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. 
• 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.

In 2022-2023 and 2024-2026 St Francis Catholic College was named a Middle Years School of Excellence by Adolescent Success. This is awarded to schools who show commitment in the middle years of learning

At St Francis Catholic College, we believe that the Middle Years (Years 5–8) are a formative and dynamic stage of learning, a time of rapid growth, curiosity, and discovery. Guided by our College Mission to offer our community a liberating education committed to justice, compassion, and service, we nurture young people with open minds and open hearts, helping them to grow as creative, confident, and compassionate learners.

We recognise that every young adolescent experiences profound physical, cognitive, social, and emotional change. Our philosophy is to respond to these changes with purposeful teaching, relational and restorative practice, and authentic learning experiences that foster belonging, wellbeing and hope for the future.

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

Pastoral

• Foster empathy, compassion, gratitude, a sense of belonging and connectedness
• Develop Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills
• Empower students to be community minded and active citizens who contribute positively to society and the global community
• Encourage students to build on their personal strengths and embrace challenges

Collaborative

• Core Teaching Teams work together to design learning experiences
• Organisational structures support collaboration across the disciplines

Integrative

• Promotes 21st Century Skills across the curriculum
• Includes cross disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning
• Assessment is varied and ongoing

Student-centered

• Recognises that every student can learn and everyone is held to high expectations
• Learning is differentiated and negotiated 
• Students have choice in their learning

Engaging

• Learning is relevant and exploratory
• Connects learners with their world through relevant experiences that nurture and promote imagination and curiosity

Skills Based

Students focus on these success skills:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• The six global competencies:
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Character
  • Citizenship

These skill areas are embedded across all learning experiences.

Stage 3 Learning Program

Students in Years 5 and 6 will study the following subjects:

• Religious Education
• English
• Maths
• Science & Technology
• PDHPE
• HSIE
• Creative Arts

Students in Stage 3 will benefit from having a core group of approximately 3-5 teachers who will implement the learning experiences.

Stage 4 Learning Program

Students in Years 7 and 8 will study the following subjects:

• Religious Education
• English
• Maths
• Science
• PDHPE
• HSIE
• Visual Arts
• Music
• Languages - Japanese
• Technological and Applied Studies

Students in Stage 4 will benefit from having a core group of approximately 4-7 teachers who will implement the learning experiences.

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.