Middle School Curriculum

Our focus in the middle school is to build your literacy, curiosity and numeracy. As a Middle School Student you will be provided with an exciting curriculum and an excellent variety of subjects which will involve you in many different investigations. To help you understand what you will be studying and help you make effective choices we have produced this handbook which contains descriptions of the subjects in the Middle School. You and your parents or guardian will need to read this Handbook thoroughly. In the Middle School you will experience a curriculum that covers all the essential Key Learning Areas. In the next section of the handbook, you will find out more about what it means to be a middle school student at Roxburgh College.

Subjects in the Middle School

All students in Australia learn these subjects. At Roxburgh College you will build your literacy, curiosity and numeracy through studying these subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities
• Health and Physical Education
• Technology
• The Arts
• Languages

Portfolio Tasks

For each subject you will do regular portfolio tasks for the year. Throughout the term, students will be responsible for maintaining their Learning Portfolio and discussing their progress. Students need to complete every Portfolio Task, as well as other learning activities, in each subject for them to progress through to the next year level.

Year 7 & 8 Homeroom Program

All Year 7 students will have their own Homeroom and two Homeroom Teachers to look after their learning and wellbeing. We know that learning is at its best occurs when students are in a safe, trusting and respectful environment. As students move from primary school it is critical to ensure students feel safe in their new learning environment. The Year 7 & 8 Homeroom program provides the scope for this positive environment and respectful relationships to develop. The Homerooms provide a secure and familiar environment allowing students to take risks within the lesson free to express their opinions and beliefs. Homeroom Teachers carefully track their students to ensure they are engaging effectively at school.

Roxburgh College Instrumental Program

We have launched an exciting enhanced instrumental music program at Roxburgh College. We already have a state of the art Performing Arts facility and our goal is to create a music and performing arts program which is the best in Victoria. Learning and playing music has many benefits. It develops fine motor skills and coordination, enhances confidence and self esteem and builds teamwork. Research also indicates a link between the learning of music with higher levels of academic achievement.

Students in years 7-9 will be involved in an instrumental music program. Year 8 and 9 students may also be involved. Students will spend one period per week learning their instrument with an expert music teacher.

Once a semester students will participate in a music performance in the auditorium to an audience of parents, families, friends and other students.

We are offering a range of musical instruments for students to learn. Students may select from the following instruments:

• Percussion
• Drumkit
• Acoustic Guitar
• Bass Guitar
• Contemporary & Classical Voice
• Piano

Interschool Sport

Like all the other enhancement programs, sport has the capacity to enhance self esteem, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle. During the year there will be opportunities for you to participate in individual and team sports, as well as carnival events like swimming and athletics. Sign up days occur early in each term.

Premiers' Reading Challenge

Discipline

Our goal at Roxburgh College is to develop a positive school environment which is calm, harmonious and respectful of diversity; an environment which allows learning to occur and individuals to flourish. All the members of the College community play a role in the development of this environment by meeting their responsibilities and respecting the rights of others to learn and be safe. At every opportunity our staff encourage and educate our students about appropriate values and attitudes and assist them to take responsibility for their own behavior and learning. We seek to teach our students to be personally and socially responsible and provide a framework to help them achieve this.

Roxburgh College principals, teachers and school staff have a responsibility to provide an educational environment that ensures that all students are valued and cared for, and effectively engage in their learning. Roxburgh College is committed to the development and provision of appropriate, relevant and challenging curriculum that gives students the opportunity to experience success in their learning.

Our Code of Conduct outlines our approach to discipline and is built on the premise that students will engage in positive learning behaviours because this is what we expect and what we spend our energies encouraging. Our comprehensive reinforcement system provides the framework to acknowledge and reward students’ efforts and achievements in a regular and predictable way. Our Code of Conduct requires that all staff monitor and follow up on negative behaviours occurring within their area of jurisdiction. Classroom teachers are encouraged to move through the strategies outlined against each level of behaviour. When a Homeroom Teacher or classroom teacher identifies that a negative pattern of behaviour has been established over a period of time they are to implement a course of action to help to get the student back on track.

We believe that by working in partnership with parents and through the consistent implementation of processes and values and commitment to “following up” on all issues that we can build a positive learning environment. More details of our Code of Conduct can be found on our website

End of Semester Promotion, Curriculum, Demotion and Redemption Process

Students are demoted/ promoted based on their attendance being above 90%, the number GPA - Grade Point Average, received on their interim report and whether or not they have submitted all of their assessment tasks.

Year Level Coordinators and Managers maintain regular keep the parents of students at risk aware of their learning progress through official letters, critical meetings and phone calls. Homeroom and classroom teachers are also fundamental in supporting students who are receiving above expected numbers on their interim reports. Students may be demoted for a varied period of time depending on their improved learning attitude and behaviour.

Students whose attendance is unsatisfactory may be required to attend catch up/redemption sessions on Saturday mornings or in redemption week (at the end of each semester) or in the school holidays. Failure to attend redemption sessions may lead to demotion to the previous level for a period of time.

SEAL

SEAL Select Entry Extension and Enrichment Learning Program
Overview
Roxburgh College offers an Extension and Enrichment Learning Program (SEAL Program) for gifted and talented students who are characterised by an advanced capacity for learning and high standards of performance. The program provides academically challenging extension to the core curriculum, as well as access to extracurricular and service activities. Students will be selected according to the selection criteria and will be required to maintain ongoing commitment to the goals of the program throughout their years at the college.

The purpose of the SEAL program is to:
• Encourage excellence in intellectual, creative and academic areas

• Encourage leadership qualities and a sense of social responsibility

• Offer challenging extension activities to existing core programs including acceleration into VCE classes.

• Provide an enhanced environment encouraging students to develop their potential.

Student Selection

Students will gain entry into the SEAL program during their Grade 6 year through an application and testing process. Application forms must be submitted to the Transition Coordinator. Applicants will sit an aptitude test which will occur at the college as an entry into the program .

Program Requirements

Once selected into the program, SEAL students must fulfil the set requirements at each year level as indicated below:
• Maintain an exemplary attitude to learning.
• Maintain a GPA of at least 4
• Maintain an attendance record of 95%
• Year 10 students must do a VCE subject
• Students are highly recommended to select a LOTE subject from Year 9-12

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