Year 9

It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the term!

During Luminary Time this week, Year 9 students participated in a reflective activity connected to Bullying No Way Week, Australia’s leading initiative for bullying prevention in schools. Students considered the positive relationships in their lives, including friends, family members, teachers and classmates, and identified small acts of kindness they could show to strengthen these connections. This linked closely with the 2026 theme, Small Acts, Big Impacts, by encouraging students to recognise how respect, empathy and inclusion can help prevent bullying behaviours and contribute to a safer, more supportive school community.

We also enjoyed our final Year 6-Year 9 assembly with our current School Vice Captain Year 6 to Year 9, Sophie Winnall, and our Middle School Leaders. The leaders ran a range of interactive activities, including an MLC School-themed ‘finish the song lyric’ challenge using lyrics from the School Song and School Hymn. They also led small-group circle discussions, where students from different year groups sat together and shared their favourite hobbies, subjects and a highlight from their week. I would like to thank Sophie for the incredible work she has done with our Year 9 Middle School Leaders. The photos for this week come from this assembly.

Next week, Book Week will be celebrated alongside STEM Week, with a range of activities taking place around the school. On Friday 28 August 2026, students are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character or scientist. I am looking forward to seeing Year 9 actively participate and showcase their personalities

Monday 24 August 2026, Lunch: STEM Workshops

In SC203 there will be hands-on workshops (no sign-up required), including the chance to:

Grow your own Crystal Garden
Use microscopes
Germinate your own seeds in Petri dishes

Wednesday 26 August 2026, Lunch: Diorama Voting

2026 STEM Week Diorama – Fill in form

Dioramas must be completed and submitted to Level 2 SC by Monday 24 August 2026. On Wednesday, the dioramas will be displayed for voting. Everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite diorama!

Diorama Rules (for participants)

Create a 3D diorama (shoe box size) that showcases the life and work of a famous scientist. Your diorama should help viewers understand who the scientist was, what they discovered, and why their work is important today. For inspiration, please refer to Mrs Lim’s dioramas on Level 2 of the Senior Centre!
Who they are: Name, image/model, and country of origin (if known)
When they worked: Birth/death dates and period of their key work
What they did: Major discoveries/contributions and why they matter
Why you admire them: A 50–100 word paragraph explaining your choice and their impact
Bonus marks:
⭐ Working/moving model
⭐ Female scientist
⭐ Interactive feature (QR code, quiz, lift-the-flap, light, sound)

Thursday 27th August Lunch: Spelling Bee

Come and watch the Spelling Bee in the Amphitheatre for your chance to win many prizes! If you would like to compete in the Spelling Bee, please sign-up via the following form:

2026 Spelling Bee – Fill in form

Friday 28 August 2026: Mufti Dress Up Day

Come dressed as your favourite book or STEM character or Scientist! We will be handing out awards for costumes which catch our eye! There will be prizes for best dressed in each year group.

IMPORTANT: if you decide not to dress up as a character, then you need to wear your normal school uniform. So, this is only a mufti day for people who dress up as a character.

– Kate Schurch
Head of Year 9