The 'middle years' are a time of tremendous change for children.
Between Years 5 and 8, students develop physically, socially, spiritually, emotionally and cognitively. They need to have times where they are 'free to be children' and times of supported challenge. This is also a time when their values and perceptions become their own as they take important steps towards becoming adults.
Children in the middle years tend to ask more questions and progress from concrete thinking to abstract thinking. The structure of Middle School - which our Pacific Group of Schools have been operating for over two decades - supports this curiosity by providing opportunities for inquiry and challenge.
A Unique Environment
Middle School provides a uniquely tailored environment in which our students are supported and guided in their journey through adolescence. Each student has a place – a Home Room - and a person - a Home Room Teacher – that is theirs. The Home Room becomes a known and familiar space.
The Home Room Teacher has special pastoral responsibility for their Home Room Class. They are specifically trained in the needs and characteristics of young adolescents.
- Dedicated programs, classrooms and resources specific to children in Years 5-8
- Teachers who understand the developmental and educational profiles of children across this age range
- Structured to meet the needs of the emerging adolescent thus making learning time more productive
- Safe opportunities with technology, performances, presentations and sport
- A place where children enjoy learning
- A caring community in which children connect with each other, with their teachers and with God
A Seamless Transition
Middle School students make a more gradual move from having had one key teacher in Junior School to having many, rather than the traditionally abrupt change at Year 7.
Students and parents have a clear, caring point of contact with a teacher who knows the child and the characteristics of this period of development. Students remain engaged and don't get 'lost in the system'.
The curriculum of the Middle School is about more than content. Quality teaching programs utilising a variety of technologies and resources and with embedded biblical perspectives mean that the whole child is taught as preparation for more independent learning.
We strive to offer opportunities where interest is shared such as:
- Sports
- Groups (ranging from performing arts to clubs such as Chess, Science, Mathematics, Art, Photography)
- Service (within the School, in our local area, in NSW, Australia and overseas, Peer Support, Student Council, Missions)
- Camps
Getting Started
There are two main entry points for Middle School.
Year 5: Students receive the full benefit of Middle School. They receive a head start on developing habits and understanding the expectations they will need for Senior School. Each student is taught to use a diary, manage homework, research, write and think, use skills that assist with organisation. Students have subject specialist teachers for a number of subjects, and are timetabled into specialist rooms such as Science Laboratories, Design and Technology Workshops, and Visual Arts Rooms. Every student has access to specialist Music Tutors as part of the Hands on Performing Arts Program. This means that in Year 5, students make connections with teachers who will be teaching them as they complete their schooling in Year 12.
Year 7: Students receive the benefit of two years' development and familiarisation with high school expectations whilst benefiting from the support provided in the Middle School environment.