Middle School (Year 7 - Year 9)

Years 7 to 9

Overcoming challenges, exploring potential

WestMAC’s Middle School years are a crucial time in your child’s development, presenting new challenges for both students and parents. Our dedicated staff mentor and encourage Middle School students as they form their own sense of identity, image and self-worth while also increasing independence and self-reliance. Our philosophy during these years is to provide a well-rounded yet student-centred education that empowers your child to take charge of their own learning. We want to ensure students feel confident as they transition into their Senior Years, having explored potential interests and pushing the limits of their capabilities.

Meet our Middle School leadership team

At WestMAC, the Middle School years are a time of growth and self-discovery. Head of School John Chalvatzis and Deputy Head Liz Warren work with their Heads of Year and the wider staff to support each student as they transition from childhood to adolescence — building confidence, character and a strong sense of self.

Our Heads of Year remain with their cohort from Year 7 through to Year 9, providing consistency, strengthening relationships and ensuring a smooth transition across the Middle School journey.

Tailored learning to meet each student’s needs

Our curriculum has been specially created to address and support the unique challenges experienced throughout adolescence. As your child progresses in their WestMAC journey, our goals are to help them explore their interests and develop their talents, while nurturing the confidence, resilience and interest in learning that will serve them well — no matter where their future leads. 

During Year 7, all students experience the breadth of subject streams available at WestMAC. This provides students the chance to experience which subjects appeal to their future aspirations, interests and goals. From Year 8, students can choose their elective subjects as part of their curriculum, tailoring their learning experience based on their strengths and future aspirations. In Year 9, students further refine their choices and take on greater responsibility in their learning, building confidence and independence. This flexible program ensures your child is engaged, challenged and supported to grow as they steadily progress towards Senior schooling. 

Middle School learning spaces

At WestMAC, we’re creating flexible learning environments that support collaboration, focus and student wellbeing. In partnership with a specialist provider, many of our Middle School classrooms now feature soft, ergonomic seating and adaptable furniture that encourages movement and group work. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the spaces as more comfortable, engaging and better suited to the way they like to learn.

Technology in our Middle School classrooms

From Year 7, students will have their own device with them in the classroom. The goal of our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program is to ensure that we can provide learning opportunities, anywhere and at any time and can adequately prepare your child with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-increasingly digital world. 

While we don’t recommend a specific brand/model device for your child to use, there are minimum specifications it must meet. They will need to have their device set up and ready to use from their first day of Year 7.

Outdoor Education

Just as in their Junior years, our Middle School students attend annual camps, designed to provide invaluable learning experiences outside the classroom. We know that these adolescent years are where lifelong friendships are made and our camps are designed to build connection and support across each year-level cohort. 

The Rite Journey: guiding the journey to adulthood

At WestMAC, Middle School students will take part in The Rite Journey: a year-long program designed to support their transition into young adulthood. It’s a program that’s delivered in over 150 schools across four continents, and is designed to nurture responsibility, resilience and resourcefulness in each person. It’s structured as a ‘rite of passage’, following three key stages: separation, transformation and reincorporation with particular ceremonies and important milestones along the way. Our goal is to grow your child into the confident, capable young adult they are becoming; equipped not just for school, but for life.

Performing Arts opportunities in the Middle years

Our Middle School Performing Arts Program builds on the strong foundation established in the Junior years, with the exciting addition of Drama. Students can join a wide range of extracurricular groups including choirs, small and large ensembles, dance troupes and drama clubs, Eisteddfods and school events. Students with a passion for the stage are also invited to audition for our biannual musical, a much-anticipated highlight of the WestMAC calendar.

Sport and physical activity

Sport is an important part of life in Middle School, helping students stay active, build friendships and develop confidence. WestMAC offers over 20 sports across various levels of competition, including inter-school events through The Associated Schools (TAS). Whether your child is trying something new or pursuing a personal best, they’ll find encouragement, opportunity and quality facilities every step of the way.

Anglican Identity 

Our Anglican foundation continues to guide students during their Middle School journey as they explore questions of identity, belonging and purpose. Through Religious and Values Education (RAVE), weekly Chapel services and shared community experiences, students are encouraged to reflect on values such as kindness, courage, respect and service, and to embody The WestMAC Way through their daily interactions.

Dandiiri in our Middle years

In Middle School, our Indigenous Perspectives (Dandiiri) Program is enhanced through proactive curriculum embedding, led by our full-time Indigenous Perspectives Learning Innovator. Through this program, First Nations spiritual and cultural histories are woven into the curriculum — particularly in our humanities subjects. 

For our First Nations students, we offer culturally sensitive self-development opportunities through the NGARI Leadership Program, which supports students as they establish connections to their cultural identity and heritage.