Excellence in Primary Education...
...A place where children want to be
A Family Community
Welcome to the Grammar community where students, teachers and parents work and learn together in a happy, caring environment. A broad, comprehensive and dynamic curriculum provides a foundation for learning and teaching, and a basis for effective transition into the secondary stage of education
We Believe
ü That self-esteem, confidence and a feeling of optimism are fostered through a child’s involvement and participation in a wide range of activities
ü That the needs of individual students are of paramount importance. This is achieved in part by providing a challenging and stimulating curriculum which caters for a variety of preferred learning styles, thus enabling each child to reach his or her full potential
ü In an expectation that children strive for excellence in an atmosphere where appropriate challenges are set and children’s efforts are valued
ü That ours is a caring school. Children are expected to care for each other, both within and outside our community
üThat the relationship between teacher and student is critically important in learning
ü That we live and learn as a mutually supportive and interactive community, recognising the vitality of the home and School partnership in the broad educational process
At Work
The extensive, balanced curriculum places an emphasis on the development of high standards of Literacy and Numeracy. Classes are structured with careful regard to the best practices in learning and teaching and a keen awareness of the appropriate stages of development within the Primary years of schooling
The Early Years Program involves children from Preparatory through to Year 2. Early recognition of particular abilities or weaknesses is facilitated by small class sizes and appropriate intervention techniques. A Reading Recovery Program is conducted for children at Year 1, with daily "one-on-one" tuition to strengthen reading skills. The Early Years Program is co-ordinated by a specially trained teacher, who supervises the correct application of techniques and directs the professional development of staff
Learning outcomes for Middle and Upper Primary children are maximised by small class sizes and a "cluster approach" which addresses each stage of cognitive development. Co-ordinators for each cluster focus their expertise on curriculum and professional development. Colleagues assist each other in offering learning support to students in need of help in developing their skills in terms of literacy and numeracy
A Learning Support Program is conducted. This targets children in the classroom situation and use withdrawal sessions structured according the needs of the student
The Ad Astra Program has long been a unique and very successful method of recognising and fostering gifted and talented children. This program is complemented by student involvement in a range of optional ‘Cool School’ programs which are offered on in such fields as Creative Writing and Robotics
Experienced, enthusiastic classroom teachers are supported by specialists in Art, Music, Drama, and Physical Education, Library and Language (Mandarin Chinese)
Excellent facilities are available for every area of curriculum with well-equipped rooms being dedicated to specialist subject, a modern library and resource centre which complement classrooms
New classrooms for Years 5 and 6 and the Carolyn Blackman Library were built in 2002. The Carn Brae building is now home to Senior Primary students engaging them in learning and leadership
Excursions, visits by artists, authors and high profile community figures, outdoor education camps and interaction with the Senior School enhance the educational opportunities of all children
At Play - The Arts
All students have the opportunity to develop their creative and performing talents as the Arts program is intrinsic to the fabric of the school
Classroom music provides opportunities for students to explore instruments whilst all students at Year 2 learn the recorder, violin or cello. Performance opportunities include ensembles, recorder and string groups, concerts and bands whilst many children participate in the Royal South Street Competitions. The Junior School choirs and other small groups perform frequently as guest artists at functions outside the School
The Annual Art Exhibition is a highlight of the School’s calendar when creations involving painting and drawing, sculpture, textiles and a range of other media are displayed and celebrated
A sequential Outdoor Education program begins at Year 2, building on excursion experiences, enjoyed by Prep and Year 1, and utilises a wide variety of environments. The varied Sporting Program enables children to experience many sports in House and School teams for recreational purposes and to develop positive attributes of teamwork, discipline and a sense of fair-play
To Secondary School
As the Junior School shares with the Senior School the 16.5 hectare parkland site in Wendouree, transition is made easy for the Year 6 child. Senior School teaching staff, particularly in the area of Physical Education, are involved throughout the Junior School and become known to students. Familiar already with the outstanding facilities of the campus, which include an indoor heated swimming pool, two gymnasia, a modern library and The Beckworth Centre for the Arts and the Chapel of St. Mark, students move with confidence into the Senior School
Support
Our goals for students are best achieved through supportive relationships between parents and the School. This understanding and partnership is nurtured through direct communication, through social activities and through the hardworking Parent Representative Network
