In the middle years every student develops the knowledge, skills and dispositions to become autonomous and collaborative learners who actively engage in the challenges of contemporary, local and global issues.
The progression of schooling from the primary years into high school can be a challenging one, involving a new school environment, new peers from a variety of primary schools and a different timetable structure, with teachers specialised in individual subjects. The transition process also provides opportunities for students to be more independent and build relationships with a broader range of staff and students, who can support them until they successfully complete Year 12. Woodville High School acknowledges these challenges and therefore aims to provide support for every students’ learning, wellbeing and interests to help students to become autonomous and collaborative learners in contemporary, local and global settings.
Students in the Middle School are engaged successfully in a broad, balanced and meaningful curriculum. A focus on the Australian Curriculum’s General Capabilities helps to shape and frame the students’ skills and dispositions required to be a successful learner throughout their middle schooling and to prepare them for the SACE. Building on the rich diversity of our student population, the school embraces its role in developing intercultural understanding, citizenship and to help students to develop the respect for themselves and others. Intercultural understanding is incorporated into both subjects and in our pastoral care program called Pathways.
LEARNING PATHWAYS
Throughout the Middle School, students are provided with a wide range of subject choices to cater for the varying interests and abilities. The Special Interest Music Program, the Visual Art Enrichment Program and the Soccer Program are three of the options the school offers. Each of these programs have certain requirements that students must meet through application. A major emphasis is also placed on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Critical and Creative Thinking (C&CT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which will enable each individual to develop the skills and dispositions to be a 21st Century Learner.
FIRST STEPS
From Year 7, students from our feeder primary schools are engaged in the ‘Taste of High School’ program, providing an opportunity for students to spend a day experiencing life at high school. Students try out a variety of subjects and activities throughout the day and are introduced to an Inquiry Based Learning approach, which introduces research skills at a high school level. Throughout the year, students and teachers collaboratively work with the primary schools to strengthen the relationships, aiming to provide a smoother transition to high school. These include music visits, a continuity of mathematics project, ICT across the transition points and a STEM focus. In Term 4, the Year 7 students attend the school for a transition day, providing another opportunity to build relationships with their future teachers and to feel comfortable in their new school environment.
