Welcome to Year 9

	9 Barlow       Mr Burton 9 Clitherow   Mr Bradley 9 Fisher       Mr Moorby  9 Line        Mrs Belshaw        9 More  Mrs Bowden/Mrs Bretherton    9 Owen        Mr Pate 9 Southworth  Miss Smith  9 Ward    Mrs Gardner    Pastoral Support Team                               Mrs Pruden                            Miss Holden                         Mrs Hargreaves                           Mrs O'Malley
Head of Year - Mrs K Lowe

Year 9 is a year of crucial importance for our pupils; a pivotal year, during which many important decisions will be made. As they prepare to make the transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4, they will be deciding upon their options for Years 10 and 11. They will embark upon the courses and qualifications which are likely to shape their futures. Year 9 will require maturity and a good deal of dedication and application. We will be here to help and guide them every step of the way in making these important decisions.
 

Year 9 will be a time for much hard work but it will also provide many opportunities for enjoyment and a time to seek out new experiences. Our pupils are invited and openly encouraged to take part in the many clubs and activities provided for them by our dedicated staff. Special opportunities are also available; the Enterprise Day at St. Mary’s College, the “Maths in Motion” Roller Coaster Day, the retreat to Castlerigg Manor in Keswick and Disneyland Paris to name but a few. Many of our departments organise educational visits which suit a wide range of budgets. Our pupils will remember these experiences for many years to come, often describing them as the “highlight” of their time at St. Augustine’s.

The celebration of our faith is never far from our thoughts and we regard our fund-raising activities as very important. Our pupils always “do us proud” in this respect and I would like to thank them for their support in advance. This year will also see the beginning of our preparations for our 50^th, golden anniversary. This will provide a rare and wonderful opportunity for our pupils to commemorate a very special time in the school’s history.

This is also a time in their lives when they begin a journey towards adulthood. During the summer term, Year 9 take part in their Sexual Health and Relationships Week. Our pupils are encouraged to think about these matters within a context of our faith and we hope to raise their awareness and imbue them with maturity, respect and sensitivity towards their own sexuality and their relationships with others.