Middle Schooling Head of Department: Gerry Madden Phone: 3350-0376 Email: gmadd2 @eq.edu.au

Students in Years 8 & 9 are considered to be in the Middle Phase of Learning. Our aim at Wavell State High School is to ensure our students move through this phase of learning successfully and emerge into the Senior School as engaged, independent learners focussed on achieving life goals. Reward and recognition of student excellence is a key feature of life in the Middle school at Wavell. Student success is both acknowledged and celebrated creating a motivated classroom environment.

Our Middle School learners at Wavell are faced with high expectations in terms of uniform, behaviour and academic performance. Our school values and encourages traditional principles in relation to presentation of students and our classroom environment. This is communicated regularly to students and processes are in place to support students who face difficulties.

Students in the Middle Phase work a traditional timetable structured around the 8 Key Learning Areas together with the Wavell Development Program which offers students an opportunity to develop skills around Personal Development and Life Skills. Wavell State High School places an emphasis on the ‘9 Values of Australian Schooling’ by focussing on 1 value per term over 9 terms of schooling. Students learn about the individual values as focussed lessons together with discussions with teachers in subject areas, supported by newsletter articles and extra activities developed by staff and students.

The Wavell Development Program (WDP) is a timetabled 35 minute lesson that includes Induction to Wavell (Yr 8), Values Education (Yr 8 & 9), Study Skills (Yr 8 & 9), Friendships (Yr 8), Career Education (Yr 9), Sex Education (Yr 9), Camp Preparation (Yr 8), Religion (Yr 8 & 9) as well as discussions on various Personal Development and Social issues as they arise. Year 9 students also participate in formal Year 9 Assemblies during WDP time once per month to enable specific Year 9 issues to be discussed. Year 8 formal Assemblies occur within their normal timetable. Year 8 & 9 Assemblies focus on rewards and encouragement of students, public speaking through Form Reports, together with support from the Years 8 & 9 Deputy Principal and the Junior School Co-ordinator.

Middle Phase Students at Wavell experience:

• A traditional curriculum based on Key Learning Area’s
• Class sizes commensurate with ability in core areas – (small classes(8-15) are offered to students requiring support)
• Support programs based on student needs – academic, emotional and behavioural
• Common teachers for multiple subjects where possible (eg. Form Teacher & SOSE)
• Opportunities for Leadership within the Middle School through nominating for positions such as Year 9 Junior Leaders, Year 8 & 9 Class Captains and Student Council Representatives
• Regular Rewards and Encouragement through awards on assembly and letters home to parents after formal reporting periods
• Extensive exposure to extra curricular activities – academic, cultural and sporting including entry to various local, state and national competitions
• A 3-day Year 8 Camp in June each year aimed at building relationships with both fellow students and staff, personal challenge and teamwork
• A distinct Year 8 area within our school environs where Year 8’s can gather at lunchtimes that is free of students from other year levels
• Year 8 inter-form competitions – Newcomb, Dodgeball, Netball, Debating, Poster competitions

Our teachers:

• Establish high expectations with students in classes in terms of learning, behaviour, attendance and uniform Structured supported learning in Year 8 moves through to independent working in Year 9 where critical analysis of own work is encouraged.
• Challenge and extend students through entry to competitions in Maths, Science and English
• Make targeted use of information technologies across the curriculum
  Utilise key personnel to provide support and guidance for students ‘at risk’

Primary Links

Our primary schools are a key to our success. Wavell creates and fosters links with our primary schools in many ways:

• Invitation to Wavell Open Day
• Year 7 enrolment talks in July each year by HOD-Middle Schooling, School Administration and selected students
• Wavell for a Day program involving 2 students from each primary school experiencing a day at high school and reporting back to their primary school
• Middle School Problem Solving Challenge – a Maths/Science/Technology teams competition organised annually by Wavell SHS for Middle Phase Learners
• Literacy Olympics – an English & The Arts competition for Middle School Learners
• Displays of Student Debating
• Junior Leader formal and informal talks with Year 7’s
• 5,6,7,8,9 instrumental music band – on display at Orientation day each year
• Rugby league competitions and coaching sessions with Primary School students

Role of Parents

Wavell State High School encourages parents to be involved in the education of their young adolescent. There are numerous ways that parents can stay connected to their student and the secondary school they attend. Research has shown that becoming involved in your child’s education sends a very strong and positive message about the importance of education to your child.

At Wavell State High School, parents can stay involved by:

• Working voluntarily at the school tuckshop, bookshop or uniform shop
• Volunteering as a tutor in our Wavell Enrichment Program
• Becoming a member of our School Council or the P & C
• Attending ‘days’ such as – Parents Day at Wavell, Awards Ceremonies
• Supporting our Dance nights, School Musical, Music Productions or Sporting Events
• Reading and discussing our fortnightly school newsletter
• Keeping our Wavell Calendar in a prominent position and looking ahead with your student
• Attending Parent/Teacher interviews, Year 8 Parent night, Subject Selection nights
• Contacting teachers whenever a problem/issue arises
• Assisting your student early in Year 8 with organisational requirements of high school, packing correct books, reading their timetable, ensuring they are wearing the correct uniform, providing an environment at home conducive to study.

Homework & High School – Advice for Parents

1. Student Diary and Handbook – A Students’ Major planning tool!!!

• Spend ½ hour reading/examining diary
• Check nightly – is your child writing in it? Four lessons daily.
• When student receives Assignment:

Students to record: 1. in Forward Planner (in front p. 4 & 5)
2. in Assessment Calendar (p8 & p9)
3. in week that is due – IN RED BIRO
4. “to do” list week before – as a reminder

• Sign every week.

2. Student Timetable for Parents - highlight subjects where homework should be given – check with child.

3. Homework completed away from distractions – TV/computer. Check to see what he/she is doing every 20 minutes.

4. Homework – 1 ½ hours (minimum) nightly – includes assignment research student must do. Student works out when the 7 ½ hours will be done and writes on paper – put on fridge. If there is no homework then commence summarizing/revision for exams. Daily reading (silent and aloud) is essential.

5. Week 2, 3, 4 of school year - phone a different teacher to:
a. introduce yourself;
b. check how things are going (8:30 a.m. is the best time)

6. Look at notebooks (once weekly) – 11 subjects – but all don’t have notebooks. (8 as a general rule.) Assist your student in organising books for the next day until they become independent. This should be done at night.

7. To check activities:

• fortnightly blue school newsletter
• calendar

8. Examine the time he/she is spending on:

• school
• work
• sport
• leisure – is education #1?
• Has he/she sufficient time to spend on schoolwork?
• Does he/she have time to enjoy themselves?

9. RESOURCES – has he/she:

• all textbooks?
• ID card?
• all equipment – pens/ruler/ books, etc.

10. BEING A PARENT IS A CHALLENGING AND REWARDING TASK – UNFORTUNATELY, there are no books of instruction or dress rehearsals for our most precious children!