As the Director of Middle Years, it is my role to lead the growth, nurturing and development of the Years 7 to 9 students through St Catherine’s School’s Model of Academic Care. I achieve this by integrating the Wellbeing, Careers, and Academic Programs of the School, and aiming to develop the leadership skills of every student. I work closely with the Heads of Year, the Heads of Faculty, the House Tutors, School and Careers counsellors and teaching staff to provide outstanding opportunities for students in Years 7 to 9 in which to thrive. 

What are the middle years? 

From around the age of 10 to 15, the ‘middle years’ mark the transition from childhood to adolescence. It is a time when young people undergo significant physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral changes. 

The onset of puberty results in swift and profound hormonal and structural changes in the body. These changes are more rapid and dramatic than at any other period in their life. Whilst the sequence of physical change is generally similar from one person to another, the onset, rate, and timing of these changes are highly individualised.  

During these years, cognitive development and brain changes also reach their peak. This can impact on a young person’s ability to manage the emotional, social, and moral challenges of this stage of their lives, along with their learning ability. Therefore, it is crucial for educators to prioritise the engagement and participation of young people during their middle years of schooling.  

This is a message the students at St Catherine’s will often hear – to get involved, to give things a go, and to learn to be Bold, Independent, Resilient, and Creative. Learning and developing these character dispositions allows for students to embrace, and be successful in, their middle years of education. 

What does a successful Middle Years Program look like? 

Schools have a role to play in providing students with a safe and supportive environment in which they can learn and grow. Students need to be given both explicit and implicit opportunities to develop social and emotional skills, such as resilience, self-awareness, and empathy.  

St Catherine’s has dedicated time in each student’s timetable every week to explore these very topics. The Resilience Project, the foundation of our Wellbeing Program across Years 7, 8 and 9, focuses on connection, purpose, kindness, emotional literacy, and physical health. The three pillars on which the Program is built are Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness. Student wellbeing is closely linked to academic achievement, and schools that focus on both ensure students can achieve the best possible outcomes from their education. 

Strategies for supporting students in the middle years 

Effective and successful strategies for supporting students include early intervention, prevention, promoting positive school culture, and focussing on evidence-based practices for supporting wellbeing. 

Schools that track and monitor student wellbeing alongside academic progress can ensure students are receiving the support they need to succeed.  

As a Mathematics teacher, analysing data is an activity close to my heart. As a smaller school with smaller class sizes, St Catherine’s provides more expert guidance for fewer students. This allows for early intervention practices to be implemented in a timely and caring manner. Tools and data received from The Resilience Survey, Toolbox, Digital Compass, and the Mission Australia Survey also help to keep teachers abreast of the issues and challenges our students are currently facing, and the issues they are not! 

Parents play a critical role in supporting their children’s education during this time. At St Catherine’s, we pride ourselves on engaging positively with parents in discussions about their daughter’s education through our continuous reporting model, parent teacher conferences and open dialogue with School leaders. 

By investing in adolescent success in the middle years, I have a firm belief that we can improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities and contribute to a more prosperous and equitable society.  

I am delighted to be leading a team of educators who are focused on the middle years at St Catherine’s. The creation of my role in 2023 and beyond is a testament to the School’s commitment to further strengthen the focus on education across these critical years of adolescent development.