Quality Teaching and Learning

Development of Literacy and Numeracy Skills

Teaching your child to read is something the teachers in the Junior School take very seriously. The majority of our teaching time is devoted to the various aspects of reading. A strong emphasis is placed upon teaching decoding and phonic skills.Without these tools no child can learn to read. THRASS (Teaching Handwriting Reading and Spelling Skills) is used extensively to assist in this area of students development. We take time and care to teach comprehension and spelling but above all we want to fill our students with a love and enthusiasm for reading. It is in this aspect that the role of parents is crucial.

The home reading programme is designed to encourage parents to spend time reading quality literature with their children. Jackie French, a noted children's author, has made a number of observations about reading at home . She comments that just because a child is reading on their own it does not mean that the parent should stop reading to them. Further she states that, "adults repeatedly underestimate the type of book and subject matter that interest young readers, tending to dumb down the choices." (Sydney Morning Herald 31/12/2008)

Children develop skills in Literacy and Numeracy at different rates. The aim of the programmes in the Junior School is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of individual children and to support them according to their needs. Differentiation of the curriculum and the support of specialist teachers in the classroom and beyond are important tools in developing skills. Specific learning needs are supported through the Learning Support Programme.

The teaching of Numeracy focusses upon the development of basic skills and the ability to apply the concepts learned in real world situations. Children learn about basic mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division by sharing, counting, estimating and measuring.

Each year programmes are conducted which aim to assist parents in supporting the learning of their children in the home.

Gifted Education in the Junior School

The Junior School curriculum across every Key Learning Area is designed to have both a core and extension component. Gifted children are challenged to work beyond the core and explore issues in a greater depth.

Some gifted children have gaps in their skills. Careful assessment of basic skills is undertaken and these skills are taught so that the child is able to use their full academic potential.

Specific extension is offered in English through group work within the grade and in Mathematics by acceleration if this is deemed appropriate.

Creative and Practical Arts

Visual Arts

The curriculum provides many opportunities for the children to engage in the production of artworks and the appreciation of the work of other artists. Visual Arts is taught in each classroom and is closely linked to the core curriculum being developed.

Music

Research highlights the positive connection between the development of cognitive thinking skills and the study of Music. Children enjoy the opportunity to learn Music from a specialist Music teacher. They learn about musical concepts such as rhythm, tone colour, pitch, duration and dynamics through listening, creating and performing. Children also have the opportunity to participate in a range of musical ensembles including Infants Choir, Infants Singing, Discovery Violin, String Group and Recorder Ensemble.

Year 3 and Year 4 participate in the integrated instrumental music programme where Year 3 learn the keyboard and Year 4 learn a stringed instrument. The students grow in confidence and skill through these programmes and look forward to the opportunity to perform in concerts and assemblies.

Dance and Drama

Dance and drama are taught within the classroom and the children can also participate in dance and drama groups.

Sport and Physical Education

The focus of Physical Education to Year 2 is to build skills and confidence in a range of physical activities. Trained coaches assist in the teaching of gymnastics, ball skills and swimming. The children begin to develop co-operation, teamwork and gross motor skills.

Physical Education lessons are included in the curriculum from Year 3.  Team sports teach children about co-operation and teamwork - important life skills.
In Physical Education lessons the children develop skills which support their opportunity to become involved in team sports. A weekly sport competition with other independent schools is available for children in Year 3 and Year 4. Specialists in a range of sports come to the school to help develop skills. Sports available include: AFL, Tee Ball, Softball, Basketball, Snowsports, Touch Football, Soccer and Cricket.

Children from Transition to Year 4 participate in the Cross Country Carnival held on the school grounds and Transition to Year 2 their own Sports Carnival held each year on Foundation Day.

Pastoral Care

Macarthur has a clearly developed Pastoral Care Programme.

The children of the Junior School learn about themselves and their relationship with others through pastoral care. Biblical Studies and the BOUNCE BACK! Classroom Resiliency Programme form the core of the Pastoral Care programme.

In Biblical Studies the children learn about God's relationship with people and his expectations of us. Children hear stories from the Bible, learn Christian songs and do activities related to the lesson being taught.