Curriculum

At Sunbury Heights Primary School, we have a culture of high expectations where all students are provided with the opportunity to succeed. Through our Professional Learning teams, classroom teachers plan for learning using student achievement data. Weekly planning sessions involve analysing student data and the development of consistent, research based strategies which are used in every classroom. Classroom work is differentiated to cater for the needs of individual students. All students work with their teacher to document their individual goals and learning progress.

Literacy

In literacy we;

• have a clearly documented and sequential curriculum in speaking and listening, reading and writing based on The Victorian Curriculum
• use the ‘Readers Workshop Model’ where students engage in such experiences as explicit teaching sessions, independent reading, shared reading and conferencing to establish personal reading goals
• use both formal and informal assessments to drive our teaching to target the ‘point of need’ of each student
• explicitly teach phonics, spelling and vocabulary across reading and writing
• regularly involve students in extended periods of independent reading
• use the ‘Writing Workshop Model’ to explicitly teach writing skills and the 6+1 traits, including Writer’s Notebooks for students to develop their ideas
• engage students in writing conferences with their teacher to establish personal writing goals.
• teach specific writing strategies (repetition, simile, alliteration, hyperbole etc.)

Numeracy

In numeracy we;

• have a clearly documented and sequential curriculum based on The Victorian Curriculum
• regularly involve students in number fluency activities
• explicitly teach vocabulary associated with numeracy
• use both formal and informal assessments to drive our teaching and to target the point of need of each student
• assess for misconceptions and resolve issues identified

Social Development

At each year level, students learn about our school values of Kindness, Respect and Responsibility. We have also been selected as a Lead school in School Wide Positive Behaviours, Respectful Relationships and House Spirit. Our students regularly participate in activities which promote a sense of belonging and emphasize the positive values associated with these programs.

Student Leadership is an important part of our curriculum.  Each class, from Year Three to Year Six has two Class Captains each semester.  These students are elected by their peers and have extra responsibility in the classroom and the school.

In addition to this, students in Year Six take on leadership positions such as;

School Captain

Junior School Council

School Signwriting

Flag Monitor

House Captain

Technology Crew

Environment Crew

Year Six students also play an integral part in devising and organizing House Spirit activities.

Support Programs

We have a large number of students who are on the Program for Students with Disabilities and many students who have specific individual learning needs.  Support programs at the school include:

• Speech Therapy
• Literacy and Numeracy Intervention Programs
• Social Skills
• Mindfulness
• Wellbeing programs

Sport and Physical Education

Students have access to a high quality physical education program.  Class PE sessions are based on fitness and skill development.

We also offer;

• PMP for students in Foundation
• Swimming sports for middle years and senior students
• Athletics Carnivals
• Cross country events
• a school fun run (every second year)
• various Professional Sports Clinics

More details are provided on the Physical Education page which is located beneath ‘Learning’ on this website.

Auslan:
Students and Teachers from Foundation to Year 6 participate in weekly Auslan lessons. More details are provided on the Auslan page which is located beneath ‘Learning’ on this website.

STEAM:
All students participate in weekly lessons focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. Our enthusiastic STEAM teachers provide lessons incorporating robotics, programming, physics and chemistry to name a few of the areas of investigation. More details are provided on the STEAM page which is located beneath ‘Learning’ on this website.

The Arts

During Visual Arts sessions, our art room is always a hive of activity with students producing fantastic pieces of artwork. Student work is proudly displayed around the school and often on our School Facebook Page. For the last few years, we have had an Art Show, as part of our Education Week. In addition to this, students have participated in Drama and Media Arts activities. More details are provided on 'The Arts' page which is located beneath ‘Learning’ on this website.