Junior School Curriculum
ENGLISH
Our English program is designed to develop the ability to speak, listen, read, view and write with enjoyment, purpose and confidence in a wide range of contexts. Girls are taught the skills to speak with confidence in a variety of formal and informal situations from morning news to public speaking and to listen to others and to consider their viewpoints.
In reading we endeavour to individualise the teaching, so small focus groups and constant monitoring of progress are the keys. In writing, the girls are given opportunities to draft and publish a variety of forms such as reports, narrative, explanation, poetry and recounts. We offer parents a literacy training program to enhance their understanding of this wonderful and complex evolution of skills.
MATHEMATICS
Students in Prep - Year 6 benefit from the Early Years Numeracy model whereby student progress is closely monitored on an ongoing basis and teaching is planned according to individual needs. Students are encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking and strategies as a way of enhancing their understanding of taught concepts. Skill practice is an important part of the early years of mathematics as foundation concepts are developed. Problem solving experiences are essential, teachers have access to more than 300 tasks in the Maths Task Centre. These provide diverse, open-ended real life problems at various levels of difficulty.
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
In catering for individual needs beyond the classroom in English and Maths classroom teachers are supported by the Individual Differences teachers who work with them to help support and enrich girls who are clearly performing at different levels. They work with small groups of girls and individuals to target learning needs and strengths. This includes the Reading Recovery program.
INTEGRATED LEARNING
There is so much to learn and so many ways in which to learn. Using an Integrated Learning approach it is possible to make connections between many curriculum areas including Science, Health and Studies of Society, which stimulate interest and maintain motivation and all classes in Junior School plan in this way. Classroom teachers also conduct lessons in Religious and Values Education (RAVE) and in our Social Skills program, Bounce Back. Thinking Skills can be taught and learned and they are incorporated into classes and subjects.
Specialist classes are conducted in:
- Physical Education offers sequential skill development in games, swimming, movement, fitness, ball skills, athletics, gymnastics, skipping and dance. Sport is based on participation with abundant opportunities for competition from district to State levels.
- Visual Arts involves a rich variety of media and making links to the world around them.
- Music lessons address the skills of singing, reading, writing and playing music.
- French lessons take an innovative approach supported by gestures, music, literature and drama.
- Library lessons provide an enriching study of fiction and
non-fiction texts as well as developing in students the skills to find and use information effectively using ICT skills.