Middle School Curriculum

At St Philip’s College, we acknowledge today’s world needs critical thinkers and problem solvers; thus, our middle school curriculum focuses on engaging students in learning experiences that encourage both independent thought and collaboration as well as application of learning to real-life situations.

Our Middle School Curriculum at St Philip’s College encompasses Years 7 to 9 and it is underpinned by contemporary educational research, and is supported by the Round Square Discovery framework. With 29 different subjects offered in Years 7-9 (not including Community Service, VET and workplace opportunities), over 30 co-curricular activities, Outdoor Education camps at every year level, Performing Arts opportunities, and academic support and enrichment programmes, our Middle School at St Philip’s College nurtures and prepares students to flourish in our ever-changing world.

We believe Middle School students need to develop as a whole person, with our students striving to embed our college vision: to strive, to seek, to care with heart. To enable both personal and academic success, at St Philip’s we have developed a modified programme for Year 7 and 8 students with specific learning needs. Our modified programme focuses on improving literacy and numeracy skills with specialist help and scaffolded tasks to allow students to achieve success and ignite a curiosity and enjoyment for learning.

If you have any questions at all regarding the Middle School, please email our Learning Design Leader, Ms Rebekah Cook.

Year 7

In Year 7, we focus on the 3 Ts: Transitions (from Primary School to Secondary School), Tenacity and Teamwork. In terms of transitions, both the pastoral care programme and the curriculum focuses on preparing each student for secondary schooling and the new challenges faced in a new learning environment. Tenacity is helping our Year 7s adjust to the new routines, timetable, and classes; through our many and varied curriculum offerings as well as our co-curricular, and outdoor programme, we aim to build skills and resilience, enabling each student to meet the expectations of secondary school. Teamwork is paramount; we encourage our students to collaborate with others and build relationships, both in the classroom and beyond.

Full Year Subjects
English
Mathematics
Physical Education/Health
Science
Japanese/ French / Reading
STEP UP
REVS
Literacy (Bridging)
Humanities

Adventure
Design Technology (Metal & Wood)
Digital Technology
Food Technology
Music
Performance
Visual Arts 
Artbotics

Year 8

At Year 8, we parallel the goals of the pastoral care programme to increase self-awareness, curiosity and independent learning. Similar to the outdoor education expedition in Year 8, the curriculum offers more extended studies, Project-Based Learning, and ignites innovation and enterprising ideas with subjects such as Inventiveness. The expectation is that by Year 8, students have developed their interests and passions and so at this year level we offer specialised Arts subjects such as Dance and Drama, as well as offerings focusing on sustainability in the curriculum with subjects such as Horticulture.

Full Year Subjects

English
Mathematics
Physical Education/Health
Science
Japanese / French / Reading
STEP UP
REVS
Literacy (Bridging)

Semester Length Subjects
Geography
History

Semester Length Electives
Dance
Design Technology (Metal & Wood)
Digital Technology
Drama
Food Technology
Horticulture 
Inventiveness
Music
Outdoor Education
Visual Arts

Year 9

Year 9 is the culmination of Middle School and we encourage our students to work towards greater independence. Year 9 continues to focus on such concepts as sustainability and responsibility. At this year level, students are involved in a more integrated curriculum with Project Based Learning opportunities to enable them to examine real-world issues. Furthermore, they are able to develop a greater sense of local and global responsibility with the Community Service Programme which links strongly to the Round Square ‘Spirit of Service’.

Full Year Subjects

Community Service
English
Mathematics
Physical Education/Health
Science
STEP UP
REVS

Semester Length Subjects
Geography
History

Students must select 4 electives.

Elective Choices:

Creative Arts (Media)
Dance
Design Technology (Metal OR Wood)
Digital Technology
Drama
Food Technology
Horticulture
Music Media & Technology
Music Performance
Outdoor Education
Science & Engineering
Sports Science
Visual Arts
French or Japanese