Middle School

Middle Schools can be described as bridging-schools between primary and High schools. They are designed to meet the special needs of emerging teenagers. There are about 14 000 Middle Schools in the USA and over 2 000 in the UK. There are fewer than 10 in the Western Cape, and very few in the rest of South Africa.

THE HISTORY OF OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL

After careful studies of Middle Schools both locally and overseas, we launched our pilot Grade 8 class in 1992. This was extended to Grade 9 in 1993. The following year was a period of fine-tuning, and Grade 7 was integrated into the Middle school in 1995.
Since then our Middle School of around 150 pupils in Grades 7, 8, and 9 has developed its own identity. Although situated on the same campus as our Prep and Senior Schools, it has its own classroom area, student council, assemblies, and Middle School Staff, as well as certain scholarships and bursaries that are open only to those in these Grades. The Middle School staff are responsible for the development and administration of our curriculum, both inside and beyond the classroom.

OUR EDUCATIONAL RATIONALE: WHY A MIDDLE SCHOOL?

During the ages of 12 – 14, boys and girls move through possibly the greatest changes of their lives from a physical, emotional and intellectual point of view. Going through puberty, from childhood to adolescence – can be a really bewildering time, and our Middle School offers a curriculum that meets the unique needs of young people of these ages.
Our Middle School bridges the gap between the more formal structure of primary school education (where the emphasis is generally on the inculcation the three R’s),  and the final three years of schooling, where precise syllabuses linked to preparation for final external examinations understandably predominate. Thus our Middle School aims:

* To advance the concept of exploration and experimentation and research, rather than the passive assimilation of information;
* To allow independent thought and risk taking, evenin if this means making mistakes from which one learns;
* To maintain enthusiasm for learning which many youngsters seem to lose as they move from junior to senior schools;
* To offer a much more flexible and exciting curriculum than do more traditional educational institutions.

ACADEMIC MATTERS

In all three Grades the Learning Areas of Languages, Mathematics, Natural Science, Human and Social Sciences, Arts and Culture, Economic Management Science, Design and Technology and Life Orientation, are taught. In addition, Information Technology and Physical Education are timetabled. French is an optional extra.
Class sizes are capped at 26 . There are two classes in each grade.
Assessment of progress is done on a continuous basis. Learning support is an important part of the Middle School system. Teachers give their full attention to anyone who requires help. Support Maths classes once a week are offered free of charge. Meetings are held by Middle School staff, where discussion centres on the progress of each pupil. Support systems in place include access to Schools’ Live, diaries, and a five minute period at the end of each day where homework is read out by the class representative. Referral to a team of therapists, educational psychologists and or counsellors, is made when it is required. Regular contact with parents by phone, email, or meetings, supplements the support that the Middle School offers.

IN SUMMARY

As well as becoming fully involved in assimilating a body of knowledge, the pupils learn how to pursue information, how to communicate with others, and how to manage time and resources efficiently. Regular outings to places of interest are included in the programme to give pupils a wider perspective. Sports and community outreach programmes throughout the year enable the learners to socialise, develop a sense of team camaraderie, and a sense of social responsibility. A thorough handover of pupils from the team in the Preparatory School is made each year, which emphasizes the commitment to the needs of each individual entering the Middle School. Similarly, a handover by the Middle School team to the Senior School staff is made.