Year 9 Curriculum
Our Middle School supports each girl in exploring her identity as she develops her character and voice.
Students in Year 9 look for opportunities to exercise choice in their learning. In addition to common, compulsory subjects, they make choices about a variety of elective subjects.
Core Subjects
Year 9 Core Subjects
All students continue their learning in English, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Mathematics and Science. They develop their critical thinking skills in the subject ‘Analyse That!’, where they explore current events, consider the impact of technologies such as AI and think about how they consume information. A culmination of their Middle School experience is ‘Her World Project’. Here, students are empowered to act on a cause they feel passionate about, apply the Walford Learning Principles and produce a truly personal and authentic outcome.
Student Choice
Year 9 Electives
Students can choose four semester electives linked to their skills and interests from The Arts, Humanities, Languages and Technologies. The options include:

Full year (two semesters)
Continue to build your proficiency in Chinese so that you can communicate authentically while learning more about the world around you. Becoming fluent in another language is a significant achievement, leading to wide range of personal, social and career benefits. Language students at Walford are on an accelerated pathway so that all continuing students will have the opportunity to complete Stage 2 Chinese (continuers) while in Year 11.

Semester
You will use your creativity and imagination to investigate, design and create products that solve problems within a variety of contexts. You will apply skills, processes and techniques in the related context. You will also investigate sustainability issues related to design solutions. Digital or physical solutions could involve electronics, robotics, 3D printing prototypes, laser cutting materials, 3D digital models, coding, VR and architectural design.

Semester
You will lead all Walford Middle School students through producing a public performance of a devised or scripted play. Elect to lead through adopting on-stage roles or behind the scenes, such as stage manager, lighting/sound design, set/costume design, front of house and/or hair and makeup.

Semester
This exciting course will give students a firm grounding in how to compose and arrange music using computer software, prepare effectively for performances (both solo and small ensemble) and build on their theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. Through practical and creative activities, students will build their knowledge of classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
Practical activities will include solo/ensemble performance, percussion ensemble, and a creative musicals task. Students will increase their theory and aural skills through practical and written tasks.
Students wishing to undertake music in Year 10 are recommended to complete this semester course of music. Students undertaking this subject must be having an individual instrumental or voice lesson.

Full year (two semesters)
Continue to build your proficiency in French so that you can communicate authentically while learning more about the world around you. Becoming fluent in another language is a significant achievement, leading to wide range of personal, social and career benefits. Language students at Walford are on an accelerated pathway so that all continuing students will have the opportunity to complete Stage 2 French (continuers) while in Year 11.

One or two semesters
Learning Support lessons provide structured opportunities for you to receive help in a small group setting. The nature of the support will be according to your needs and will include input from subject teachers. You will need to meet criteria to be granted entry to this course.

Semester
You will arrange popular music for small ensembles, explore history of musicals and create a class musical, building your knowledge in a practical environment. This exciting course will give you a firm grounding in how to compose and arrange music using computer software, prepare effectively for performances (both solo and small ensemble) and build on your theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. You will increase your theory and aural skills through practical and written tasks. If you wish to undertake music in Year 10, you must complete this semester course. To undertake this subject, you must be having an individual instrumental or voice lesson and are encouraged to be part of the Middle School Choir or a co-curricular ensemble.

Semester
Through a variety of Visual Art disciplines, you will engage in critical and creative thinking, developing concepts to create resolved works of art. You will visually experiment and respond to an idea or theme and develop your personal aesthetic. You will document your ideas and explore a range of styles, artists, media and techniques. Media could include painting, drawing, sculpture, casting, print-making, ceramics, digital art, jewellery and photography.

Semester
You will study a range of businesses from local cafes to global enterprises to gain an understanding of the world of business. You will investigate the risks and rewards of business through case studies, learning the power that consumers have to influence the world of business and the decisions that businesses need to make to achieve success.