Years 7 and 8
We had to become experts in a particular sector of the city such as transport, housing and agriculture, and then work collaboratively as a House to design a sustainable city. This project was a great opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.
— Student | Year 8
Students are supported in this transition throughout Year 7. They are introduced to a wide variety of subjects that allow them to explore topics in depth. Each semester, students participate in transdisciplinary learning, which requires them to apply their learning from a number of their subjects.
In Semester One, students take part in the STEAM Toy Time project, which draws on their knowledge from science, digital technologies, art and design, and mathematics. The Semester Two project, Assembly of Notables, enables them to explore in depth the life of a notable person from history and present this information in a creative performance.
This open-ended, transdisciplinary learning allows students to extend themselves while also developing the skills for success that they will need in life after Kilvington, including communication and collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking, curiosity and creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Academically, Year 8 students build on the foundations of the subjects learnt in Year 7 and explore deeper and more abstract concepts. They continue to participate in transdisciplinary learning, which requires students to apply their knowledge and understanding from a range of subjects.
In Semester 2 students focus on sustainability in the Our Sustainable World project, which draws on what students have excelled at in Geography, Science, Art and Digital Technologies.
This open-ended, transdisciplinary learning allows students to extend themselves while also building the skills for success that they will need in life after Kilvington, including collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.
The wellbeing and mental health of students is paramount to academic success. As well as academic lessons, students are active participants in a comprehensive pastoral system, which focuses on explicitly teaching good character, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Your child will be allocated to a mentor group of up to 12 students and a mentor who will monitor and check in with them throughout the school year.
Their personal and social development will be enhanced by participating in Character Days, Performing Arts, Year Level Meetings, Pastoral Care Time, House Meetings, and Religious Education.
Your child will participate in single-gender classes in English, Science and Physical Education, and Health. Mathematics is tailored to each student's needs, so they may be in single-gender or co-ed classes.
Your child will experience four Character and Connection Days during Year 7. Character and Connection workshops allow students to manage and improve their relationships, reflect and strengthen their own character, and resolve any social or emotional concerns. Students have the opportunity beyond the classroom to improve their overall wellbeing and are given some positive tools to improve their mental health.
A major part of developing a student's character is the act of doing for others, so this program also incorporates a link to a community service. Each level will have a theme highlighting the priority virtues for that year level in a sequential program. We have linked with external organisations such as Mancave, Flourish Girl and The Resilience Project to add value and further expertise in these workshops.
YEAR 7 FOCUS
- Team building with trust and empathy
- Developing confidence and self-awareness
- Link to community service - Eat Up Australia
YEAR 8 FOCUS
- Developing meaningful relationships - care and compassion
- Leadership and teamwork
- Link to community service - Cancer Council
Year 7 students will choose to study Japanese or French and continue learning their chosen language in Year 8. From Year 9, Languages becomes an elective subject.
More details about our Languages curriculum can be found here.
Learning Japanese at School comes with experiencing new challenges and overcoming them. The teachers are understanding and supportive when the content is difficult, and the syllabus covers interesting topics that will guide me in future trips to Japan. I’ve also had the opportunity to converse with our Japanese exchange students, which has helped boost my confidence with speaking in Japanese!
— Chloe | Year 8
In Year 7, students travel to Lorne to participate in a surf camp. Your child will experience an overnight hike, beach walks, a visit to Lorne town and, of course, guided surf lessons.
Year 8 will find your child at Wilson’s Promontory, camping close to the beach and enjoying activities such as canoeing, hiking, surfing, encounters with the local wildlife, plus sharpening their cooking and performing skills via highly competitive evening events.
The highlight of the trip was the surfing lesson; a chance to release some energy before heading home. Overall, this year’s camp is one I will definitely remember!
— Student | Year 8