Years 7 to 9 are a period of transition for students, as they cross the bridge between primary learning and their senior school years.
Years 7 to 9 are a period of transition for students, as they cross the bridge between primary learning and their senior school years.
Our Middle School is a caring, secure and welcoming place where students develop the confidence they need to successfully learn and develop. Recognising that students in this age group are experiencing a period of self-discovery, our Middle School program is structured and supportive, while at the same time catering to students’ increasingly individual interests.
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A comprehensive transition program begins in Year 6 and the School along with student’s respective tutors are in regular communication with families throughout the settling-in period. Our Year 7 students have their own dedicated ‘home’ in the Year 7 Precinct and meet daily with their tutor, who is the main carer during their first year of secondary school. They also attend an Outdoor Education camp early in the year, with a focus on pastoral development, and helping to establish positive relationships with their peers and teachers.
Our Middle School philosophy and practice is to ensure that every Middle School student is engaged in their learning. This means they are actively listening, watching, reading, thinking, making, speaking, performing and writing in a manner that indicates they are focused on, and interested in, their studies. The learning program is relevant, engaging and inspiring. Our curriculum is designed specifically to capture the interest and imagination of students at this stage in their learning journey, and it’s taught by dedicated teachers with a passion for the middle years.
Middle School Curriculum
Beyond the Middle School Curriculum, there is a wide range of co-curricular activities and competitions for our students to be involved in. We offer opportunities in Sport, Outdoor Education, Performing and Visual Arts, Leadership and Community Links. As well as a wide range of inter-school academic competitions across maths, science, information communication technology, humanities, problem solving, debating and public speaking are available to Middle School students.
Middle School Co-curricularWe set high expectations with regard to academic rigour and encourage our students to think of themselves as learners and thinkers. Strong teacher-student relationships mean our students feel comfortable seeking assistance, and understand why they are learning specific content, concepts and skills. Our teachers also seek feedback from students at various points throughout the year.
The Middle School program takes our Middle School students beyond the four walls of their classroom to reinforce their learning and to challenge their thinking. The traditional, classroom-based delivery of the curriculum is complemented and enhanced by the Inquiry Model of learning. Together, these two educational approaches encourage and empower our students to think independently and to develop a large range of skills needed for independent learning, which is so important beyond Year 9.
| Fees per Annum | Fees per Term | Composite Fees per Annum | Composite Fees per Term | |
| Year 7 | $28,456 | $7,114 | $1,664 | $416 |
| Year 8 | $29,644 | $7,411 | $1,640 | $410 |
| Year 9 | $32,100 | $8,025 | $1,640 | $410 |
Middle School is such a special place, where students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of fantastic experiences both inside and outside the classroom. We pride ourselves on offering a unique and varied program that caters to the diverse interests of young people. Students are encouraged and challenged to step outside their comfort zones and celebrate personal successes along the way. As Australian Olympian Cathy Freeman once said, ‘Hard work, resilience, and belief in yourself are the keys to success. You don’t get anywhere without putting in the effort.’ I am very much looking forward to seeing the engagement and growth of all Middle School students.
- Mrs Fiona Harper, Head of Middle School
Middle School (Years 7 - 9)
Supporting students to explore emerging interests and develop their unique talents is critical during the middle school years. At Yarra Valley Grammar, we nurture each individual while keeping them engaged and challenged.
Our rich and varied Middle School curriculum enhances traditional academic subjects with relevant real-life studies such as personal finance and social entrepreneurship. We take students beyond the classroom and into the community through experiential learning and co-curricular activities catering for all interests and strengths, such as Community Links, Performing Arts and Saturday Sport.
Our focus in Years 7 to 9 is enabling each student to become the best version of themselves at home, school and in the community, while laying strong academic foundations for their senior years. The result is engaged and connected young people who grow in confidence as they take more control of their learning, encouraged by exceptional teachers and support staff.
Inquiry-based learning across many disciplines helps our Middle School students to identify their passions and find their superpowers, while developing the independence, commitment and organisation required for VCE studies.
A holistic approach puts students of all abilities and interests on a path to reaching their academic and social potential. Empathy and creativity are encouraged and developed by programs that challenge them to leave their comfort zone, but also care for their health and wellbeing.
To achieve all this a smooth transition from Junior School, and later into Senior School, is critical. Our comprehensive 12-step transition program begins prior to high school. Year 7 students have their own dedicated precinct, a tutor (homeroom teacher), and a strong pastoral care system. Early that year, an Outdoor Education Camp helps to establish positive relationships.
Horizons expand in Year 8 through programs such as ESTEAM, which uses hands-on projects such as robotics and running a catering business to inspire a love of engineering, science, technology, enterprise, art, and maths. Passions are ignited and connections made as students find the right fit for them.
Year 9 introduces a vast array of electives across science, technology, the arts, community involvement and outdoor and physical education. Among other things, students can choose to study media, architecture, interior design, engineering, accounting, psychology, and even song writing.
To enhance their world view and encourage good citizenship, our Link@9 program modules cover the likes of world religions, diversity, personal pathways and social. Students have the opportunity through Link@9 to visit different places of worship and start considering their personal pathways. They also enjoy a week navigating the city.
Tutors and the Pastoral Care team support our Middle School students every step of the way and help them to choose subjects that reflect their strengths, interests, and goals. Year 9 also presents numerous leadership opportunities across several areas including Houses, art, debating, media, and music.
Years 7 to 9 is a time for students to have fun while learning about who they are and what they can contribute to their School and beyond. Our Middle School students grow and develop as individuals and as members of their community, becoming their best self as they enter Senior School.
