Pakenham
Secondary
College
Year 9 2026
Electives
Handbook
Introduction
Acknowledgement of Country
Table of Contents
Introduction
Year 9 Timetable Structure 2026
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Duke of Edinburgh
21
English
Literature
Humanities
Business: Money Talks
Geography: Globetrotters
History: Revolutions
10
The Arts
Art
Digital Art & Design
Photography
Drama
24
25
26
27
Music
29
Technology
Fashion and Product Design
Food Studies
Digital Technologies
31
32
33
Return to Bookshelf
34
Science
Body and Mind: The Science of
Biology & Psychology
STEAM Explorations
Sport Science
12
13
14
Health & Physical Education
Active for Life
Power Up
Team Sports
Explore Outdoors
16
17
18
19
Wood Technology and Product
Design
Pakenham Secondary College recognises the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri tribes as
the original inhabitants of the Cardinia region. The College respects Aboriginal sacred
sites, special places and objects, and fully supports the reconciliation process.
Acknowledgement of Country
P A G E 3 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Depending on the program, you will be able to choose electives from any Key Learning
Area. Please refer to the Year 9 Timetable Structure on Page 4 for the details.
Costs associated with each elective are stated in the subject description included in this
booklet.
Introduction
Year 9 Timetable Structure 2026
P A G E 4 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Year 9 Mainstream
Year 9 Enhancement
Year 9
Enhancement
Year 9
Applied Learning
Year 9
Mainstream
Subject and Number
of Periods
Subject and Number
of Periods
Subject and Number
of Periods
English
10 periods
Applied Literacy
7 periods
English
10 periods
Mathematics
10 periods
Applied Numeracy
7 periods
Mathematics
10 periods
Science (1 semester)
6 periods
Applied Science
4 periods
Science (full year)
6 periods
Humanities (1 semester)
6 periods
Applied Humanities
4 periods
Humanities (full year)
6 periods
Health - Plus a minimum 1
compulsory P.E. Elective
must be chosen
2 periods (Health only)
Health - Plus a minimum 1
compulsory P.E. Elective must
be chosen
2 periods
Health - Plus a minimum 1
compulsory P.E. Elective must
be chosen
2 periods
3 Electives per Semester
6 Electives in total
1 compulsory from
Art/Technology, 1 compulsory
from P.E. and 1 compulsory
either Science or Humanities
The other 3 Electives can be
from any of the Key Learning
Area Electives they choose
Hands on Learning
10 periods
2 Electives per Semester
4 Electives in total
1 compulsory from
Art/Technology and 1
compulsory from P.E.
The other 2 Electives can be
from any of the Key Learning
Area Electives they choose
2 Electives per Semester
4 Electives in total
1 compulsory from
Art/Technology and 1
compulsory from P.E.
The other 2 Electives can be
from any of the Key Learning
Area Electives they choose
Life Skills
4 periods
Applied Life Skills
4 periods
Life Skills
4 periods
English
Year 9 Elective - Literature
Course Description
Potential assignments:
Students will have the opportunity to:
Complete Close Readings of unique texts
Developing their own creative pieces through imaginative writing
Examine poems of their choosing and explore the devices of poetic language.
This elective aligns with VCE Literature and is recommended for students who are interested in
fields such as writing, creative arts, film and television production.
Cinema Excursion
Theatre Performances
State Library
ACMI
Melbourne Museum
Guest Speakers
Potential Incursion/Excursion Opportunities
$25 (approximately, for excursions)
Subject Cost
VCE Literature
Link to VCE/VET Subjects
Mr Travis Bhandari
Contact Person
P A G E 6 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Combining the best of teenage-focused
coming-of-age fiction, this facet of literature
has provided some of the most well-known
characters, themes, and tropes in fictional
writing. Stories, poetry, films, and novels,
(from authors including John Steinbeck,
William Golding and William Shakespeare)
will introduce students to the tropes, ideas,
emotions and interesting adventures that are
inherent in Literature based on teenage
experiences and drama, as well as coming-
of-age stories.
Humanities
Year 9 Elective - Business: Money Talks
Course Description
Assessment Unit Assessments could include:
Money Talks is a semester length unit essentially on money. Or is it? Students are introduced to
the concept of an economy and explore economics on three levels.
Firstly, what does economics mean to me? What is a budget, credit, investments and shares?
Students look at ways to manage personal finance and how to better manage money and debt.
They explore the share market and other investments and participate in the ASX Sharemarket
game. Secondly, students look at what is involved in the Australian economy. How does the
government spend its money and where do they get it from? Students look at the role of
business in our Australian economy and, the responsibilities of social welfare. Finally, students
explore what it means for Australia to be part of the Asia region and global economy. Students
consider how we see our nation as part of the global world and how globalisation impacts our
decision making.
Research Tasks
Structured questions
Case studies
Significant Events Task
End of term tests
$0
Subject Cost
VCE Business Management
VCE Accounting
VCE General Mathematics
VCE Vocational Major
Personal Development Skills
Literacy
Numeracy
Link to VCE/VET Subjects
Mr David Telford
Contact Person
Resources
Oxford Textbook and teacher developed resources
P A G E 8 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Year 9 Elective - Geography:
Globetrotters
Course Description
Assessment Unit Assessments could include:
In year 9 Geography students investigate the ways we are connected to places, and the ways
we are interconnected on a global scale. This involves analysing maps, data, videos, and other
information about topics such as the clothing industry, social media, sport and world leaders.
Students also study the different zones of the world known as Biomes and consider how we can
access and grow food within different biomes. Students investigate where our food comes from,
food waste and food insecurity, and create solutions to these significant global issues. Students
will conduct research out in the field at a local shopping precinct.
Fieldwork Activity
Mapping and Data Tasks
Structured Questions
Extended Responses
Case Studies
End-of-Semester test
Subject Cost
Resources
Oxford Textbook and teacher developed resources
$0
VCE Geography
VCE Business Management
VCE Vocational Major
Personal Development Skills
Literacy
Link to VCE/VET Subjects
Mr David Telford
Contact Person
P A G E 9 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Year 9 Elective - History: Revolutions
Assessment Unit Assessments could include:
Structured Questions
Role Plays and Scripts
Extended Responses
Case Studies
Source Analysis and Object based learning
End-of-Semester test
Resources
$0
Subject Cost
VCE Modern History
VCE History Revolutions
VCE English
VCE Vocational Major
Work Related Skills
Personal Development Skills
Literacy
Link to VCE/VET Subjects
Mr David Telford
Contact Person
Oxford Textbook and teacher developed resources
P A G E 1 0 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E Y E A R 9 2 0 2 6 E L E C T I V E S H A N D B O O K
Course Description
This year 9 History elective aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the period
1750 to 1914. This era grew from the Enlightenment period that saw industrialisation and rapid
change in the ways people lived, worked, and thought about themselves and the world. It was a
time of nationalism and imperialism, and the colonisation of Australia was part of the expansion
of European power. The period culminated in World War I – the ‘war to end all wars’. Students
begin with an overview of the period 1750 to 1914 so that they can understand the context of the
period. Students then look at the Enlightenment and its impact on the lives of people in the 18th
and 19th centuries through the Industrial Revolution. Specifically, students explore ways in
which the movement of people was affected. The three topics of slaves, migrants and rebellion
will provide the context for this area of study. Imperial rivalry, originating partly from the Industrial
Revolution, culminated in World War I, and students study a range of aspects leading up to this
defining conflict.