Middle Years

Years 7-9 are a time of upheaval and change for young people as they navigate the next stages of their physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.  At Upwey High School we work hard to smooth the transition from primary school to high school and the subsequent transition from year to year by gradually exposing students to a broader range of subjects, experiences, and teachers.

Learning Commons and Teaching Teams

Our buildings and timetable/staffing are purposefully designed around Learning Commons. Each Learning Common has a devoted space and teaching space.  This becomes a home base as students spend at least 50% of their week within this environment.  The Learning Commons are equipped with kitchenettes that are accessible by students and their lockers are located close by.  The teaching team works hard with students to develop classroom and year level norms that create the foundation for a positive learning environment. These facets enhance the sense of safety for students and facilitate the development of positive relationships between students and staff.  Our aim is for every student to be very well known by at least 2 different teachers each year.  Each year level is led by a Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader who work with the significant teachers to develop and maintain a positive learning culture in the learning common.

Curriculum

Students undertake a core curriculum built around the eight learning domains of English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Health and PE, The Arts (Art, Music and Drama), Technology (including Digital Technology and Food Studies) and Languages.  As a school we offer both French and Japanese with students completing a semester of each in Year 7.  In Year 7 our students dip a toe in the water with their first elective choice through the Student Talent Program.  This is an enhancement program with students choosing from a range of offerings designed to stretch and challenge them in an area of passion or strength.

When students reach Year 8, the core program continues with a small increase in elective choice.  Students will have decided the Language they will study in Year 8 and 9 and they continue with the choices in the Student Talent Program.  They also choose an area of specialisation in Art.  In Year 8 students have their first exposure to the workshop in their study of Materials Design where they are able to design and build projects in the mediums of fabric, metal and wood.  Digital Technology is replaced by the study of Media in Year 8.

The core subjects continue throughout Year 9 as there is an increase in electives as students select three Art or Technology subjects for the year.  New Horizons is a class that Year 9 students take once a week. They work with their homegroup and significant teacher on personal development, the program includes The Resilience Project, Careers and Pathways Education, Leadership development and preparation for City Experience and adventure camps.

Inquiry Learning

At each level in the Middle Years students will undertake a major inquiry.  Students choose a research focus in line with the theme for the year level and complete a major research inquiry.  They learn various forms of research including accessing primary and secondary source material and collecting and collating data.  Students prepare a presentation of their learning and we celebrate their achievements in a showcase with families.

Experiential Learning

Early adolescence is a time to exploring your world and getting to understand who you are and who you want to become.  To support this, we build in a range of experiences for students.  Our students have access to the Yarra Ranges Tech School and will undertake a series of incursions and excursions where they can become immersed in the STEAM (Science, Maths, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and have access to the latest technology.  Learning to program robots, pilot drones and create designs for the digital printer or laser cutter are all accessible.

We know how much most students love a school camp, as a great opportunity to develop relationships with peers but also try things that sit outside our comfort zone.  High ropes courses, orienteering, surfing, abseiling, giant swings and flying foxes may feature in our Year 7 and 8 camps.  Our Year 9 camps step it up for students who are required to self-cater, camp outdoors and build skills around water (swimming, surfing, kayaking), bushwalking/hiking and bike riding.

Further information regarding Subjects and experiential learning for Middle Years students at Upwey High School can be found in the below handbook or by contacting the school directly.