Middle Years and Senior Years of schooling
– the journey so far…
The following is a snapshot of the evolution of the Middle Years and Senior Years of schooling in Northern Territory Government schools.
2003
NT secondary education review
Review of secondary education in the Northern Territory led by
Dr Gregor Ramsey visited 134 sites across the Northern Territory,
including 40 remote communities and every secondary school, to
collect community views in order to develop a more effective system
of education in the NT.
2004
NT secondary education report
Future Directions for Secondary Education in the Northern Territory (the
Ramsey Report) presented to Government. The report included a recommendation
to introduce the Middle Years (Years 7 to 9) and the Senior Years
(Years 10 to 12).
Community consultation re secondary education report
recommendations
Community consultation (with schools, parents, the wider community
and key stakeholders such as AEU, COGSO, ANTSEL, etc), included
specific focus groups about the proposal to group students into
the Middle and Senior Years. The NT Government considered the outcomes
of this consultation process, and decided to develop a strategy
focussing on improving access, engagement and outcomes for 11 to
14 year old students.
2005
Building Better Schools $42 million commitment
Government announced the Building Better Schools range
of initiatives – a commitment to improve secondary education
in the NT. A key component was the announcement of further consultation
around changes to schooling for 11 to 14 year olds (the Middle
Years).
Middle Years Stage 1 consultation (Making the Most
of the Middle Years)
The first stage of consultation Making the Most of the Middle
Years commenced with public forums, online feedback options,
ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, and workshops enabling
school staff, students and councils to provide input into how to
better engage 11 to 14 year olds in education.
Release of the new Middle Years framework
The Framework for the Principles and Policies for the Middle
Years in the Northern Territory was made public, and to
support the implementation of this framework, it was announced
that Years 7 to 9 would be grouped together into the Middle Years
of schooling.
2006
Middle Years Stage 2 consultation (Making the Most
of the Middle Years)
The second stage of community consultation Making the Most
of the Middle Years commenced with all Territorians invited
to attend public discussion forums held across the NT. A range
of media brief sheet possible structural models to support the
implementation of the framework were distributed to all NT Government
school parents, were presented at the forums and were available
online, and community views and alternative models were encouraged.
Community feedback resulted in a range of suggestions, including
a Middle School to be positioned at Bullocky Point in Darwin– instead
of a Middle School at Ludmilla.
Middle Years announcement – what schools and
services will look like
A Territory-wide print and broadcast media advertising campaign
communicated Government’s announcement that education in
the NT would comprise of the Middle Years of schooling for Year
7 to 9 students and the Senior Years of schooling for Years 10
to 12 students. Regional specific information packages were distributed
to parents with students in Years 5 to 11, and also to school principals,
teachers and school staff. An information sheet was distributed
to all Territorians, detailing the changes to education in the
NT. Working
collaboratively with other Government agencies and relevant stakeholders,
preparations commenced immediately to ensure schools were prepared
for the changes taking effect in the 2007 school year. This involved
consideration of issues including student transport, transition
arrangements and school staffing.
Infrastructure design and development
The Department of Employment, Education and Training (DET) worked
with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) in progressing
construction projects at sites across the Territory. Artist impressions
and preliminary plans for school upgrades and building works
were displayed.
2007
Senior Years of schooling
Senior Years of schooling rolled out across the Territory. Year
10 students join Years 11 and 12.
Preparation for the Middle Years of schooling
During 2007, middle schools will offer Middle Years programs to
students in Years 7 to 9 in Central Australia, and Years 8 and
9 in the Top End. Year 7 students will join Year 8 and 9 students
in middle schools in the Top End in 2008. In preparing for 2008,
this year will see:• transition programs for students and
staff to ensure a smooth progression to new facilities and schools• continued
professional development (PD) for teachers and school staff – building
on PD activities delivered in 2006• ongoing building works
and upgrades in preparation for 2008.
What has been achieved
Local area groups have been established and are made up of middle and primary schools, and in some cases, a senior school in that area. These groups are working together to ensure a seamless transition and support is provided to students moving from one stage of schooling to the next.
Principals have been appointed to Darwin's new middle school at Bullocky Point, Casuarina Senior College, Sanderson High School and Centralian Senior Secondary College.
Teachers have undertaken a variety of professional learning activities to prepare for the Middle Years and Senior Years. For example, teachers worked with education expert John Joseph to look at the way the adolescent brain learns. Some students also participated in the workshops.
Year 8 students at many schools have participated in Middle Years trials.
2008
Middle Years of schooling
Middle Years of schooling to be rolled out across the Territory.
Year 7 students will join Years 8 and 9 in Government schools in
the Top End, with the exception of the new middle school at Bullocky
Point in Darwin, which will cater for students in Years 7 and 8
in 2008, and for students in Years 7 to 9 in 2009.
