Years 7 and 8
We had to become experts in a particular sector of the city such as transport, housing and agriculture, and then work collaboratively as a House to design a sustainable city. This project was a great opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.
— Student | Year 8
Year 7 is a year of discovery. Students are introduced to a wide range of subjects that spark curiosity and build strong foundations for Senior School. In select core subjects, they also experience learning in single-gender classrooms, helping ease the transition into secondary school and supporting confidence in the classroom.
Each semester, students take part in a transdisciplinary project that brings their learning to life. In Semester One, the STEM Toy Time project draws on science, digital technologies, art and design, and mathematics. In Semester Two, Assembly of Notables invites students to explore the life of a historical figure and present their findings through a creative performance.
Toy Time taught all of us valuable skills in communication, strategic thinking, engineering, safety and teamwork. This is an experience we will never forget, and we can’t wait to see the creations future Year 7s will create!
— Massimo | Year 7
Year 8 is about deepening knowledge and broadening perspectives. Students build on the strong foundations of Year 7, tackling more complex and abstract ideas across a wide range of subjects. Single-gender classrooms continue in select core areas, supporting focused learning and growing confidence.
In Semester Two, students take on the Our Sustainable World project—a transdisciplinary exploration of sustainability that draws on their learning in Geography, Science, Art and Digital Technologies. They investigate global challenges and present creative solutions that connect knowledge to real-world issues.
Supporting mental health and student wellbeing is essential for academic success. As well as academic lessons, students are active participants in a comprehensive pastoral system, which focuses on explicitly teaching good character, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Known as 'Mentor Time', your child will be allocated to a regular mentor group of up to 12 students and a mentor who will monitor and check in with them throughout the school year.
Their personal and social development will be enhanced by participating in Character Days, Performing Arts, Year Level Meetings, Pastoral Care Time, House Meetings, and Religious Education.
Kilvington’s House System (Houses Barrett, Burman, Fethers, and Fysh) continues to be a key aspect of the student experience. Fostering collaboration and friendship across all ages, creating a strong sense of belonging. By dividing students into smaller groups, it encourages unity and leadership, with older students mentoring their younger peers.
This system promotes community, enhances leadership opportunities, and boosts student participation in various academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. It nurtures key life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and cooperation while offering a platform for student voice and leadership. Ultimately, it strengthens students' sense of identity, confidence, and maturity, creating a more cohesive and supportive school environment.
As a part of Kilvington's The Character Initiative, your child will experience four Character and Connection Days during Year 7 and 8. Character and Connection workshops allow students to manage and improve their relationships, reflect and strengthen their own character, and resolve any social or emotional concerns. Students have the opportunity beyond the classroom to improve their overall wellbeing and are given some positive tools to improve their mental health.
A major part of developing a student's character is the act of doing for others, so this program also incorporates a link to a community service. Each level will have a theme highlighting the priority virtues for that year level in a sequential program. We have linked with external organisations such as Mancave, Flourish Girl and The Resilience Project to add value and further expertise in these workshops.
YEAR 7 FOCUS
- Team building with trust and empathy
- Developing confidence and self-awareness
- Link to community service - Eat Up Australia
YEAR 8 FOCUS
- Developing meaningful relationships - care and compassion
- Leadership and teamwork
- Link to community service - Cancer Council
'I love Character and Connection Days. We learn valuable life skills such as gratitude, self-discipline, respect and managing stress and anxiety. We take part in engaging workshops run by exceptional external educators who teach us valuable skills that help set us up for the future'.
— Emily | Year 7
Year 7 students will choose to study Japanese or French and continue learning their chosen language in Year 8. From Year 9, Languages becomes an elective subject.
More details about our Languages curriculum can be found here.
Learning Japanese at School comes with experiencing new challenges and overcoming them. The teachers are understanding and supportive when the content is difficult, and the syllabus covers interesting topics that will guide me in future trips to Japan. I’ve also had the opportunity to converse with our Japanese exchange students, which has helped boost my confidence with speaking in Japanese!
— Chloe | Year 8
In Year 7 and 8, students travel to Flinders in the Mornington Peninsula to participate in an adventure camp and receive a transformational experience through team building, challenges, and reflection.
Your child will experience activities such as hut building, national park hike, zip lining, navigating obstacle courses, plus more. We aim for students to leave feeling encouraged, empowered, and ready to face challenges with greater confidence and belief in who they are.