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Middle School

The co-educational Middle School strives to encourage all students to become responsible global citizens, resilient, independent and lifelong learners. We aim to inspire all students to succeed by making informed decisions that promote their academic, social, emotional and physical growth.

At a stage where they are undergoing many physical, emotional and social changes, students in early adolescence have their own unique needs. Educationally, children have emerged from the directed learning environment of primary school, and are starting to think differently and in a more abstract, independent, way. Socially and emotionally, they are developing their own sense of self: no longer little children, but with many steps still to take on their journey to adulthood.

Recognising this, as a leader in the education of early adolescent students, TAS in 2000, established Middle School, a distinct academic and residential precinct for students in Years 6-8.  A rich, challenging and stimulating curriculum is designed to generate an enthusiasm for life-long learning, in a way that excites and engages 11-14 year old boys and girls. At the centre of our academic program is the view that English, Mathematics, History/Geography, Science and PDHPE, as core subjects, require prioritised teaching time and that all Middle School staff, regardless of their subject specialty, are teachers of the skills necessary to successful reading and comprehension skills so that each student is literate in all academic disciplines.

Following the successful implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in Junior School in 2017, the next strategic development in our academic vision was our application for IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidacy for Middle School. In 2020, TAS Middle School received full authorisation as an IB World School to deliver the MYP, with all subject areas in Year 6, 7 and 8 (MYP Year 1, 2 and 3) implementing the MYP framework, with our Year 8 students also participating in a Community Project. It is a journey that we are taking with students, staff and parents together, for the overwhelming benefit of our Middle School students. The NSW curriculum will still be at the heart of what is taught at Middle School, but the MYP changes how it is taught, encouraging a great level of inquiry, curiosity and exploration of the content as it is taught.

 

Luke Polson, Head of Middle School