CURRICULUM

LEARNING THROUGH AN INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

The Integrated Curriculum approach we use at St Peter’s focuses on learning that is both relevant and meaningful to the students and helps to prepare them for their involvement in society. The Integrated Curriculum approach allows learning to be relevant to the student’s needs. It is an inquiry approach to learning where they become active learners. They develop an ability to think, reason, problem solve and reflect, thus are able to make more informed judgements and in turn take some action on what they have learned.

Teachers across the school use a common, balanced planning approach selecting a range of topics which may have:

  • a scientific focus
  • a focus on social education
  • a focus on global perspectives
  • a personal development or health base
  • a technology base
  • a scientific focus
  • a literature based unit

These topics often include cross-curriculum links as well. Skills, content, goals, concepts and values focused upon in integrated units of work are drawn from the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS):

  • Health & Physical Education
  • Interpersonal Development
  • Personal Learning
  • Civics & Citizenship
  • The Arts
  • English
  • The Humanities:
    • Economics
    • Geography
    • History
  • Languages other than English
    • Italian
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Communication
  • Design, Creativity & Technology
  • Information & Communications Technology
  • Thinking & Communication
  • Religious Education

Learning through an Integrated Curriculum promotes higher order thinking skills and is the avenue by which we cover all aspects of the VELS. VELS give us clear standards that are expected to be covered and achieved in a student’s primary years of schooling and beyond.

LITERACY

At St Peter’s, Literacy Teaching and Learning requires all classes to implement a daily two hour literacy block. Oral Language, Reading and Writing are main components of our Literacy Program.

Through this whole school approach we aim to raise the literacy attainment in our young children Prep – Year 2 to give them a solid foundation for success in later learning. Our Year 3 – 6 Program builds on this strong foundation to develop wide-ranging skills which will serve them throughout their lifetime.

Our goals are to maintain high expectations of students, provide engaged learning time and structured teaching, focused on their learning needs.

Information Communication Technology and the use of computers and multimedia have become part of the multi-literacies which are an important focus within all of our literacy programs. We aim to develop critical thinkers who understand and are able to say what, why and how they are learning.

MATHEMATICS

The key goals of our Mathematics Program are to develop in students:

  • Mathematical skills, knowledge and strategies that enable them to function effectively within their daily lives.
  • The ability to measure, estimate, calculate and verify their data and decisions∗
  • The ability to apply this knowledge in future with practical and logical approaches to solving problems posed.
  • Skills in the use of mathematical tools, eg. calculators, protractors, rulers etc.
  • Skills in using current technology as a source of information.

THE ARTS

Arts Education encompasses Dance, Drama, Media, Music, Visual Arts and Performing Arts.

We aim to give students developmental experiences in these areas which will help them use and understand art forms and to develop an aesthetic awareness.

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Health and Physical Education Curriculum covers the areas of Human Movement, Physical Activity Fitness, Growth and Development, Relationships, Health, Food and Nutrition and Safety Education.

  • We hope that students will gain knowledge of themselves as human persons and develop the ability to make informed choices about physical activity, relationships and their health.
  • An intensive Swimming Program is part of the Health and Physical Education Program in Term Two. Unless medically unfit, all children must participate.
  • SunSmart Policy is in place – School Hats must be worn outside at all times during Term One and Term Four.

LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

St Peter’s offers a LOTE Program in the Italian Language from Year 3 – Year 6.

  • Children are exposed to the Italian language in both oral and written forms.
  • We encourage students to experiment in using the Italian language for enjoyment and for practical everyday purposes in oral and later, written forms.

It is hoped that this language study gives students an introduction to other social and cultural contexts.

ASSESSMENT & REPORTING

St Peter’s has a comprehensive assessment and reporting program to monitor the progress of students including their level of achievement and inform teachers in order to take action for further improvement. Our reporting to parents ensures that they receive a regular, balanced account of the student’s progress and future courses of action – both of which are essential for student development, motivation and self-esteem.

During February there is a Parent/Teacher Conference in which parents discuss aspects of the children which may assist in developing the child’s learning program. This is followed by a mid-year Parent/Teacher Conference in which the child presents their learning goals and the teacher discusses the child’s academic and social progress in line with the child’s Learning Record Book and Mid Year Written Report.

The Learning Record Book, which contains samples of assessment pieces and testing throughout the year, is sent home at the end of each school term. At the end of the year there is a celebration of the child’s learning when the parent and the child are presented with a written report and the child’s Learning Record Book.

PARENT HELPERS

Throughout the year parents will be invited to participate and be helpers with activities related to other aspects of the curriculum. We appreciate greatly the time and commitment of many parents who so generously give of their time so that the whole community, especially our children, benefit.

At other ties throughout the year parents are invited to participate and be helpers within activities related to other aspects of the curriculum e.g School Community Garden Program.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ICT at St Peter’s Primary School incorporates the use of traditional and electronic literature resources to enable students to gather, interpret and present all forms of information in a wide variety of ways. It is our aim to provide students with the learning resources and skills necessary to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live.

The children at St Peter’s School have access to a Curriculum Resource Centre with an extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction books, audio/visual resources as well as up to date learning technologies including computers with access to the World Wide Web through a virtual private network and the Victorian Education Channel.

The establishment of two computer labs and computers in each classroom gives our students excellent opportunities to access online resources and educational software programs which promote and develop individual and group learning.