Politics · Australia · 2 days ago
Victorian schools use hands-on programs to keep year 9 students engaged
Year 9 students in Victoria are taking part in school programs that combine lessons with practical experiences.
At Albert Park College in Melbourne, students run a cafe, study at Princes Pier and take trips, including overseas visits to Borneo and Cambodia.
The program is designed to keep students engaged during year 9, sometimes called the “lost year” because students can become less involved in school.
Victorian year 9 attendance fell from 90 per cent in 2019 to just over 85 per cent in 2024, and attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Other schools are also changing their programs, with Tintern Grammar planning a full rollout in 2027 and Scotch College due to open an outdoor education campus near Mallacoota in 2028.
St Leonard’s College has extended its year 9 experience away from school from 12 days to three weeks.
These programs aim to build students’ independence, cooperation and confidence through learning outside the usual classroom.
Victorian schools are using practical programs, excursions and outdoor learning to help year 9 students stay engaged.
Year 9 is described as a period when students are at greater risk of disengaging or falling into an academic slump.
Albert Park College’s Da Vinci Program includes student-run cafe work, overseas trips and weekly classes at Princes Pier.
Victorian year 9 attendance fell from 90 per cent in 2019 to just over 85 per cent in 2024.
Other schools are introducing or expanding year 9 programs, including multi-day hikes and longer outdoor experiences.
- Who
- Victorian schools, including Albert Park College, Tintern Grammar, Scotch College and St Leonard’s College.
- What
- Schools are using hands-on learning and outdoor experiences to engage year 9 students.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026; some program changes are planned for 2027 and 2028.
- Where
- Victoria, including Albert Park College’s campus and Princes Pier.
- Why
- Year 9 students are considered at risk of disengaging, and Victorian year 9 attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The attendance rate for Victorian year 9 students was 90 per cent.
The attendance rate for Victorian year 9 students fell to just over 85 per cent.
Tintern Grammar piloted part of its new year 9 program.
Tintern Grammar plans a full rollout of its new year 9 program.
Scotch College plans to open a year 9 outdoor education campus near Mallacoota.
- Albert Park College Da Vinci Program
- Serves 280 year 9 students
- Victorian year 9 attendance
- 90 per cent in 2019; just over 85 per cent in 2024
- Tintern Grammar program
- Pilot in 2026; full rollout planned for 2027
- Scotch College campus
- Planned near Mallacoota in 2028
- St Leonard’s College experience
- Extended from 12 days to three weeks
What people are saying
We deliberately shake it up and create a different environment which is a really important process if you want them to succeed in senior years
We want to teach our young people about independence and being more co-operative and a bit more courageous
We get an insight into what a workplace feels like with all the pressure of cooking, cleaning and serving
Sources
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