Life Learning

The Middle School years represent a critical time in the lives of young adolescents and is an exciting and challenging period of rapid physical, intellectual and social transition and growth.

Spanning Years 6 -9, the Middle School provides a responsive environment that focuses on making connections, identifying passions and developing independent, motivated learners who emerge with the skills and confidence required to tackle the challenges of Senior School and life beyond school.

Students develop skills to be internationally minded, technologically adept and ready to become future leaders within their local and global community.

“We believe learning should be based in real-life application, allowing learners to engage with new areas of discovery and exploration.”

Our Middle School staff are committed to best practice and continually look for ways to engage the students, offering learning experiences which are real and relevant to all, and where the holistic development of the student is central to what occurs in and outside the classroom each day. The wellbeing of our adolescent learners is at the core of all learning and at the heart of the Middle School.

At Pedare, there are many opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, including a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, as well as our Outdoor Education experiences.

Year 9 students have the opportunity to apply for Student Leadership positions, including Middle School Captains, Community Captains, as well as Wellbeing, Global and Service Captains. In addition, Year 9 students participate in the Pedare Passage, a distinctive personal development and community service program that builds resilience, leadership, service and community connection as a culmination of their Middle School journey.

Approaches to learning

Spanning Years 6 -9, the Middle School provides a responsive environment that focuses on making connections, identifying passions and developing independent, motivated learners who emerge with the skills and confidence required to tackle the challenges of Senior School and life beyond school.

Students develop skills to be internationally minded, technologically adept and ready to become future leaders within their local and global community.

“We believe learning should be based on real-life application, allowing learners to engage with new areas of discovery and exploration.”

Our Middle School staff are committed to best practice and continually look for ways to engage the students, offering learning experiences which are real and relevant to all, and where the holistic development of the student is central to what occurs in and outside the classroom each day. The wellbeing of our adolescent learners is at the core of all learning and at the heart of the Middle School.

At Pedare, there are many opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, including a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, as well as our Outdoor Education experiences.

Year 9 students have the opportunity to apply for Student Leadership positions including Middle School Captains, Community Captains, as well as Wellbeing, Global and Service Captains. In addition, Year 9 students participate in the Pedare Passage, a distinctive personal development and community service program that builds resilience, leadership, service and community connection as a culmination of their Middle School journey.

Curriculum

Pedare’s Middle School offers all students the opportunity to engage in a curriculum that is challenging, dynamic and relevant to young adolescent learners.

A specially designed learning structure nurtures and supports students through the social-emotional challenges that accompany the adolescent years. Students engage in purposeful learning using multiple approaches that capitalise on, and meet, the diverse needs and experiences of Middle School students. 

The Middle School provides a curriculum, with wellbeing at its core, that is negotiated, integrated & interdisciplinary, differentiated and co-constructed. At Pedare, learning is a lifelong journey and not a destination

Our academic program delivers the Australian Curriculum, shaped by Pedare’s Guiding Principles and providing rigorous standards that foster skills, creativity and flexibility. Students grow towards self-reliance and responsible participation in society, with service, collaboration and preparation for a global future as strong features of our Middle School program. Students also engage with Pedare’s AICE framework (Agency, Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship), embedded throughout the Middle School curriculum.

Differentiated Learning

Differentiated learning programs ensure that all students are appropriately challenged. In all Middle School classrooms, each student is able to achieve success through flexible grouping, continuous feedback and assessment, a positive and strengths-focused learning environment and the provision of appropriate support.

Assessment focuses on student growth and development, including cognitive and non-cognitive measures that build a positive mindset about learning. Assessment practices provide opportunity for self and peer assessment, active monitoring and evaluation, effective feedback and goal setting.

We have a dedicated team of Diverse Learning staff who work alongside teachers to support students who require extra support or adjustments in order to access the curriculum.

Middle School Curriculum

Students in Year 6-9 study:

• Language and Literature (English)
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Digital and Design Technology (Robotics, Computer Programming, Food Technology, Product Design including use of 3D printers)
• Individuals and Societies (Humanities)
• Christian Life
• Language Acquisition (Mandarin Chinese or German)
• Health and Physical Education
• The Arts (Music, Drama and Visual Arts)
• SPARK (Innovation and student agency for Years 6, 7 & 8)

MIDDLE School Curriculum