The English program provides
experiences in all areas of reading, writing, speaking and
listening. This also incorporates high standards in spelling,
written expression, grammar and handwriting.
At Kerrimuir Primary School, we
have been extremely successful in implementing strategies to
improve student literacy. A quality sequential literacy program
is implemented to improve student literacy and to ensure that
all children are extended and supported in reading and writing.
A two-hour literacy session is
conducted each day from Prep to Year 4. This program is based
upon the Early Years in Literacy Program and provides the strong
focus needed to ensure skill development. Children are monitored
closely through various assessment procedures to ensure that
learning programs are matched to individual needs. Children at
risk are supported in appropriate ways, eg Individual Learning
Improvement Plans are developed for children requiring
assistance so that a partnership is built up between home and
school to address particular issues.
A Reading Recovery Program is
provided for students in Grade 1 who need support in the
development of reading skills. A support program is also
provided for students in Years 3-6 who require assistance. Our
Early Years Coordinator who works with the children and teachers
across the junior and middle school areas monitors this program.
MATHEMATICS
The Mathematics program
encompasses the areas of space, number, and measurement. The
program provides a meaningful and hands-on approach to enable
the children to acquire these skills. Children are monitored
closely to enable teachers to address areas of risk. An
extension maths program is conducted for those children in the
senior school who demonstrate a particular aptitude for
mathematics learning.
HEALTH
AND
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
Physical Education promotes the
development of skills of human movement in athletics, minor and
major games, dance, ball handling skills, swimming and
gymnastics. The Health component of the program looks at food
and nutrition, health, safety, human development and relations.
LEARNING
TECHNOLOGIES
We are very fortunate to have an
excellent Information Technology Centre at Kerrimuir. A network
of additional computers in each classroom supports this. This
enables the students to be involved in a variety of learning
experiences including word processing, emailing, use of the
internet for research, Numeracy and Literacy programs, CD ROM
Encyclopaedias as well as problem solving games. The children
are now able to experience the use of digital cameras and
scanners. Computers are used regularly in all classrooms to
enhance existing programs.
STUDIES
OF
SOCIETY
AND
THE
ENVIRONMENT
Our SOSE program provides students
with the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, values and
understandings of their own society as well as other cultures
and societies in the World environment. These programs are often
integrated with other areas of the curriculum to enable children
to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the topic in
question.
Students in Years 5 & 6 are involved in the Police In Schools
Program. In other year levels throughout the school students are
involved in social skills programs. Leadership opportunities are
provided for students throughout the school through the Junior
School Council. This enables all classes to have a voice through
their class representatives on the Council. The children have
initiated many valuable and useful ideas in this area.
SCIENCE
The science program at Kerrimuir
provides students with experiences in which they are encouraged
to find solutions, ask questions and develop abilities to apply
scientific knowledge and understandings.
TECHNOLOGY
The technology program is often
integrated into other learning areas such as Science and SOSE.
As this program involves designing, building and testing of
models and ideas, it enables children to build upon and
reinforce, through another medium, concepts learned in all areas
of the curriculum.
THE
ARTS
The Arts Program encompasses
visual arts, music and drama. These areas of the curriculum
enable the children to express their values, feelings and
beliefs in a creative and productive way. Over the past few
years, our school has been involved in the Artist In Schools
Program. The very attractive murals and mosaic in the office and
entrance foyer are a testament to the quality of these programs.
LOTE
In 1995, the school community made
the decision to introduce Japanese as our Language Other Than
English. All children from P - 6 receive a 45 minute session per
week.
A wide variety of cultural activities are included in the
program to enable the children to gain an understanding of the
language and culture.
