Oakbank Area School

Middle School Information

Oakbank Area School values excellence and is proud of its achievements.   Our school continues to provide a comprehensive and attractive curriculum which allows individuals to discover and develop new skills, new ideas and competencies for Tertiary studies or employment.

Our Middle School team - a team of enthusiastic, dedicated and highly committed teachers - are responsible for the delivery of a challenging and integrated curriculum which is relevant and meaningful to the students.

Students in our Middle school population are made up of those who have attended Oakbank Area School prior to Year 6 and those who enter Year 8 after attending neighbouring Primary Schools. An extensive and comprehensive transition program ensures that this is a comfortable and positive move for these students.

We are proud of the work and achievements of the students in our Middle School and the program that we offer. You are welcome to visit us at any time. Please telephone the school to make an appointment.

Features of the Middle School

• Small class sizes for all classes Years 6 - 9 (approximately 24 students per class for all subjects, including English and Mathematics)
• Access to specialist teachers and facilities in Year 6 and Year 7
  • Science
  • Technology
  • The Arts
  • The Gymnasium (for fitness and sport)
  • Information Technology
• A planned, linked, cohesive and integrated curriculum with emphasis on continuity from Years 6 - 9, designed to challenge, extend and develop students' skills
• Access to a broad and balanced curriculum across the eight areas of study with the opportunity to continue with all subjects through to Year 12 level
• Language (English) and Numeracy (Mathematics) timetabled to allow for flexible groupings of students:
  • extension activities
  • skill development
  • special interests/needs
• An emphasis on student support programs
  • individualised programs for special needs
  • student buddy system for incoming students
  • strong Home Group programs developed by Year level teaching teams
  • class meeting structures
  • student initiated activities
• A Middle School Student Representative Council provides the students with the opportunity to participate in school decision making
• Diffusion of traditional primary and secondary boundaries through the following structures:
  • introduction of a small number of specialist teachers in Years 6 and 7
  • use of teaching teams in Year 8 to reduce multiple teacher contact frequently experienced in secondary schools
  • comprehensive transition program for incoming Year 8 students.
• Teaching and learning programs with an emphasis on practical and "hands on" activities to support and extend classroom work
  • local history projects
  • Waterwatch involvement etc
  • Relevant curriculum excursions including
    • Museum
    • Monarto
    • Parliament and Government House/Law Courts
    • China Town
• Sub-school activities which involve all students Years 6 - 9       
• Access to an extensive range of sporting activities for all students Years 6 - 9
  • School Athletics
  • Mile End Athletics
  • Swimming
  • SAPSASA
  • Knockout Sport competitions
  • Sports Clinics and Camps
• Access to "State of the Art" computing technology
• Regular open and honest contact with parents re student progress
  • Information Night
  • Parent/Teacher interview nights
  • Diary notes and contact
  • School Newsletter
  • Open door policy
• Emphasis on the teaching of Literacy and Numeracy skills across all curriculum areas as well as the Key Competencies required for success in the world of work.
• Involvement in Enterprise programs to develop resilience and work readiness skills.

Curriculum

In Years 6 - 9 students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum covering eight areas of study. Curriculum frameworks have been developed around DECS Curriculum Standards and Accountability Frameworks (SACSA).

All students in Years 6 - 9 cover studies in the following areas:

• English:  involves speaking and listening, reading and viewing, and writing to:
• learn about texts
• learn about and use language strategies
• apply this knowledge and understanding to a range of contexts, purposes & audiences
• Mathematics:  study of mathematical concepts with an emphasis on real life applications.
• Science and Environmental Studies:  an integrated course covering studies in Science, Agriculture and Environmental education.
• The Arts: includes Art, Craft, Drama, Music and the opportunity to be involved in Choir
• Technology:  studies in Technology include construction involving textiles,  Woodwork, Metalwork, Photography at Year 9, and Information Technology.
• Health and Physical Education: includes studies in Health, Fitness, Sport and Food and Nutrition.
• Society and Environment:  expands students knowledge and understandings of their own and other societies, of local and global environments, of the interdependence between people, their society and their environment.

• Languages Other Than English - Chinese:  studies in Chinese language and culture.

      /. studies in Japanese language and culture.

More detailed curriculum statements and information can be obtained from www.decs.sa.gov.au or the Middle School Coordinator.

Page designed and created by
former student Daniel Engler.