Curriculum
WHAT ARE WE TEACHING IN OUR CLASSROOMS?
At St Joseph's we aim to provide a challenging and comprehensive curriculum with a strong focus on Religion, Literacy, Numeracy and Technology. We strive to differentiate the curriculum to cater for students with diverse learning needs. We believe that co-operative learning skills, problem solving strategies and critical thinking are essential elements in a child's development.
Religious Education is based on the curriculum document Treasures New and Old. This document underpins all learning experiences. The following subjects—English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, the Creative Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Dance and Drama), Personal Development/Health and Physical Education—are studied through an inquiry based approach under the direction of the NSW Board of Studies Syllabus documents.
ICT is a major focus at St Joseph's. Four years ago St Joseph's began using ipads in the Upper Primary classes. Currently all students in the school have access to their own digital devices (ipads) to use as a tool within their learning. Each learning space is equipped with a 65inch TV Screen which can mirror the teacher's and student's devices when teaching and learning. The school also engages in coding activates with Lego Robots and Raspberry Pis for the older students, while the infants' students are using Bee Bots for coding and Mathematics.
SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT
Creating, Innovating and Celebrating
These three words inspire the every day lives of all who are a part of St. Joseph's School. Each day students are encouraged to be creative, to be innovative and to celebrate in their work and play. The staff of St. Joseph's School are dedicated to creating innovative learning opportunities and experiences for their students and celebrating the wonderful achievements each child makes throughout their learning journey. The community of St. Joseph's is a vibrant and supportive community that strives to create a supportive learning environment for its children, to be innovative in its relationships and encounters and encourage all its students, celebrating the achievements of individuals and the school as a whole.
KEY COMPETENCIES [1]
Thinking Students at St Joseph's will develop this competency by:
- Problem solving this may take place formally in educational endeavours such as maths or scientific investigation but can also be developed through engagement in issues related to missions, the Student Representative Council, fundraising for charitable organisations etc.
- Developing empathy and values through exposure to literature, excursions, community service, formal Religious Education lessons and through activities such as our World Vision sponsored child.
- Self directed learning - by embedding higher order thinking skills in each year level using teaching strategies such as Blooms Taxonomy of Thinking Skills and Multiple Intelligences. This may be in individual subjects or multi-disciplinary. Exposure to the creative arts, development of their own creativity and appreciation of others creativeness.
- Listening and interacting with elders and professionals in our community through experiences such as the Burrowa House visits and BEEP.
Thinking about their future as an individual and a global citizen. - Reflecting challenging and asking questions.
- Being able to adapt to new and varying situations.
USING LANGUAGE, SYMBOLS AND TEXTS
Students at St Joseph's will develop this competency by:
- Being exposed to a variety of language experiences.
- Having experiences that will allow students to express themselves verbally. These experiences may include public speaking and the school play
- Communicating for different language purposes.
- Using ICT across a range of subject areas.
- Giving students a variety of mathematical experiences, outside the normal classroom experiences, such as The Primary Maths Challenge, Maths Investigations Competitions, and activities associated with National Numeracy & Literacy Week.
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SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY AND STUDENT WELFARE PROGRAM (SWSWP)
St Joseph's is fortunate to have a SWSWWP coordinator employed, through funding, for Student welfare and wellbeing.
The funded Welfare and Wellbeing Coordinator program enables us to employ the services of Anna Evans.
Anna will run our "Faith In Action" programs such as Mini-Vinnies, and our visits to the local aged care facility - Burrowa House. Anna is also introducing 'KidsMatter' to the school in 2017 and also uses her artistic talents and skills as a qualified Art Therapist. Anna's employment under this program brings a new dimension to St Joseph's and we are grateful for the funding.
