Middle Years Learning (5-8)

Year 9 2021 – Course Selection Handbook

Middle Years Learning - Year 5 to Year 8

Why Middle Years Learning?

Current research indicates the significant challenges for young people as they transition from a traditional primary school to high school model. The vast differences in pedagogy (how teachers teach),  curriculum (what students learn) and environment, accompanied with a myriad of socio-emotional challenges, presents a complex problem for students which often leads to a decrease in academic learning outcomes and poor self-efficacy. 

At SFCC, our Middle Years Learning program is designed to combat these challenges and assist in minimising the disruption caused by the traditional transition by providing students with:

• a continuum of learning that promotes seamless transitions and flexible groupings of students as communities of learners.
• continuous student tracking of knowledge and skills to enhance and individualise teaching and learning experiences.
• learning that is characterised by consolidation of literacy and numeracy skills and a blend of explicit teaching and independent learning across each Key Learning Area. 
• targeted instruction and intervention to meet their learning needs which is achieved through Middle Years Mathematics and English Teams comprised of teachers that have additional time allocated for collaboration and student intervention. 
• opportunities for students to engage in creative and collaborative learning experiences characterised by the seamless use of technology.
• opportunities for Stage 3 students to access specialist facilities with appropriately trained staff.

Our Philosophy

MYL Essential Attributes

These Essential Attributes are embedded in the Teaching and Learning programs for all Middle Years Students.

Curriculum Overviews

Each Term, students receive a Curriculum Overview which outlines the units of study and important information relevant to parents/carers and students. Please see the links below:

Assessment

In addition to the information provided in the Assessment tab, Middle Years Learning students will also receive Formal Assessment Tasks via a notification which outlines the details of the task and date of submission. These tasks are designed to develop students’ time management and organisational skills by working towards a deadline and ensuring they start working on a task well before the due date. It is important to note that a formal assessment task is one piece of evidence teachers will consider when determining an overall grade. 

The tables below briefly outline the Formal Assessment Tasks for Years 7 and 8 in Term 1. We hope this will provide some additional information to parents/carers regarding upcoming tasks and due dates to encourage a working partnership between home and the College. As previously mentioned, your child will also receive a notification which explains the task in detail.