Junior School

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Lowood State High School's Junior Secondary Philosophy concentrates on the social, emotional and academic development of our students to ensure a comprehensive transition from Primary School into Junior Secondary.  Our teaching and learning framework is both explicit and engaging and is underpinned by positive and productive relationship with high expectations for all.

Our curriculum is founded on an appreciation of the specific needs, characteristics and aptitudes of each adolescent learner.  Careful consideration is applied to all facets of junior schooling to ensure our students enter the senior phase of learning as active, confident, literate and numerate students with a desire to achieve to their potential.

We aim to nurture self-belief, increase opportunities and enhance learning outcomes for our Year 7, 8 and 9 students, instilling in them a love of learning.  In order to do this we have focused on the six guiding principles for Junior Secondary school design: Distinct Identity, Quality Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Leadership, Parent and Community Involvement and Local Decision Making.

Some aspects of our distinct approach for Year 7, 8 and 9 students include:

• A Junior Secondary precinct which accommodates Year 7 and 8 core classrooms.
• Each Year 7 and 8 class will have core teachers.
• Year 7, 8 and 9 students will have a distinct Junior Secondary formal and sports uniform. 
• An alternate program during the first week of school to provide opportunities to settle in and develop relationships with peers and staff.

• Specialist Junior Secondary teachers including primary trained teachers.
• Specialist teachers for The Arts, Health & Physical Education and technologies.
• Intervention programs for reading and literacy.
• School wide literacy framework, meaning all teachers are using the same language and expectations.
• All teachers follow the Explicit Instruction Framework.
• Whole of cohort testing using PAT-M and PAT-R to determined student's ability levels and teaching styles.
• Data gathered from primary schools to assist teachers in knowing students and their needs.
• Partnerships developed with primary schools in order to share curriculum to ensure continuity from primary to secondary school.

• Designated areas for Year 7 within the Junior Secondary Precinct.
• The concept of having core teachers allows positive relationship to be built between staff and students.
• Student Support Services such as HOD – Junior Schooling, Dean, DP, Guidance Officer, Youth Support Coordinator, School Nurse and Chaplain.
• Intensive Transition Program from Year 5 through to Year 7 including - Experience Days, Information Nights, Orientation Days and HOD visits to primary schools.
• Well-being program covering social and emotional well-being and social skills.
• Open and constant communication with parents.

• House representative positions can be applied for throughout the Junior School.
• Leadership workshops in preparation for junior leadership positions.
• Year 9 - Junior School Captains, Arts Captain, Cultural Captain, Sports Captain and Community Captain.

• Decisions made around our Junior Secondary concept have included; primary staff information sessions, visiting primary classrooms.
• Parent/carer and community welcome at: Building My Future Expo, Sporting Carnivals, Student Feedback Sessions, Presentation Night and Arts events.
• Regular contact between staff and parents/carers via phone, email, school sign and website.
• Open channels of feedback.