Junior School Curriculum
Junior (Years 1 and 2)
Work in junior primary is built on the foundations established by the Kindergarten and Pre-Junior program. There is a great emphasis placed on students becoming users of their own writing and reading to develop literacy. This is supported by a commitment to assisting students on their own individual learning journey.
At this stage children start to become aware of things beyond their own experience and take an interest in community, developing friendships and caring for those around them. Our themed topics, covering Science, Society and Environment, Health, Art and Technology, reflect these growing interests. Language skills are used and developed in connection with these themes. This makes the learning more integrated, realistic and interesting for students.
Middle (Years 3 and 4)
In the middle primary, children begin to pull together the isolated foundation skills developed in Literacy and Mathematics and move to a more independent level of language that allows for the development of research skills and exploration of higher levels of content.
Children are given the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of topics and explore interests in a more independent style of learning. They are given new challenges by way of different situations to apply their skills. The emergence of integrating IT skills in their learning becomes much more keenly focused.
Upper (Years 5 and 6)
Work in the upper primary is aimed at preparing students for the demands of high school and the teenage years. High expectations are placed on the correct use of language in all its forms. Mathematics skills are honed to enable the students to cope with the much more difficult concepts of abstract thought and process found in secondary Maths.
To support this time, small group instruction focused on developmental groups for literacy and numeracy allows confidence and knowledge to grow at a more individual pace.
IT skills are an integral component of the learning curriculum. Children are expected to work with a variety of programs and products as a normal part of the day's study.
Leadership skills and responsibilities in a team environment build the character of the students into discerning young people. They learn to cope with the pressures of peers' and others' expectations in a supported community. Children are expected to be able to work independently and take responsibility for their own learning.
Student leaders are chosen from the Year 5 class and presented with their awards at the Year 6 graduation. House Captains take on a variety of roles in the School and cover a few key areas:
- Pastoral care of students in the lower grades
- Leadership of formal events
- Community service
There are two House Captains chosen from each House and their time of duty is a full year. We also have Captains representing Music, Art and Media.