Phases of Learning
Middle schooling is an educational approach designed to better cater to the physical, social, emotional, moral and cognitive needs of young people.
At JSRACS it provides a bridge between the primary and secondary phases of schooling by creating an educational environment specifically tailored to the needs of young adolescent learners in Years 7, 8 and 9.
Middle School teachers at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School are committed to providing an appropriate schooling experience for students in this phase of their learning. To successfully guide students through their early adolescent years requires a careful balance of elements that make up the Middle School Teaching and Learning Programme. Student-centred elements that are authentic and collaborative are combined with purpose-driven elements, which are developmental, rigorous and challenging.
The mastery of a range of learning, organisation, communication, and social skills is important to students’ success. Commencing in Year 7, Middle School students are systematically taught the knowledge and competencies for students to take control of their learning.
These skills will ultimately contribute to the development of well-balanced adults. Of particular importance are skills that will promote independence, transference and the ability to adapt learning to new contexts.
In response to the introduction of the National Curriculum, the focus of assessment and reporting has moved from student outcomes to age-related standards of performance. Extension tasks have been included in assessments to create a more rigorous, demanding and inclusive curriculum.
The Middle School curriculum encourages cross-curricular links. Units drawing from common contexts have been developed in subjects such as English and History. The content and skills learned in one subject support and extend those learned in another, and encourage a less compartmentalised view of knowledge and learning.
The development of literacy and numeracy across all core subject areas is a key focus of the Middle School Curriculum. Dedicated teachers work collaboratively in teams and regularly attend professional development initiatives to ensure curriculum delivery is relevant and responsive to adolescent culture and trends.
At present, the Middle School Curriculum comprises three components: the Core Program, the Rotational Program and the Co-curricular Program. All students are engaged in an extensive Core Program. Subjects taught within the core curriculum include English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Religious Studies, Physical and Health Education and Foreign and Community Languages (Indonesian or Mandarin). 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 Consumer Studies and Media Studies. Further details regarding individual subject programmes can be obtained through the Head of Department.
The Kindergarten to Year 12 Co-curricular Program operates before and after the normal school day and ranges across the Arts, Sport, and various other extension activities. Further information on this aspect of the Middle School Curriculum can be found on the pages that deal with the Co-curricular Programme.
Expression of interest
