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Middle School Curriculum


Heathfield High School values and promotes Middle Schooling. Our Middle School curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the young adolescent. Our school actively assists Middle School students to 'know who I am'. Through our Middle School curriculum, students develop a sense of self, clarify their values and begin to see themselves as community citizens. We encourage our students to develop positive, meaningful relationships with both adults and peers. We encourage our students to think laterally and act confidently.

Our Middle School teachers know each student well. They are highly skilled, and are specialists in their own areas of learning. They have a complete overview of the Year 8 to Year 12 curriculum, because they teach across all year levels. We provide additional support for students with special needs through intensive support programs, and by providing small classes with specialist teachers for students who require intervention in literacy and numeracy. At the same time, we provide a challenging and innovative curriculum for students with high intellectual potential. The school has established a dedicated Year 8 Learning Area to assist our students in their transition to high school. Year 8 classes are scheduled in this area wherever possible and appropriate.

Middle School students are given a 'voice' within the school community through a Middle School Forum, which works in collaboration with senior members of the SRC. Students' contribution to whole school decision-making is both sought and valued. Year 8 and 9 students manage and lead assemblies for their peers. Heathfield High School has adopted targeted strategies to ensure the well-being, and academic and personal development of our Middle School students. Strong social skills and sound study habits are developed through carefully-planned academic and pastoral care programs. We have developed highly-effective Anti-Bullying and Drug Strategy Programs and Policies. All of our Year 9 students are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Please consider carefully the learning opportunities available. Parents are welcome to contact the school for further information. Current teachers, Curriculum Area Coordinators, the Middle Years Assistant Principal or Student Counsellors will all be able to assist with queries or concerns.

Middle School Areas Of Study

South Australian curriculum guidelines describe the curriculum for students in Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 in terms of eight 'Areas of Study'. These are -

  • Arts
  • Design and Technology
  • English
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Society and the Environment

All Middle School students are expected to undertake studies in each of these areas. To ensure this requirement is met, students enrolling in Middle School Courses at Heathfield High School select from one of a number of pre-determined courses. Within each course, students must choose some compulsory subjects, and are then able to choose some option subjects to cater for their special interests.

Subject Information

Information about individual subjects is available by clicking on the name of the subject in the course outlines. For each subject, the information includes -

  • A description of the subject.
  • The area of study for the subject.
  • Information about the assessment methods for the subject.
  • The length of the subject in semesters.
  • Any preferred background that students should have prior to commencing a subject. It is important that you are aware of the preferred background for subjects to be studied in senior years, so that appropriate background subjects can be chosen in earlier years.
  • Any special costs associated with a subject. While most subject costs are covered by government grants and parent fees, some costs are not covered. These include some excursions, field trips, or extra-curricular activities, and any individual subject costs for materials or tuition of a special nature. Special subject costs are subject to variation due to price increases.
  • Any special conditions or other information specific to the subject.
  • Additional information is provided for Vocational Education & Training (VET) subjects.

Levels Of Study

Each subject is offered at various year levels, which have increasing levels of expectations. Students at any year level may take subjects at various year levels of study, according to their educational backgrounds, interests, capabilities and plans for the future. This is contingent on class sizes and timetable constraints. For example, a Year 9 student may enrol in Year 8 Music or Year 10 Music, but will usually enrol in 9 Music.

Study Times

In Year 8 and Year 9, each subject has approximately 200 minutes per week.

Course Information

Click here for information about courses in Year 8
Click here for information about courses in Year 9