The junior years are foundational. At FHS, Years 7 to 9 are deliberately designed to build the academic, social, and personal capabilities that set students up for success in the senior years and beyond. Across our two junior campuses, students receive a mirrored, consistent, and guaranteed curriculum the same high-quality learning, the same rigorous standards, and the same level of care, regardless of which campus they attend. High challenge and high support are not trade-offs at FHS; they are the standard for every student.
Years 7 and 8
Students engage with all eight domains of the Victorian Curriculum, building strong literacy and numeracy foundations alongside the cross-curricular capabilities needed for any future pathway. Our two junior campuses deliver a shared curriculum and pedagogy, ensuring every FHS student has the same opportunity to thrive. Learning is structured to develop both independent thinkers and confident collaborators, and enrichment electives at both year levels provide meaningful extension for students who need greater challenge.
Year 9
Year 9 at FHS is a pivotal year, a bridge between the junior foundations and the demands of senior school, and a chance for students to engage seriously with the world beyond the classroom. A broad range of elective subjects allows students to begin specialising, while the bespoke FHS Year 9 Program extends learning into the real world.
Drawing on our location in Footscray, minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and beside the Maribyrnong River, the program offers three signature experiences.
- EATWELL gives students two weeks of hands-on hospitality experience within one of FHS’s food services, building teamwork, life skills, and community connection.
- BIKEHUB, in partnership with the Community Bike Hub, has students restoring and donating pre-loved bicycles, developing practical skills and a strong sense of social responsibility.
- Community Inquiry Project places students in the field for a full semester — one term at our City Campus in Melbourne’s CBD, and one term embedded in the local Footscray community. Through student-led inquiry, students develop critical thinking, empathy, and active citizenship in the places that matter most.
