Independence in Action
Our Year 9 Centre offers a tailored educational experience designed to meet the unique developmental needs of students aged 14–15. Experienced educators see each student as a whole person, nurturing their intellectual, emotional, and social development in a supportive environment.
Located at the Canowindra Campus, Taylors Lakes, our Year 9 Centre offers a program that fosters a sense of individuality, builds community, and supports students as they transition from dependence to independence. With a focus on academic growth, wellbeing, and Christian values, we guide students through this critical stage of adolescence, preparing them for Senior School and beyond.
A pivotal time for students, Year 9 is marked by significant social, emotional, and intellectual development. As they navigate changes in decision-making, motivation, and engagement, it's crucial to provide tailored support to help them thrive.
At Overnewton, our Year 9 program recognises these unique needs by offering a curriculum that is challenging, exploratory, and relevant to real-life experiences. We provide students with agency in their learning, offering choice and control through the Learning Choices program, as well as authentic learning experiences such as Focus Weeks.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is central to the Year 9 student experience, with Home Group Teachers providing consistent support and fostering strong relationships.
Our Year 9 structure offers a supportive network while encouraging independence and personal growth. Dedicated pastoral care sessions focus on building communication skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience, equipping students for the next stage of their journey.
Sessions cover topics such as resilience, conflict resolution, and respectful relationships to promote wellbeing and strengthen social connections.
Student Leadership
The Year 9 Student Leadership Model is designed to support students during a time of significant personal growth and change. Unlike traditional leadership roles which lock students into a role early in the year, our model is open to all students who choose the Leadership subject, allowing them to discover and develop their leadership potential.
Through the Leadership subject, students gain the skills and attributes needed to be effective leaders. They actively contribute to project planning and direct initiatives for the Year 9 cohort, including student-led assemblies. Students work on projects that align with their passions while supporting the College Values of Community, Excellence, Learning and Respect.
Curriculum
Year 9 offers all students a broad range of experiences; from the bush to the city in the Duke of Edinburgh and Focus Week programs, as well as in our local community. Being a stand-alone program, it fosters a close sense of community amongst the students through the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
Year 9 students engage in authentic learning in an integrated, hands-on curriculum that promotes collaboration, risk-taking, and personal responsibility for learning. Through Core Subjects, Learning Choices, and Focus Weeks, students explore current issues, connect with the world beyond their local community, and develop a growth mindset. Each program addresses Year 9 students’ needs by providing relevant learning experiences which help develop essential life skills.
Core Program
- English
- English Study Skills
- Health and Physical Education
- Humanities
- It’s a WRAP – Weekly Reflection Achievement and Learning
- LOTE German
- LOTE Mandarin
- Mathematics
- Religious Studies
- Science
Learning Choices
- App Development
- Art
- Business Technologies
- Dance
- Design & Technology
- Digging Deeper: Explorations into History
- Digital Design
- Drama: Laughing Matters
- Geography and Beyond
- Literature
- Media 1: Analysis
- Media 2: Production
- Mind Matters
- Model Solar Vehicle Challenge
- Music Performance
- Music Technology
- Outdoor Education
- Racing for the Future
- Visual Communication and Design
- Voluntary Service
- What's Growing On?
- Year 9 Leadership
Focus Weeks
- Faith in Action
- Future Earth
- Grand Designs
- Mighty Melbourne
- Mitchell River Camp
- Writers' Workshop
Year 9 Course Guides
View information about pathways to VCE and detailed description of subjects offered in the Core Program, Learning Choices and Focus Weeks.
Co Curriculum
The Year 9 Co Curricular program empowers students to pursue their passions and excel beyond the classroom. Through these opportunities, Overnewton students grow into well-rounded individuals, thriving academically, socially, and personally.
Activate
The Activate Pillar Promotes teamwork, leadership, and athletic development. Students participate in a variety of sports, enhancing their fitness while embodying the College’s values of Community, Excellence, Learning, and Respect. Through the weekly Association of Co-educational Schools (ACS) competition, students in Year 9 compete in ability-based teams.
Be Heard
Debating develops critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills. At Overnewton students can participate in activities, such as the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) for Years 8–12. Students can also compete in public speaking events, such as the VCAA Plain English Public Speaking Competition, ACS Public Speaking Competitions and Wynspeak.
Encore - Instrumental Music
Students also have access to a comprehensive Music Program from Prep to Year 12, with expert tuition in various instruments, and opportunities to perform in instrumental groups, choirs, and music ensembles. Performance examinations, including AMEB and ANZCA, are available for students seeking further development.
Encore - Performing Arts
The Encore Performing Arts Program offers students the chance to explore and express their creativity through dance, drama, and music. Students participate in performance activities such as College Presentation Night, school productions, and drama events, building teamwork, self-esteem, and artistic skills. The program encourages personal growth through events such as. the College Musical (Years 7–12) and Canowindra’s Got Talent.
Synergy
Students to learn to be influential within local, national and global communities and supporting them to develop as individuals and leaders. Overnewton aims to create ethical and compassionate thinkers who are willing to take action. Student voice, agency and leadership are intrinsic to the Synergy Pillar and our service-learning model promotes opportunities for hands on experiences and personal reflection.
House
The House Program is a supportive school structure that helps build a sense of community and belonging. It provides a vertical structure across all age groups where a spirit of cooperation and team is fostered. Students compete for shields in various activities throughout the year, such as Swimming, Cross Country, and Athletics, Debating and Public Speaking, and Community Service.
Explore the World with Overnewton
At Overnewton, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our Co-Curricular Getaways Program offers students unforgettable educational travel experiences designed to inspire, challenge, and broaden their horizons. Whether it's immersing in Indigenous culture on Country in the Northern Territory, performing on world-class stages in New York and LA, embarking on an adrenaline-fuelled adventure in New Zealand, discovering the rich heritage of China, or living the dream on an elite soccer tour in the UK—these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities foster independence, global awareness, and lifelong memories.
Camps
The Year 9 Camp program develops essential life skills and is available to students in the Outdoor Education Elective, which aligns with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.
Students participate in alpine-based camps across two intakes (Semesters 1 & 2):
- Preliminary Activities - Mountain Biking, Whitewater Rafting, Orienteering
- Followed by a 5-day, 4-night Adventurous Journey Camp
Meet Max
Max is our much-loved wellbeing dog based at Canowindra Campus, where she provides comfort, calm, and plenty of cuddles to our Year 9 students.
She officially joined the Overnewton staff in 2023 and quickly became one of the most popular team members on campus. With her gentle nature and wagging tail, Max helps students feel at ease, offering a quiet presence during busy days and a friendly face for anyone in need of a moment to reset.
Whether she is visiting classes, sitting in on meetings, or snoozing in the Year 9 Open Area, Max plays a special role in supporting student wellbeing at Overnewton.
Follow Max around Year 9 as she goes about her important work, bringing smiles, offering support, and reminding us all of the power of a gentle presence (and a well-timed tail wag)
Career Development and Support
At Overnewton, students have access to career development services from Year 9, building confidence, skills, and informed decision-making.
Our experienced career practitioners provide personalised guidance for select students, resources, and opportunities, ensuring every student can explore pathways, create effective career plans, and step into the future with purpose.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Marin Balluk people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which Overnewton Anglican Community College stands. We respect the knowledge that will be forever embedded within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country and remember the loss of cultures, languages and Lands they have endured. Like the Marin Balluk people, we at Overnewton want to respect the Land, the cultures and the heritages, and learn from those who have come before us in the passing on of knowledge and the teaching of life skills, as well as continue with wise stewardship of our buildings and grounds. We honour their custodianship of this Land and offer them our deep respect.