TAS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Year 7, 2011: Information for Parents

The TAS Middle School curriculum offers a rich, challenging and stimulating
programme designed to generate an enthusiasm for learning as a lifelong
process. Students need to be challenged by offering them an array of learning
circumstances, 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.

The academic programme of EXTENSION CLASSES: COMMUNICATION:

Year 7 is based on NSW Board
of Studies Stage 4 (years 7-8) In Year 7,8, and 9 students are to We encourage parents to contact
curriculum. be divided into Extension classes us to find our more about your
for Mathematics, English, HSIE and son’s progress.
Science. These classes will have a You can contact me at any time by
In all classes, there is a strong faster pace of instruction and also a calling the school on (02)
emphasis on the development different style of instruction. 6776-5800 or by email:
of written and oral cbarnsle@as.edu.au
communication, nurturing in The aim is to offer ALL students an
each student confidence, appropriately paced curriculum You can also find out more by:
independence, critical-thinking while allowing for greater depth in
and inquiry skills. the exploration of issues, themes • reading the class wiki which
and ideas across the curriculum. has a detailed overview of each
Extension classes will be unit of work for every subject
ACADEMIC SUBJECTS: challenging and require maximum http://teams.as.edu.au/groups/
YEAR 7 effort and engagement. 07englishbarnsley2011/
Art HOMEROOM: •encourage your child to discuss
Christian Development their work posted on their online
English By Year 7, most children are portfolio with you
HSIE starting to become a little more http://mahara.as.edu.au/group/
French independent. While encouraging view.php?id=1
Japanese this independence is important, it is
Mathematics equally important to recognise that •regularly checking your son’s
Music young people of this age still diary where prep is recorded
Personal Development, require plenty of help to organise along with messages for parents
Health and Physical themselves. and guardians
Education (PDHPE) This is why the homeroom
French structure of TAS Middle School is • Reading TAS Talks, which is
Philosophy so important as is the partnership published every Wednesday. It
Science between students, parents and is available by email, school
Technology teachers. website or in hard-copy format
1
ENGLISH & HSIE 2011
What is the English unit called?
The first unit of study in Year 7
English (B) is called "Me, Myself
and I".
What are we looking at in this
Unit?
The first unit in Year 7 is a study of
autobiography and will provide
students with opportunities to write
about their own lives and their
goals for the future. During the
unit, students will answer the
question: "what makes me who I
am?"
Students will explore:
· what an autobiography is and the
difference between autobiography
and biography
· how writers draw on their own
knowledge, experiences, thoughts
and feelings
· timelines and family trees
· the difference between 1st and
3rd person narrative
· that both fiction and non-fiction
can be written in 1st or 3rd person
· what is meant by 2nd person
· what is meant by inferring
meaning/inference and perspective
· the origins and meanings of
several words
· the significance of people’s
stories and autobiographies
The unit will also include an
exploration of different learning
styles and students will learn to
evaluate how they learn, discuss
their strengths and weaknesses
and develop strategies for
improving their own learning
outcomes.
What is the first HSIE (History)
unit called?
The first History unit is called
“What is History?” and will be
followed by a study of Ancient
China.
What are we looking at in this
unit?
This topic introduces the nature of
History and the methods used by
historians to investigate the past.
Students will focus on the use of
primary and secondary sources to
gather evidence to answer
questions about the past and to
understand historical and heritage
issues. Students should begin to
comprehend and express
themselves in the particular
language of History.
We will explore the following
questions:
• How do historians investigate
the past?
• Why is conserving our heritage
important?
The aim of this Stage 4 History is
to introduce students to aspects of
world history, including the
contribution of past societies to our
understanding of the present.
What are we trying to achieve?
Year 7 is an important year during
which students will develop their
literacy skills (reading, writing,
viewing and responding) and will
be introduced to a range of writing
styles, including analytical and
creative writing. Students will also
explore a number of different
genres including science fiction
and mystery writing.
In History, students will develop a
range of historical skills including
being able to:
• sequence events within the
specific period of time
• use historical terms and
concepts in appropriate
contexts
• identify primary and secondary
sources
• distinguish between fact and
opinion
• examine the actions, motives,
values and attitudes of people
from the past
• draw conclusions about the
usefulness of sources for an
historian
• identify perspectives of
different individuals and
groups.
During each unit, students will
practise writing more in-depth
responses as well as revising
basic spelling, grammar and
punctuation.
We use a range of assessment
strategies that meet the diverse
needs of students and encourage
creative and critical thinking. In
assessment tasks, our aim is to
provide students with opportunities
to take risks and to extend
themselves intellectually and
emotionally.
How will we measure success in
each unit?
Students' success will be
measured by their ability to
understand and write about a
range of different types of texts.
They will also share their
developing understanding of
concepts and literary forms and
features in visual and oral tasks.
Assessments are designed to
allow students develop their
thinking and communication skills,
to reflect on their successes and
learn from their mistakes.
Where does prep ‘fit in’?
Prep is a vital part of the learning
process and it is important that
students complete all homework
tasks in preparation for major
assessments and classroom
activities. Regular reading and
revision of key concepts is a key
way that students can build in their
skills. It is also vital that students
develop regular study patterns that
will prepare them for success in
senior high school.
How can you assist your child?
You can assist your child by asking
questions about work they are
doing in class and getting your son
to show you his work on the class
website. Regularly reading to your
child or having him read to you is
an important way to help create an
environment where wide reading
and literacy development is
encouraged.
History is the
only laboratory
we have in
which to test the
consequences
of thought.
- Etienne Gilson
 COMMUNITY SERVICE
Students in Middle School are encouraged to perform
20 hours of Community Service a year. We make a living by what
Students’ commitment to Community Service is an
important aspect of their learning and helps them
we get, but we make a life
develop a greater sense of self-worth and confidence by
helping others and developing links with the wider
by what we give.
community. Winston Churchill

There are a range of programmes that are organised by

the school including:
•Red Cross Calling
•Clean Up Australia
•Relay for Life
•Round Square service projects or
•internal projects such as table waiting at formal dinners
and fundraisers, junior school functions, car parking.
Students are also strongly encouraged to devise their
own community service projects and participation is
recorded each term by the homeroom teachers.
Students must have their service approved and
recorded in their diary. This is then transferred to the
school database.
Some requirements include that:
•The student must volunteer
•The student must NOT receive money to complete the
task
•The Community must benefit NOT an individual or
business
•Community service may be assistance given to those
who are unable to complete a task due to illness, age or
disability

ROUND SQUARE Internationalism

Democracy

Empowering youth to Environment

become committed Adventure

responsible global citizens. Leadership

Service

Round Square...the oxymoron that unites 60 international schools. It is an association of schools that share a
commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge,
adventure and international understanding.

It is based on the educational philosophy of Dr Kurt Hahn who was associated with Salem in Germany and
Gordonstoun in Scotland. He believed that an individual's potential could be realised by an all-round education which
extended the student intellectually, spiritually and physically.

The six pillars of Round Square are International Understanding, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership
and Service.

TAS joined the Round Square in 1998 and is now a very active member. Our students enjoy the benefits derived from
attending, junior, regional and international conferences.

They are also enriched by the inflow of exchange visitors who bring with them the views and values of other cultures.
Our students return from exchange with new perspectives on society, education and the world.

There is an annual Junior conference (available to Years 7 and 8) hosted by a regional school for around 4 days.
Each conference addresses a theme, completes a service component and allows time for group discussion on
various issues. There is also time for socialising, reflection and personal growth and provides an avenue to secure
real friendships between students and schools.