Year 7 & 8 (Middle School)

Years 7 and 8 (Middle School)

The Middle School (Year’s 7 and 8) is an integral part of St Peter’s College. The emphasis over these two years is to lay a strong foundation for the St Peter's Man to be built.  In 2010 in Middle School we have 347 boys, with six Year 7 classes and five Year 8. The Middle School is staffed by qualified, passionate teachers who have a personal commitment to students' learning and their overall well being. Our aim is to provide a quality education in a stimulating, caring and well resourced environment. Boys starting in Year 7 have an easy transition into Year 9 following Year 8 as many of their activities include time with the senior boys. The College is located in central Auckland and has many sporting facilities available including squash courts, cricket, soccer, rugby fields, and tennis courts. The Middle School is housed in a new three storied building with impressive, modern facilities offering magnificent city views.

Curriculum:

We teach the New Zealand Curriculum addressing the nine groupings of essential skills.   These are taught within the National Curriculum Statements in English, Mathematics, Science, Languages, Technology, Social Studies, Religious Education, the Arts, Health and Physical Education.

Religious instruction

Is taught three periods each week and these reflect the Special Catholic Character of our school, as do our daily assemblies which reinforce that philosophy.

Technology:

Both Year 7 and Year 8 receive three periods of instruction from specialist teachers in Information Technology, Food Science, Electronics, Materials, Structures and Mechanisms. Music and Art are also taught by specialist teacher.   Computer skills are taught in the Computer Suites and the Board of Trustees will be introducing more computers in classrooms over the next five years.  

Library:

Our students have full access to the school library where they can access traditional research resources as well as computer-based applications, the Internet, CD-Rom and Email.   

Students with Special Needs and Abilities:

We offer students with special needs extra help from our Literacy Centre that addresses special assistance across all subjects on a one-to-one basis as needed.   Students with special abilities have the opportunities to sit Otago University Problem Solving Challenges, New South Wales Mathematics, English, Spelling and Science Exams as well as Central Auckland Mathex and Speech Competitions. We also participate in Australian Junior Mathematics and the Paper Plus Literacy Quiz.

Sports and Outdoor Education:

Each year level experiences a four day school camp in Term One to build up Class and Team bonding as well as to address the Outdoor Education Curriculum requirements across a range of exciting activities.   There is a wide variety of sporting activities available to all students throughout the different seasons of the year.   These include rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, squash, badminton, touch rugby, volleyball, softball and basketball.

Arts and Cultural Involvement:

All boys can be involved in the cultural groups of the school, Auckland Schools Cultural Festival, internal competitions such as class speeches, music and drama. All boys take part in the Eisteddfod Concert in the third term.

Homework:

Homework is given every night of the week and communication with parents on this is written up daily in Diaries.

Reporting:

Teachers are available at any time by appointment throughout the year should parents wish to have an interview.   A parent/teacher evening is held in Term One for parents to meet teachers.   A new parents dinner also takes place in Term One to introduce new parents to the St. Peter's community.   We have a Report evening mid-year to discuss students' academic and social progress.

Parental Involvement:

The school encourages parental involvement throughout the year, firstly with the School Fair in Term One and Outdoor Education Camps, assistance with new resources at the beginning of the year and also throughout the year for various activities including coaching, class trips and managing sports teams.

Pastoral Care:

Our Director, and our two team leaders are responsible for behaviour management as well as pastoral care of our boys.   We have in place a Behaviour Management Programme that provides guidelines of acceptable behaviour from our boys.   Parents are encouraged to make contact if they have any concerns with their son's development and we will also contact parents if we have real concerns regarding student care or behaviour .