Curriculum


Programs

At Altona North Primary School our aim is to provide every student with the best learning opportunities. To this end, we provide a well planned curriculum with a strong focus on developing the whole child. Our curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum, incorporating Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry Learning.

Teachers are provided planning time together. During planning time teachers use student data, curriculum documents and appropriate resources to plan for the learning needs of all students.  It ensures consistency and excellence in teaching and learning across the school, while catering for different learning styles and supporting students in making links in their learning and to the world in which they live.

Teachers undertake planned and meaningful assessment by using a variety of assessment tools to assist them in planning for and providing students with the highest quality learning opportunities.

In our years Prep to 4, the curriculum focuses on developing the fundamental knowledge, skills and behaviours in literacy and numeracy and other areas including physical and social capacities which underpin all future learning.

In years 5 and 6, students progress beyond the foundations and their literacy and numeracy becomes more developed. An expanded curriculum program provides the basis for in-depth learning within all domains.

Specialist Programs provide expertise in  music, performing arts, physical education, art/craft, while ICT is incorporated in all areas of learning across the school.

 

Many programs operate on a rotational basis where teachers with specific interest or expertise organise activities for their unit. Inter-school sports, camps, bike education, sports clinics and swimming programs are also organised by teachers for the children.

 

Our school is structured to provide the best learning opportunities and outcomes possible.

An integral component of our planning across all areas of the school involves the following:

                                                          

 

FOUR CRITICAL QUESTIONS

  • What do want students to learn?
  • How do we know they have learned it?
  • What do we do if they don't learn it?
  • What do we do if they already know it?

 

SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Support groups are initiated for children with learning needs. Individual Learning Plans are developed and Aides work in cooperation with grade teachers to develop a plan of action where specific language and numeracy learning requirements are addressed.

 

GRADES

The structure comprises of Prep grades, with composite grades from grades 1-6. There are opportunities for cross-age and peer tutoring, shared and team teaching.
The composition of the grades at our school are arranged:

  • So that children can be placed in grades which are appropriate to their academic and social development.
  • The range of abilities that are spread across a composite grade are very similar to those of a single age grade. Teachers provide a program to cater for the individual children’s needs no matter what grade they are in.
  • To provide greater flexibility in matching the needs of the child with his/her teacher and other groups.
  • To provide the flexibility in placing children from other educational settings into the most appropriate grade- this is important given the number of children transferring in and out of the school.

INTEGRATION

This School actively supports an inclusive curriculum for students with impairments, disabilities or problems in schooling.

To assist successful integration of these students, it is necessary to follow certain procedures and a School Council sub-committee supervises this.

All buildings are serviced by ramp access and we have a disabled toilet facility.

 

 

Assistant Principal & Curriculum- Mrs Lee Blunt