Years 7-9
St Andrew’s Cathedral School is committed to best practice learning in the Middle School years. We recognise that the academic needs of students through this stage are varied and different from those in primary education and the final secondary years.
You may be interested in more about our Middle School curriculum
Further information
The teaching programmes at St Andrew’s Cathedral School aim to foster a passion for learning that will stay with our students throughout their lifetime. They aim to develop in individuals an understanding of themselves as valued children of God, with personal gifts to be nurtured, developed and engaged with, in such a way that the students are well prepared for life, able to enjoy it and able to contribute effectively to our school and the wider community. Our city location is a significant asset in our planning and development of learning opportunities.
Middle School academic and assessment guidelines
Families will be provided with separate Homework and Assessment Guides outlining the school Assessment Policy and other important information regarding assignments, homework and assessment tasks. To review these procedures please click here and it’s also available on the Parent Portal as it is updated. Parents should be aware that there is an expectation that students will do homework (either structured or unstructured, eg. wide reading) each weeknight.
The IB Middle Years Programme
For more information on the IB MYP, follow this link or contact Mrs Kate Layhe, Director of Learning (Middle School) klayhe@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
You may be interested in more about the IB Middle Years Programme at St Andrew’s
Getting ready for Middle School
The following tips will help students to thrive at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
Personal grooming and presentation:
- Dress and groom yourself neatly
- Take pride in your appearance as a St Andrew’s student
- Change from school uniform to sports clothes and back (without losing anything)
Bringing equipment to and from school:
- Pack bag, checking that you have all materials needed
- Use a student diary to record homework and other important information
- Bring a fully charged school laptop each day
- Organise a neat and tidy locker
- Read a timetable
- Bring the right materials to each class
- Organise subject material in your stationery packs
- Only bring labelled and named possessions to school
- Check St Andrew’s Cathedral School emails and Schoology every day
Getting to school and back home:
- Be at St Andrew’s House at 8.15am for an 8.25am move to classrooms
- Know the correct route to and from school and an alternative (if required)
- Obey transport rules regarding standing for adults and presenting as a positive St Andrew’s citizen
- Leave school for home at the end of the day – to arrive at an agreed time
- Remember home and parent phone numbers (personal phones can get lost)
- Have an emergency plan if transport is disrupted or delayed
- Adopt ‘City-Safe’ strategies as taught in Tutor Group
Excellent manners:
- Speak and listen to adults and peers with respect and politeness
- Listen to others and engage in conversation
- Work effectively in groups, making a positive contribution
General St Andrew’s Cathedral School requirements:
- Show respect and concern for others
- Prove trustworthy and reliable
- Cross streets safely at lights on ‘Walk’ signal only
- Respect teachers and peers, engaging in lessons enthusiastically
- Work with peers in groups or individually as required
- Respect school facilities and the St Andrew’s Cathedral School environment
To read more about transitioning to Middle School, please refer to our Year 7 Student Transition Booklet.
Middle School Study Centre
Achieving good results requires students to put in consistent effort throughout the year and not just at the end of the year prior to final assessments.
Rationale
Many Middle School students have not yet grasped the necessity for increased application to their school work in order to achieve strong results. There are many students with considerable academic potential who are hampered by poor organisational skills and poor study habits. Attention to these issues in a small group environment that is multi-disciplinary in focus should help to overcome these problems.
The Middle School Study Centre will most benefit students who:
- Need to improve organisational skills to maximise their academic potential
- Need more application to their class and homework
- Are highly motivated to improve their academic standing
- Have difficulty accessing academic support within their home environment
- Have significant commitments outside school and need a structured time for academic work.
Students participating in the programme must be prepared to work for the periods of time indicated in the programme. They will not be permitted to play games or disrupt the study of others.
| Programme Timings | Time |
|---|---|
| Afternoon Tea | 3.20pm-3.40pm |
| Programme | 3.40pm-5.30pm |
| Programme Structure |
|---|
| Plan Tasks for evening (in order) |
| Identify areas where assistance might be needed |
| Commence list of tasks |
| Access teachers for assistance where needed |
| Plan work for remainder of the week (home study centre) |
Fees
Approximately $250 per term for one session per week (prices vary each term) and includes afternoon tea and tuition.
Exact dates and fees will be published at the end of each term, via email. This will include the ‘trybooking’ link and opening date for enrolments. Please note, numbers are limited due to staffing requirements.
Attendance
Students will need to commit to attending a particular session for a whole term. Sessions will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Students are sometimes unable to make sessions due to illness or commitments. Please contact the Middle School Study Centre Coordinator if this is the case so that rolls can be kept accurately. Students are able to make up a missed day in the same week or a following week.
Venue
St Andrew’s House Middle School Library – Level 4.
St Andrew’s Cathedral School staff
The Middle School Study Centre Coordinator is Ms Alison Goodworth and can be contacted via email at agoodworth@sacs.nsw.edu.au. She has overall responsibility for the programme each evening. Staff assist in the delivery of the programme, providing advice on appropriate methods of response to tasks, advising on research techniques and the appropriate use of technology to present work.
Security
Students will not be allowed to leave the school premises between the finish of the school day and the start of the Study Centre programme.