Ahead of Seymour College’s Middle School tour on Friday 24 May, we speak with Head of Barr Smith Campus, Georgy Jureidini, about how this leading independent girls College offers its girls a well-rounded education that prepares them for the real world.

World Ready

Seymour College sees the Middle Years as the ‘start of a new adventure’ – a time when young girls can discover who they are, and what they’re interested in and begin building the foundations of their future. It’s an approach that’s underpinned by the College’s commitment to innovation and excellence, developing education opportunities and new ways of thinking that are ingrained in the real world.

Between Years 7 and 8, Mathematics and English form the backbone of the curriculum, while career-focused subjects – including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and GEM (Global Studies, English and Media) – round out individual learning. In these years, students undertake a core rotation of specialist subjects so they can discover what interests them before they select curated electives available in Year 9. Here, they can try Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Stage and Screencraft, Technology Innovation, High Performance Sport and more.

Determined to ease students’ move from school to the real world, Seymour also weaves financial literacy, cyber security and digital etiquette through the curriculum.

Easy Transition

Regardless of whether they’re already enrolled or are a fresh face at school, Seymour College is determined to bridge the gap between Years 6 and 7. To do this, they offer an Orientation Day – a chance for the cohort of girls to meet as many of their classmates as possible the year before Year 7 commences. On the evening following Orientation Day, Seymour also hosts drinks for the parents to meet, mingle and develop a network of support.

Once Year 7 begins, girls get the opportunity to bond further on Orientation Camp. “Our Orientation Camp runs early in the year and is specifically designed to help girls ‘find their tribe’,” explains Georgy Jureidini, who is Head of Barr Smith Campus (Years 7 to 12) at Seymour. Later in the year, students also embark on a longer, outdoor education camp. “Through this scaffolded approach, our Year 7s are confident and settled in a matter of days, allowing their learning to begin without interruption.”

Positive Pathways

Seymour College describes its Middle Years as ‘dynamic, vibrant and welcoming’, fostering an environment that encourages students to develop the confidence, boundaries, and energy to help focus and take ownership of their own lives. However, helping girls discover their resilient edge is also incredibly important. This is where Seymour strives to instil the lesson of good decision-making to its students.

“The Middle Years are critical,” explains Georgy. “Our girls are shown a broad range of positive avenues.” One such initiative is the Women of Seymour breakfasts – a regular panel event where Old Collegians are welcomed back on campus to chat about their pathways, challenges and careers. As the saying goes, ‘you cannot be what you cannot see’, and Seymour has crafted a program that will help the girls to aspire, learn and build a moral compass that will direct them toward their goals.

Connections 

“The need to belong is strong in all people, but it is particularly prominent for young adolescents,” says Georgy. “Seymour fosters connections in multiple ways.”

Seymour College fosters a culture where students ‘connect vertically’ across year levels, providing an array of opportunities for them to get to know one another beyond their immediate age group. Additionally, students connect daily with their Homegroup teacher ensuring consistent and regular pastoral care.

Further, the College’s extensive co-curricular program is how young girls can meet like-minded individuals and bond through shared interests. No topic or talent is off limits at Seymour – from volleyball to AFL, equestrian, choir, concert bands, highland dancing, musical theatre, chess, debating, philosophy and STEM, there is a club or organisation for everyone.

Seymour also offers girls 14 and older the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award – a globally recognised program that encourages students to learn a new skill, volunteer and explore a new environment.

In the landscape of young girls’ development and education, the Middle Years stand as a pivotal stage. As Kanter’s Law suggests, any journey is bound to appear somewhat chaotic in the middle. Recognising the inherent complexity of ages 11 to 15, our Middle Years is centred on the theme of adventure and is tailored to guide our girls through this phase, encouraging both depth and breadth in their learning and personal growth.

Seymour College recognises that success in life extends beyond academic ability; therefore, the College embraces a holistic perspective encompassing not only academic excellence, but also happiness, community service, health, and overall well-being. At Seymour, this is called Complete Achievement.

Interested in how Seymour College supports girls through their Middle Years? Book a spot on their upcoming College Tour, on Friday May 24, where you’ll meet Georgy, the Principal Vanessa Browning, and Head of Middle Years, Ramon Bartholomeusz. Find out more here. Personal tours of the College are also available on request.