Middle School

Middle School

Overview• Vision, Mission, Values• Being a Middle School Student• What we provide• The Advisory System• Support Services• The Curriculum• How we check for Understanding• Communication• New Learning Environments

Some Statistics

• 250 students• 53 new students• Class sizes remain small• Support has increased• New learning environments• New Technology

Vision, Mission and Values Our visionSt. John’s students live our values to impact the world. Our mission St. John’s International School provides an English-language education based on Christian values, demands personal excellence and stimulates individual responsibility within a culturally diverse environment. Our valuesSt. John's embraces its historical tradition and, in particular, the Christian values of: Companionship - the gentleness to befriend and strength to accompany Integrity - being true to ourselves, to each other, and to our world Respect - of people, languages, cultures, beliefs and values

Vision, Mission, ValuesSingle most important statement of who we are as a community.

All of our interactions and planning are guided by these statements.

Our new curriculum is based on these statements

Being 11-14 years Old

• Brain Research• Physical Changes• Emotional• Social• Organization

The Learning Environment

A safe, exciting and stimulating learning environment.

Adaptable for multiple learning activities.

We provide…….A safe, exciting and stimulating learning environment.

The Middle School Journey

The Advisory System

• Structured Course for progression though MS• Aprox. 12 students in an advisory• Covers personal, social issues• Meet regularly• Focuses on the 7 competencies, especially “Self

Assessor”• The advisor is an adult mentor for student• Advisor is main contact for parents

Your Children’s Future

• They will be graduating in 2016, 2017 and 2018• They will have 10 or more jobs during their lifetime• They will be entering an uncertain world. Changing fast. • Success in this world will depend on them having the skills to navigate this

world. Transferable skills.• They will make an impact on the world!

St. John’s Middle School Curriculum

Supports the key skills needed to ‘navigate the modern world’

Demands Personal excellence

Embeds the 7 competencies

Assessment/Checking for Understanding• We value each child and pursue personal excellence• We see each child as if on a ladder- They need to know where they are and where they are going.• Formative and Summative assessments (tests, projects, classwork, homework)• Converted to 1-7 for report card.• The driving test (summative and Formative)

Standardized, formative, summative Rubrics

Grading ScaleSt. John's Descriptor of

Understanding and Knowledge

α system

7+ Outstanding A+7 A6+ Very Good A-6 B+5+ Consistent and

thoroughB

5 B-4+ Good, General C+4 C3+ Limited D+3 D2+ Very Limited F2 F1 Minimal F

Support ServicesEach individual child is given help to achieve Personal Excellence.

The TeamPam Mobley Head of Student Support MSSue Finlay EALMark Silcock MS CounsellorMarie Charlotte Van der Mersch School PsychologistAdriana O’Hara MS Learning Support/EALDeirdre Crombie MS Learning SupportKaren Roche MS Learning Support

Every teacher is a language and learning specialist and the support teachers support classes as needed.

MS Communication

Back to School Night 15th SeptemberProgress Reports 14th OctoberParent\Teacher Conference 20/21st OctoberEnd of Semester 1 27th JanuaryStudent Led Conferences 8-9th FebruaryProgress reports 26th AprilEnd of Semester 2 27th June

• September 8 – Meet the Board• September 9 – PTP Soiree for new families and buddy

families• September 14 – PTP AGM

Communication

Communication

• Special Information Evenings• Coffee mornings/Afternoon teas• Weekly email from Principal• Headlions

Contact any teacher by email. They will respond within one working day.

Who to go to for what…..

Personal , Social, Organizational Advisor

Learning Need

Educational/Social/Emotional

EAL Concern Sue Finlay

Pam Mobley

Mark Silcock

Subject Concern Subject Teacher

Student/Parent CommunicationThe Agenda. An important tool for organization and parent/student/teacher communication.

6th GradeWrite down ‘Homework’ or ‘No Homework’ after every class. Parent signature everyday. Checked weekly by advisor.

7th GradeSigned every evening by parent. Checked weekly by advisor.

8th GradeSigned every week by parent checked every week by advisor.

StudyWiz/Netbooks

Tool for teacher/student communication

All 6th, 7th and 8th graders have netbooks6th graders keep them in school

Homework

Students often need to reinforce their learning at home. It needs to be relevant, interesting and personal.

Students also need to be able to relax and spend time with their families

Aprox. An hour per night.20-30 minutes per subject.

Parent/ School Team

Please come along to our open events and if you have a query please email us, we will respond within one working day.

This presentation will be sent to all parents.

Contacting us:

A directory of teacher’s names and contact details will be available soon.

Thank you for coming!