Primary School Learning Programme

Our New Entrant and Year 1 programmes are dedicated to language development and building foundational skills in the areas of reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. Students at this level learn to settle into school routines, to manage themselves and their belongings independently and begin being trained in good work habits. Times of play and rest form part of their daily programme.

In Years 2 and 3, students are encouraged to apply their learning to new situations and are provided with many varied opportunities to build on the foundations laid in the early years.

As their abilities and confidence in themselves as learners grows, they begin to experiment and explore this wonderful world of learning with increasing independence.

A number of different strategies are used to cater for all our students. All learning done at school is consolidated by home reading, phonics/spelling and mathematics Home Learning. At this age, students start to become aware of things beyond their own experience and take an interest in the community, developing friendships and caring for those around them.

Our topic studies, covering Science, Technology, Social Studies and Health, reflect these growing interests. Language skills are used and developed in connection with these topics.

Year 4 is a time of consolidation and strengthening of the literacy and numeracy skills developed in the preceding years.

Students are challenged to expand their knowledge and use of these skills and to apply them in a variety of situations. Research skills are developed more fully and used more widely than in preceding years.

The wide range of topics covered in the other learning disciplines serves to encourage a love of learning and the development of a wider variety of skills and interests.

During the upper primary years students are exposed to a more complex and demanding curriculum, in accordance with their development.

There continues to be a strong emphasis on the teaching and development of literacy and numeracy skills with the students. Greater emphasis is placed on helping students to further develop their relationship with God. They are encouraged to become discerning young people who can cope with the pressures of peers and other expectations that will be placed on them.

Students are asked to make evaluative judgements on a variety of topics and to be able to support their view points.

Students are expected to be able to work independently, taking responsibility for their own learning. They are also expected to be able to function effectively as part of a team or a group.

Home Learning is considered an integral part of the student’s education to reinforce classroom learning and establish effective study habits.

This will become increasingly important as students progress through the year levels. Our Home Learning programme has a combination of scholastic and service activities. The learning of memory verses is the most important part of Home Learning. For this reason, they should be done first, not last.

Home Learning helps students to establish independent learning habits. We encourage them to:

• Establish a regular place and time for Home Learning
• Ensure library bag or sports gear are packed as required
• Take responsibility to have a parent check and sign Home Learning records.

Students are expected to complete 45-60 minutes of Home Learning each week.

If parents have any questions in regards to the set Home Learning, please contact the Home Base teacher.