Years 5 – 8

Through a welfare-centred approach, RCC Middle School provides students with holistic, relevant and challenging learning activities that increases independence and equips with skills to navigate the opportunities and trials of adolescence.

Academic Curriculum

At RCC we believe that all Truth is God’s Truth. When Truth is sought, it will be found. Therefore, all students must be given the opportunity to be taught, to seek, and to find Truth. A student-centred, flexible and responsive pedagogical model provides for the needs and growth of the students. Therefore, learning and assessment is purposefully designed for feedback and growth.

RCC Middle School curriculum utilises core teachers in literacy and numeracy. All Middle School students have the opportunity to engage in a significant variety of subjects and begin to find their passions. In Years 5 – 8 this includes mandatory participation in subjects such Digital Design, Material/Wood Technology, Food Technology, Languages, Sport, Art, Drama, Music and much more. To increase authentic learning opportunities, student engagement and reduce academic load, RCC Middle School integrates assessment tasks where possible.

Christ-centred instruction is provided for all students through an incorporation of the overarching story of God’s love and grace for His creation into every unit of learning. In support of this, students engage in morning devotions and prayer as part of their Pastoral Care class. They are also explicitly taught the Bible as a text and its application to living once per week and participate in fortnightly Chapels.

Homework is used to both supplement learning and prepare for learning. It focuses specifically on the development and consolidation of subject specific content. In the Middle School homework expectations begin to increase in specific periods of the term. Expectations are clearly communicated with students and parents.

Access to Learning & Learning Environment

At RCC we believe that all students are created in God’s image, possess unique experiences, abilities and motivations that influence how they learn and are capable of learning well. Therefore, every child deserves the grace and opportunity to be understood, catered for, celebrated and faithfully taught to learn well.

Our Middle School is equipped with flexible furniture design to assist students in accessing a variety of approaches to learning. Furthermore, specialist classrooms support access to a variety of technologies necessary to enhance student’s learning, creating and responding to challenges in subject specific areas. Every student has access to a Chromebook to assist in accessing information and responding to learning activities.

An extensive Learning Support team provides every student with opportunities to maximise their learning potential. Students of all abilities are assisted to access the curriculum and grow in their knowledge, wisdom and skills. Extension opportunities are provided in the classroom that encourage a student’s ability to apply their knowledge with wisdom. Furthermore, selected students are also offered the opportunity to participate in Excellence programs in academics, creative and performing arts, sport and culture.

Individualised, additional support is provided to students with additional needs through Individualised Education Programs. Additional teaching time is afforded to students within and outside the classroom. Curriculum content, the learning environment, instructional and learning processes and outcomes are all adjusted as necessary. Student agency is a critical part of this process.

Pastoral Care

At RCC we believe that all students learn well when they are safe, connected, and belong so they can have the courage to make the mistakes that lead to true learning. Therefore, every student deserves the opportunity to listen, to be heard, to be challenged, to fail and to succeed.

RCC Middle School intentionally creates a culture of safety in classrooms and the school grounds. The pastoral care program intentionally addresses the needs of adolescent students to navigate social and personal changes and connect and participate safely in their physical and online worlds. Students engage in targeted incursion and excursions, camps, and pastoral care classes that assist them in these years.

Core Middle School teachers and students continually monitor and communicate with the school’s pastoral care team, including the Head of Middle School, the School Psychologist, the Learning Support Teacher, the Deputy Principal and the Principal to ensure all students are safe and belong. RCC teachers, students and parents find a sense of belonging in this safety that perpetuates courageous engagement in ‘mistake making’ teaching, learning and community.

RCC has a clear stance on inappropriate behaviour, including bullying. When we know, we act in partnership with students and parents, victims and perpetrators to eradicate the behaviour.

RCC’s chaplaincy program enhances its pastoral care for each student providing another avenue for student connection and support. The Chaplain assists with lunchtime connection activities, social mentoring and student support.

Contribution via Extra Curriculum

At RCC we believe that excellent education is the innovative kindling of a flame, lighting of a fire and teaching of one how to fish so that all students are students for a lifetime. Therefore, every student deserves the opportunity to contribute to their world though their talents and passions.

In addition to the delivery of the NSW curriculum, RCC offers opportunities for Middle School students to participate in a variety of activities that seek to foster their passions and confidence. These includes choir, drama, art, sporting gala days and representation, leadership, and educational tournaments and challenges.