On the first day of Term 1, Flinders presses 'Go!' on the Year to RISE with an all-day interactive workshop experience. The Year 9 students learn what’s in store and collaborate on a Lego Maker Challenge about real-world problems, helping to regroup and build bonds as a cohort.

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In this workshop, students develop their skills in the Flinders Learner Trait of 'Collaboration'.

It is great fun (and hard work!) collaborating in ever-changing teams to problem solve high-pressure scenarios. Students are challenged to think quickly and rely on their peers to perform skits, solve riddles, unscramble poetry and pitch fresh ideas.

In this workshop, students learn the features and skills of being a confident and respectful communicator, such as how to listen to others' ideas and pitch their own—with charisma. 'Communication' is another key Flinders Learner Trait.

Choose your own adventure! City, Bush, Coast or Island? Students are able to explore real-world issues and forge new friendships when they embark on their Year to RISE outdoor education and character development tours, held over either four or five days.

Upon their return to school, their learnings on tour help to inform the problems they aim to solve during the one-day Year to RISE Conference.

This one-day conference-style event challenges students to be 'stewards of the future' and use design thinking to solve some of the real-world problems they explored during their Year to RISE Tours, whether they ventured to the Bush, Coast, City or Island.

This conference guides students through three stages, from defining, ideating and problem solving to prototyping and testing to a public audience.

Stage 1: Inspiration - Students identify their chosen topics explored or uncovered during their Year to RISE Tours;
Stage 2: Creation - Students brainstorm, problem-solve, ideate and test a product or resource to address their chosen topics; and
Stage 3: Presentation - Students present their elevator pitches to Year 6 students for feedback on their prototype, and then refine their solution to present an improved pitch to the Year 5 students. The results are incredible!

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During their Fusion Courses (consisting of two subjects linked by a unifying concept) students are challenged to transfer their learning to other contexts and settings. Students have key problems to solve and must demonstrate their learning in authentic contexts, resulting in exhibitions, performances and product launches.

Students develop skills in their Flinders Learner Traits of 'Character' and 'Citizenship' through intimate, interactive workshops focused on real-world issues. The aim is to explore how to be a more compassionate person and a better leader, while learning how to solve stress, practise gratitude and recognise the value of giving.

In the lead-up to their capstone projects, students are guided to explore the Flinders Learner Traits of 'Creativity' and 'Critical Thinking'.

These mini workshops are an opportunity to explore fresh ideas and to step beyond comfort zones to make, design, build, create, explore and dream!

Students are also exposed to a range of conundrums and guided through decision-making strategies to learn how to reach conclusions individually and collaboratively.

Leading up to their end-of-year capstone project, students learn skills in their areas of passion across innovative industries, from Industry and Fabrication, to Media and Technology, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and Production and Performance.

In Term 4, students dedicate two weeks to design thinking as they embrace a challenge that has made them think, engage and act. Their challenge is to work in small groups to deliver a solution in the form of a product, resource or presentation.

As their final assessment piece, students pitch or present their project solution to a public audience.

It's then time to host their family for a special end-of-year Year to RISE Showcase event—a celebration of their growth and courage throughout their Year 9 journey.