cycles
• Strip down and rebuild school engines to understand their components
• Diagnose common engine faults and develop systematic troubleshooting skills
• Bring personal engines for investigation, tune-up or repair
• Develop safe workplace practices for engine and mechanical work

Understanding small engines is a practical life skill and gateway to mechanical trade careers — immediately useful for farm machinery, outdoor power equipment, motorcycles and vehicles.

Practical engine work, diagnostic tasks, theory components and a reflective mechanical skills portfolio.

Connects to automotive, mechanical and engineering trade apprenticeships; VET Automotive.

• Design an original furniture piece using design thinking and sketching
• Develop advanced woodworking: cutting, shaping, joining, finishing and hardware fitting
• Work with a range of timbers, hardware and finishing materials
• Use hand tools and machinery confidently and safely to realise the design
• Evaluate the finished piece against design criteria and professional standards

Furniture making develops precision, patience and advanced practical skills that translate directly to cabinetmaking, carpentry, interior design and product design careers.

Completed furniture piece, design documentation, construction journal and final evaluation.

Connects to cabinetmaking and carpentry apprenticeships, VET Construction and interior design.

• Voluntary Service: contribute to the community through a sustained service commitment
• Physical Recreation: improve health and fitness through a chosen physical activity
• Skill Development: develop a personal skill or interest of their choosing
• Adventurous Journey: plan and undertake a team expedition in an unfamiliar outdoor environment
• Build self-management, goal setting and resilience through a sustained independent program

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is one of the most internationally recognised youth achievement programs — demonstrating commitment to self-development, community service and personal challenge.

Completion of all four Bronze Award sections: Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skill Development and Adventurous Journey. Application required — limited places.

Globally recognised by universities and employers. Demonstrates commitment, self-discipline and community spirit beyond academic results.

• Extend vocabulary and grammar for a wider range of communicative purposes
• Engage in increasingly complex spoken and written interactions in Indonesian
• Explore cultural and societal aspects of Indonesia through language study
• Develop independence and self-direction through the distance education format
• Build toward Year 10 and VCE Indonesian language study

Indonesia is Australia's nearest neighbour and a major regional partner — continuing Indonesian develops cultural intelligence and career opportunities in trade, tourism and diplomacy.

Assessment coordinated by Distance Education provider: oral tasks, written tasks, listening comprehension and reading assessments with specialist teachers.

Leads to Year 10 Indonesian (Distance) → VCE Indonesian (Units 1–4). Language students often achieve strong study scores.