Junior School Curriculum Years 7 to 9
|
Our students participate in a core curriculum that ranges across all of the Key Learning Areas – Arts, English & ESL, Health & Physical Education, LOTE (Italian or Vietnamese), Maths, Science, Humanities (History, Geography and Economics) and Technology. We work to a four period day, with 72 minute periods. Information and Communications technology (ICT) is integrated into designated units within core and other subjects. Within Art and Technology, students experience a range of subjects throughout Years 7 – 9.
|
Click for 7-9 subjects and periods per week
|
Learning Communities Centre
|
The new Learning Communities Centre opened in January 2008. This new building was architect designed to provide an excellent facility for the Gilmore Years 7 and 8 program which features an ICT rich, integrated and authentic curriculum supported by the very latest in Information and Communication Technology equipment. The Learning Communities program uses a broad range of teaching strategies and resources for successful learning. The aim of the program is to produce active, independent and engaged learners.
|
Middle Years Teams – since 2000
|
In line with Middle Years of Schooling (MYOS) best practice, our curriculum structure is based on four 72-minute periods a day. We have also introduced a teaching team program across the core areas of English, Humanities, Science and Maths. This involves a team of two teachers working intensively with each home group for approximately 60% of the week. In Year 7 and 8, a period of pastoral care is also included in the team program. Students spend about half of their week in a home room, giving them a secure and comfortable base. They move to our specialist facilities for the remainder of their subjects. Learning Technology is also incorporated into the curriculum at Years 7 – 9 through a highly structured learning plan, focused on specific units and tasks. This explains the apparently small allocation of time to Technology in Years 7 & 8.
Team teachers build extremely strong, close relationships with their home groups. They know their students very well, in academic and social terms, as well as closely monitoring attendance and progress. These innovations have resulted in calmer, more settled days, more sustained working time, less moving around and stronger relationships being built between staff and students. Students feel that they are well known by their teachers and there is a high level of communication and planning across the core KLA areas. Two of the most exciting curriculum innovations have been the development of a range of integrated curriculum projects at each year level and a comprehensive, planned integration of Learning Technologies across the four core areas.
|
Integrated curriculum
|
We have developed a number of integrated curriculum units throughout Years 7 – 9 and are currently developing an integrated curriculum at each year level. The integrated units draw on knowledge and skills from across a number of key learning areas and result in complex, rich tasks. The main focus of these tasks is to encourage independent, student inquiry learning which integrates and also develops ICT skills. Research shows that these approaches tend to encourage students to analyze and deepen their understanding and knowledge. Examples include a unit on 'The Ancient World and Us', where Year 7 students produce an electronic poster, a website and an animated movie on computer. Year 7 students also complete an endangered species unit where they create a PowerPoint presentation. Examples of other units include a Year 8 unit based on water saving research and the College’s own water wise garden facility or a Year 9 unit during which students produce their own extensive website on environmental issues.
|
Assessment and reporting
|
Assessment is based on work requirements, which are specific assessment tasks that allow students a range of opportunities to demonstrate their achievement. Assessment tasks range across a wide variety of skills and formats, including tests, assignments, performances, folios, essays, projects and models. Students receive a short interim report at the end of Terms 1 and 3, as well as an opportunity to discuss each student’s progress at a parent-teacher night. Students also receive a full written report at the end of Terms 2 & 4.
|
Special programs
|
Although all of our students are extremely well supported in terms of their curriculum and welfare needs, we also offer a range of programs for students with special needs. We have an Integration program for students with disabilities and impairments. This program includes aide support, modified curriculum and individualized programs. We also have a regular speech pathology service. We have an extensive ESL (English as a Second Language) program for recently arrived students, as well as a targeted literacy intervention program called Restart at Year 7.
|
Computer Access
|
Students have excellent computer access throughout the College. The new Learning Communities Centre for Years 7 and 8, financed by the Victorian DET Leading Schools’ Program, has a very high level of ICT access with state of the art technology. The College has a range of up to date ICT specialist facilities, including the library research centre, the VCE study centre, the science centre, a large computer lab, a dedicated computer classroom, multiple sets of classroom lap-tops and a dedicated art/design/publication facility.
|
College Library and Homework Club
|
The College library is open to students after school Monday to Friday and homework sessions are conducted in the library on Tuesday and Thursday. Homework sessions are supported by teachers from Maths, Science, English and SOSE as well as other learning areas.
|
For further information contact the Junior School Leader. See Contact Us
|
