About Middle school
For 2018, we have 9 Stage 4 middle school classes, including an advanced learning class. They are taught by a small team of dedicated teachers who work closely together to support both the academic and wellbeing needs of the students. Each class has a specialist literacy teacher for English and history and a specialist numeracy teacher for maths and science and they are conducted in a home room with a welcoming and supportive classroom environment.
These classes are formed with a combination of Years 7 and 8 students, however, our approach is very different to composite classes in primary schools. We have researched, planned and developed a structure which allows us to better identify and more effectively address student learning, social and emotional needs. Learning in the classes is catered more directly to the specific needs of the students. With smaller class sizes, organised according to learning and social needs, each class follows a curriculum that has been personally tailored to suit the students in that class.
All of the advantages that mixed year classes offer is balanced with the opportunity to maintain the unique relationships that are built within their own single year group. While students are in these mixed year classes for maths, English, science and geography, they are in classes solely made up of their own year group for other subjects like music, art, technology and applied studies (TAS) and personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE).
The middle school experience is overwhelmingly positive in many ways. It allows teachers to understand each individual student more quickly and to develop a constructive relationship with them to ensure that they achieve to the best of their ability.
