Lithgow Mercury

Why middle school is giving students the edge before senior school years

Scots All Saints College Year 8 Captains Zane Newham (second from left) and Emily Brown (second from right) said they both value the environment of the new Middle School.
Scots All Saints College Year 8 Captains Zane Newham (second from left) and Emily Brown (second from right) said they both value the environment of the new Middle School.

A relatively unique learning environment has been created in the newly-formed Scots All Saints College, with the addition of a middle school focussed on best supporting adolescent learners in their critical stage of growth and development.

Located at the All Saints Campus in Bathurst, the middle school has opened as part of the first year of Scots All Saints independent Christian College.

The concept of middle school is not new but is a first for the central west of NSW, with local students from Bathurst and surrounding areas already benefiting from the individual student-centred approach to learning in years 5 to 8.

Head of All Saints Campus and Director of Middle School Chris Jackman is a firm advocate for the middle school structure, which he said delivers outstanding results in and outside the classroom.

"Acknowledging that adolescent learners have specific needs, our Middle School has a structure that allows us to implement a quality student wellbeing program in a meaningful context," said Chris.

"Middle schooling focuses on an individual student-centred approach to learning where we are committed to developing today's learners into tomorrow's leaders who are informed, compassionate and confident men and women of faith, who will flourish as global-minded citizens."

Unlike high school which is structured by a focus on subjects, the Middle School provides a flexible academic structure including project work where there are opportunities for staff collaboration and team teaching across multiple subjects.

Mr Chris Jackman, head of All Saints Campus and director of the middle school with Year 5-8 students.
Mr Chris Jackman, head of All Saints Campus and director of the middle school with Year 5-8 students.

Students also participate in a weekly Christian studies class, and benefit from a student wellbeing program based on the research of positive psychology to build resilience and equip students with mental fitness and health, not only for school but for life.

There are also opportunities for Year 8 students who could easily feel lost in a larger high school environment, to take on leadership roles as captains and prefects and represent their college in the community, like current year 8 captains Zane Newham and Emily Brown.

"It is great that the year 8 students get the opportunity to lead, such as us being the captains of the All Saints Campus," said Zane.

"We like how we have our own classroom that no one else uses but we also get to go to specialist classrooms like Science labs. And the teachers know us really well which helps with our learning."

"And the teachers treat us fairly and with respect and it is a fantastic community where students really look forward to coming to school," said Emily.

Students can progress to the middle school directly from the All Saints Junior School, or can enrol straight into the middle school from year 5.

Boarding is available from year 5 onwards in four boarding houses located on Scots Campus with boarding students in the middle school transported by bus to and from All Saints Campus every day.

"Essentially, we are building leaders for our future. We are confident, our students will be the influencers in our communities - well-informed, compassionate and confident men and women of faith, who will flourish as independent, responsible young people," said Chris.

"It's a really exciting time to be at the college and to be part of this history-making era of education in regional NSW. Scots All Saints College is a fabulous place that students love to attend. We invite parents to learn more about what we have to offer. Parents and students from kindergarten through to Year 12 are welcome to come meet the teachers, tour our campuses, mix with the other students and see what we are all about."

For more information, visit scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au/tryus or call 6331 3911.