This document summarizes an information evening for parents about TAS Middle School's Year 7 program. It discusses that middle school is designed for young adolescents undergoing rapid development, bridging primary and secondary school. It provides an overview of the homeroom structure, integrated curriculum, academic expectations around homework and assessment, and examples of subjects like English, HSIE and electives. It also outlines the school's offerings for co-curricular activities, sports, cadets and service learning opportunities.

1. Year 7 Information Evening
TAS Middle School
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School / 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

2. Why Middle School?
• Designed to meet the needs of young adolescents
• Period of rapid physical, emotional and intellectual
development
•Bridge between traditional primary and secondary
schooling
•Partnerships between school and home that
encourages growth and change in a secure
environment
Thursday, 14 February 13

3. Why Middle School?
• Homeroom-based
• Challenging, integrated and innovative
curriculum
• Key person to contact with any concerns
regarding your son
Thursday, 14 February 13

4. Staying connected
• Web page for every subject
• http://teams.as.edu.au/groups/middleschool/
• overview of learning aims and assessments
• homeroom page, student portfolios
Thursday, 14 February 13

5. TAS Middle School Year 7 Information Evening
Academic
expectations
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School / 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

6. Extension
• learning how to learn, cognitive and attitudinal
•faster pace, challenging content, negotiated
tasks
• self-directed learners
• requires commitment and engagement
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

7. Homework
• relevant, meaningful - consolidate and
develop skills and knowledge
•70 minutes plus 20 reading
• please contact me if students are struggling
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

8. Assessment
• 5-6 formal assessment tasks per year
• we recognise that at this age, students are
developing study skills and we help them by
providing scaffolding (providing clear steps to
succeeding at tasks) and revision assistance
• two formal examination periods T2, T4
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

9. English
• Term 1: “It’s All About Me” (Portfolio)
• Term 2: Truth, Justice and “The Hunger Games”
• Term 3: Shakespeare Study (King of Shadows)
•Term 4: Dickens in Film (Great Expectations)
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

10. HSIE and Geography
• Term 1: What is History?
• Term 2: Legacy of Ancient China
• Term 3: World Heritage
•Term 4: Geographical Environments
(negotiated research project)
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

11. TAS Middle School Year 7 Information Evening
Co-curricular
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School / 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

12. Co-curricular
• excursions (boys’ own adventure Pindari Dam)
•creative arts, debating, public speaking,
junior stage band, TAS singers,
Tournament of the Minds, da Vinci, Philosothon
•sport
•outdoor ed, Year 7 join cadet unit (C Company)
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

13. TAS Middle School Year 7 Information Evening
Service
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School / 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

14. Service and Leadership
• Community service (20 hours a year)
• Round Square - IDEALS - Junior Round Square
conference (Perth 2013)
•Service Projects (Fiji Year 8, International 9+)
•Exchanges (Year 10)
TAS / Presentation by Cindy Barnsley / TAS Middle School/ 12.02.2013
Thursday, 14 February 13

15. Thank you
Thursday, 14 February 13