craft | music | languages | eurythmy | sport & games | excursions | special needs | plays

Craft (hand work)

is an important area of the curriculum, harmonising and balancing the intellectual work undertaken by children. Through craft work certain qualities can be developed, such as perseverance and determination, concentration, an eye for beauty, colour and design, fine motor skills and particular technical skills. In craft, the school works with fine quality natural materials to encourage care and respect for the handwork process.

It is helpful for parents to take a supportive interest in the progress of their child’s craft activities. The beautiful and useful items created all encourage appreciation and respect.

Parent involvement in craft is encouraged and appreciated and will be communicated to parents either through the class carers or through the Penny for Your Thoughts newsletter.

Music

Music is a strong part of our curriculum with both a classroom music program and a specialist stringed instrument program. In the class room, all students learn recorder and singing. Music plays an important role in the festivals of the school.

The stringed music programme is introduced in Class 3 until Class 6, when every child commences on a violin, viola or cello. In Class 7 and 8, students elect either to continue a stringed instrument or to participate in a general class music ensemble. The school is gradually purchasing a bank of instruments. Purchases of stringed instruments are recommended through a range of local music businesses.

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LOTE - German and French

Both German and French are introduced in Kindergarten and followed through to Class 8. This helps develop children’s oral and aural skills. Through learning two second languages a child is also introduced to whole new cultures and a wider concept of the world.

LOTE - Spanish and French

Spanish is introduced in Prep and followed through to Class 8. French is taught in the senior classes. Students have an introduction to two Languages Other Than English, enabling opportunities for smooth transition to local secondary schools. Learning second languages helps develop children’s oral and aural skills and introduces students to whole new cultures and a wider concept of the world.

Eurythmy

Eurythmy is an art of movement that came into being early in this century. Movement through gesture and dance plays a vital part in every culture and community, expressing people's experience of the world, their interpretation of what is beautiful and true. Eurythmy is movement which is filled with meaning, enlivening our senses and nourishing our imagination. Eurythmy can awaken feelings which can sometimes be dulled if they have no full outlet in the daily routine.

Sport and Games

Sport and games are planned to correspond with the child’s developmental needs. Sport and games develop children as cooperative individuals, rather than forcing children into one sided competitive positions. Swimming lessons take place in term 1 and term 4.

The School employs a specialist teacher for Physical Education. Students from Class 4 onwards participate in lessons once a week as well as a wide range of games and physical activities in class.

Excursions and Camps

Class camps and excursions take place each year for classes 3 and above. Excursions and camps are not optional as they are seen as an important part of the child’s social development, and are clearly integrated with the curriculum and main lesson work.

A note advising details of camps and excursions is sent home to parents in advance. The cost of camps and excursions is added to the next terms invoice. Permission notes must be signed for all camps.

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Special Needs

Increasingly in our times children come to school with special learning needs, developmental needs, behavioural or social skill needs. While many of these needs can be met within the class, one-to-one tuition or small group work outside the child's usual class situation may also be offered. The school offers programmes to children with Special Needs according to the availability of funds and resources to adequately support the needs of the child. Assessment of children's learning needs is discussed during the enrolment application process.

Plays

During the year each class presents at least one play related to the epoch being studied, (either during the day or in the evening) for their parents, relatives and friends. These are wonderful events of very high quality, not to be missed.

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