Subject Selection Process
A Year 9 Subject Expo will be held on Wednesday 3rd September from 3 – 4:15pm. Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn more about the electives on offer.
Students will be provided with login details to Edval Choices, an online platform on which to select their subject preferences. This will be emailed directly to their school email account.
When selecting electives students should consider the following:
Students will select six elective units and four reserve options. These should be listed in order of preference.
All students must choose at least three Arts and Technology subjects, one from the Arts domain and one from the Technology domain.
Language electives are year-long subjects and will count as two units. Students must have studied the language in Year 8.
Students may choose only one from the Mathematics and English domains.
Students should select subjects they are interested in and are excited to learn about.
Parents are encouraged to allow students to select electives on their own. It is important that students are engaged in their learning and are provided with the opportunity to explore areas of interest.
Subject Descriptions
Arts
Character Design
Do you enjoy drawing and creating fun characters in the Pop Mart style? In this elective, you’ll design your own unique character inspired by popular toys and create cool blind box packaging along with matching items. You’ll explore Adobe design software like Illustrator and Photoshop while learning a range of 3D drawing skills. No matter your skill level, this subject is all about bringing your ideas to life, trying new techniques and creating designs that really stand out. If you love characters and want to develop your own style, this elective is a great way to showcase your creativity.
Dance
Move. Create. Express. Discover how movement can be a powerful form of expression and storytelling. In this dynamic elective, you’ll have the chance to create your own original works, as well as learn and refine choreography guided by your teacher. With a strong focus on creativity and collaboration, this subject empowers you to shape your own artistic journey, while developing skills in choreography, performance, interpretation, and analysis. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or simply love to move, this is your chance to create, express and move with meaning.
Drama
Explore. Imagine. Engage. Step into the spotlight with the Year 9 Drama elective! Collaborate to devise original scenes, explore the vibrant world of Commedia dell ‘Arte, and bring characters to life through rehearsal, development and performance. Explore design elements, experiment with improvisation and theatre sports, and reflect on your creative process. With plenty of room for collaboration, creativity, and fun, this is your chance to build confidence, sharpen your storytelling skills, and develop your creative identity through Drama.
Graphic Design
Do you like drawing and creating designs that look professional? In this elective, you’ll create a full brand identity for a new bubble tea shop! You’ll design the logo, bubble tea packaging and an eye-catching poster to promote your brand. Using both hand drawing and Adobe design software, you’ll bring your ideas to life while learning how colours, images and typography work together to communicate and stand out.
Media
Step behind the scenes and into the spotlight of the media world! In Year 9 Media, students explore the power of storytelling through film, photography, digital design and social media. You'll learn how media shapes our understanding of the world and how to shape it yourself. From scripting and storyboarding to editing and publishing, this subject blends creativity with critical thinking. Whether you're a budding filmmaker, content creator, or just curious about how media influences society, this course gives you the tools to create, analyse and innovate.
Music
Unleash your rhythm. Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of sound! Get hands-on with musical instruments, technology, and creativity in the Year 9 Music elective! Collaborate in groups, develop your own musical ideas, and bring pieces to life using keyboards, ukuleles, percussion, and more. Create and edit your own soundscapes using music technology and reflect on the music you hear and make. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, there's a place for you in this dynamic and creative music class.
Print Making
Do you love drawing, designing, or getting a bit messy while making art? Year 9 Printmaking is for you! In this fun and practical subject, you’ll learn how to turn your artwork into cool prints using techniques like lino cutting, stamping and stencilling. You’ll get to design your own images, experiment with colours and textures and create unique prints you can take home or share. It’s all about creativity, learning new skills and making art in a different way. No experience needed – just bring your ideas and a great attitude. Printmaking is a whole new way to create wonderful artworks!
Production
Your Stage. Your Story. Ready to create something unforgettable? Join this exciting Production elective where you’ll collaborate across the Performing Arts to write, design, create, direct and present a student-devised production. With a strong focus on collaboration, student voice, and agency, you’ll take charge of your creative ideas, develop scenes, lead production roles, and rehearse for a thrilling live performance in the school Auditorium. With your voice and vision driving the process, this is your chance to showcase your talent, creativity and teamwork on a big stage!
Visual Art
Do you enjoy drawing, painting, or being creative? In Year 9 Visual Art, you’ll experiment with a range of fun materials, styles and techniques – from painting and drawing to collage and mixed media. You’ll learn how to turn your ideas into amazing artworks while discovering how artists work. No matter your skill level, this subject is all about trying new things, expressing yourself and building confidence in your creativity. If you like making art and want to develop your own style, Visual Art is the perfect choice for expressing your unique ideas.
English
Journalism
Do you want to be a reporter, a feature writer, or even a news anchor? In this exciting elective, you’ll get hands-on experience as a journalist! You’ll learn how to write news stories, conduct interviews, and create feature articles and opinion pieces. You’ll discover how to research interesting topics, ask great questions and share your work with a real audience. But that’s not all! You’ll also explore how technology—like artificial intelligence (AI)—is changing the way news is made. You’ll get to try out digital tools and find out how important it is to use them responsibly and ethically. At the end of the semester, you’ll help create a digital class magazine featuring your best work—so your voice can be heard by the whole school!
Literature
Do you love stories? Want to explore how great books can help us understand ourselves and the world? In this Literature elective, you’ll read and discuss exciting stories from different times and places. You’ll dive into the lives of interesting characters, discover how authors use language and plot and see how stories can make us think and feel in new ways. You’ll practice important skills like comparing stories, analysing what makes them powerful and expressing your own ideas through creative writing and class discussions. By the end of the unit, you’ll be a stronger reader, writer and speaker—ready to take on more challenging books in the future.
Health & Physical Education
Community Connections
Are you someone who enjoys playing sports? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with others? Community Connections is offering you an opportunity to further explore your passion for sports and leadership. This elective will allow you to develop your leadership, communication and teamwork skills as you help facilitate events by supporting Brinbeal Secondary College and primary schools within the community with sporting events such as Junior Sports Galas, Interschool Sports and many more. This subject focuses on confidence, communication, leadership and responsibility through real-world experiences within the community.
Exercise Science
Ready to take your fitness to the next level? In Exercise Science, you’ll learn how the body moves, adapts and recovers—covering everything from the power of your muscles to the nutrition needed for peak performance. You’ll explore key health and fitness components, design personalised training plans and use performance data to track results. Plus, you’ll master injury prevention strategies to keep you at your best. Whether you’re chasing sporting excellence or building lifelong health, this subject gives you the edge on and off the field.
Humanities
Laws & Outlaws
If you were the judge, how would you decide what’s right? Laws & Outlaws explores strange laws, famous cases and justice in action. Through mock-trials, true-crime investigations and courtroom style debating, students will develop skills in ethical reasoning, argument building and critical thinking. This subject is ideal for students who enjoy debating ideas, questioning rules and exploring the unexpected side of the law.
Think Again: Philosophy
Do we see the world as it really is? Philosophy isn’t about knowing all the answers – it’s about learning to ask better questions. Think Again asks students to think deeply about the world and debate the big ideas. Students will explore different perspectives on reality, identity and what makes life meaningful. Think Again is for students who enjoy problem-solving, creative thinking and exploring different points of view. This subject unpacks ancient thinkers and modern influences and encourages students to explore ideas that shape the world.
Languages
Chinese
Step into one of the world’s oldest and most exciting cultures! In Chinese, you’ll learn to speak, read and write in Mandarin, the most widely spoken language on the planet. We’ll cover practical phrases you can use in real life, from ordering food to making new friends. You’ll explore Chinese traditions, festivals, music, food and discover how history and modern life blend in China today. Lessons are hands-on, with games, role-plays, videos and creative projects that make learning fun. By the end of the year, you’ll not only have useful language skills but also a new way of seeing the world.
Dutch
This year, we discovered the basics of Dutch — from the alphabet and numbers to fun facts and stereotypes about the Netherlands. We also learnt some vocabulary and grammar to create simple sentences. Next year, we’ll take it a step further! You’ll build your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, while also diving deeper into the traditions, food and everyday life of Dutch-speaking countries. Whether you’re curious about the culture or excited to expand your language skills, Dutch is a great choice for you!
Spanish
Beyond Hola: Culture, Conversation, Connection. This full-year subject is perfect for students who love learning about the world and want to build their confidence in Spanish. Develop your communication skills while exploring the cultures of Spain and Latin America through interactive games, role-plays, creative projects and cultural deep dives. It's ideal for curious minds looking to connect globally and prepare for future travel, work or VCE Spanish.
Vietnamese
In Year 8, students experienced Vietnamese culture through cuisine, sounds and greetings, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for this vibrant language. In Year 9, you will deepen their understanding of arts, media and tourism, with excursion opportunities to interact with Vietnamese speakers and real-world applications.
Mathematics
Mathematical Investigations
The Mathematical Investigations elective offers students an engaging opportunity to explore mathematics beyond the standard curriculum. Through real-world applications and investigative tasks, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The course will put emphasis on mathematical literacy, modelling and effective communication of findings. Students will engage in activities that will enhance creativity and analytical reasoning, preparing them for real-life mathematical skills.
Maths in Motion
The Maths in Motion elective applies mathematics to the worlds of sport, physical movement and design. Students will explore how geometry, measurement, algebra and statistics are used to model and improve performance, design playing fields, analyse athletic data and optimise strategies. The course emphasises data literacy, modelling and spatial reasoning in realistic contexts.
Science
Forensic Science
Ever wondered how detectives solve baffling mysteries and bring criminals to justice? In Forensic Science, you'll step into the shoes of a real-life crime scene investigator! Get ready to use cutting-edge scientific techniques to analyse evidence, just like they do on your favourite TV shows. You'll learn how to dust for fingerprints, examine mysterious fibres, analyse blood spatter patterns (don't worry, it's fake!) and even decode secret messages. This isn't just about memorizing facts; it's about hands-on discovery, critical thinking and problem-solving. If you love piecing together puzzles, discovering hidden truths and getting your hands on with exciting experiments, then Forensic Science is for you!
Psychology
Are you interested in why our brains work they way they do and why we all have such different personalities? Psychology will explore different aspects of the brains functioning, including sleep, memory, emotions and intelligence. You will learn all about the different parts of the brain and what each part controls. Psychology will also allow you to develop an understanding of mental health, the impact of mental illness and how to promote positive mental wellbeing. Being a Science subject, you will also have the chance to conduct ethical experiments throughout the semester.
Technology
Code & Circuitry
Code it. Wire it. Make it real. Get hands-on with tech in this exciting elective! You’ll learn Python coding to create games and tools using loops, variables and logic. Then, bring your code to life with Arduino microcontrollers — program lights, sensors and motors to build real-world projects. Wrap it up by linking Arduinos into a simple network and explore how devices communicate. Plan it. Build it. Test it.
Design Technology
In this hands-on elective, Year 9 students will explore the exciting world of design and production through the creation of a unique, fully functioning clock. Using a combination of wood and acrylic, students will develop their own theme and design a non-circular clock. Students will learn how to safely use a range of tools and machinery in the workshop, including saws, drills and sanders. By the end of the unit, each student will have produced a one-of-a-kind clock that reflects their individual style and design choices, while following the design process. This subject is perfect for students who enjoy working with their hands, thinking creatively and bringing ideas to life through design and technology.
Eco Cook & Bake
Planet-friendly cooking with an Indigenous twist. In this unit, you’ll explore how cooking and baking can be both delicious and sustainable. You’ll learn practical skills in the kitchen while discovering ways to reduce waste, save energy and choose ingredients that are good for you and the planet. Through hands-on recipes, you’ll experiment with eco-friendly cooking techniques, explore cultural dishes and adapt recipes to suit different needs. By the end, you’ll create and present your own sustainable dish that shows off your creativity and new skills.
Global Street Food
In this unit, you’ll travel the world through food—without leaving the kitchen! You’ll explore popular street foods from different countries, learn about the cultures they come from and discover the ingredients and cooking skills that make them unique. In hands-on cooking classes, you’ll make and taste delicious dishes from around the globe and even create your own street food to share..
Robowars
Code. Build. Battle. Get ready to design, build and battle your own sumo-style robot! Using Arduino, Python and 3D printing, you’ll create a bot that can detect, dodge and dominate. Wire circuits, program smart moves and compete in head-to-head showdowns. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and competitive spirit. Will your robot be the last one standing?
Velocity Lab
Design. Print. Race.
Design, 3D model and print your own balloon-powered car using TinkerCAD and Flashprint! Test your build for speed and distance while exploring forces, motion, and energy. Think like an engineer—plan, test, and improve your design to race your way to victory.
Think it. Build it. Race it.
