We follow a sequential Mathematics Course based upon outcomes contained within AusVELS.
The Course Scope and Sequence is supported by:
• FSiM (First Steps In Maths: Key Understandings)
• Michael Ymer Scope and Sequence
• Early Years Growth Points
Religious Education
The Religious Education is a life long process. St. Joseph's school contributes to this by :
• Fostering within students a growing understanding of and relationship with God
• Helping students to understand their Catholic Faith tradition
• Helping students appreciate different faith traditions
• Enabling students to participate in the life of the Catholic community through liturgical celebrations
The Source of Life Curriculum Framework is the document used by all Catholic schools both primary and secondary in the diocese of Sandhurst.
The content of the Source of Life curriculum framework is organised into the following strands: God, Jesus Christ, Church, Scripture, Christian Life, Sacraments, Religion and Society
Non-Catholic families who enrol their children in St. Joseph's school need to understand the distinctive nature, identity and purpose of a Catholic School and support the vision and mission of St. Joseph's School.
LITERACY
St. Joseph's maintains a strong focus in the development of literacy skills. A two-hour literacy block schedules each day provides quality focussed learning time for literacy development.
St. Joseph's provides varying levels of support to individual children to cater for all students in their literacy development. It is our belief that all students can learn to read and write to a high standard given sufficient time and support.
LOTE
L.O.T.E (Language other than English)
Japanese is taught from Grade One through to Grade 6 at St Joseph's Primary School. We not only aim to improve the students' communication skills but also to cultivate their understanding and insight into the Japanese unique culture through a variety of classroom activities and resources such as music and song, dance, games, craft and cooking.
The students learn basic greetings and sentence structures and are encouraged to use the language they have learnt as much as possible. Where possible, connections between the Japanese curriculum and the school's integrated learning units are encouraged. This promotes a richer and more holistic learning environment in LOTE. The students develop skills in speaking, reading, writing and listening. From Grade Three we focus on one of the three Japanese writing scripts called Hiragana.
Japanese excursions and/or incursions take place annually. These learning experiences are varied and in the past have included Japanese drumming workshops, dinner at a Japanese restaurant, Japanese folktale story telling, traditional musical instruments and kite making.
We believe that learning a language helps us understand how people from other cultures live and think. In doing so, we can develop a better understanding and tolerance of others- their similarities and differences.
MUSIC
St. Joseph's offers a Music and Art proram to all students. Each year our students perform in the School Production. Each semester the school also offers children from Grade 3 - 6 to join the school choir.
Private piano, guitar and violin lessons are conducted at school. Please ask at the office for information.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Physical Education - Prep to Grade 6
St. Joseph's has a qualified Physical Education teacher. The Physical Education program includes skill development in all areas, games, dance and opportunities to compete in Inter-School sport and athletic competitions. We use the Bluearth philosophy and methodolgy - See Programs.
NUMERACY:
At St. Joseph's we believe that Mathematics is a skill for life, complementing our learning and providing the skills for everyday problem solving.
ICT:
Computers are in every classroom to support the learning in all areas of the curriculum. The many software programs in all areas of the curriculum are accessed by students in Literacy, Numeracy, L.O.T.E, Sciences and the Humanitites.
The school also uses interactive whiteboards and student laptops within the classrooms to support their learning.
Information Technology skills are taught to all students. Students are taught to use the Internet responsibly.
IMPLEMENTATION
Numeracy Block each day
Maths Groups to implement the whole - small - whole maths lessons, which caters for the instruction and small group practice of new ideas, problem solving and skill development.
An extensive range of hands on equipment / concrete materials
A variety of Resources are used to supplement and extend the Maths Program:
• First Steps In Maths
• Maths Plus
• Rigby Maths series
• Signpost Maths Program
• Targeting Maths Series
• Early Years Numeracy: Growth Points
• Mathletics Computer Program
• Maths Lab (Targeting Maths)
• Inclusion of Maths Challenges / tips in Newsletter to promote partnership between school and home.
SPECIAL NEEDS
For Students who require extra assistance or further extension in Maths, we provide the following Programs where funding allows:
• E.M.U. (Extending Mathematical Understanding)
• Bridges Numeracy
• Maths Olympiad
• National Maths Competition
• Mathletics LIVE
ASSESSMENT
Students ability is measured before and after each Unit to ensure current knowledge, understandings and skills are improved, extended and enhanced.
Each classroom follows the St. Joseph's Numeracy Assessment Schedule which variously uses the following Assessment tools:
• FSiM (First Steps In Maths) Diagnostic Tasks
• S.I.N.E. (Success In Numeracy Education)
• Early Years Maths Assessment Interview
• Unit Assessment Tasks
• NAPLAN for Yr. 3 & 5
• V.E.L.S. (Victorian Essential Learning Standards) checklists
• Observation and targeted questioning techniques.
