In NSW we have arguably the strongest curriculum of any of the Australian states. We are the only state left which offers a credential of any sort at the end of Year 10 - the School Certificate. Hence, what happens with respect to curriculum in the Middle School is predicated on the requirements of the School Certificate. Nevertheless, each school has a certain amount of room to move in adapting the requirements to its own local setting.

Year 7
At Trinity, boys enter Year 7 from around forty different primary schools. For many of these boys, their school reports do not contain useful information about the level of their academic achievement. Indeed, the only "hard" information we have about many boys who come from primary schools other than our own Junior and Preparatory Schools is that derived from entry testing undertaken in Year 5. Hence it is important to give every Year 7 boy a fresh start at Trinity, to show what he can do academically in this new environment. Year 7 classes are thus initially unstreamed for all subjects. At Easter time, the Mathematics Department does create streamed classes, and the English Department creates one additional Extension class. Other subjects remain unstreamed until Year 7 finishes in September.

Subjects undertaken in Year 7 fall into two groups; first, those studied in whole classes of about 27; and second, those studied in small classes of about 18.

Whole class subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• PD Health PE
• Language

Small class subjects:

• Christian Studies
• Design & Technology
• Music Visual Arts

The emphasis on practical subjects, taught in small classes, in Year 7 is a valuable help to the socialisation of the boys.

Year 8 and beyond
In Year 8, however classes are streamed in English, Mathematics and Science, because by that stage the School has valid criteria on which to base class allocations. A feature of Year 8 is that each boy must study at least one Language (chosen from French, German, Latin and Mandarin). Also in Year 8, study for School Certificate History and Geography commences and remains compulsory until the end of Year 10. However for the boys the most exciting feature of Year 8 is that, for the first time in their lives, they are able to choose two elective subjects. The broad pattern of Year 8 continues through Year 9 and 10 to fulfil the requirements of the School Certificate. Compulsory Language study ceases at the end of Year 8, although many boys will choose to continue study of at least one language as one of their two electives for Years 9 and 10.

There is thus a significant transition from arrival in Year 7, where everything is new and everything is compulsory, through to Year 10, when the boys are well-known academically, have exercised some significant choice about their own curriculum, and are studying at a Senior level. They then have before them the choice of the International Baccalaureate and the Higher School Certificate programmes.

Middle School Extension Programme
The Extension Programme for Years 8 - 10 was introduced in Term IV 2000. The Programme offers a different pathway to the School Certificate for boys who are very focussed academically. More time is accorded the "core" subjects by delivering some other subjects through flexible delivery methods such as the Internet.

Co-Curriculum
Year 7: All boys take part in the Peer Support Induction Programme through their Tutor groups. They are also encouraged to choose from Chess, Choir, Band, Orchestra,

Year 8: All boys undertake Cadet training or continue to belong to a Music group. They may also select other activities. Boys will be required to continue Cadets and Music throughout Years 8 and 9.

Year 9: All boys continue with their musical or Cadet commitment. Boys may elect to do the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award through Music or Cadets. Boys may also do other activities.

Readak Programme

Readak is an advanced study skills course offered to students at Trinity. Please click here to read the latest Readak News.

Special Examination Provisions documentation can be downloaded by clicking here. (PDF 93KB)