In the junior school, we offer an engaging curriculum across all learning areas. Students are offered opportunities to extend their learning through various specialised programs as well as further developing their skills and understanding in core subjects.
South Oakleigh College provides a transition program to ensure that students are comfortable within their new learning environment and have the opportunity to connect with their new peers prior to starting secondary school.
Students are supported in their learning through the mentor program in which they take part in The Resilience Project as well as developing study skills.
Year 7 & 8 Curriculum Outline
Subjects in the Middle School are arranged into Core and Specialist subjects.
Core Subjects
Core subjects offered are mandatory for all students in Year 7 and 8 to complete the following:
At South Oakleigh Secondary College, we take great pride in our comprehensive approach to teaching English across our school. Our English and EAL programs are designed to empower students with the essential skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening, ensuring their all-round development as effective communicators both in the written and the spoken forms.
In Years 7 and 8, students continue to read and understand different text types and genres, including imaginative fiction, realistic stories and information articles. When they write, they should be able to organise their thoughts and ideas and make their writing clear and engaging to the intended audience. In class, they are encouraged to talk and listen actively, taking part in discussions and giving presentations. These skills are essential for communicating effectively in real life.
EAL
Teaching of English as a Second Language (EAL), requires a sequential and detailed approach to cater to the diverse needs of students. The teacher plays a key role in ensuring that these learners, who may come from varied linguistic backgrounds, are effectively supported. In EAL classes, the teachers encourage participation and generate a safe, inclusive learning environment. By integrating engaging learning materials, teachers create opportunities for students to practise listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Ultimately, the aim is to provide EAL students the skills to become confident communicators and successful learners, equipped to navigate both academic and social situations while consolidating their knowledge and using English.
South Oakleigh College's Mathematics program offers a comprehensive educational experience rooted in the Victorian Curriculum. It is dedicated to equipping students with essential mathematical skills and knowledge across various domains, fostering analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Maths 2.0 Curriculum in Victoria
In Years 7 and 8, the curriculum builds foundational skills across six mathematical strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics, and Probability.
Years 7-8
- Number: Developing fluency with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages, while applying these in various real-world contexts.
- Algebra: Introducing expressions, equations, and basic algebraic manipulation. Students begin designing algorithms and using digital tools to model and solve problems.
- Measurement: Focusing on the properties and measurement of length, area, volume, and capacity. Students explore unit conversions and measurement techniques.
- Space: Covering geometric properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects. Introducing concepts of angles, symmetry, transformations, and an introduction to coordinate geometry.
- Statistics: Collecting, organizing, and displaying data in tables, charts, and graphs, while interpreting results to make informed decisions.
- Probability: Basic introduction to chance events and simple probability calculations, laying the groundwork for understanding likely outcomes and chance.
Enrichment Program & Competition
Accelerated Mathematics Classes – Year 7 -10
Accelerated Math Classes - Years 7 to 10 - At South Oakleigh College, we provide opportunities to students who have been identified as working consistently and significantly above the mainstream expectations. Students work collegiately with their peers and are challenged and extended by their teachers in all areas of the curriculum.
Other Enrichment programs & Competitions
South Oakleigh College integrates a range of enrichment initiatives into the mathematics program to provide students with unique opportunities for growth and engagement. These initiatives include the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP), the ICAS UNSW Mathematics Competition, and a Coding Program. These programs empower students to further develop their mathematical abilities, apply creative problem-solving strategies, and explore the intersection of mathematics and technology.
Year 7
History
The year 7 history curriculum provides a study of history from the time of the earliest human communities to the end of the ancient period. This unit investigates societies of Ancient Greece and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. It was a period defined by the development of cultural practices and organised societies. The study of the ancient world includes the discoveries and the mysteries of this period of history.
Geography
The year 7 geography curriculum presents a structured way of exploring, analysing and understanding the characteristics of the places that make up our world. This unit covers water and the world and place and liveability. Water in the world focuses on water as an example of a renewable environmental resource. Place and liveability investigates factors that influence where people live, including environmental, economic and social measures in their local community.
Business & Economics
The year 7 business and economics curriculum provides students with an understanding of how they participate in the economy as consumers, workers and producers. This unit students explore financial planning, investigating the rights and responsibilities of consumers and business in terms of financial and economic decision making. Setting goals and planning is a vital skill for both individuals and businesses and students identify and practise methods to achieve these goals in different contexts.
Civics & Citizenship
The year 7 civics and citizenship curriculum provides a study of the key features of Australia’s system of government. Students examine the Australian Constitution and how its features, principles and values shape Australia’s democracy. They look at how the rights of individuals are protected through the justice system. Students also explore how Australia’s secular system of government supports a diverse society with shared values.
Year 8
History
The year 8 history curriculum provides study of history from the end of the ancient period to the beginning of the modern period. In this unit students study Medieval Japan and Medieval Europe. This was when major civilisations around the world started to interact with each other. Social, economic, religious, and political beliefs were often challenged and significantly changed.
Geography
The year 8 geography curriculum gets students to explore how the environmental functions to support life and how wellbeing can be maintained. In this unit students investigate the globalisation of urban life and the changing human geography of countries. The spatial distribution of population is a sensitive indicator of economic and social change, and has significant environmental, economic and social effects, both negative and positive.
Business & Economics
The year 8 business and economics curriculum investigates enterprising behaviours and entrepreneurial skills. Students explore the way the work and business environment is changing both in Australia and globally. They also explore the implications this has for current and future work and the work of entrepreneurs.
Civics & Citizenship
The Year 8 curriculum provides a study of the responsibilities and freedoms of citizens and how Australians can actively participate in their democracy. This unit provides students with an understanding of civil rights and Australian law. Students consider how laws are made and the types of laws used in Australia. Students also examine what it means to be Australian by identifying the reasons for and influences that shape national identity.
The South Oakleigh College science program provides students with opportunities that are a cut above the rest.
Students across mainstream and accelerated science are introduced to the fundamentals of what is science? What do scientists do and how do they conduct a valid investigation? Students develop the skill to observe, ask questions, collect data and make evidence-based conclusions. They are also introduced to Design Thinking and learn how to work collaboratively to solve problems that require empathy, ideation and the development of prototypes that provide viable solutions to big questions.
Students are introduced to the basics of:
- Chemistry: particle theory, states of matter, and simple reactions
- Biology: ecosystems, classification, and body systems
- Physics: simple machines, forces and energy
The year 7 and 8 Health and Physical Education curriculum is a combination of Theory, Physical Education and Sport classes. Students will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of how to enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing. They will examine relationships, personal and social skills and decision making. Students will also practice and apply movement concepts and strategies to achieve movement and fitness outcomes.
Specialist Subjects
At Year 7 and 8, students are assigned to specialist subjects which are run for one semester only.
Specialist subjects are designed for students to have the opportunity to be exposed to a broad range of Art and Technology subjects and encourage the exploration of new skills, talents and interests.
Across the junior school these specialist subjects include.
South Oakleigh College takes immense pride in offering a vibrant Arts program that encompasses Visual Arts and Performing Arts. This holistic approach to the study of Arts creates a unique and creative learning journey for students. It nurtures their critical and creative thinking skills, fosters self-expression, and contributes to their understanding of the world and their place in it.
Across Years 7 & 8, students can explore a variety of Performing Arts and Visual Arts subjects. This approach allows them to gain exposure to a variety of disciplines, helping them discover their interests and passions while building a well-rounded foundation in different areas of study.
Subjects include: Studio Art, Design & Textiles, Drama, Music Performance
The experience that this program provides sets a strong foundation for students to make well informed decisions about which middle school electives to choose when personalising their learning.
An extension of learning within the Oakleigh Education Precinct (OEP) students are taught how to use Stamford University’s D*School approach to Design Thinking in technologies allows our students to not only be critical thinkers when problem solving, but to also develop key skills in identifying the problem that needs to be solved.
Students in Years 7 & 8 experience in these subjects essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, which are paramount in today's fast-paced world. They also promote creativity and innovation, encouraging students to think innovatively and explore new ideas and solutions. Furthermore, these subjects address real-world issues like sustainability and health, instilling in students an awareness of their societal and environmental impact. Ultimately, technology subjects equip students with practical skills and introduce them to potential career paths in various industries, empowering them to excel in our increasingly technology-driven society.
Across Years 7 & 8, students engage in Design & Materials, Design & Mechanisms and Food Studies.
The experience that this program provides sets a strong foundation for students to make well informed decisions about which middle school electives to choose when personalising their learning.
South Oakleigh College is a school that prides itself on the cultural and linguistic diversity of its staff and students.
The College hosts two streams of language classes for Greek and Japanese. Beginners- for students who are beginning their learning of a language, and Advanced- for students who are native speakers or further developed in their language skills.
Students who excel in Greek or Japanese have the opportunity for VCE Advanced Placement – meaning they can study a VCE language in Year 10.
All students participate in extra-Curricular activities which include a variety of incursions and excursions, participation in cultural school and external community events
Japanese
Year 7 students of Japanese commence their language learning journeys at the secondary level. For Beginners classes, students are introduced to the Hiragana script and the world of Japanese culture and geography. Meanwhile, Advanced students further refine on their previous learning from the Primary level, developing their literacy skills across the different writing systems of Japanese. With the aim of developing their reading and writing skills, students learn to introduce themselves using the appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures.
Year 8 students are to further develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills with the Japanese language. Topics covered during this year include a study of samurai Japan, and learning to discuss and describe one’s friends, family and local community. At the end of Year 8, teachers will be contacting families of high-achieving students to recommend their continuation of the language into the Middle School.
Japanese in the Oakleigh Education Precinct
The Oakleigh Education Precinct (OEP) is a learning and teaching precinct that brings together the expertise and resources of Huntingdale Primary School, Oakleigh South Primary School, Oakleigh Primary School and South Oakleigh College.
The aims of the OEP include the goal to strengthen Japanese pathways for students in the precinct. Teachers from across member schools collaborate on ways to improve the delivery of their respective Japanese programs.
Throughout the school year, there may be opportunities for students to participate in OEP-related events, including film viewings and visits to the Japanese Consulate in the Melbourne CBD.
Greek
The study of Greek at the junior levels aims to introduce and enhance students’ knowledge of Greek language, history, and culture. Students use written and spoken Greek to initiate and sustain classroom interactions, to carry out and to exchange information, ideas, thoughts and feelings about people, objects, places, and events. They ask and respond to open-ended questions and use rehearsed and spontaneous language to engage in discussions, negotiate, make decisions and arrangements. They apply appropriate pronunciation and rhythm in spoken Greek to a range of sentence types. Students from both Sequences 1 & 2 apply rules of punctuation and spelling to their own written constructions. They translate and interpret texts, identifying and explaining words with cultural significance in Greek, and create bilingual texts for the school and wider community.