Discovering strengths and interests
Years 7 to 9 at Xavier College mark a pivotal stage in students’ educational journey. Our middle school curriculum is designed to bridge the transition from primary school to senior secondary school, providing a dynamic and enriching environment where students can explore a diverse range of subjects to discover their unique strengths and interests wile maintaining a strong focus on the development of key capabilities.
Explore the middle years:
Core curriculum
Comprehensive and diverse learning
In middle school, students are immersed in a secondary school environment with dedicated subject teachers who specialise in their respective fields. Our core curriculum focusses on establishing the academic foundations for students to thrive in the senior years while also allowing students to explore various disciplines to engage their developing personal interests:
- Religious Education: Promoting spiritual growth, morality, compassion, social justice, care for the environment, intercultural dialogue and ethical understanding, our religious education program encourages students to reflect on their beliefs and values in line with a rapidly changing world within the context of the Catholic tradition.
- English: Focusing on the application of more complex literacy skills and developing critical thinking, English helps students become confident communicators in a range of contexts to prepare them for the demands of senior school and to engage with the world around them.
- Mathematics: Through a rigorous curriculum that builds on the foundations of numeracy established in primary school, students develop more sophisticated knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts, fluency in representation and procedures, and sound mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills.
- Science and STEM: Our exploration of science and STEM fosters students’ knowledge, curiosity, investigation skills and sense of innovation in the fields of chemical, physical and biological sciences through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based projects.
- Health and Physical Education: Focusing on promoting the aspects of a healthy lifestyle, students develop and apply their knowledge of physical fitness, teamwork skills and social, emotional and physical wellbeing strategies to ensure they have the conditions to flourish and thrive.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Integrating history, geography, civics and citizenship and economics and business, the humanities support students to develop their knowledge of the world around them, critical thinking and inquiry skills with real-world applications to ensure they become active citizens in a globalised world.
Specialist subjects
Broadening horizons
In addition to core subjects, students experience a range of specialist subjects through their middle school journey. The exposure to a wide range of subjects helps students to identify their gifts, talents, likes and dislikes in readiness for senior secondary subject selections. Specialist subject offerings may include:
- Visual Arts: Students develop their knowledge, analytical skills and artistic techniques through a range of physical and digital materials to communicate creative ideas.
- Drama: Students enhance their self-expression, confidence and collaboration skills with a focus on analysing and participating in dramatic performances.
- Design and Technology: Students engage in practical, hands-on projects with a range of materials to develop their design thinking processes and technical skills.
- Food Technology: Students develop their knowledge of nutrition and apply cooking skills and techniques to promote a healthy eating lifestyle.
- Italian: Students begin or continue the development of their linguistic abilities and cultural appreciation.
- Music: Students develop their musical talents with a focus on increasing their confidence with instruments of their choice and skills with using music technologies.
Extended learning opportunities
Beyond the classroom
To enrich learning, we offer numerous additional learning experiences:
- Special guest speakers, incursions and excursions: Students benefit from interactions with experts, visits to relevant sites and on-campus educational events, enhancing their understanding of the curriculum.
- Camps: Year 7 and Year 9 camps provide valuable opportunities for students to build lasting relationships with peers and educators, develop resilience and create lasting memories. These experiences are integral to personal growth and community building.
- The Rite Journey: In Year 9, students participate in this unique wellbeing program, which supports their transition from adolescence to young adulthood, focusing on self-awareness, responsibility and personal development.
- Extracurricular opportunities: Pursuing passions and developing skills, students have opportunities to engage in sporting teams, special interest clubs, performing arts productions and community service.
