Education Programs

Middle School (Years 6-9)

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Middle School (Years 6-9)

At Mannum Community College the Middle School caters for Years 6 to 9. Research shows that young adolescents have unique needs, so it is very important at this age to establish relationships with trusted, respected adults and feel part of a peer group. It is also important that students be given the opportunity to make choices and experience the demands of increased responsibility in a supportive environment.

As mentioned, Middle School needs to provide an environment where students experience challenge, structure and success. To enable this the school’s RIVER values of Respect, Integrity, Vitality and Responsibility are a focus, with each student expected to follow and demonstrate them regularly. As a sub-school we continually strive to improve and be flexible in our practices in-order to cater for the dynamic and changing needs of society, our community and importantly our students.

Class Structure

Currently the Middle School is comprised of 5 classes: two Year 6/7 classes, one Year 7/8 class, one Year 8 class and one Year 9 class. Where practicable the 6/7 classes, the Year 7/8 class and the Year 8 class are structured to enable the students to work with their Home Group teachers as much as possible and to spend Pastoral Care sessions with these teachers so that strong trusting relationships can be built and sustained. To further support our RIVER values and supportive environment, the Play is the Way program and activities underpin all interactions.

Excellence Awards

Excellence Awards coincide with the Middle School’s Push for Excellence. Teachers nominate students who have displayed positive behaviour and attitude under the following five areas:

Academic Excellence
Excellence in School Community
Excellence in Attitude
Organisational Excellence
Leadership Excellence.

Students must receive: Bronze (3 nominations), Silver (3 nominations), Gold (3 nominations), Champion (one nomination), Legend (one nomination) and Hall of Fame (one nomination) in each of the five areas to receive certificates. If students achieve one Hall of Fame in all areas they are awarded a badge; if they receive five in all areas they are awarded a medallion; and if they receive ten in all areas they are awarded a trophy. Recipients of Hall of Fame awards are recorded on the Hall of Fame Boards in the Middle School. All certificates and medallions are presented at Middle School Assemblies and/or Presentation Day.

Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum provides the framework for the curriculum taught in Middle School. The timetable meets the national curriculum recommendations for learning area variety and time, with Japanese fulfilling the LOTE requirement. Year 9 students also have the opportunity to choose some elective subjects that are determined by student choice and market demand for skills and employment opportunities. Further information on The Australian Curriculum can be found at www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.

Interviews

Parents are welcome to request an interview at any time throughout the school year. Alternatively they can email staff when the need arises or contact them via telephone. Teachers may also request interviews and contact families when needed. Communication is key to student success, therefore we welcome discussion and frequent contact.

Mannum Community College Choir

The Choir is a compulsory curriculum area for Year 6 students. The Choir practice with a choir trainer every Thursday with the goal of performing at the Festival of Music in Adelaide, the Regional Choir in Murray Bridge, and also performing with some of our musical instrument students for Community Groups.

Push for Excellence

Middle School commenced a ‘Push for Excellence” challenge in 2016 which is continuing. Our expectation is that every student strives to achieve their best, completes required work and demonstrates skills to move into the next year of schooling. If students in Middle School fail to submit required work, parents will receive written notification from the student’s teacher and Middle School Senior Leader (MSSL). If the failure to submit work continues, parents will be contacted by the MSSL with the request to meet to discuss the situation. If a student has a whole year of failing to submit work, and parents have had contact regarding the situation, the school will recommend that the student does not move into the next year of schooling.

Reports

Reports are sent home at the end of each term. In Term 1 and 3 reports teachers supply an A to E grade and a comprehensive comment for each learning area and Pastoral Care. At the end of term 2 and 4, reports contain final grades and indicators of student effort and learning dispositions. This format has been adopted in-order to keep parents and students informed of progress before final grades are given in most subjects at the end of each semester in terms 2 and 4.

The Canberra Trip

Biannually predominantly Year 9 students have the opportunity to visit our national capital and visit sites of significance. Students are given the opportunity to fly to Canberra so they can make the most of their time in this city.

Year 6/7 Adelaide Experience Camp

Biannually the Year 6/7 students have the opportunity to attend an Adelaide experience camp where they are taken to a range of locations to investigate aspects of our state capital. The camp is conducted over 3 or 4 days depending on accomodation availabilty.

Year 7 Aquatics

Year 7 students have an aquatics experience every year in term 4. The instruction is carried out over the course of two day trips to the Murraylands Aquatic Centre in Murray Bridge. Here students experience different forms of water sports and leisure actitivities in small groups. Experiences include: kyaking, sailing, rowing, knew boarding, skiing, fishing and small boat handling. Importantly students develop water safety and group skills and through experiencing new challenging activites their confidence soars.

Year 8/9 Eastern Zone Sport

Year 8/9 have the opportunity to extend their sporting experiences by participating in interschool sports events. Eastern Zone comprises of schools in our region competing in Netball, Soccer, Football and Frisbee in Terms 2 and 3. An aquatic event is held in Term 4 – usually surfing.