A Question and Answer Guide for Parents/Carers
About Midde Years
Restructure
Moving Schools
Enrolment
The Classroom
Transport
School Council
Student Wellbeing
Programs and Services
Infrastructure
New Middle School
Teachers
About Middle Years
What do the terms ‘Middle Years’ and ‘Middle Years approach’ mean?
In the Northern Territory, the Middle Years refers to students in Years 7 to 9. Research has shown that students in this age group need targeted approaches to keep them interested in learning and to stay at school.
The term ‘Middle Years approach’ refers to how teachers deliver the curriculum and relate to their students. The Middle Years approach is aimed at meeting students’ educational and developmental needs, through changing the way they learn. Teachers will use a range of teaching methods so students will have more say in 'what they learn' and 'how they learn'.
Middle Years is not a new concept. The Government has been consulting the community about improving secondary education, including the Middle Years, since 2003. There are clear educational benefits to implementing the Middle Years and strong community support for implementing the Middle Years approach.
What will my child learn? Will the curriculum change?
The Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) is the curriculum for students up to and including Year 10. The NTCF can be found on the Internet at www.deet.nt.gov.au
Students will have practical hands-on activities that are related to real-life matters, with a greater focus on literacy and numeracy. There will be more ‘team’ teaching, which means students will generally have two or three main teachers, with classes divided into smaller or larger groups depending on the activity and student need. This will provide consistency in the classroom and help students build solid relationships with their teachers and each other.
Will Middle Years students have access to specialist teachers, eg Music, Technology and Design?
Yes. All Middle Years students will have access to specialist teachers.
What does "students will be exposed to specialist teaching" mean?
In the Northern Territory, all schools are required to provide students with specialist teaching and learning programs in the areas of literacy, numeracy and physical activity. In addition, schools are required to develop teaching and learning programs that meet the needs of students and provide expanded opportunities for students to achieve the standards described in the NT Curriculum Framework. This requirement extends to all areas of learning. Research indicates that the most effective way to achieve standards in some areas of learning, is through an integrated curriculum, while in other areas of learning the research suggests that the most effective way to achieve standards is through specialist curriculum. Each school is required to develop programs that accommodate this. DET is working to ensure that the range of integrated and specialisted teaching and learning programs is available in all schools.
What does "students will have fewer contact teachers during a school day" mean?
Traditionally, students have 50 minute lessons, and therefore potentially six different teachers per day. Research indicates that students in the Middle Years demonstrate enhanced personal well-being and deep understandings of their subjects when they have strong relationships with their teachers, which can be better achieved when a teacher spends more time with the student. Further, the research demonstrates that for some areas of learning, adolescents require extended learning beyond the traditional 50 minutes. Lessons may be extended to 100 minutes for example, which would reduce the number of teachers a student would have in a day. Individual schools will determine the timetable structure that suits their needs.
This extended teaching and learning time enables students to better comprehend and demonstrate the significant concepts, knowledge and skills of the subject area and enables teachers to better understand the skills, needs and interests of their students.
Will my child move from classroom to classroom in the Middle Years?
This will be up to individual schools to decide, however students will likely change classes for certain subjects in order to utilise specialist facilities such as science laboratories.
How will Middle Years affect remote schools/students?
The Middle Years approach to teaching and learning is relevant for students in regional and remote areas. Schools and distance education providers will work together to deliver Middle Years programs to best suit their students’ learning needs.
How will we know if Middle Years is working?
It is important that we monitor the progress of the implementation so that we can continue to improve education delivery. The Department of Education and Training is developing an evaluation program for schools to track the progress of the implementation.
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Restructure
Why can’t Middle Years be implemented within existing school structures?
The benefits of Middle Years are far greater when students are grouped together in a dedicated middle school or sub school. Placing Year 7 students in middle schools with Years 8 and 9 means they will have access to a wider range of subjects with specialist teachers and specialist facilities like science laboratories and performing arts studios. It also means that students in the Middle Years will be able to work together as a group in one place. Teachers will know their students better and will be able to make sure what they learn is interesting and relevant to them. The Northern Territory has the most mobile population in Australia. A consistent point-of-entry into the secondary years allows for a smooth transition process.
What is being done to ensure seamless implementation across the Territory?
Local Area Implementation Groups that consist of representatives from the primary schools and high school and other key stakeholder groups in the local area, have been formed to prepare for the relocation of students and staff.
The groups will look at how to develop a seamless educational progression for government students as they move between the primary, middle and senior years of school. Seamless in terms of pedagogy, curriculum, standards/assessment and student well-being.
Why move Year 10 into the Senior Years?
Grouping Year 10 students in the Senior Years with Years 11 and 12 has a number of benefits for students. Decisions that students make in Year 10 can significantly affect their later education and training pathways. It is essential to make better connections between the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF), as the curriculum for students up to and including Year 10, and the Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) for senior students.
Students will generally have greater choice and better access to a wide range of subjects, vocational education and training, resources and expertise. Year 10 students will become familiar with the senior schooling environment earlier, which will improve their transition to Years 11 and 12. Most importantly, it gives senior students access to those senior teachers who are best placed to give them the guidance and preparation they need.
Will schools and teachers be ready?
Yes. Middle Years will be implemented in two stages. This will allow schools and teachers sufficient time to plan and prepare for the Middle Years.
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Moving schools
Can my child move to another school this year?
You can apply to have your child moved to another school this year. Schools can take students outside their priority enrolment area if they have sufficient room.
My child has to change school. What assistance will be available?
Schools are working together to develop transition and pastoral care programs for students needing to shift schools so all students can move smoothly from one school environment to another. It is important that students have the opportunity to visit their new school before starting their studies. You can contact the school for more information about their transitional arrangements and to organise visits for your child. The Government’s $50 Back to School voucher can be used to offset some of the costs you might incur with your child changing schools.
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Enrolment
How do I get information about my local school, such as subjects that will be offered, enrolment procedures, policies and fees?
Schools vary in the range of subjects and services they provide. Schools are responsible for their own administration and enrolment procedures. Policies and parent contributions (school fees) vary from school to school. Schools will hold information sessions and school visits. Contact your local school for more information.
Will I be able to enrol my child’s younger siblings in the same school?
It is the responsibility of each school to manage enrolment, however priority will be given to students who live in the school’s local area.
Are schools zoned?
No. The Northern Territory does not have enrolment zones. Zoning precludes enrolment in a school that is outside the local zone.
What is priority enrolment?
When a school is approaching or has reached capacity, the school will provide for and enrol students who live in its priority enrolment area. Students from outside the priority enrolment area will then be considered and accepted subject to capacity being available. For more information about priority enrolment read the Priority Enrolment Policy.
Is transition to the middle school or senior school in the priority enrolment area guaranteed?
Yes, if the student resides in the priority enrolment area. If the student lives outside the priority enrolment area, enrolment will be subject to the school's capacity at the time.
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The classroom
Will schools be larger? How will larger school size benefit students?
Some schools, such as the senior colleges, will be larger. Research has found that Senior Years students benefit from larger schools because they are able to offer a wider range of subject choices, programs and vocational education and training.
How many students will there be in a Middle Years class?
Class size will vary from school to school based on curriculum decisions promoting the best learning outcomes for students.
Will there be composite classes in the Middle Years, eg Year 7 and Year 8 students together?
Schools will decide on whether there will be composite classes in the Middle Years, with the best interests of students as the main consideration.
Transport
What transport arrangements will there be for students?
The current bus pass policy will apply.The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has developed bus routes that will support students' transport to and from school. Information on any changes to bus routes and timetables has been provided to schools. Information is also available from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure on telephone 892476666 or visit www.nt.gov.au/publictransport.
School Council
I would like to join my child’s school council. How do I go about that?
Each school runs a formal process for nomination and election to the school council. You can contact the school for more information on the school council’s constitution and what you need to do to become part of the council.
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Student Wellbeing
How will students in Year 6 and Year 9 take on school leadership in future years?
Most primary schools already provide opportunities for students in Years 6 and 7 to be part of school leadership programs, such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) and sports teams. Schools also offer a range of opportunities for students to develop leadership skills in their everyday classes. In middle schools, students will continue to have leadership opportunities, particularly in Year 9.
With the freedom that a senior college offers, how will issues such as truancy be dealt with? Will there be a more regulated environment?
All schools have a duty of care for students attending their school and your school will develop policies about how such issues will be managed. Senior colleges will have a range of programs for their students to keep them engaged in school and to support them in the Senior Years environment. Contact your school for more details.
What pastoral care will be available in the Middle and Senior Years?
All middle schools will have pastoral care programs that support students to develop the behaviour, skills and knowledge for them to become healthy and responsible members of the community. Pastoral care is a key part of the Middle Years approach and important aspects of this will continue into the Senior Years.
How will the transition of our young Year 7 students be managed?
There is a strong focus on pastoral care in the Middle Years. Primary and middle schools are working together to develop transition programs to help Year 7 students adjust to the new school environment. Students in the Middle Years will generally have fewer teachers than the ‘traditional’ high school environment. This will support them to make a smooth transition into the Middle Years.
Will my Year 7 child be safe in a middle school?
In middle school, students will be with other students from their own age range. They will mix with a younger group of students than in a traditional high school. Behaviour generally improves in middle school because students are interested in their work and have better relationships with their teachers and each other.
There are rules about student behaviour in schools. There will also be programs that focus on issues such as bullying and harassment that will help students understand this kind of behaviour and deal with it effectively.
Middle Years sub schools may arrange the timetable so recess and lunch breaks for Middle Years students are at a different time to those for Senior Years students. Similarly, they may designate separate outdoor areas for the two student groupings. Schools will have more information on how the student groups will be managed.
Is there a risk that students will drop out of school after Year 9 because they have to change schools?
Educational research shows that retention rates improve where students are engaged in their learning. Students having to change schools will be supported throughout the transition. Schools will work together to ensure that all students move smoothly from one school environment to another. School attendance is compulsory for all Territory students up to the age of 15 years. Most students entering Year 10 are of compulsory school age.
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Programs and Services
Will the school have support and appropriate programs for my special needs child?
Yes. Programs and services to meet the needs of different student groups, such as students of high academic potential, will continue in the Middle Years, however they may vary from school to school. A special education teacher will be based in every middle school. These teachers are there to support students with special needs.
Will the middle school run an after-school care/holiday program?
Individual schools may offer after-school care and holiday programs. Your school will have more information.
What happens to my child who is in an Accelerated Literacy (AL) program at primary school? Will the program continue at middle school?
Accelerated Literacy programs are school based and are being progressively implemented in 100 schools across the Territory. Individual schools can provide advice about the programs that will be offered.
Will alternative programs for young people continue?
Yes. Programs such as Pathways, Alice Outcomes, Gateways and Future Directions, assist young people to make the transition through school and from school to further education, training or employment. In each area, there will be a Local Area Implementation Group, made up of senior department staff and school representatives, who will provide advice on the most appropriate location for the delivery of these programs.
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Infrastructure
When will the school infrastructure be ready?
Casuarina Senior College building works were completed in March 2007.
The construction of Darwin Middle School and redevelopment of Palmerston, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, and Taminmin high schools is scheduled for completion in time for the 2008 school year.
Are there enough toilets/amenities in the new school facilities?
Toilets are not negotiable, there must be the correct number for staff and students.
Will Palmerston High School get new basketball courts?
Palmerston High School's basketball courts will be relocated as part of the facilities upgrade.
New Darwin Middle School at Bullocky Point
Why is the new middle school being built at Bullocky Point?
The decision to build a new middle school on Bullocky Point was supported through the consultation on middle schools and the decision was taken to not renovate Ludmilla Primary School. Darwin High School and the new middle school are part of the educational precinct and both school councils will discuss the use of the surrounding areas.
What will the new middle school look like?
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Teachers
Are the teachers qualified to teach Middle Years and Senior Years?
Yes. All Territory teachers are qualified and registered. This means that teachers have to meet the professional standards set by the Teachers Registration Board (TRB). Many teachers are already experienced in delivering the Middle Years approach and senior programs. Professional learning for teachers will continue this year and be ongoing to ensure all teachers are well prepared.
How will the professional learning of teachers be managed?
Many teachers are already well prepared for the Middle Years as they have been using this approach for some time. Each school will develop a professional learning plan that will determine teacher professional development needs for the implementation of the Middle Years. Schools will make alternative arrangements for classes if a teacher is away for professional development. Wherever possible, professional development for teachers will be delivered on-site, that is at the school, so that any impact on students is minimised.
Will teachers have a choice which school they go to?
Teachers who wish to change schools may apply to do so in the annual transfer round and will be supported, where possible, to move with students that are changing schools to help them settle and remain engaged in their new environment.
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