Welcome to the Middle Years
Our Middle Years program for boys in Years 7 and 8 operates within the Senior School. Students are educated in the Pentreath Building, a flexible learning environment that has been tailored to the specific needs of boys at this vital stage of their development.
The innovative spaces ensure boys have room to learn, collaborate and play. Whilst establishing a strong academic base we also focus on supporting the physical and social development of boys in these formative years of adolescence.
Academic Approach
With numeracy and literacy skills remaining fundamental in today’s world, our Middle Years curriculum places a strong emphasis on Mathematics and English. The curriculum is delivered by incorporating the latest learning competencies and success skills, such as real-world problem solving, collaboration, self-regulation, skilled communication and purposeful application of technology.
Our Years 7 and 8 students study a broad range of subjects with no early specialisation. Students choose one language other than English (LOTE), selecting from Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese Language and Literature or French. Art and Humanities subjects are compulsory, offering the broadest possible base on which students can build their aspirations as learners.
Catering for Diverse Learning
For the majority of boys, educational needs are met through curriculum planning with curriculum content varied to reflect the particular needs of a class group. Subject planning recognises the needs of all boys as individuals and those whose needs are exceptional are supported by additional provisions.
Academic Approach
With numeracy and literacy skills remaining fundamental in today’s world, our Middle Years curriculum places a strong emphasis on Mathematics and English. The curriculum is delivered by incorporating the latest learning competencies and success skills, such as real-world problem solving, collaboration, self-regulation, skilled communication and purposeful application of technology.
Our Years 7 and 8 students study a broad range of subjects with no early specialisation. Students choose one language other than English (LOTE), selecting from Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese Language and Literature or French. Art and Humanities subjects are compulsory, offering the broadest possible base on which students can build their aspirations as learners.
Catering for Diverse Learning
For the majority of boys, educational needs are met through curriculum planning with curriculum content varied to reflect the particular needs of a class group. Subject planning recognises the needs of all boys as individuals and those whose needs are exceptional are supported by additional provisions.
Wellbeing in Adolescence
We understand that early adolescence is a period of significant cognitive, social, physical and emotional change for students and offer a unique model of pastoral care. In Years 7 and 8, boys are placed in mentor classes with other boys from their year level. Students receive daily support from their mentor teacher, complemented by active participation in the Senior School House system. Additionally the Year Level Coordinator, Mentor Teacher and Head Middle Years work together to support each student.
Our House system is integral to the School’s approach to pastoral care. Upon commencement every student is allocated a House, each of which is led by a Head of House. Houses are a fundamental part of life at St Peter’s College and promote social, academic, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Friendships formed by the boys during house activities often last a lifetime.
Identifiable Home
Designed to ensure a seamless transition from the Junior School to Senior School, the Pentreath Building was designed as a hub specifically for our Year 7 and 8 students. By creating an identifiable home for these boys and nurturing them in a small community we can best support them to flourish as learners and active participants within their communities.
The Middle School has access to the sporting facilities, specialised classrooms and creative arts centres across the Senior School campus.
Wellbeing in Adolescence
We understand that early adolescence is a period of significant cognitive, social, physical and emotional change for students and offer a unique model of pastoral care. In Years 7 and 8, boys are placed in mentor classes with other boys from their year level. Students receive daily support from their mentor teacher, complemented by active participation in the Senior School House system. Additionally the Year Level Coordinator, Mentor Teacher and Head Middle Years work together to support each student.
Our House system is integral to the School’s approach to pastoral care. Upon commencement every student is allocated a House, each of which is led by a Head of House. Houses are a fundamental part of life at St Peter’s College and promote social, academic, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Friendships formed by the boys during house activities often last a lifetime.
MEET THE HEAD OF MIDDLE YEARS
Mark Coventry
"Embracing vulnerability is fundamental to effective pedagogy. By leading with compassion and authenticity, we empower young men to navigate their own vulnerabilities, fostering a deeper self-awareness and cultivating resilient, meaningful connections with others."
MEET THE YEAR 8 COORDINATOR
Nia O'Loughlin
"Education is the key to inspiring future-oriented, innovative, and productive members of society. The Year 8 pastoral program enhances the emotional, personal, social, cultural, and environmental awareness of our students, fostering their active global citizenship and commitment to building our world."
MEET THE YEAR 7 COORDINATOR
Richard Davey
"At St Peter’s College, we recognise the Middle Years as a pivotal bridge where foundations of character, curiosity, and academic rigour are fortified. Every student is nurtured to become architects of their own unique development, empowering them not merely with critical knowledge but with indispensable tools to thrive in a world that seeks insight, resilience, and compassion."
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our Outdoor Education program encourages the intellectual and moral development of the students and emphasises recognition of self, others and the natural world.
Through journey-based experiences students have the opportunity to discover their own strengths, develop independence, understand the benefit of teamwork, and learn how to deal with conflict and challenges.
Year 7: Through an overnight lead-in program at Finniss students prepare for their first expedition at Mt Crawford Forest. Through hiking, kayaking, mountain bike riding, and cooking, students identify strengths in one another, to grow their positive and inclusive community. As the first expedition style camp, these five days in the Mount Lofty Ranges build a foundation for longer journeys in the years to come.
Year 8: Students journey in small groups exploring wilderness areas of the Yorke Peninsula. White sand beaches, secluded coves and dramatic cliffs are the backdrop for cycle touring, fishing, snorkelling and hiking.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our Outdoor Education program encourages the intellectual and moral development of the students and emphasises recognition of self, others and the natural world.
Through journey-based experiences students have the opportunity to discover their own strengths, develop independence, understand the benefit of teamwork, and learn how to deal with conflict and challenges.
Year 7: Through an overnight lead-in program at Finniss students prepare for their first expedition at Mt Crawford Forest. Through hiking, kayaking, mountain bike riding, and cooking, students identify strengths in one another, to grow their positive and inclusive community. As the first expedition style camp, these five days in the Mount Lofty Ranges build a foundation for longer journeys in the years to come.
Year 8: Students journey in small groups exploring wilderness areas of the Yorke Peninsula. White sand beaches, secluded coves and dramatic cliffs are the backdrop for cycle touring, fishing, snorkelling and hiking.
Active Community Members
As part of the School’s commitment to our core value of service, we place a strong emphasis on Service Learning both within the curriculum and as part of our co-curricular offering.
We provide our students with authentic, relational and meaningful Service Learning activities and programs that promote student growth and benefit the wider community.
Active Community Members
As part of the School’s commitment to our core value of service, we place a strong emphasis on Service Learning both within the curriculum and as part of our co-curricular offering.
We provide our students with authentic, relational and meaningful Service Learning activities and programs that promote student growth and benefit the wider community.
Accelerating
Passions and Pursuits
Co-curricular activities play an important role in the life of a St Peter’s College student. We are committed to helping students understand the lifelong benefits of engagement in sport and cultural pursuits. Your son’s commitment to a co-curricular activity whether it be sport, music or the performing arts is seen as integral to the way he learns about himself and others.
Sport
Sports are fundamental to the educational experience at St Peter’s College through enhancing student’s physical literacy and fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers. All Years 7 and 8 students play a summer and winter sport selecting from 20 options. Students train twice per week and play in interschool competitions once a week.
Music
When students enter the Senior School in Year 7, they either learn a new band instrument or continue an existing instrument as part of our Year 7 Band Innovations curriculum. In Year 8, students spend one semester learning a rock instrument as part of our Year 8 Rock Band curriculum and yet again have the opportunity to experience a new musical instrument.
Our extensive co-curricular ensemble program provides students opportunities to perform in concerts and participate in interstate and overseas tours. Each week more than 20 ensembles and choirs rehearse and around 500 students enjoy private Music lessons.
Visual and Performing Arts
Our Visual and Performing Arts programs ignite creativity, foster talent and provide opportunities for self-expression. Students can participate in productions and musicals and the annual Artist-in-Residence program sees students benefit from firsthand interactions with professional artists.
Clubs and Societies
The School offers an extensive range of clubs and societies to complement the academic, performing arts and sporting programs.
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