Middle School
The academic program at Radford is designed to:
- Provide a purposeful, imaginative and enjoyable learning environment;
- Nurture student potential;
- Foster sound personal values and attributes; and
- Encourage an understanding and acceptance of Christianity as the spiritual and moral basis of life.
About the Middle School's Academic Program
Middle Schooling at Radford College (Years 5-7) is about engaging, focussing and sustaining the interests of young adolescents. It aims to celebrate the unique gifts and qualities of each child and prepare them for confident entry into the High School (Years 8-10). It emphasises values, collaboration and discovery in an supportive learning environment with staff who specialise in the middle years of schooling and appreciate the energy, humour, unpredictability, curiosity and imagination of young people.
Academic Program
Year 5 and 6 |
Year 7 |
Core Program
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Core Program
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One each semester:Languages:
For non-languages students:
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One each semester:Languages:
For non-languages students:
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Years 5 & 6 - Teaching and Learning Program
The Teaching and Learning Program in Years 5 and 6 is based on the following core values:
- increased opportunities for student-centred learning;
- an understanding of learning styles;
- gradual increase in academic rigour;
- learning approaches that reflect emerging adolescent needs; and
- a teaching style that assists in the development of autonomous learners.
The academic curriculum has been developed with a clear understanding of the transition and pastoral programs operating within the College. Class groups are chiefly taught by the tutor in the key learning areas. A gradual increase in exposure to specialists also occurs in these years and there can be some further grouping of students.
The classroom culture emphasises effort and co-operation rather than competition. Students study English, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society and Environment, Physical and Health Education, Religious and Values Education, Visual and Performing Arts and Languages Other than English (French/Japanese).
Years 5 and 6 Structure
The Academic Curriculum
- English (including drama)
- Mathematics
- Science & Technology
- Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)
- Languages Other than English (LOTE) (French & Japanese, one semester each)
- Art/Design
- Music (including dance/movement) & Drama
- Physical Education and Health (including dance/movement)
- Religious and Values Education - integrated into the curriculum
Year 7 - Teaching and Learning Program
The Teaching and Learning Program for Year 7 has been developed around a number of core values:
- An understanding of learning styles;
- That adolescence is a time of physical and psychological transition and demonstrable social and academic needs;
- That academic rigour promotes engagement in College life and facilitates effective learning;
- That student-centred, higher-order thinking will result in the development of autonomous learners.
In Year 7 classes are taught by a variety of specialist teachers, with three or four teachers covering several of the key learning areas. The Year 7 program continues the Years 5 and 6 pattern with classes in Mathematics, English, Science, Society and Environment, Religious and Values Education, Health and Physical Education, Design and Technology and Information Technology. In Year 7 all students continue to study Visual and Performing Arts and Languages Other than English (students study one semester of Japanese as well as one semester of French).
Your child's academic progress will be guided by one of the core Year 7 Teachers. Students in Year 7 have one or two extra teachers to those in Years 5 and 6, but not as many as in Year 8 (the first year of High School). By keeping the number of teachers in Year 7 to a minimum, we aim to smooth the transition into the High School for your child and create a situation where your child's academic progress can be monitored more closely and be communicated to parents and tutors.
The Academic Curriculum
- English (including Drama)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)
- Languages Other than English (LOTE) French & Japanese, (one semester each)
- Art, Design & Technology
- Music & Drama
- Physical Education and Health
- Religious and Values Education - integrated into the curriculum
Religious and Values Education -
Extra Curricular Academic Activities
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