Year 9 at King's

Growing Independence and Agency

Year 9 is an exciting and significant year in Middle School as students continue to develop greater independence, responsibility and ownership of their learning. While maintaining a strong foundation through our core curriculum, Year 9 provides students with increased agency by offering a broad range of elective subjects that allow them to explore their interests, discover new passions and begin considering future pathways.

Our curriculum is designed to balance the essential knowledge and skills every student needs with opportunities for personalisation. Students continue to study the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education across both semesters, ensuring they build the strong academic foundations required for Senior School.

In Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), students complete one semester of History and then choose between Teenage Boss or Civics and Global Citizenship for their second semester, allowing them to engage with learning that best aligns with their interests.

Students also have the opportunity to select four elective subjects each semester from a diverse range of learning areas. These electives encourage students to pursue their strengths, challenge themselves in new areas and develop skills that extend beyond the core curriculum. Students wishing to study German in Year 10 must select German in Year 9. As German is a year-long subject, it occupies two elective choices each semester.

The Year 9 curriculum reflects our commitment to developing curious, capable and confident learners who are empowered to make informed choices about their learning while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of Senior School.

Overview

English: 2 Semesters
Maths: 2 Semesters
Science: 2 Semesters
Physical Education: 2 Semesters
Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS): 2 Semesters
- History 1 Semester
- A choice of either: Teenage Boss 1 Semester OR Civics and Global Citizenship 1 Semester

Students are able to select four electives per semester.

*German comprises of 2 elective choices per semester and must be studied in Year 9 for selection in Year 10.

Jump to Subject Offerings

Pastoral Care

At King’s, Pastoral Care sits at the heart of Middle School life. Students are supported in their personal and social development to demonstrate actions which reflect our Leadership Values of Pastoral, Service and Accountability, as well as our FISHER principles: Fairness, Integrity, Service, Humility, Excellence, Respect and Responsibility. Students learn how to regulate their emotions and develop empathy for others, and are supported to establish and build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, work effectively in teams, handle challenging situations constructively and develop their leadership skills.

The Pastoral Teacher plays a central role in supporting students to develop these skills and attributes, reporting twice per year to parents on the extent to which students demonstrate the following actions:

Treats others fairly

Demonstrates integrity and honesty

Serves and shows empathy towards others

Demonstrates humility

Demonstrates a commitment to excellence and personal best

Respects and cooperates with others

Accepts responsibility for own actions

Pastoral Care at King’s is grounded in Christian faith. As part of the rhythm of Middle School life, students participate in both teacher and student-led Devotions, which are intentional times of reflection that explore faith, Christian values and the ways in which God is at work in the world and through the people within it. These Devotions provide students with space to grow in their understanding of faith, to ask meaningful questions and to develop a sense of purpose and identity rooted in their relationship with God.

Middle School Pastoral Care Programs

The wellbeing of every student is a priority across Middle School. Our structured wellbeing program draws on the South Australian Government's Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum, as well as the Respectful Relationships framework and broader wellbeing principles, to equip students with the knowledge, skills and language to navigate relationships, personal safety and emotional health with confidence. Through our Year 6-9 wellbeing framework, students develop a strong foundation for making safe, respectful and responsible choices both within and beyond the school community.

Each Friday morning, the Middle School community gathers for Bonfire, one of the most distinctive and treasured times of Middle School life. Each year carries its own theme, and Bonfire is a time of worship, connection with God, storytelling, Christian discipleship, music, prayer and praise. These gatherings are led by classes, staff and Middle School student leadership groups, ensuring that students are not simply participants in their faith community but active and valued voices within it. There are also numerous opportunities to be part of the teams responsible for the music, sound, lighting and multimedia to use their gifts and talents in worship and witness to others. Bonfire is a place where community is built, faith is nurtured and every student is reminded that they are known and belong.

The Rite Journey is one of the most significant and celebrated programs at King’s, and a signature experience for our Year 9 students. In Pastoral lessons, students participate in The Rite Journey program. The course seeks to equip students to grow into the best people they can be, the person God desires them to be. The Rite Journey accompanies students through a carefully designed, year-long program built around the Seven C's: Commitment, Collaboration, Camp, Consideration, Courage, Connection and Compassion. Through a combination of in-school and external activities and ceremonies, students are called to build on the richness of their childhood, share stories and be honest, to allow them to grow in self-awareness, resilience and character, into the best versions of themselves. The Rite Journey is deliberately challenging, drawing students out of their comfort zones and into experiences that shape their identity, deepen their relationships and mark their final year of Middle School as genuinely transformative. It is not simply a program, it is a rite of passage, and one that students and families consistently identify as among the most meaningful experiences of their schooling journey.

The Rite Journey

One of the most cherished programs in Middle School life is the Year 6 and 9 Buddies Program, where meaningful connections between the oldest and youngest members of our community take place, which reflects our deep commitment to belonging, mentorship and care. Buddies pairs meet a number of times each term, sharing in a rich and varied range of activities. For Year 6 students, the program provides a warm and familiar face during their transition into Middle School, offering reassurance and connection at a time when it matters most. For Year 9 students, it is an opportunity to step into a leadership and mentoring role, developing patience, empathy and responsibility through genuine relationship. The Buddies Program is far more than a calendar event, it is a reminder that in our community, every student is seen, valued and supported by those around them.

On Tuesday’s, the Middle School comes together for House Culture; a dedicated time designed to create belonging through connection, friendly competition and shared experience. Activities are House-led and span the whole Middle School community. House Culture also provides meaningful opportunities for fundraising and servant leadership, inviting students to look beyond themselves and contribute to causes both within and outside the school community. These times cultivate a spirit of generosity, togetherness and pride in being part of something larger than oneself.

Multiple times per term, the Middle School community gathers for Inparrila, which is a dedicated Middle School assembly that sits at the centre of our community life. Inparrila exists to celebrate and recognise student growth, lift and reinforce the standards and expectations we hold for one another, and strengthen the connections that make our community what it is. It is also an important platform for student and staff voice, ensuring that the stories, achievements and perspectives of our community are heard, honoured and shared. Inparrila reflects our belief that recognition, aspiration and community belong together, and that every student deserves to be seen, heard, valued and celebrated for who they are becoming.