School Counsellor
The School Counsellor visits the school one day a week. Children may be referred by teachers to help resolve problems, eg. learning difficulties, behaviour, etc. After seeing a child the Counsellor will discuss findings with parents. Parents can also initiate an assessment through the Principal.
Languages Other Than English
The Greek Community Language Program is offered to all students with a Greek language background after school on Wednesday afternoon.
School Excursions
Excursions are organised to supplement work done in the classroom. They act as a springboard for ideas in oral and written language and in other curriculum areas. It is desirable that all pupils attend when an excursion is organised. Apart from the benefits from learning at first hand, excursions also contribute to the child's social and personal development. If financial restraints are a problem, the Principal should be advised so that all pupils are able to participate.
Homework
The school has a homework policy and each class teacher works within the framework of that policy. Requirements increase as children move through the grades.
Parents are encouraged to support their child's learning and it will be indicated to them how they can become positively involved in activities done at home. These activities will give the children the chance to consolidate what they have learnt at school and will help develop productive long-term habits of learning and planning.
The children in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 may have a variety of home activities related to several curriculum areas such as spelling, writing, reading, mathematics, science & technology and HSIE.
Homework that is essentially remedial in nature would be set following discussions with the parents of the child experiencing difficulties, the class teacher and the support teacher.
Parents will be informed by letter if attention to homework is unsatisfactory.
ICT
Our emphasis is on developing student confidence in using computers and related technology to support teaching and learning. The school site is completely networked, providing access to the internet, the school's intranet sites and our file server that is dedicated to educational software.
Library
The well stocked library reflects the generosity of parents over many years. The collection is constantly being reviewed, updated and expanded and a large proportion of school funds is directed to this area. Our Library is computerised so that all borrowing and returns are made through the circulation terminal and an inquiry terminal is there to assist children with borrowing. Other computers, connected to the internet, are also located in the library.
Buddy System
A program we are especially proud of is our Buddy System that operates between Kindergarten and Year 6 students. Year 6 students develop a caring relationship with their younger buddies as they assist them in activities such as computer education.
Fitness
Research suggests that a child's fitness level is a strong indicator of their adult fitness level and that a healthy life style contributes to achievement in other fields, such as academic and social development.
Student Representative Council
The Student Representative consists of representatives of each class, who put forward students' points of views on matters that affect them. They meet with a teacher each week and then Stage 3 representatives meet the principal to discuss their ideas.
School Sport
Over the years the school has built up a fine tradition in most sporting areas. Our teams continue to provide more than adequate competition for most opponents. Parental support for coaching our representative teams greatly contributes to their success.
Children are able to participate in a variety of sports within the school. Selected primary children compete in interschool sporting competitions. For interschool sport we enter teams in soccer and netball. We also participate in the District swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals. Children not selected in representative teams participate in various sports and related activities on a "House" basis.
Public Speaking
Program Features
- Essentially non-competitive
- Class based
- Teacher's choice of topic and free choice
- Strategies for planned and impromptu speeches are taught
- Time limits are negotiated
- Teachers organise /Individually implemented
- Can be team taught with the assistance of the English as a Second Language teacher
- Students can be adjudicators
- All levels catered for and modified to accommodate shy or limited English students by simplifying topics, time limits and allowing students to present speeches privately to teacher or with a friend of their choice
- Main idea is to encourage participation and build confidence