Our Middle School in Sydney is situated in Woollahra close to the city's impressive Centennial Parklands. We offer one of the best choices for private middle years education in NSW, Australia. We provide exceptional academic tuition, leading to top-ranking results and one of the most extensive extra-curricular and co-curricular middle school programmes in the state.
Our Middle School engages students with valuable experiences that consolidates previous knowledge while preparing young learners for the exciting, yet rigorous stage ahead. We encourage all individuals to build a love of learning and introduce them to numerous ways to develop, expand and demonstrate their talents as part of an inclusive community.
At Reddam, our holistic philosophy of education encourages an independent approach to learning and a growth mindset, where students embrace all facets of the curriculum with a focused effort on improvement. Academic, pastoral, cultural and sporting pursuits are shaped in an original way to strengthen each student's self-confidence.
Middle school students in Years 7 and 8 gain experience in a range of core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, PDHPE, Design & Technology, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, and Public Speaking; a school-based subject developing articulate student voices.
Year 7 students additionally choose two electives. Students may choose between French, beginners and continuers; Chinese, beginners and continuers; and Hebrew for their first elective, and then PDHPE has four lessons per fortnight (one theory and three practical). For the practical component, students can choose between dance and physical education as their second elective.
Year 7 students follow the comprehensive core curriculum. Year 8 students choose one elective, offering in-depth study in an area of interest in digital media, dance, French, Chinese, Hebrew or entrepreneurship.
In Year 9, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, PDHPE, Leadership and Public Speaking are compulsory. In the third year of the Middle School programme, Year 9 students must choose two additional electives. Options include Commerce, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts (including Digital Media), Music, French, Mandarin, Hebrew and Information & Software Technology.
Middle School Assessments underline the rigour and consolidation of content while consolidating the development of skills in preparation for the latter stages of the Australian curriculum. Our school seeks to meet the above objectives through the Cycle Test Programme, a cognitive and reflective research-based approach to the assessment process. In Years 7 to 9, students undertake internal weekly tests (on a rotational basis for all academic subjects) under exam conditions.
Assessments are helpful as a diagnostic tool that provides teachers with data for early intervention. They also facilitate the development of strategies that can be implemented to enhance student performance. Furthermore, the Academic Tutorial Programme, a teacher-led, weekly out-of-class session, allows for early remediation and individualised attention.
Our Middle School Extra-curricular Activities Programme is one of the most comprehensive programmes in Sydney. It aims to enhance students' school experience and cultivate their talents by encouraging involvement in an array of fulfilling sports, arts and academic pursuits. Extra-curricular activities may occur during lunchtime and after-school clubs at our outstanding facilities and in areas of cultural and historical significance.
Middle School Visual Arts encourages all students to reach their potential and advance their skills and understanding. The Middle School Art Studios provide a inspiring content for students to express their thoughts and ideas and gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of culture, history and the world around them.
During engaging art lessons, student achievement, individuality, enjoyment, creativity and independent learning are celebrated. With the help of knowledgeable and enthusiastic art tutors, young learners begin to evaluate the aesthetic possibilities of their works to apply technical and increasingly-complex methods.
To complement the core curriculum, Middle School co-curricular activities offer students the opportunity to experiment in their art-making practice. The Studio Art Academy runs classes before and after school and organised visits to exhibitions at local galleries and places of cultural significance close to the school.
Students engage with artworks in real life to gain a deeper understanding of the artists' intentions and how their own work can be further developed. In addition, those in Years 7 to 9 participate in whole-year-group excursions to Sydney-based galleries, including the Art Gallery of NSW.
Immersion & Art Retreats
Year 9 Elective Art students are given the experience of a three-day art retreat to Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon Trust on the NSW South Coast. Bundanon is a location offering students the opportunity to experience art in a new and exciting context, outside of classrooms and gallery spaces. The students stay in Glen Murcutt architecturally designed accommodation and work with artists in large open workshop spaces, surrounded by the natural bush of the Australian landscape.
In Years 8 to 11, students have the opportunity to collaborate in an optional Art Retreat at Hamilton Island.
During the experience, participants are introduced to photography, environmental sculpture, drawing and watercolour workshops in a lush, tropical environment. They also work with the artist in residence at the Hamilton Island Art Gallery to create acrylic paintings. The creative setting of the Middle School campus offers the ideal environment for student advancement to Year 10.
Dance
Dance Studies may be taken as an elective. The course is arranged into 3 main components: Performance, Composition and Appreciation. Each component informs the other and is taught in practical and theoretical lessons. Performance is an essential component of the course and cultivates an understanding of the moving body and the relationship between technique, the elements of dance, performance quality and artistic interpretation.
Weekly classes teach technique so that students my learn about the skills and stylistic attributes related to a range of dance styles. In conjunction with practical performance classes, young dancers also learn about anatomy, safe dance practices and body maintenance. Each year group perform at the End of Year Dance Showcase at NIDA.
Composition is the component that provides instruction for students to apply the theories learned and create their own choreography. The Appreciation component involves learning about the history of dance, essential pioneers of various dance styles and dance analysis. In combination, all three components require students to perform, compose, plan, create, collaborate, analyse, appreciate, speak and write about dance, helping them expand their abilities beyond their wildest dreams.
The aim is for dancers to understand the power of movement, ask questions, express ideas and have fun! To be a part of the school's dance tribe, students can choose to take dance as an elective subject from Year 8 to HSC level or participate in dance, rather than sport, and follow the extra-curricular Dance Academy programme.
To support students at this exciting stage of their musical development, a specialist team of music teachers collaborate to further students' musical skills, in performance, theory and composition.
Ensembles
Year 7 Ensemble Programme
In Year 7, all students undertake individual tuition, and students are required to join the ensemble that corresponds with their instrument. Ensembles on offer include Piano Duets, Vocal Ensemble, String Ensemble, Pop Percussion, Synthesiser, Drumline, Guitar Ensemble and Concert Band.
Choral Programme
Our choral programme is wide-ranging and caters to every student. All Middle School students are encouraged to join the large and successful Woollahra Singers, who collaborate with the senior campus Bondi Singers for significant performances and events.
Voluntary Extension Ensembles
Voluntary ensemble opportunities offer a gateway to musical exploration for talented students. Participants are guided by leading musicans and supported as they develop their ensemble skills and give back to the school community. Ensemble and extension opportunities include
Individual Tuition
Primary students can enjoy specialised music tuition with a number of instruments. Lessons are delivered by experienced music tutors and take place at different times each week to avoid disruption to academic learning. Individual tuition is compulsory for students in years 2 to 7.
Children may receive lessons in:
(Kindergarten to Year 6)
(Year 2)
(Year 3 to Year 6)
(Year 4 to Year 6)
(Year 5 to Year 6)
Performance Opportunities
Live performance is an integral part of the Primary School Music Programme. Young students perform at least once each year, both individually and as part of an ensemble. Learners receive unique and memorable experiences to shine on stage and a a caring team of specialist performance professionals is on hand to help them prepare. Performance opportunities include:
Curriculum Music
The Mandatory Music Course Music in Year 7 consists of three 55-minute lessons every fortnight - one 30-minute individual lesson and one ensemble lesson each week. The course enables students to strengthen their foundational skills in music reading and notation as they explore a variety of creative projects. Projects range from Southern Indian Carnatic music (Konnakol) performances to the design of audiobook soundtracks using sequencing software and discovering the world of orchestral instruments.
Mandatory Year 8 Music Course
The Year 8 Music Course is mandatory. Each class receives three 55-minute lessons every fortnight. The course is varied and caters for a wide range of interests, whereby students explore the impact of music on the brain and compose their own songs. Participation in the course helps in the revision process, and students are given support to create their own remixes of popular music while analysing music's role in history and politics. In group performances, students create their own versions of popular home-grown Australian pieces. Those interested in continuing music in Years 9 and 10 are strongly advised to maintain private vocal or instrumental tuition. Participation in an elective ensemble is also recommended.
Year 9 Elective Course
The Year 9 Elective Music course is one of the most engaging and diverse programmes on offer in Middle School. In addition to developing fluency in notation and aural analysis, students explore the world of Film Music, composing their own underscores to accompany animations. Creativity is balanced with an increased focus on analytical skills and traditional music scoring through the study of Australian Art Music and Minimalist techniques.
The highlight for many students is the opportunity to attend WomAdelaide World Music Festival for 3 days - an experience that offers new sounds, live musical workshops and performances. Students who choose this option are required to attend seven 55-minute lessons every fortnight. Additionally, students must study an instrument either at school or in private tuition. Ensemble performance is also mandatory for music students. Please note that the Year 9 course is a prerequisite for further study in Year 10.
National and International Tours
At Reddam House we believe in raising global citizens. The school is proud to offer an exciting array of international and national tours throughout the year, providing our students with invaluable opportunities for cultural enrichment and global exploration. These tours are designed to broaden their horizons and foster a deeper understanding of the world’s diverse cultures and histories. Whether it’s an outreach program or an educational journey our tours enhance not only academic learning but promote personal growth.
If any Reddam parent is curious or considering these trips - they provide an indescribable, life-changing & expansive gift to your child - one that a parent accompanying or family holiday could never replicate. A special thank you to Warren Garret & Melanie Pelosi for all you are and all you do, I am so grateful.
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Discover how your child can flourish across our extensive curriculum with an enriching Middle School education in Sydney designed to meet their needs.
