Middle School Handbook Providing education for students in Years 6 to 8 Index Welcome to Middle School ......................................... Page 2 Why Middle School - Curriculum Overview ................ Page 3 Communication .................................................................. Page 4 Newsletter - TAS Talks ...................................................... Page 5 Subject Lists per Year Group ......................................... Page 5 Middle School Homework Policy....................................... Page 6 - 7 Co-curricular .................................................................. Page 8 Sport ........................................................................................... Page 9 Drama .............................................................................. Page 10 Music .............................................................................. Page 11 Public Speaking & Debating ......................................... Page 12 Cattle Team .................................................................. Page 13 School Clubs .................................................................. Page 13 - 14 Community Service ............................................................... Page 14 Round Square ........................................................................ Page 15 School Day ................................................................................. Page 16 Absence, Illness, Punctuality .......................................... Page 17 Casual Boarding ..................................................................... Page 18 Canteen and Boarders Lunches ............................. Page 19 School Uniform .................................................................. Page 20 Term Dates 2015 .................................................................. Page 21 Map of the School ................................................................. Page 22 Welcome to Middle School As I write this welcome message I’m energized by the thought of ‘heading up’ one of this country’s oldest Middle Schools and that in so doing I’m fortunate to be working with staff who specialize in that amazing area of middle years schooling. This is a time when young adolescents undergo phenomenal change in the ways that they think about school, their peers and their ‘place’ in relation to both. Accordingly, TAS Middle School is a metaphorical ‘bridge’ between childhood and adolescence and since this latter state is, in a number of ways, only a whisker away from adulthood, the way in which we minister to the needs and interests of young people necessitates the ability of staff to be sensitive to rapid changes in ‘being’ and critical thinking skills. The physical, emotional and academic dimensions of this period of growth are mutually dependent: they form the basis of all that we plan for and do in every aspect of the wider curriculum at TAS. The job is as challenging as it is enlivening, requiring the capacity to effect change in an environment that needs to be relevant, stimulating and also stable. The purpose of this document is to inform you about the ways in which we organize, manage and cater to these needs and interests of your children at this fascinating and, at times, frustrating juncture of their early adolescent lives at The Armidale School. Mr Mark Harrison Head of TAS Middle School Page 2 Why Middle School? Curriculum Overview The TAS Middle School curriculum offers a rich, challenging and stimulating program, designed to generate an enthusiasm for learning and instil the value of learning as a lifelong process. The curriculum aims to develop a strong foundation of skills, knowledge and understanding while meeting the unique needs of adolescent students in Years 6–8. Central to our philosophy is the belief that pupil motivation and self-esteem are undermined, not when too much is expected of them, but too little. Students need to be challenged by offering them an array of learning experiences, by setting high standards and by providing opportunities for students to be responsible and accountable for their learning. We believe that we will achieve this goal by providing a demanding, adventurous and well-balanced curriculum. Our Middle School is staffed by a team of talented homeroom teachers who are committed to working with this age group. Our Middle School program provides the means for students to experience a smooth transition from primary to the senior school in an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, stability, security and happiness. Page 3 Communication Contacting the Middle School - Telephone (02) 6776 5819 Parents may wish to leave a message at Middle School Office by calling (02) 6776 5819. Messages for teachers or students may be left there throughout the day. We will endeavour to deliver messages to staff and children as soon as possible. However, messages left in the afternoon may not always be delivered as the office is often unattended in the afternoons. As it is not possible for teachers to answer calls during class times, or they may have playground supervision during breaks, a message left at the Middle School Office will enable staff to return your call at a suitable time. Head of Middle School Year 7 Homeroom Teachers Mr Mark Harrison Mr Andrew Junge Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Middle School Boarding Housemaster Mrs Leasa Cleaver Email: [email protected] Mr Andrew Junge Ms Jayne Heagney Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Middle School Office Mrs Alison Evans Year 8 Homeroom Teachers Email: [email protected] Ms Fiona Taber Learning Support Email: [email protected] Mrs Regina Pollard Email: [email protected] Mr Edward Morgan Email: [email protected] Year 6 Homeroom Teachers Ms Colette Brus Email: [email protected] Mr Luke Polson (Semester 1) Email: [email protected] Mrs Alexandra Murray Mrs Kirsty Brunsdon Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] (Semester 2) Page 4 Newsletter - TAS Talks In order to keep you fully informed about what is happening in our School, we have a weekly newsletter, TAS Talks. • It is emailed on Wednesdays to parents on the TAS Talks mailer list. • TAS Talks is also placed on the school website each Wednesday and can be accessed via the Parent Portal. Please read it and add any dates, events and venues to your family’s calendar or diary. There may be tear-off responses required to assist with planning for forthcoming events. To join the TAS Talks mailer list, go to the following link and sign up. You will then receive the newsletter via email each week. http://www.as.edu.au/publications/tas-talks/tas-talks-sign-up/ Subject Lists per Year group Year 6 Year 8 English English Science Science Drama Mathematics Mathematics HSIE HSIE PDHPE PDHPE French French Japanese Japanese Music Music Drama Art Art Positive Education Positive Education Christian Development Christian Development Technology * Detailed overviews of each course can be found on the school website * Detailed overviews of each course can be found on the school website Year 7 English Science Mathematics HSIE PDHPE French Japanese Music Drama Art Christian Development Technology Positive Education * Detailed overviews of each course can be found on the school website Page 5 Middle School Homework Policy Homework benefits Middle School students by due, when students spend more time on their work. complementing classroom learning, fostering The best time to do this is often on weekends rather effective study habits and providing an than extending the amount of work completed on opportunity for students to be responsible for school nights. Students are also encouraged to read their own learning. It also enables parents to be widely throughout their years at TAS as this directly involved in their child’s learning and support impacts on their literacy levels and achievement in their academic development. many subjects. Our aim is for students to develop academic skills, The homework timetable (distributed to students knowledge and behaviours that will prepare them whenever a new timetable is issued) allocates a for the transition to senior school. For this to occur, number of subjects each night so that students, they need to have developed the ability to revise, parents, advisors and boarding house staff are aware study, organise their time and meet deadlines as well as of what students should be working on. Homework developing their skills in specific subjects. Our approach set on a Friday can be completed at any point over the of mandatory homework and the use of homework weekend. Homeroom teachers monitor the amount timetables and assessment calendars for Years 6 to of homework given to students and give feedback 8 are all aimed at developing these skills. to individual teachers when required. As a general guide, the total homework for a student Homework is to be valued by both students and on any one night should be approximately 10 staff. This requires the student to record homework, minutes per Year. For example, a Year 6 student would do their own work to the best of their ability and expect approximately 60 minutes of homework be punctual with its return. It requires the teacher on any night. There may be times in the year, for to check homework and give appropriate feedback. example in exam weeks or when major projects are Page 6 Middle School Homework Policy Cont. Recording Homework Assisting positive attitudes towards homework Students record homework in their TAS diaries in