Year 7-10

The drive for the St Virgil's College Middle School teaching philosophy is centred on relationships, liberated education and enriching life experiences.

This teaching philosophy evokes deep learning through critical thinking, collaboration and relevant, real-world examples. Our boy friendly teaching environment is nestled within the framework of the Australian Curriculum and with our boys at the centre of our learning model, we have moved away from traditional classroom instruction towards a more holistic learning experience.

Pedagogies that support deeper learning include personalised curriculum, collaborative learning, STEM activities and project-based inquiries. We aspire to deliver an educational program that increases educational outcomes by presenting our students with a curriculum that is relevant, challenging and engaging. We cater to the diverse learning needs of all boys. We believe that the key to success is celebrating relationships at the centre of all that we do and with this in mind, we limit the number of teachers that Middle Years learners engage with.

Literacy is an integral part of every student's learning across the curriculum. As a school we have developed independent subjects of Literacy and Literacy Intervention to cater for a differentiated population of students. Boys are provided with a safe and supportive learning environment; while differentiated tasks are implemented based on a developmental continuum, allowing all students to access the curriculum at their level.

Literacy across all year levels aims to:

Equip all students with a repertoire of communication skills which will allow them to be proficient communicators for the workforce.

Equip all students with a repertoire of communication skills which will allow them to engage effectively with others on a range of levels, recognising that literacy is a life skill.

Equip students with the skills to communicate more effectively across a wide range of texts including ICT.

St Virgil’s recognises the causal link between literacy levels and overall academic achievement. Our goal is for every boy to move along the developmental continuum, allowing them to reach a level that enables them to be confident and competent communicators.

St Virgil’s College has the person and charism of Edmund Rice at the centre of our college story. St Virgil’s College has a compassionate emphasis on social justice: we strive to value and empower those who are marginalised.

Students are given the opportunity to take part in several charitable initiatives, both those working within the local community and those with an international focus.

In the subject of Religion students learn of the Catholic view of the world that emphasises service, empathy, compassion, and moral and ethical reasoning.

Participation in Edmund Rice Camps is also encouraged within the College.

Mathematics

At St Virgil's College students study Australian Curriculum Mathematics as a compulsory specialist subject in Year 7, 8, 9 and 10. The Mathematics program also includes opportunities to explore personal interests and/or extension through our elective program in Year 9 and 10, including the opportunity to study Mathematics Methods Foundation as a pre-tertiary subject in Year 10. Our Year 10 programme is built around ensuring our students are on the correct pathway to the level of mathematics their chosen futures require.

Our approach to teaching Mathematics is to recognise the fundamental concept that the subject is about recognition, description and application of patterns within the areas of Number, Measurement, Geometry, Chance and Data. By practicing skills to consolidate understanding, analysing information coupled with problem solving and the communication of solutions to these problems, students learn to appreciate how Mathematics is applied to in everyday lives within our society.

Our aim is to ensure that all students are equipped with basic numeracy skills while also encouraging the individual development of students based upon their interests and abilities.

At St Virgil’s we follow the Australian Curriculum for Science and also have an extension science program for year 10.

The Years7, 8, 9 and 10 program consists of four main units of work (Earth and Space, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) taught over the year with integrated project and problem-based learning units.

In Year 10, students are given the opportunity to extend themselves in Extension Science, covering a pathway to each of the Year 11-12 Science courses.

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMS) at St Virgil’s College embraces a suite of core subjects comprising History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business.

HUMS also includes several Electives which boys can choose to study in Year 9 and 10. The underlying philosophy of this elective program is providing a clear and structured pathway for our students. HUMS Electives include Geography, Introduction Psychology and Sociology, Business Studies, Aboriginal Studies, and Legal Studies.

As the subject name suggests, HUMS is about developing those skills and sensibilities of students which are used to make them responsible citizens able to live full and rewarding lives in a society characterised by change and technological advancement.

Students at St Virgil’s College are offered a number of opportunities to engage with and experience the Arts to foster creativity, personal interpretation and expression. Practical in nature, the Arts provides opportunities to tap into individual differences in learning styles, personalities and ability levels while challenging students to develop their perceptions, creativity, reflective and critical thinking skills.

At St Virgil’s, the Arts subjects are largely practical with a theory component.

Visual Art

Visual art and design are a means of communication using images and objects. Ideas, experiences, feelings and imaginings can be expressed through art using a range of techniques and forms.

Through the study of Visual Art at St Virgil’s, students are given opportunities to create art and gain an understanding that:

• Art is a visual form of communication.
• Art evokes a response and creates a dialogue.
• Art gives and shares meaning.
• Art provides an alternative means of expression in both two- and three-dimensional form.
• Art can challenge and influence society.

Drama

Drama uniquely explores and communicates the human condition through the enactment of real and imagined worlds. Drama responds to our need to share and enact stories, and create and make meaning across cultures, times, places and communities. Through a process of creating, performing and responding, students work collaboratively as drama makers through movement, voice and characterisation. Students learn to think, move, speak and act with confidence. In making and staging drama they learn how to be focused, innovative and resourceful, and collaborate and take on responsibilities for drama presentations. They are excited by exploring their imagination and taking risks in storytelling through role and dramatic action.

Music

Music exists distinctively in every culture and is a means of communication. Ideas, experiences, feelings and imaginings can be expressed through music using a range of techniques and forms. Through continuous and sequential music learning, students are given opportunities to listen to, compose and perform with increasing depth and complexity. Students are given opportunities to learn, develop skills and perform using musical instruments in both ensembles and as a soloist.

At St Virgil’s College, music is largely practical with a theory component. All students in Year 7 undertake the study of Music through a year long course. Students in Year 7 explore a variety of instruments in the classroom. In combination with this, students are introduced to music technology. Involvement in co-curricular ensembles is encouraged to continue their development of skill on instruments they have previously (or currently) played.

All students in Year 8 undertake the study of Music through a semester long course. Similar to what is offered in Year 7, students in Year 8 explore composition using music technology. In combination with this, involvement in co-curricular ensembles is encouraged to continue their development of skill on instruments they have previously (or currently) played.

In Year 9 and 10, students who undertake Music are delving into aspects of music they show a strong interest in. Analysing their favourite songs, composing individual and group pieces of music, exploration of music technology. They have the opportunity to form instrumental groups as part of this classroom experience (for example a rock band or other instrumental ensemble).

Students are also able to have private or shared music lessons with visiting specialist teachers in a range of instruments. Please refer to the College website under ‘Music Tuition’ for more details.

Media

Media Arts involves creating representations of the world and telling stories through communications technologies such as television, film, video, newspapers, radio, video games, the internet and mobile media. Like all art forms, Media Arts has the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, exciting the imagination and encouraging students to reach their creative and expressive potential.

As an art form evolving in the twenty-first century, Media Arts enables students to use existing and emerging technologies as they explore imagery, text and sound and create meaning as they participate in, experiment with and interpret diverse cultures and communications practices.

In an increasingly complex, sedentary and rapidly changing world, our students not only need to be able to cope with life’s challenges, but also to flourish as healthy, safe and active citizens. Health and Physical Education is an essential component of the curriculum that focuses on the holistic wellbeing of the student, that is, the physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of health. It is our aim to ensure our students are health literate and physically literate.

In the Health program, students cover the following focus areas – food and nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, health benefits of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing, relationships and sexuality, and safety. In the Physical Education program, students cover challenge and adventure activities, games and sports, lifelong physical activities and rhythmic and expressive activities.

Health and Physical Education also offers a very diverse range of elective subjects to provide Year 9 and 10 students an introduction to what is offered at College level, and/or a greater experience in fitness, sport or adventure based subjects. These include Athlete Development, Outdoor Education, Recreational Leadership, Introduction to Science of Sport, and Science of Sport.

Students who study Chinese in Years 7–8 at our college will develop valuable communication skills in one of the world’s most widely spoken languages while gaining insight into Chinese culture, history, and traditions. They will build confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and learn how language shapes the way people view the world. Studying Chinese at this stage also strengthens problem-solving and memory skills, fosters intercultural understanding, and opens pathways for future study, travel, and global opportunities.

Each year, an Outdoor Educational Camp for Year 7 students is held early in early in Term 1 as part of the College's 'New Beginnings' Orientation Program. The camp serves as an icebreaker for Year 7 students entering the College while helping to develop a sense of unity among the year group. The aim of the Outdoor Education Adventure Camp is to promote the personal development of each student and allow participation by students in practical activities, both as an individual and as a valued member of a group.

During Year 8 to 10, students have many other opportunities for outdoor education experiences and skill development. In Year 8 and 9, students participate in single day trips and overnight experiences in small groups.

In Year 9 and 10 Outdoor Education is an elective subject within the curriculum which provides students with a pathway through to Year 12 (TASC) studies.

The following rules apply all camps, as well as to all Outdoor Education classes:

Actions must be safe.

Actions must be fair.

Actions must reflect well both on the students and College.

Digital Technologies at St Virgil’s College aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure students can individually and collaboratively succeed in a modern world. They are encouraged to design, create, manage and evaluate innovative and sustainable digital solutions to meet and redefine future needs. Computational and abstract thinking are taught to enable students to create meaningful digital solutions.

Currently, Digital Technologies is taught to Year 7 and 8 students as a mandatory subject, focusing on the Australian Curriculum standard.

For Years 9 and 10, students have optional subjects available which focus on Engineering Design, as well as the Year 9/10 band of the Australian Curriculum. Year 9 students can enrol within the semester-based “Digital Factory” class, which focuses on creative and interactive uses of computers and modern technology. Year 10 students have 2 electives, including “Digital Technology” and “Engineering Design”, both of which focus on practical and theoretical components to equip students with the skills and knowledge that will be beneficial for a STEM pathway. Through practical and research tasks, students develop skills and confidence in dealing with existing and emerging technologies and understand their application to work, leisure, and communication.

Food Technology

Food Technology at St Virgil’s involves the exploration and understanding of food; its role in health and wellbeing; how it can be prepared/made; social and safety issues and how technology impacts on food and career opportunities relating to food.

Food Technology involves practical experiences in the process of designing, making and evaluating foods/food products, using technology and skills. At St Virgil’s, Food Technology is largely practical with a theory component. All students in Year 7 and 8 undertake the study of Food for a third of each year. In Year 9 and 10 the study of Food Technology becomes an option as part of the semesterised and full year elective programmes.

Design & Technology

Design and Technology at St Virgil’s involves the exploration and understanding of materials and processes, with a focus on creativity, problem-solving, safety, and the practical skills required to design and construct products. Students engage in hands-on experiences where they design, make, and evaluate projects using wood, metal, and a range of tools and technologies. At St Virgil’s, Design and Technology is largely practical with a supporting theory component. All students in Year 7 and 8 undertake compulsory study in both Wood and Metal across the year. In Year 9 and 10, the program expands into elective options, where students can choose to study Automotive Systems, Graphics and Design, Design in Wood, or Design in Metal as part of the semesterised and full-year elective offerings.

We believe that regular homework reinforces school learning, establishes good study habits, and develops of skills in revision, research and organisation. It encourages independent learning and presents students with a chance to take responsibility for their learning.

Homework is set to supplement and complement work done in class. It is an integral part of each student’s work and can cover areas of research, consolidation and revision.

Homework may involve:

• doing set work,
• completing assignments,
• reading a novel,
• studying for a test,
• researching a topic
• doing search on the internet,
• revising current class work from texts and exercise books,
• developing skills by ongoing practice such as mathematical tables.

Homework tasks should be recorded in the student’s diary on a regular basis, and it is the parent’s responsibility to sign the diary and check that homework has been completed. Parents should communicate with teachers if concerned about any aspects of homework.

It is recommended that students allocate the following amounts of time to homework:

• Year 7 - About one hour per night and occasional weekend work
• Year 8 - About one and half hours per night and occasional weekend work
• Year 9 & 10 - About two hours per night and weekend work, usually necessary depending on subjects

Parents should be aware of the potential danger of their sons becoming over-committed to sport, part-time employment or other activities. It is important that students develop a balanced lifestyle that allows time for study, sporting activities or other exercise, and recreation.