Wakefield School ready for intermediate students

Wakefield School is ready for its transition into a full primary school with around 23 Year 7 students enrolled to start the year in 2024.

The transition, known as a recapitation, will begin with a Year 7 programme in Term 1, 2024 before extending to welcome Year 8 pupils in 2025.

“We currently have 258 students and are expecting to grow to 275 in 2024,” principal Freya Hogarth says. “Around 2025 we estimate to have a roll over 300.”

The school has been busy upgrading its learning spaces, purchasing furniture, and designing an optional hoodie for intermediate-aged students.

“Rather than bus kids to facilities we have upgraded our learning spaces so that we can offer a comprehensive technology programme that can be used daily, and not be restricted by time.

“We can then integrate that technology into the wider learning,” Freya says.

The technology programme will be delivered by teachers who have a diverse range of skills, one who is even a trained chef.

“We saw, when we were looking into what makes a great technology programme, and how we could do that on-site ourselves, that great programmes can be delivered by trained primary school teachers by growing the expertise of these teachers,” Freya explains.

The school has the capacity for three full classrooms of Year 7 and 8 students however, Freya says that they have chosen to focus initially on establishing a solid, beneficial programme as opposed to expansion.

“Some of the changes we are making won’t just benefit the Year 7 and 8 students. With the resources we now have we can grow the skills of children in other year levels which is really exciting,” Freya says.

“The programme we have planned and the opportunities we have to offer are just really exciting. We are involved in all sorts of things like leadership programmes, community volunteering positions, outdoor ed programs, and a lot of opportunities for learning that follow students’ individual interests.”