Curriculum in the Middle Years of Schooling
At John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, we are committed to providing a formal middle school education that is responsive and appropriate to the developmental needs of adolescents, an education that fosters the School Community’s values and enhances the JSRACS Community.
The curriculum that is offered is based on meeting the specific needs of the adolescent in the manner which engages and retains their enthusiasm for learning. In addition it provides for an efficient and effective planned transition from Primary to Senior Secondary schooling.
The Middle School team are currently reviewing and implementing aspects of pedagogical change across the core areas of Mathematics, English, Science and Studies of Society and the Environment. These curriculum improvements will focus on the delivery of an engaging curriculum to all Year 7, 8 and 9 students attending John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School.
The Middle School curriculum comprises two components: the Core Program and the Rotational Program
All students are engaged in an extensive Core Program. This program features an emphasis on the development of Literacy and Numeracy skills. The style of teaching promoted within the Middle School endeavours to meet the needs of the students and to engage and extend them in their academic development. Subjects taught within the core curriculum include English, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and Environment, Religious Education, Physical and Health Education and Languages other than English (Italian or Indonesian). Three quarters of the total available teaching time is allocated to subjects in the Core Program.
The Rotational Program provides students with the opportunity to encounter a range of learning experiences focussing on the Arts and Design and Technology. Specific rotational classes include Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre Arts, Computing. Design and Technology, Food and Media Studies.
Below is a table outlining the curriculum available to students attending JSRACS across each of years 7, 8 and 9.
Composition of Middle School Student Timetable
Friendly Kids Friendly Classrooms
Friendly Kids Friendly Classrooms was designed by Helen McGrath ( Child Psychologist) an Shona Francey( Psychologist) after they were asked for help with students whose learning and behaviour problems seemed to be connected to rejection by their classmates. The Friendly Kids Friendly Classrooms programme has been part of the Year 7 programme for the last three years.
The Year 7s are in their first year of secondary school and many need to learn new social skills that can help them make new friends, join different groups and become confident and co-operative students. Friendly Kids, Friendly Classrooms teaches students social skills in the school setting. The whole Year 7 group of 160 students has a Nuts and Bolts session on Mondays and Fridays. At these 25 minute sessions students focus on one social skill for the week. It may be "Approaching and Joining In", "Negotiating", "Listening and Asking Good Questions" or " Standing Up For Yourself". Students interact with the lead teacher to develop a list of Do’s and Don’ts. Sometimes these are acted out with impromptu skits based on situations which might occur in the playground or during group activities in the classroom. Throughout the week individual teachers work with their PCG class on developing the particular social skill we are focusing on that week.
School Values
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School is a school of The Anglican Schools Commission with a mission to build a Christian community of learners, to provide a quality educational experience, and to nurture the whole person in the three dimensions of mind, body and spirit.