How it will work
The Middle Years – Years 7 to 9
Middle Years is not a new concept. Some schools in the Territory have already adopted it and many teachers have the expertise to teach Middle Years students.
Students in the Middle Years have particular social, academic and emotional needs. While ‘traditional’ forms of teaching and learning have been successful for some students, other students feel that what they learn at school during these years is not relevant to their lives. As a group, these students are at high risk of becoming disinterested in learning and dropping out of school.
By implementing the Middle Years approach, students will find the ‘way they learn’ and ‘what they learn’ at school is more interesting and relevant to their lives. It will provide a stronger focus on individual needs with more hands-on learning, and a greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
During the primary school years students have a one-on-one relationship with their teacher. This changes when students move to high school and some students find adjustment to many teachers difficult. Under the Middle Years approach, students will progress smoothly from the primary years to the secondary years and students will be provided with the care and support that they need in this important phase of their lives.
The Middle Years approach aims to develop young adolescents to become independent, responsible and active citizens.
The Senior Years – Years 10 to 12
Year 10 is an important senior school year. It marks the beginning of progress towards the Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE). It is also a time for students to begin making choices about their learning pathways and future careers.
Grouping Year 10 students with Years 11 and 12 will give students greater access to subject choices, resources and expertise, as well as opportunities to learn with other senior students. They will also have opportunities to participate in Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs and subjects that count towards the NTCE. There will be an emphasis on career development and work experience in Year 10 for students to explore career pathways.
Year 10 students will be taught by teachers who have a strong understanding of the demands of Senior Years, giving them the guidance and preparation they need to succeed in the Senior Years.
Improving outcomes and completion rates for Year 12 students in the Territory is one of the Government’s major priorities. To do so, we need to better prepare Year 10 students for the range and depth of learning in the Senior Years.
The NTCE, in conjunction with the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), is under review. The review has highlighted the need for stronger links between Year 10 studies with the NTCE.
